Small Black, Washed Out, Pictureplane
9:30 p.m. at Empty Bottle; $8
Batched in a thickening haze of skuzzy, Casio-threaded pop, Small Black, Washed Out and Pictureplane are all a reaction to 2009’s chillwave boom, when twenty-somethings seemed to collectively raid their parents’ attics, retreat to their bedrooms and have solo dance parties. Now this stuff is starting to get a bit more club-friendly, with drum machines kicked up a notch (Small Black), key plunks tweaked with industrial effects (Pictureplane) and even some near-funky bass lines (Washed Out). Consider it a night in voyeur grooves, as they all bring the bedroom to the stage.
J. Bradley reads from Dodging Traffic
7 p.m. at Quimby’s; free
The acclaimed poet has been called “the Veruca Salt of the literary chocolate factory,” and his new, childhood-influenced collection is likely to gain him a lot of new fans. Readings at Quimby’s are always a good time, so stop by and then grab some curry at Zen Noodles next door.
7 p.m. at Chicago Cultural Center; free
The third and final act in this multimedia collaboration between chamber group Fifth House Ensemble and artist Ezra Claytan Daniels debuts at this downtown performance. Follow the continuing adventures of a black cat living in Plague-stricken London. There will also be a performance on Thursday, April 8 at SPACE in Evanston (8 p.m., $15-$25).