Random mix Mason Jennings' new song "Machines" is featured on the soundtrack to the new Patagonia expedition documentary "180º South." The soundtrack just made Entertainment Weekly's Must List. Jennings and James Mercer (Shins) traveled to Patagonia during the shooting of the film. ...

Former Melodious Owl frontman Wes Statler is back home from Seattle and will perform Friday with Battle Royale at 7th Street Entry under the moniker Frasier, a one-man band that combines electronic loops and "lighthearted" spoken-word parts. ...

The Mill City Live series in the Mill City Art Museum's dramatic ruins courtyard kicks off Thursday with Spider John Koerner and Tony Glover (6-8 p.m., $5). Future players include Aby Wolf (July 15), the 757s (Aug. 5) and Idle Hands (Aug. 12). ... Koerner and Glover can also be heard on Sunday's installment of "The Local Show" on the Current 89.3 FM (6-8 p.m.). ...

If Rock the Garden had you jonesing for more live music on the Walker Art Center grounds, bluegrassy pickers Pert Near Sandstone perform there Saturday at 1 p.m. as part of First Free Saturdays. Also, Tapes 'N Tapes, Eyedea & Abilites and Total Babe are lined up for the free Open Exposure concert July 11. ... Solid Gold and Lookbook have lined up a different kind of museum gig July 17 at Weisman Art, part of its cool WAMplified! late-night music series ($18). ...

A cello- and piano-laden indie-rock band named hunter(Hero) and a Dave Matthews-style saxophone-addled group called Chester Bay won the Basilica Block Party Battle of the Bands last week at the Cabooze, guaranteeing them a spot at next weekend's church soiree. Chris Koza's Rogue Valley also is on the Basilica bill, opening for Spoon. ...

Dessa's "A Badly Broken Code" not only made my list of the best local albums of the year (so far), but it was one of four discs named best at the midyear by Chicago Tribune critic Greg Kot on his "Sound Opinions" radio show. And that's without any local ties.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER