The xx, Austra House of Blues, February 9

How can a band so cool be this hot? The xx has been the toast of music blogdom since the UK trio debuted with 2009's xx, but the attention surrounding them boiled over into the mainstream upon the release of last fall's Coexist.

With songs lucky to work themselves above a whisper, the album travels through the same bleak sonic labyrinth as the xx's distant ancestor Joy Division, but substitutes an icy sophistication and muted dance beats for Ian Curtis' howling post-punk angst. Opening is Toronto's Austra, who take the xx's austere MO even further into electronic left field. CHRIS GRAY

Blowfly Walters, February 10

Long before Barack Obama, a black man clad in a cape and Mexican wrestling mask took a run at the Oval Office himself on the 1988 album Blowfly for President, which featured songs like "Super Macho Fucker," "Lip Smackin' Love" and "X-Rated Pussy."

A throwback to the ultra-blue mid-20th-century "party records" of Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley, Blowfly accurately bills himself as "the Original Dirty Rapper" but is actually the alter ego of Clarence Reid, a Miami-based musician who has written less filthy songs for respected R&B acts like Sam & Dave, Betty Wright and even KC & the Sunshine Band. His unique worldview is further examined in the 2011 documentary The Weird World of Blowfly. CHRIS GRAY

FOUR OTHER SHOWS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER

Boots on the Beach: Jerry Jeff Walker, Joe Ely, Jesse Dayton and more get down on the sand on the Island. (February 8, Beach Central Park, 21st & Seawall, Galveston)

Alejandro Escovedo & the Sensitive Boys: Watch for an interview with one of Texas' top songwriter-rockers a little later on today. With Hot Club of Cowtown. (February 9, Continental Club)

La Sien, Omotai: In-stores! LOUD in-stores! Local in-stores! (3 and 6 p.m., February 9, Cactus Music)

Vallejo: Veteran Austin Latino rockers are like the '80s-metal version of Los Lonely Boys. A little. (February 9, Concert Pub North)