THURS/JANUARY 25
BLUEGRASS DRIVE-BY -- No one ever got rich playing traditional bluegrass music. But anyone who's been close to bluegrass as a player or listener can attest to the cult-like community of musicians for whom this genre is practically a way of life. Fortunately, this rabid commitment sometimes plays itself out in the form of talented musicianship, as is the case with this Austin, Texas, quartet. Red Light Café (Hutchinson).

DEPARTURE -- Created by now New York-based multimedia environ-instru-mentalists fascia -- in collaboration with retromodern.com and Tim Watts -- "Departure" is an audio and video guided exercise in envisioning the domestic bliss of tomorrow. Following this opening reception, "Departure" will be installed through March 3. Solomon Projects/1037 Monroe Dr. (Ware)

TANYA SAVORY -- Singer-songwriter Savory crafts vivid, unromanticized portraits of rural life in her native Kentucky and sharply observed stories about country preachers and world-weary travelers. But it's her unhurried delivery and unadorned voice, rich with assurance and experience, that really connect. Not too country or folkie-precious, her songs are as comfortable as an old pair of work gloves. Eddie's Attic (Henry)

SWEARING AT MOTORISTS, NILLAH, ATOMSPLIT -- Like a haiku scribbled on a Post-It note and crumpled up, the music of drums/guitar duo Swearing at Motorists achieves a sense of minimal, wrecked poetry. While their brief, almost snapshot, songwriting quality can be somewhat elusive, just like a good haiku, these curt post-indie rock fragments often recreate an emotion with staggering effect. Nillah and Atomsplit offer a double-barreled shot of speedy pop that's bound to delight Buzzcocks fans, from two area bands who do it exceedingly well. Atomsplit celebrates the release of its new EP, Gangway, with tonight's show. The Earl (Hutchinson/Nicoll)

3D5SPD, TYRO -- Locals rockers 3D5SPD take the opportunity to play new tracks from their upcoming release Bike Dreams, while former Toenut members Tyro play their geeky, angular rock, the aural equivalent of tinfoil origami conducting current for electronic otherworldliness. Echo Lounge (Ware)

URBAN HILLBILLY QUARTET -- See listing for Jan. 24. Star Bar (Nicoll)

BILLY'S: Dave Desmelik

BLIND WILLIE'S: Francine Reed and the Shadows

BLUE RACCOON: Open Jam hosted by Bill Sheffield

BRANDYHOUSE: Deep Blue Sun, 3DK

BRIDGES: Vocalist Paula Harris with Doug Jervey on keys

BUFFALO'S-PLEASANT HILLS: Family Trivia

CAFÉ 290: The Mike Kelly Trio

CAJUN KITCHEN: Infradig, Spaghettihead

THE CHAMBER: Club Fetish

CHECKERED PARROT: John McCain

DARK HORSE TAVERN : Tilden's Faith, Paul Sforza Band, Pornfoot

DARWIN'S: Blues Barons

THE EARL: Swearing at Motorists, Atomsplit CD release party, Nillah

ECHO LOUNGE: 3D5SPD, Tyro

EDDIE'S ATTIC: Tanya Savory, Wakeman & Willner

EYEDRUM: Bart Gallaway, Assiff Tsahar, Alvin Fielder

FAT MATT'S RIB SHACK: Chicken Shack

40 WATT CLUB-ATHENS: Dictatortots, Drifting Through

FUZZY'S: Lou's Blues

IF COFFEEHOUSE: Mikel K, Dale Miller

KILLER CREEK: The Showtyme Jazz Duo

LUBY'S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL: Shana Alverson

MARY'S: Music videos with DJ Jigsaw

MASQUERADE: Some Young Guy, Self Motivational Speaker, the Blue Druids, Truth or Treason

METROPOLITAN PIZZA: Fursdays

9 LIVES SALOON: Black Light Posterboys, King Reno, Former Self + the Trick

NOMENCLATURE MUSEUM: "Pre" VIP night with DJs Marcos and Kevin O

NORTHSIDE TAVERN: The Breeze Kings

POOR RICHARDS' PUB: Jazz Night featuring Surface Tension

POPPERS: Open Jam with Steve Hawkins

RED LIGHT CAFÉ: Bluegrass Drive By

RIVIERA: 9 From 10, 6 Against 7, Tentilfour

SMITH'S OLDE BAR: The Tender Idols, The Tom Collins, Centipede

SOMBER REPTILE: College night

STAR BAR-L5P: Dutch, Urban Hillbilly Quartet

SWISSOTEL: Graham Jackson Jr.

VININGS INN: Ian Schumacher

WHISKER'S TAVERN-DUNWOODY: Stacey James Band

WOODEN NICKEL: Angry Monkey Project