DJ Vadim at Alley Katz
If DJ Shadow had a down-tempo third cousin, he’d be DJ Vadim. This Iranian-born, London-bred spinner and producer is known for his regular releases and his carefully arranged loops, samples and breaks. There’s so much polish in each track that you can practically see yourself in the radio. And yes, that is a bit of trip-hop you hear. Long thought dead since Portishead practically disappeared from the music scene in the late ’90s, DJ Vadim takes the basic principles of trip-hop and chills them down a bit. The result is a high-quality, tight stable of songs that successfully guides the genre into the 21st century. The show starts Sunday, Nov. 4, at 9 p.m. $10-$12. Call 643-2816 or visit www.alleykatzrva.com. — Colby Rogers
East Hundred at Capital Ale House
Hip-hop band Infectious Organisms left Richmond in 2001 to dwell among the buzz of Philadelphia’s music scene, home of The Roots and other forward-thinking urban music makers. But after a few years of communal living in West Philadelphia, the six-member band fractured and began to pursue their music interests separately. In 2004, ex-Infectious members and brothers Will and Brook Blair founded East Hundred and added Dave Sunderland, the bassist from their old band. The group also features keyboardist Susan Gager and the alluring vocals of Beryl Guceri. East Hundred’s sound is moody indie rock with communicable grooves that belie the band’s hip-hop past. The homecoming show starts Saturday, Nov. 3, at 9 p.m. $6. 780-ALES. — Craig Belcher
Cinemasophia at The Camel
Despite a new era of cooperation in city government, the promise of the fabled CenterStage project and unseasonably warm weather, the band Cinemasophia is leaving Richmond. A month from now the band of six will release “Whole Ghosts,” an album informed by their experiences in Richmond. The group will likely be remembered by Richmonders for their ambient resonance, recalling the height of the ’90s shoe-gaze sound. The indie future expatriates perform with UK outfit The Lodger Thursday, Nov 1., at 8 p.m. $5. 353-4901. — C.B.
Ky-Mani Marley at Canal Club
Reggae legend Bob Marley had enough children to field a soccer team, including coaches, reserves, trainers and a bus driver. Ky-Mani Marley, the result of his father’s extramarital dalliance with a ping-pong champion, is one of the singer’s offspring who’s distinguished himself from the brood. Ky-Mani may be best known in the States for his role in the Jamaican gangster flick “Shottas,” but he’s also been a building momentum as musical force and just released his third album, “Radio,” a mix of popular reggae sounds and hip-hop. In 2002, he was nominated for a Grammy for best reggae album, but lost to one of his brothers. Marley also has a reality show in production and is the opening act for the re-formed Van Halen. Marley makes a pit stop from the tour with the aging rock gods with a headlining performance Friday, Nov. 2, at 9 p.m. with Mambo Sauce. $12-$15. — C.B.
