These Modern Socks and more

MONDAY 8.25

Gary Louris

Guthrie Theater

Darren Ankenman

Former Jayhawk Gary Louris wants to know: Where have all my friends gone?

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More About

• Great Lake Swimmers
• Flobots
• Gary Louris
• Jen Paulson
• Hip-Hop and Rap

He helped birth alt-country, that increasingly hard to define sound, albeit one that was represented perfectly on the Jayhawks' 1995 album, Tomorrow The Green Grass. Louris and the rest of the 'Hawks went on indefinite hiatus in 2005, disappointing many, but it reminds me of a statement Sting made circa 1985 that a band is like a gang—eventually you get too old to be in a gang. Finding your own path is much easier without people in tow and questions to answer from a committee regarding the group's chosen direction. Louris officially struck out on his own this year with Vagabonds, and while its alt-country influence is evident, it is not a throwback or a desperate reach for the glory days. Nor does it sound like one-fourth of a great band trying to establish himself as a legit artist. Certainly that's what Louris is trying to do, and with Vagabonds, it seems he has effortlessly succeeded, walking a similar but less traveled path than he did with his former bandmates, a path that seems fairly safe for now but could get much thornier should Louris choose to make it so. All Ages. $25. 7:30 p.m. 818 S 2nd St., Minneapolis; 612.377.2224. —Pat O'Brien

TUESDAY 8.26

Parachutes

Varsity Theater

Hailing from Reykjavik, Iceland, Parachutes' soft sweeping melodies will whisk you into a wintry abyss of the calm and collected. A group of seven, they bring together sleepy vocals, lingering chimes, piano, sometimes trombone, light drums, and other cutesy toys, making a sound that will rock you like a low-swinging hammock. Last year the group released their first album, and this month they're making their first American tour. Cool and melty, Parachutes is soothing with substance, promising a fill for your empty ears. Electronic-inspired Solid Gold will open, offering a mix of tempos for the evening's harmonious show. With Greycoats. 18+. $8/$10 at the door. 7 p.m. 1308 4th St. SE, Minneapolis, 612.604.0222. —Amber Schadewald