Live Music

Nov. 11

Houston, we have a party

Fronted by passionate alto singer Kam Franklin, whose voice reminds the listener of Gladys Knight, Houston’s award-winning band The Suffers has steadily grown in popularity over the past couple of years, incorporating elements of classic rock ‘n’ roll, country, Latin and Southern hip hop into its neo-soul sound. The danceable group released its self-titled debut this year and has performed on “Late Show with David Letterman,” NPR’s “Tiny Desk,” the Newport Folk Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival and several others.

The Suffers, Jakubi, Bandulus, 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, Mississippi Studios, 3939 N. Mississippi Ave. $15. Info: 503-288-3895, www.mississippistudios.com.

Nov. 13

Greece is the word

Grunge-pop-punk-metal rockers Barb Wire Dolls are Isis Queen (vocals), Pyn Doll (lead guitar), Krash Doll (drums), Iriel Blaque (bass) and Remmington (rhythm guitar). Formed in an artist commune in Crete, Greece, these stylish, edgy folks set out from there in 2010 in order to conquer the world.

Landing in Hollywood, they caught the ear of the late great Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister, who took them under his tattooed wing, signing them last year to his label Motörhead Music. Sounding like a combination of Patti Smith, Nirvana, L7 and a pitched battle between Trump supporters and social justice warriors outside a burning gun club, Barb Wire Dolls have just released their latest record “Desperate,” which is what you will feel like if you miss this show.

Barb Wire Dolls, Stolen Rose, The U.S. Wage Slaves, 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, The Raven, 3100 N.E. Sandy Blvd. $10 in advance, $12 at door. Info: 503-238-0543, www.theravenpdx.com.

Nov. 16

Pitch perfect

Bay Area musician Nate Salman likes to sing in falsetto range and goes by the moniker Waterstrider. He’s coming to town with a quartet in tow, promoting his debut album “Nowhere Now” (30th Century Records). The guitarist-singer’s group creates sometimes folky, sometimes dreamy music and embraces everything from Afro-pop to Zeppelin in its styles, which mix in an expansive sound.

Watersrider, Nine Pound Shadow, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, Lola’s Room at Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St. All ages. $10 in advance, $13 at door. Info: 503-225-0047, www.mcmenamins.com.

In the Pink

Portland’s “little orchestra,” Pink Martini, is releasing its ninth studio album, “Je dis oui!” (Heinz Records). It's a sprawling 15-track album, which features bandleader and pianist Thomas Lauderdale and lead singers China Forbes and Storm Large. The record includes guest vocals from NPR “All Things Considered” host Ari Shapiro, fashion maven Ikram Goldman, civil rights activist Kathleen Saadat and Rufus Wainwright.

“This is the happiest album we’ve made in years,” Lauderdale says. “If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, we’d aspire to be that band.”

You can check out the lead single, “Joli garcon,” at www.soundcloud.com/heinzrecords/joli-garcon.

Pink Martini, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St. $35 to $95. Info: www.portland5.com.

Quick hits

• Veteran Australian pop-rock-goth quintet The Jezabels play a show with Cave Clove at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Star Theater, 13 N.W. Sixth Ave. We’re digging their latest single, “Pleasure Drive,” which has just enough popping synth notes to make the digital age palatable again. $15. Info: 503-248-4700, www.startheaterportland.com.

• Alabama rapper Yelawolf shares an all-ages bill with Bubba Sparxxx, Jelly Roll and Struggle Jennings at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Roseland Theater, 8 N.W. Sixth Ave. $23 to $90. Info: 971-230-0033, www.roselandpdx.com.

• With their raucous pop-meets-punk sound, you could make a good case for The Orwells being the Ramones of our time. But even if you couldn’t, they’d just tell you to stop yer hipster yapping, down that beer and start moshing. Catch them with Dante Elephante at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Star Theater, 13 N.W. Sixth Ave. $18. Info: 503-248-4700, www.startheaterportland.com.

• Led by folk-pop-rocker Fred Niclaus, Brooklyn’s Golden Suits play a 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, show with Sinless at Bunk Bar, 1028 S.E. Water Ave. GS just released “Kubla Khan.” We suggest you check out “Useless” a lovely piano-driven midtempo number that breaks like a strong wave that rinses a shoreline without crashing down on it. The rest of this well-crafted album features intelligent lyrics and just-right arrangements that could put GS on the pop map sooner than later. $12 in advance, $14 day of show. Info: 503-328-2865, www.bunksandwiches.com.

• Oft compared to the output of neo-traditionalist and country music outlaws, Cody Johnson’s new album “Gotta Be Me” debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Album Chart, and his music has been streamed more than 100 million times. You could say he’s popular. Catch him at Dante’s, 350 W. Burnside St., with the Randy Rogers Band at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17. $20. Info: 503-226-6630, www.danteslive.com.