The Profiler

The Suspect: Keller Williams and the Keels

This trio is a collaboration of the husband-and-wife duo Larry and Jenny Keel, along with Keller Williams. This spring they released their second CD together, Thief, which contains their bluegrass-influenced covers of songs originally recorded by Amy Winehouse, the Butthole Surfers, Marcy Playground and many others.

Can Be Found: Pisgah Brewing, Friday, Oct. 1.

RIYD (Recommended if You Dig): Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley.

You Should Go If: You like to order things like fruit on your pizza; The “Life is Good” collection is well represented in your wardrobe; You actually do a little banjo pickin’ yourself; Everything you needed to know you learned in … Non-Violent Communication class.

The Suspect: Rogue Wave

The band was formed in 2002 when Zach Rogue recruited a band on Craigslist after losing his job at a San Francisco web development company. Pitchfork called their early recordings a combination of “Simon & Garfunkel and Yo La Tengo,” and the band enjoyed indie success and the requisite songs on the O.C. and One Tree Hill. After being dropped by the Sub Pop label, they signed onto friend Jack Johnson’s label; their 2010 release, Permalight, is the second recording with Brushfire Records.

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Monday, Oct. 4.

RIYD: The Shins, Death Cab for Cutie, Bright Eyes.

You Should Go If: You often have to remind people of the many cultures where grown children are supposed to live with their parents; You keep using white strips in case you ever decide to start smiling again; Though you began rocking the mustache ironically, it’s starting to grow on you (ouch); Everything you needed to know you learned in … the Twilight trilogy.

The Suspect: David Sanborn Trio

This alto saxophonist is best known for his 80s “smooth jazz” recordings. A six-time Grammy winner, he just released his 24th album, Only Everything, in which he’s joined by Joss Stone and James Taylor. Add them to the amazing and ever-expanding list of musicians that Sanborn has played with: Ray Charles, David Bowie, the Allman Brothers, James Brown and Bruce Springsteen, to name just a few.

Can Be Found: The Handlebar, Monday, Oct. 4.

RIYD: Kenny G., Grover Washington Jr.

You Should Go If: You have an impressive repertoire of spit valve jokes; Your cologne habit has cost you a few friends (migraines, schmigraines); You graduated from high school over 30 years ago but still fight with your parents about the length of your ponytail; Everything you needed to know you learned … in band camp.

The Suspect: Blitzen Trapper

This sextet from Portland plays songs filled with magical realism, as found in such tracks as “Black River Killer” and ”Furr.” The latter track was ranked the No. 4 top single of 2008 by Rolling Stone; the album of the same title ranked No. 13. Live, they are a compelling mix of Neil Young, the Band and West Coast indie folk.

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Tuesday, Oct. 5.

RIYD: Band of Horses, My Morning Jacket, Neil Young and Crazy Horse

You Should Go If: You’ve watched Into the Wild eight times and it still makes you cry; You distinguish between “casual” flannel and “dress-up” flannel; Your screensaver is an Ansel Adams slide show; Everything you needed to know you learned …the summer between sixth and seventh grade when you slept in your treehouse and learned how to speak “bird.”