Kevin Murphy came up with his band’s name, the Moondoggies, when he was still at Cascade High School.
The group has since won comparison to all sorts of serious-minded acts: the Byrds, the Band, Neil Young.
But the Moondoggies’ name, derived from a character in the “Gidget” movies, helps keep things in perspective.
“You have to remember we’re called the Moondoggies,” Murphy, 24, said. “It’s a level of not taking yourself too seriously.”
The group might not take itself too seriously, but others are. Its 2008 album, “Don’t Be a Stranger,” won praise from NPR.
Now, the band is gearing up to release its sophomore album, “Tidelands,” and will play songs off both albums during a show on Thursday in Seattle.
The Moondoggies met when Murphy was in high school with bassist Robert Terreberry and drummer Carl Dahlen. Keyboardist Caleb Quick, a Bothell resident, rounded out the band.
After the group landed on Seattle record label Hardly Art, some critics noted the band’s alt-country sound. As far as Murphy is concerned, though, the band plays rock.
“It’s a broad enough term that it does capture a lot of things,” he said. “I don’t ever want to be restricted to what we can sound like.”
Along with the headlining show in Seattle, the group will open for Blitzen Trapper during a June tour. Those shows will expose more people than ever before to the Moondoggies, which despite the accolades, remain a bit of a regional secret.
Murphy is excited for the tour, but, characteristically, isn’t getting worked up about it.
“I don’t know I’m too worried about expectations,” he said. “I feel like as long as we’re genuine, I don’t think we’ll veer too far away from music people enjoy.”
8 p.m. Thursday, Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle; $15; 21 and over, www.etix.com.
Evelyn Evelyn: It’s not what it seems.
The duo is billed as being conjoined twin sisters that were “discovered” by Everett native Jason Webley and Dresden Dolls’ singer Amanda Palmer.
In reality, the group is Webley and Palmer themselves.
The two longtime collaborators, who share an interest in theatrics, will bring their vaudevillian antics and quirky, dark songs to Seattle on Wednesday.
8 p.m. Wednesday, Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., Seattle; $19; ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Martin Sexton: Sometimes, a folk artist has to take it to the streets.
Sexton got his start as a busker, belting out soulful folk songs on street corners. He was able to sell 20,000 copies of a self-recorded album that way in the 1990s.
Today, the New York native is a bit more mainstream. He has collected a handful of songwriting awards, played shows with Jackson Browne and spent a few years releasing music through a major label.
He’s now touring behind his April album, “Sugarcoating,” which edged onto a few minor Billboard charts.
7 p.m. Saturday, Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., Seattle; $25; ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Outtasite featuring Sir Mix-a-Lot: He’s more than a rapper. He’s a pop culture icon.
Sir Mix-a-Lot will always be connected to his No. 1 song, “Baby Got Back,” an early 1990s rap track in praise of women’s bottoms.
While he probably won’t ever score a hit as big as that one, the Seattle rapper is still active. He served as executive producer on an album by Outtasite, a group that blends hip-hop with guitar riffs.
He will appear with the group on Monday at Tulalip. Komplex Kai, a Tulalip rapper, will open the show.
8 p.m. Monday, Canoes Cabaret at the Tulalip Resort Casino, 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip; $10; www.tulalipcasino.com.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com.
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