Hello Gothamist readers. Allow me to introduce myself. Some of you may know me as the music-obsessed blogger over at BrooklynVegan.com. Now you'll also know me as the music-obsessed blogger here at Gothamist. I'll attempt to keep you informed of the shows you don't want to miss each and every week. I'll try my best not to miss anything, not make mistakes, and bring you as much variety as possible, but unfortunately I'm only human. Work with me. Use the comment section to offer your own recommendations, suggestions, and corrections. And now on to the shows...

This is a really exciting week for shows in NYC. In what can only be described as an indie rock wet dream, we've got two shows each by Bloc Party (THE band of the moment), The Fiery Furnaces (the band of the last moment), AND Trail of Dead (the band of the moment before the last moment). In addition, Sonic Youth will rock Queens, Lou Reed gives a special performance at Crobar, and M. Ward brings his hypnotic voice to Bowery Ballroom.

We're also very lucky to have a special visitor here from Seattle. Last month Gothamist alerted you to a week full of free 'in studio' performances happening at the Museum of Television & Radio. This is that week, and our special guest is radio station, KEXP. There are still a few slots open for the free shows, and those not attending can listen live from KEXP's website.

While KEXP is in town, they're also hosting two special events. On Tuesday they'll be presenting The Cloud Room record release party at Rothko. The Comas, Shelby, and Human Television are also on the bill. Gothamist had a chat with The Cloud Room back in October. Check it out, and listen to some Cloud Room MP3 clips on their official site. Then on Thursday you can meet DJs John Richards and Kevin Cole (plus get 2 for 1 drinks) at a special listener happy hour at the Cellar.

And now the day-by-day breakdown...

(SO = Confirmed Sold Out, * = top picks)

Monday

Rest up tonight. You have a lot to do this week.

Irving Plaza: Straylight Run, Minus the Bear, The Honorary Title, Gratitude, Spitalfield (SO)

Tuesday

So many choices tonight, it's really not fair. In addition to the KEXP event described above, Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age drums for The Eagles of Death Metal at Bowery Ballroom. Many think the band is a joke, but those in the know realize they put out one of the best albums of 2004 . Make sure you catch both openers. The Hold Steady won't be opening shows at Bowery for very long, and Bling Kong is the band with the over-the-top stage show I keep meaning to check out.

You also might want to support the local scene over at Mercury Lounge. Morning Theft, who we interviewed in December, are headlining their first show there. With John Davis, Mason Dixon, and Ruth Gerson on the bill, the lineup appears tight.

The iconic Lou Reed plays Crobar. Nuff said. Castanets, best known for their association with Sufjan Steven and his Asthmatic Kitty label (not to mention their highly applauded album of last year), are at Knitting Factory. Dogs Die in Hot Cars from the UK play with Phoenix from France at Irving Plaza. Long-View, and Joy Zipper open the show. DCist correspondent, Information Leafblower, was just at the DC version of the same show. Check out his review.

* Bowery Ballroom: Eagles of Death Metal, The Hold Steady, Bling Kong
* Irving Plaza: Dogs Die in Hot Cars, Phoenix, Long-View, Joy Zipper
Mercury Lounge: Morning Theft, John Davis from Superdrag, Mason Dixon, Ruth Gerson
Knitting Factory: Castanets, Viking Moses
Rothko: The Comas, The Cloud Room, Shelby, Human Television
Barbes: Jenny Scheinman
Crobar: Lou Reed

Wednesday

Israeli hip-hop at Knitting Factory (note the $35 ticket price), underground/indie hip-hop at Northsix, and mainstream hip-hop at SOBs. Brooklyn's own dance-rock heroes, Radio 4, are at the Bowery. Local faves, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, continue to prove they're impressing the right people. They open the show.

* Northsix: Anticon Records presents Sole, Pedestrian, Dosh
Bowery Ballroom: Radio 4, Lake Trout, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Sin-e: Sandpaper, Michael Leviton (of La Laque), Stereofan, The Jones Street Boys
SOBs: KRS One, Buckshot
Knitting Factory: Hadag Nahash - 'Israel's hottest hip-hop band'

Thursday

Bloc Party. Bloc Party. Bloc Party at Bowery Ballroom. I can't say enough about Bloc Party. Unfortunately both nights are sold out, but you can try selling your soul over at Craigslist to get a ticket. This will be your last chance to catch them in a venue this small. The Ponys and Chromeo make it a show worth getting there early for. The Fiery Furnaces and Dios Malos also play a small venue in Brooklyn - also sold out. Alternatively, witness all thirteen members of Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra fit on the (now saved) Tonic stage.

* Bowery Ballroom: Bloc Party, The Ponys, Chromeo (SO)
* Northsix: The Fiery Furnaces, Dios Malos, Blood on the Wall, Hal (SO)
Mercury Lounge: The Fountaine Toups, Decibully, Owen, The Snake The Cross The Crown
Tonic: Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra

Friday

More Bloc Party. 'Roots pop singer/songwriter' Josh Rouse plays Irving in support of his new album. Tori Amos plays the piano.

* Bowery Ballroom: Bloc Party, The Ponys, Chromeo (SO)
Knitting Factory: Reid Genauer & The Assembly of Dust, Joshua Radin
Irving Plaza: Josh Rouse, Amy Correia
Northsix: OK Go, The Sun, Army of Me
Tonic: Mason Dixon, Erie Choir, Kevin Devine
Sin-e: Freddie Mas, Lycaon Pictus, Donkey Claw, Deva, Haunted Pussy
Hammerstein Ballroom: Tori Amos, Matt Nathanson

Saturday

The Pitchfork's of the world slammed ...And You will Know Us by the Trail of Dead's latest release, but their previous good deeds are good enough to score them two nights in a row at Irving Plaza. More Fiery Furnaces (not sold out, not a small venue). The Loser's Lounge bring their Queen tribute show to a larger venue. Blogger favorites, Mommy & Daddy, at Knitting Factory.

* Webster Hall: The Fiery Furncaes, Dios Malos, Blood on the Wall
* Irving Plaza: ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Octopus Project, The Swords
Bowery Ballroom: Loser's Lounge Tribute to Queen
Mercury Lounge: The Damnwells, Cordero, Clare Burson, The English Department
Knitting Factory: Reid Genauer & The Assembly of Dust, Joshua Radin
Knitting Factory: Mommy & Daddy, Daughters, Chariots (Troubleman), Call Me Lightning (Revelation)
Barbes: Howard Fishman

Sunday

End the week right at Bowery Ballroom with Devotchka, CocoRosie, and M. Ward. Take a listen to Ward's new album, Transistor Radio, and you'll know why this show is sold out. Don't feel like scalping? There are still tickets available for his Monday night show at Southpaw. Sonic Youth starts their sold out tour of the five boroughs tonight. Blues Explosion makes their first of three special performances at the troubled CBGB. Other Passengers, interviewed here in February, benefit Tonic.

* Bowery Ballroom: M. Ward, CocoRosie, Devotchka (SO)
* Irving Plaza: ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, The Black, Sole
* La Oveja Negra: Sonic Youth (SO)
CBGB: Blues Explosion
Mercury Lounge: The Ponys, Turning Machine, Levy, Shop Fronts
Tonic: Other Passengers, Grey Ghost, Bear
Sin-e: Aa, Electroputas, PG Six, Mike Wexler
Barbes: Deidre Rodman, The Alphabet Lounge Big Band with Roy Nathanson
BB King: Shemekia Copeland, The Howard Tate Band

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