Hi, students! We can tell you're back because our HSU-related entertainment options just blew up. The fine talent bookers responsible for AS Presents have added DJ Shadow and Dirty Heads with Rome to the fall lineup. Tickets for all this year's AS Presents shows go on sale Friday, Aug. 22.

In related news, let's start out with a quick look at this week's Van Duzer schedule. On Thursday, you've got your soulful, bluesy, roots rock with Amos Lee ($48 general/$22 HSU students). And on Tuesday, you've got your Latin, hip-hop, funky good times with Ozomatli ($35, $10). All shows start at 8 p.m.

Friday: Genres for all

Moving on to shows suitable for starving college students and regular working class folks alike, there's an early show at The Bat Cave (1164 11th St. in Arcata) featuring Sacramento songwriting legend Be Brave Bold Robot, Arcata wordsmith and Absynth Quintet bass player John Ludington, and Humboldt sound-collagists thelittlestillnotbigenough. This delight of words-plus-music starts at 7:30 p.m. Technically free, but cash appreciation is encouraged.

Moving into the night and to the east, touring acts Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy and Filthy Still infuse the Logger Bar with twang and spitfire starting at 9 p.m. If you're under 21, you can do what the kids used to do back in the aughts — set up your lawn chairs outside the bar and enjoy the music from the outside. Free.

Back over in Arcata, all-female powerhouse Zepparella gets the Led out (groan) at Humboldt Brews. Show starts at 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $20 and I recommend you score yours in advance — Zepparella's mastery of How To Rock Hard means it'll likely sell out.

More coverage available courtesy of R&B soulsters Blue Rhythm Revue, who promise to sign, seal and deliver both classic tracks and more modern hits at the Palm Lounge at 9 p.m. Free, 21-and-over.

For those preferring doom and death sludge in their night, Seattle's Bell Witch (named after an infamous Tennessee poltergeist) and Portland's Ephemeros play the Alibi starting around 11 p.m. If this is your genre, note that Ephemeros has been lauded for musical expertise by Pitchfork. Cover's $5, show is 21-and-over.

With that, let's move on to ...

Saturday:

If you enjoyed the Friday night wonderment so much that you must see John Ludington and Be Brave Bold Robot again or if you didn't make it to the Bat Cave or if, well, there's no shortage of reasons to go into The Siren's Song Tavern where the two aforementioned will round robin songs through the night. A million years ago when I hosted middays on KSLG, John and BBBR's Dean Haakenson sat down in the airbooth with me and played one brilliantly eccentric song after another. It was wonderful. The laughing and swooning commences around 8 p.m., the show is free and all ages.

Up the way, the Palm Lounge hosts local favorites The Trouble and Companion Animal. This'll be The Trouble's first show in four months, so expect the rock n' roll to be especially righteous. Start time is 9 p.m. and the bands recommend you donate $5 at the door.

Over in A-town, the horns are heavy and the grooves monstrous with Soulsapiens and Free Rain at Humboldt Brews. This one starts around 9:30 p.m., is $10 and 21-and-over.

At the Alibi, Hang the Old Year joins Arcata's Indianola, starting around 11 p.m. HtOY's brand of updated prog rock emerges through a psychedelic filter as it extends outward to capture listeners in a lingering embrace. All that for only $5! 

Sunday: For the Folkin' Youth

Set the day aside for Folked in the Face: A Benefit for the Ink Annex (the Placebo's venue space), featuring five acts of note: Tapeworm aka local Force of Nature bassist Will Stephens, Cornbread Kelly, Rizzy, Brett the Truck aka amazing caterer Brett Shuler and Griddle Cakes, a Colorado-native duo that plays upbeat, foot-stomping cowboy tunes. This is a fine opportunity to support Humboldt's artistic and music-loving youth. Don't be sketched out about the downtown Eureka location. Go be part of something good. The concert and accompanying barbecue start at noon and go till 6 p.m. In addition to the music, attendees can procure custom screen prints and provide their own artwork to the Framewall Bathroom Gallery. Cover is $2. All proceeds benefit the Placebo and Giant Squid Artists' Collective, two DreamMaker Projects of the Ink People Center for the Arts. Food comes with entry and, in an unusual twist, beer will be available to those 21-and-older with ID.

Etc.

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