On Saturday night, I caught the Xiu Xiu show at Mohawk. The art/noise-rockers were fine, but I was more impressed with their opening act: Thao with The Get Down Stay Down. Led by singer/songwriter Thao Nguyen, the folkie rock act was electric and sincere. Her vocals and arrangements feel sort of like Feist, so maybe she'll go beyond opening act status. Click here to learn more about the act, and test drive a few songs (my personal favorite is "Bag of Hammers").