ASTRONAUTALIS
It’s easy to compare Minneapolis’ Astronautalis to Beck — after all, our favorite “Loser” was just a PR decision away from hip-hop radio rather than alt-rock. Yet the conversation only starts there: this is no Dust Brothers project. Astronautalis’ production mixes Kid A-style sterile synth lines with G-Side-style shoeblaze and mid-’00s college radio structures. And some tracks even lean toward a marriage of sensitive indie and hip-hop, reminiscent of Danger Mouse/Shins collab Broken Bells — yet far less weepy, far more engaging, and featuring asymmetrical production and electronica-style drum fills. Yet Astronautalis’ fascinating hybrid style is only the tip of the iceberg, with his label, Fake Four, inc, positively overflowing with essential evolutions in indie rock-leaning hip-hop. With Flobots, and Southside Punx. $13-$15. Oct. 15, 8 p.m. Tremont Music Hall, 400 W. Tremont Ave. 704-343-9494.