After strumming up local acclaim and radio play with last year's lush, neo-twangy album "The Wild," folkie Twin Cities duo the Ericksons keep the momentum going on their eight-song follow-up, "Bring Me Home," which they're promoting Friday at the Cedar Cultural Center.
Harmonious sisters Bethany Valentini and Jenny Kapernick once again enlisted Field Report producer Beau Sorenson to helm the recording and another Bon Iver cohort, drummer-turned-singer S. Carey, to duet on the raw, whispery "Borderline." The best tracks happen to be some of their most upbeat and polished songs to date, including the bubbling opener "My Love" and the loopy "Animal," each laced with light techno-pop flavor and homages to home sweet home. BB Gun opens the release party. (8 p.m., all ages, $15-$18.) …
After selling the place out last year, raising a lot of money for Arc Greater Twin Cities and maybe, just maybe, upping ukuleles' cool factor a little bit, Uke Fest returns to the Aster Cafe on Saturday with British expat Katy Vernon as host (8 p.m., $10). … One of the cities' biggest bluesmen (literally and figuratively), Big George Jackson is celebrating his new album via the Freewheelin' First Friday show at Harriet Brewing Co. Opening is Ray Barnard, who also has a new disc to tout. (7 p.m., $5.) …
December's second-biggest local music extravaganza after the Doomtree Blowouts — which means it should be No. 1 next year! — the New Standards' holiday shows will stay in Minneapolis, Dec. 5-6 at the State Theatre, with a caravan of unannounced guest stars. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. A stripped-down version of the show will also be staged at Papa Charlie's in Lutsen (Nov. 28) and the ski chalet of New York City, Lincoln Center (Dec. 18). … And if you missed our coverage earlier this week, Doomtree's 10th annual Blowout will take place Dec. 6-13 in numerous venues around town, and it will be the last year for the shows. See more details and interviews with the members at startribune.com/music.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
