Studio-A-Rama, WRUW 91.1 FM's annual music festival, has provided an excellent overview of some of the region's best bands for 31 years. This year's fest, which takes place from 1 p.m. to midnight on Saturday at Case Western Reserve University's Mather Memorial Courtyard, features headliners Cloud Nothings, the Cleveland indie rockers who appeared on Jimmy Fallon's late-night show in July. Death of Samantha, the '80s post-punk band that reformed earlier this year to play South by Southwest, "pre-headline." A long list of local indie-rock acts are also on the bill. The concert is free, and you can bring food and drink (but no bottles).
Decay at DNA
Decay in Response, a new monthly live-music series featuring experimental electronic bands and DJs, launches on Saturday at the downtown nightclub DNA Level C. Curated by Mike Textbeak and Joseph Simon, the first installment will feature performances by a bunch of local artists who'll play both inside the club and on its rooftop patio. The event starts at 9 p.m.; admission is free.
Desperately Seeking Sponsors
Cleveland hard rockers Mouth Wired Shut host a release party for their new CD, Heartbreaks & Happy Endings, at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Beachland Tavern. Before the show, the band will be on hand for a meet-and-greet, where members hope to make "long-lasting business relationships," as they put it in a press release. Hawkeye and Dan Miraldi & the Albino Winos open; tickets are $8.
A String Thing
Singer-songwriter Ryan Humbert played a concert last year at Canton's Gervasi Vineyard — a gig he hoped would turn into an annual event. He returns at 8 p.m. this Thursday for the second-annual "Under a Late Night Sky: Ryan Humbert Strung Out" concert. He's bringing an eight-piece acoustic band plus a string section. In addition to playing tunes from his new album Sometimes the Game Plays You, Humbert will perform covers by the Beatles, Wilco, Harry Nilsson, Ryan Adams, and Bruce Springsteen. Tickets are $15.
Broadway Sing-A-Long
Bill Rudman — host of the locally produced weekly radio show Footlight Parade, a nationally syndicated program that airs on WCLV — brings a "Big Broadway Sing-a-long" to Nighttown at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Nancy Maier, the music director of Baldwin-Wallace University's Music Theatre program, co-hosts. Tickets are $20.
Homecoming of Sorts
Indie-rock singer and guitarist Bassel Al-Madani has deep Ohio roots: He's originally from Kent, he attended Ohio State University, and a Columbus-based record label released his 2010 debut. So it makes sense he'd return for a CD-release party for his new album, Dreamer. He plays Akron's Musica at 8 p.m. on Friday. Dave Hammer's Power Supply and Hive Robbers open. Tickets are $10, $8 in advance.
Switchblade's Success
Hard rockers Switchblade Scarlett are just back from a big festival date in Oklahoma, where they played alongside Rob Zombie, Slash, the Darkness, and Theory of a Dead Man. They also recently released a new music video for "Little Hearts." According to singer-guitarist Shawn Perry, the Darkness's Justin Hawkins will produce Switchblade's next album. Meantime, you can see them at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Foundry. Diemonds, the Rusted Horses, Sharpen Your Eyes, and Criminal Mayhem share the bill. Tickets are $6.
