[INDIE ROCK] + SAT., NOV. 22
Nashville-based quintet Dinner and a Suit got its name from the family history of band members (and cousins) Jonathan Capeci and Joey Berette. The tale goes that their great-grandmother was a seamstress who collected and repaired discarded suits from the factory that she worked at; she made it a common practice to invite people who were in need over to her house during the Depression and offer them dinner and a suit. The group released its latest EP, Stay, on Oct. 7, and is visiting the Altar Bar tonight with Milly, Instead of Sleeping and The Velcro Shoes. Samantha Ward 7:30 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District. $10-12. 412-206-9719 or www.thealtarbar.com
[HIP HOP] + SAT., NOV. 22
Amuck has been around long enough now to be a well-known player on the local alt-hip-hop scene. The rapper and member of Plutocrat Noose (along with a couple other local MCs) has a new EP to release tonight; Detonate makes its debut with a show at the Smiling Moose. Also on the bill: Overdost, Barz Blackman, Lazy JP, Connect and DJ Blacklisted. Andy Mulkerin 9:30 p.m. 1306 E. Carson St., South Side. $8-10. 412-431-4668 or www.smiling-moose.com
[INDIE ROCK] + SUN., NOV. 23
Nashville's The Apache Relay has some of the trappings of the recent crop of "Americana" indie-rock bands, but fills out with an old-soul vibe and talent for classic songcraft that puts the band a notch above most. While it's not the band's first, its latest album is self-titled, perhaps signaling a new start — and an upping of the ante — for the six-piece. The band brings its impressive live show to Club Café tonight. Good Thing opens. AM 7 p.m. 56 S. 12th St., South Side. $13. 412-431-4950 or www.clubcafelive.com
[CABARET] + SUN., NOV. 23
Daphne Alderson is certainly unique, locally if not everywhere. The opera singer and teacher has chosen in recent years to pursue cabaret-style singing more than opera, and her latest album, Joan of Arc, is all covers of songs popularized by two artists: Edith Piaf and Leonard Cohen. She certainly adds a dimension to the Cohen tunes (many liberally covered already), given the original author's famously non-operatic voice; the Piaf work is often haunting and beautiful. The animated performer celebrates her CD release this evening, along with some talented local backup musicians, at Christine Frechard Gallery. AM 5 p.m. 5871 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. $10. All ages. 412-421-8888 or www.christinefrechardgallery.com
[ALT ROCK] + MON., NOV. 24
Mike Doughty may be best known for his role at the helm of the '90s alt-rock band Soul Coughing. When Doughty split the group in 2000 amidst a battle with addiction, he began a three-year tour toting his solo album, Skittish, eventually selling 20,000 copies at shows. Since then, the self-made artist has released a memoir, a book of poetry, six solo albums, a few EPs, a couple of live albums, a covers album and an album of remixed Soul Coughing songs. You can see him tonight at what's sure to be a packed show at Club Café. SW 7 p.m. 56 S. 12th St., South Side. $18. 412-431-4950 or www.clubcafelive.com