Wowie zowie If you haven't already received Moonstone Continuum's debut EP via some kind of cosmic brainwave or a holy scroll, you'll be able to pick up a terrestrial vinyl/MP3 copy at its release party Saturday at the Turf Club (10 p.m., $6).

The truly cultish space-rock band loaded up its EP with frontman "Rev." Micah Mackert's celestial sermons, which predictably lose their charm quickly on record. Listening to the six-minute "Fragment of Court Document" is as dull as an episode of "Big Love" without the sexy wives. However, the instrumental prog-rock jams don't lose their potency, and Mackert even makes for a highly praiseworthy singer in the seriously mind-blowing track "Crossroads."

Cloud Cult farm report Returning from their new-baby leave to play an early slot (8 p.m.) at Friday's Electric Fetus benefit, Cloud Cult frontman Craig Minowa and his wife, Connie, really are going the distance for this show: The couple recently moved from their farm near Hinckley, Minn. to another rural homestead in southwestern Wisconsin. The move is far enough south that it provides a few more weeks of growing time for their organic produce. Cloud Cult plans to issue a new album over the summer, and it has assorted Midwest gigs booked for the spring.

Connie Minowa and bandmate Scott West will be showing their paintings in an exhibit in First Ave's VIP Room during the Fetus benefit (4-9 p.m.).

Random mix A harrowing scream-core band that relocated from Sioux Falls, S.D., Song of Zarathustra briefly boasted the Hold Steady's Tad Kubler as a member and probably did more ear damage in this town than anyone else in the early '00s. It makes a very welcome return to the stage Saturday at the Triple Rock (10 p.m., $8). Lead screamer Travis Bos went on to front the equally explosive Chariots (which reunited in December). This will be his first show in seven years with co-founders Trevor McInnis and James Munsen. The Stnnng and Gay Witch Abortion open, just in case you thought you could go without earplugs. ...

A band that started off with an immediate buzz but went on the back burner when bassist Chris Morrissey moved to New York, brooding but brawny rock act Wishbook is back at it. The quartet of longtime friends is fronted by Neal Perbix with guitarist Jacob Hanson (Halloween, Alaska and 12 Rods), drummer Nate Perbix (ex-Coach Said Not To) plus Morrissey (Ben Kweller, Mason Jennings), all of whom used to play in Cowboy Curtis. They recorded the first Wishbook album in December and are filling the interim with a string of gigs, including one Friday at 7th Street Entry (9 p.m., $7). ...

Another cool Haiti benefit is happening at Hell's Kitchen restaurant Sunday -- the last date to count a donation toward 2009 taxes! -- with Adam Levy's new electro-orchestral project Liminal Phase, plus Desdamona, the Alpha Centauri, Mad Ripple, Adam Svec and more (5 p.m., free). ... After landing a song in last week's episode of "One Tree Hill," collegiate acoustic crooner Ari Herstand performs Friday at the Fine Line to tout a new DVD, "Live at the Pause," filmed at the St. Olaf College club last year (9 p.m., $7-$10). ... Local prog-metal band Iron Thrones is a finalist in the Scion-funded No Label Needed contest. You can check them out and vote for them at www.metalinsider.com. ...

Some of the local acts so far confirmed for "official" (conference-selected) showcases in next month's South by Southwest festival include Peter Wolf Crier, the Pines, Off With Their Heads, Jeremy Messersmith, Charlie Parr, Trampled by Turtles, Banner Pilot, Gay Witch Abortion, Gigamesh and the Blind Shake, plus annual regulars Solid Gold, Kid Dakota, the Melismatics and Birthday Suits. Many more are going without an official invite. In fact, there's such a heavy MN presence at SXSW these days, I'm making this request for the first time: Musicians, please let me know your plans -- in addition to blowing a lot of money to play a few short, un-sound-checked sets, that is.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER