It’s the start of the weekend — perfect timing for listenlisten. We admit we’d rather hear the local quartet’s bluegrass-meets-gospel-meets-rock sound as we sit — with drink in hand — on a porch swing, letting a week’s worth of annoyances blow away in the hot summer-meets-fall wind, but The Mink’s Backroom will do. Suggestion: Grab a beer, park it in front of the stage, lean your head back, close your eyes and let listenlisten’s strumming guitars, perfectly plucked banjos, not-too-heavy-but-not-too-soft drums, subtle bass lines and earnest vocals move you back and forth. Prepare to be simultaneously relaxed and rocked. And don’t forget to grab a copy of the band’s EP on the way out for future weekends. Fellow local folk-rock outfit Buxton is also on the bill. 8 p.m. The Mink/Backroom, 3718 Main. For information, call 713-522-9985 or visit www.themink.org.

Fri., Sept. 12, 8 p.m., 2008

This article appears in Sep 11-17, 2008.