Weekly Music Picks: SMS, Find a Concert

We could go on and on telling you about what's going on in the area for music this week. Sure, there are a few note-worthy shows noted below, but let pre-planning and sold out shows be damned just grab a scalped ticket to attend. Tourfilter is testing out a sweet new service that allows cell users to SMS (or txt whatever your preferred lingo) "tonight" to MSGME (that's 67463) and almost before you can get your finger off the send button you've got an incoming message. A text message will bring you a list of bands performing tonight in the Boston metro, the bands are all tracked by Tourfilter users and the SMS response is ordered by the number of people tracking each band. There isn't a lot of information included but it's wicked sweet and super fast.

Tuesday, 1/23
Heartthrob
Some of Boston's best get together the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at Middlesex Lounge in Cambridge for Hearthrob, and tonight is no exception. This week special guest Lauren Flax of White Lightning Fame in NYC will be holding it down with the local boys. Show up and be prepared to dance like you've never danced before on a Tuesday night (and never will again), and then be prepared to show up on DJ David Day's Flickr stream tomorrow. No cover charge, start time "9:00" but let's be real, the dancing really doesn't get going until about 11:00.

Wednesday, 1/24
Marcia Ball (also Thursday, 1/25)
Alligator Records artist Marcia Ball hits the Regattabar for two nights with her "signature brand of Texas blues, Louisiana R&B, and horn-laden, Gulf Coast swamp pop." Seth Walker opens.
Regattabar, $24 adv / $28 dos, 7:30pm
Marcia Ball: website
Seth Walker: website

Friday 1/26
Luminescent Orchestrii, Sxip Shirley, and Brian Viglione
After a crazy year with nonstop tours, a second album, and a rough trip to The Onion Cellar, the Dresden Dolls are taking a well-deserved nap. This Friday, their extraordinary drummer, Brian Viglione, will share P.A.'s cozy stage with gypsy-klezmer-punk ensemble and a circus composer.
P.A.'s Lounge (Union Square, Somerville), 18+, 8:30 pm, $8-$11
Luminescent Orchestrii: web site | myspace | The
Stranger .mp3
Sxip Shirley: web site | myspace
Brian Viglione: Dresden Dolls web site | Sex Changes (video, live)

John Hammond
Blues legend John Hammond plays a solo acoustic set.
Regattabar, $20, 7:30pm & 10pm
website | myspace

Saturday, 1/27
Cyrus Chestnut (also Friday, 1/26)
Widely considered one of the best pianists of his generation, Berklee graduate "Nut" has recorded a variety of acclaimed albums in the past 12 years, including a remake of Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas and 2002's Soul Food (featuring Christian McBride). No matter the project or group, Nut's bluesy, swinging sound is grounded in the gospel music of the church.
Scullers Jazz Club, $22, 8pm & 10pm
website (with clips) | Purchase

Sunday, 1/28
X-Clan with Wise Intelligent and YZ
The Time Travel Tour hits Beantown with the legendary X-Clan promoting their forthcoming album Return From Mecca (which includes guest spots from KRS-One and Chali 2na). X-Clan is joined by Wise Intelligent (Poor Righteous Teachers), whose latest offering Blessed Be The Poor? (the un-mix tape) hit the street last Fall. Hosted by Boston's DJ Nomadik, the tour also features YZ, Natural Bliss, and hometown greats The Foundation Movement and Afro Dz ak of Eclectic Collective.
Harper's Ferry, $15, 8pm
X-Clan: website | myspace | weapon X.mp3 | funkin' lesson.mp3 | Purchase
Wise Intelligent: website | myspace | Purchase
The Foundation Movement: website | myspace | lets ride.mp3 | not like all the others.mp3

Matt Durutti and C. Fernsebner contributed to these picks