Win it before you can buy it! We've got a copy of The Long Winters' excellent new Ultimatum EP that comes out October 11th. You can download the title track here and be sure to catch them opening for The Fiery Furnaces at Cafe Du Nord on Saturday. (Contest ends Weds. 10/5.)

Tonight at the Rickshaw Stop Casiotone for the Painfully Alone celebrates a CD-single release, and at 12 Galaxies there's a Quintron and Miss Pussycat Benefit benefit with Erase Errata, Gravy Train!!!, Gris Gris, Kid 606 and more. If you're a fan of scantily-clad indie rock girls-n-boys, you'll be at Elbo Room for Electrocute and openers Hey Willpower and Paradise Boys. The Independent throws a party with the Rebirth Brass Band, and Tejano supergroup Los Super Seven (featuring Calexico, Joe Ely, Ruben Ramos, Rick Trevino and more) warm up for Hardly Strictly with a performance at Great American. M83 mellows out at Mezzanine, and at Popscene the Towers of London rock the spandex either sincerely or ironically -- you be the judge.

Friday is the first of two nights for several concerts: Tease-O-Rama, America's Only Burlesque Convention, at Bimbo's; Mike Doughty at the Independent; The Fiery Furnaces at Cafe Du Nord. All of those shows times two. If you like a little film with your music, head to the CineArts/Empire Theater for a 6:30pm screening of the documentary Amazing Grace: Jeff Buckley*. The film explores Buckley's life and legacy and is a musn't-miss for fans and a fantastic introduction for fans-to-be [get tickets]. Musician/activist Michael Franti and electronic world music pioneer Karsh Kale have teamed up with Lonely Planet to promote National Passport Month with a show at Mezzanine. Check out some great music and travel books, and while you're there you can have your passport photo taken and receive a passport application, if you don't already have one. The Three Skirts tour hits 12 Galaxies with a performance by Victoria Williams. At Great American, The Notwist and Themselves peform as 13 & God. Singer-songwriter afficionados might want to check out Richard Thompson with Danny Thompson and opener Eliza Gilkyson at the Fillmore. At Hotel Utah, Lipsey Mountain String Band is celebrating a CD release party with Nathan Paine also performing. Dntel of the Postal Service is at Mighty, and if you dig psych-rock, be at the Bottom of the Hill for The Occasion and Acid Mothers Temple.

On Saturday, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival magic begins! This is full-on, free concert in the park craziness with one of the best Americana/bluegrass lineups we've seen, well, since last time the festival happened. If you'd rather rock than rollick in the park, check out the psychedelic Swedes in Dungen at a 2pm Amoeba in-store performance, and catch them that night at the Independent. DJ Z-Trip caps off his tour at Mezzanine, and locals Loop! Station are at Elbo Room. Giant Value celebrates a CD release at Bottom of the Hill with Minipop and Persephone's Bees. The Long Winters open the second night of The Fiery Furnaces' two-night run at Cafe Du Nord.

On Sunday, we're back at the park for Hardly Strictly. Split Lip Rayfied (try saying that five times fast) plays at 3:15pm, right before Dolly-freakin'-Parton. Did we mention this is a free show?? We love you Dolly!! You also have a second chance to see Amazing Grace: Jeff Buckley at 2:15pm.

On Monday, Four Tet and Koushik perform for free at Amoeba and play later that night at the Independent. On Tuesday Jesse Denatale and friends begin a residency at the Red Devil Lounge. On Wednesday, the have and the have-nots will be apparent when some of you can get in to see The National, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Birdmonster at Mezzanine, and some of us can't. If you can't get in, try checking out Tussle at the Independent or M.I.A.'s return to the Grand. Local performer Jeff Solomon takes a break from his comedy performances to play his music at Makeout Room. Slim's has Idlewild with opener Inara George and the Rickshaw Stop presents Midnight Serenade with Rykarda Parasol and Plum.

* Full disclosure: This SFist is in the film. // Photo of Birdmonster by Ryan Kitson.