Steve Earle performs at the Jack Singer Concert Hall January 27

The big news this week is the CJSW 25th anniversary show at MacEwan Hall on Saturday, January 23, but we’ve already got that plastered all over this paper, so I won’t go into it here. Suffice to say, it’s cheap, there are a lot of awesome bands, and anyone who’s anyone is going to be there.

Moving on.

There are plenty of other ways to show your love for local music this week, including not one but three separate CD releases by Calgary bands on Friday, January 22. As seen elsewhere on this page, Woodpigeon will be putting out its newest pop gem at Broken City, with opening sets from lo-fi poppers Extra Happy Ghost !!! and High Performance Rodeo darlings Foonyap and the Roar, in its second-ever performance. The first one blew away the crowd at the Rodeo’s Midway, so be sure to show up early.

Also on Friday, Reverend Kill will be bludgeoning crowds and taking names when it unleashes His Blood, Our Victory at Shuckalucks. The band’s deep, guttural grooves will be accompanied by sets from local thrashers Teitan, Bridgefallen Prophecy and stoner-rock newcomers Chron Goblin.

Rounding out the releases, upstart Calgary label Crazylady Records is showing off two of its signees at the Palomino. Good Question plays a blend of melodic folk and subtle bits of electronica, while Stars and City Lights falls squarely in the rock camp.

Also local but without a new CD to plug, instro-rock kings The Ramblin’ Ambassadors will shake things up at The Marquee Room on (you guessed it) Friday. And, as if there weren’t already enough options for that day, Victoria powerpop quartet Maurice will join gang-vocal wunderkinds Mother Mother at the Gateway for a sold-out set that same night.

Leaving the weekend behind, Wednesday, January 27 will see country-rock institution Steve Earle swing by the Jack Singer Concert Hall. A consummate storyteller and an aficionado of the outlaw lifestyle, Earle is always worth checking out, and this solo acoustic set should be particularly noteworthy.