While we were partially tempted to take a Waitmate and hibernate until next week's jam packed Noise Pop Festival, this week is actually shaping up quite nicely with local psych-chillers White Cloud at Rickshaw Stop Wednesday, the previously profiled Clipd Beaks at 21 Grand Thursday and Bay Area based noise-pop trio Nodzzz at Grace Cathedral (yes, that Grace Cathedral) Saturday.

Our weekly pick, however, is Omaha based indie-rock giants Cursive at The Regency Ballroom Thursday. Their 2001 gut-wrenching classic Domestica stands as one of our most overplayed albums of all time, edging out Fugazi's The Argument as our favorite post-hardcore record of the 2000's. And while their sound has mellowed quite a bit over the course of their last two releases, the raw emotion and passion of wordsmith Tim Kasher is as present as ever -- the 35 year old frontman still puts his all into every recorded track and live performance. With thirteen years of touring and six critically acclaimed full length albums under their belt, the quartet stands as one of the more prolific indie-rock acts in recent history, earning a reputation for being a true must-see act that rarely disappoints. But be warned -- with the emo-tinged punk trio Alkaline Trio rounding out the bill (somewhat odd musical paring if you ask us), this one is destined to be an all out post-Valentine's day angst fest.

Monday, February 15th
Magic Kids, Hunx and His Punx, Shannon and the Clams @ Ghost Town Gallery
Sky Parade, The Blank Tapes @ Knockout $10