Congratulations, you've survived the "holiday season." My apologies to those that didn't survive. For the rest of us, our extended families have left town, our Christmas trees are dying and we're broke. Sure, the kids liked their presents, but that will fade in a few more days, leaving us to wonder why the hell we spent so much money on material items this year. That too will fade, and we'll do it again next year. Hopefully the stress of the holidays — admit it, you were a bit stressed — is behind us, and we're left with the joy of a new year. And the joy of starting it off worried about money. But there's something nicely familiar about that yearly tradition.

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions. I don't say that to sound snobby; I've just been burned by the future too often. If resolutions are your thing and you make 'em work, more power to you. I just can't get myself worked up enough to get too attached to the future; there's already a huge list of tasks that I will most likely fail at this year. So even though the number we assign to each year is somewhat arbitrary (sorry, baby Jesus!), and doesn't have a direct effect on our existential being, we choose to give it meaning, and that's wonderful. I love the fact that the measure of a time unit we call a "year" is actually directly related to the distance we travel around the sun. I love the fact that we want to progress and better ourselves, and those around us. I understand it's helpful to have a set time — whether it be Dec. 31 or July 27 — to reflect upon our recent past and construct plans for the future.

So again, resolutions and self-imposed deadlines aren't for me. However, I do know that in this new year of 2016, I would like to make more time for music: more time to listen to music; more time to hear live music; more time to think about music; more time to write about music. Most importantly, more time to play music. I won't punish myself if I fail in this desire. However I succeed or "accomplish" in regards to this desire, the reward will be in its doing.

Thursday

I don't know if Piet Dalmolen has any New Year's resolutions, but you're welcome to ask him at Redwood Curtain Brewery in Arcata. He'll be playing solo electric guitar with a dash of effects and a pinch of loops on top of skill and talent to make the sonic background to your imbibing more enjoyable and interesting. He'll be on around 8 p.m. and feel free to throw him a few bucks — or beer — as he's not charging a cover.

Fellow guitar shredder Deric Mendes is returning to town tonight. A writer, singer-songwriter and former member of formerly local bands The Lowlights, Tanuki, Magnum, etc., Deric is now adding a "documentary filmmaker" feather to his cap. I've been hearing whispers for a while that Deric, now based out of Long Beach, was working on a documentary about Syrian refugees in America. Not only is that true, but the undertaking is not inexpensive. Welcome Deric back to The Jam at 9 p.m., when DJ Red, The Lost Luvs and former Lowlight/Tanuki himself, Matt Jackson, will be performing to help raise funds for the documentary. Throw in some stand-up comedy from Savage Henry, and you've got a full night ahead of you. Put on your best Donald Trump costume to get in for only $5. Everyone else, $5 cover charge. More info about the documentary at www.facebook.com/iammyhomeland.

Friday

Speaking of local multi-talented people, Chris Parreira tells me he'll be joining a special guest at Six Rivers Brewery at 9 p.m. Up from Grass Valley is Rosalind Parducci, who cut her teeth in the indie music scene in said valley. Growing up around Celtic music sessions — who hasn't right? — and the Sierra Jazz Society, this jazz/pop/blues singer will delight you for free starting at 9 p.m.

Up the 299 you can catch Kingfoot returning to the Logger Bar, also at 9 p.m.

Saturday

The Fortuna Concert Series presents Trumpet Consort von Humboldt at the Fortuna Monday Club at 7:30 p.m. Keeping it old school, "TCvH" performs music from the age of "Sir Francis Drake and Elizabethan England, to Italy, to baroque Germany/Prussia, to 19th-Century France." All this while playing 1667 trumpet copies (think trumpets with no valves) in period costumes for only $10. Baroque on.

For something not quite as old (but getting there), KHUM will be celebrating its 20th year as your local freeform and ruleless radio station (full disclosure: Your humble writer is a Lost Coast Communications employee). For you barn dancers, Striped Pig Stringband with Lyndsey Battle will get things moving at the Adorni Center followed by The Hip Joint and Object Heavy (the order I'm unclear on). KHUM DJs Cliff and Bayley will be in attendance, and after recently chatting with former KHUM DJ Mike Dronkers, I learned that he is planning on attending as well (I hope they charge him full price). Will KHUM heartthrob Larry Trask leave Disgraceland and attend? I doubt it, but ask him at [email protected]. There will be food and drink aplenty! And $10 will get you into the birthday bash, starting at 8 p.m.

Another option in Eureka is the Siren's Song Tavern, where you can catch a repeat of Chris Parreira and Rosalind Parducci along with Belles of the Levee and The Curiosities. All this for free starting at 9 p.m.

Late night rock will be happening at the Alibi: Humboldt Free Radio presents Kill Matilda from Toronto (that's in Canada). KM singer Dusty tells me that the band is "basically a band of zombie-hunting apocalypse-survivors bringing our Canuck brand of dancey punk rock to your [our] awesome city." So, Walking Dead/Canada-philes, your nightmares may come true tonight. Showtime around 11 p.m. with a $5 cover. Let's hope they take U.S. Federal Reserve Notes.

Sunday

For something a little less zombie-focused, the Sonoma-based Alphabet Baroque Club will be in Trinidad at the Holy Trinity Church at 2 p.m. The group will be playing pieces from the early to late baroque, touching on subject matter such as "lillies, butterflies, swans, cats, dogs, frogs and nightingales," according to its press release. The church turns 142 this year, so the $15 suggested donation goes in part to cover costs of restoration work — including "raccoon attic barriers."

Wednesday

Back at the Alibi, some cosmic reverb rock comes courtesy of local psych-rockers (and Europe tourers) White Manna and Oakland "psych-pop" outfit Sugar Candy Mountain. As kid-friendly as this all sounds, it's a 21+ show at the usual Alibi start time of 11 p.m. $5.

Full show listings in the Journal's Music and More grid, the Calendar and online. Bands and promoters, send your gig info, preferably with a high-res photo or two, to [email protected].

Andy Powell is a congenital music lover and hosts The Night Show on KWPT 100.3 FM weeknights at 6 p.m. which now streams live at www.kwpt.com