I’ve got four shows to tell you about this week. Two of them are tonight and two are next week, so take your pick and get out there, tigers. I’ll also be one of many enthusiastic music fans partaking of the State Theatre open house at 1 p.m. Sunday with tours and a whole mess of live performances, including one from back-in-action Darien Brahms.

Meanwhile, in thinking about Halloween, I realize that I’m really not all that into it. Although I do wish I could pull off Lisbeth Salander. (If only I were a bit tougher and chain-smoked.) Couldn’t I be the decaf girl with the koi fish tattoo instead? If only Stieg Larsson were still alive to write that story. 

There’s no two ways about it: Jill Sobule is one of the most versatile, clever, poignant, topical and talented singer-songwriters I know of. Over the course of seven studio albums and 20 years, she’s proven herself again and again as someone with something to say about topics ranging from autobiographical stories to tongue-in-cheek ironic observations about a myriad of life’s complex oddities.

Jill Sobule with Heather Maloney. 8 tonight. One Longfellow Square, 181 State St., Portland. All ages. $18 in advance; $20 at the door. 761-1757; onelongfellowsquare.com 

Space Versus Speed is Spencer Albee’s latest project, and if the song “iRok” is any indication, something tells me he’s onto something good. Watch the video on YouTube, and you’ll not only know what I mean, but you also may find yourself busting several dance moves.

Fountains of Wayne with Space Versus Speed. 8 tonight. Port City Music Hall, 504 Congress St., Portland. Ages 21 and older. $15 in advance; $18 at the door; $30 VIP seated. Tickets at Bull Moose Music locations and www.portcitymusichall.com. 

Dark Dark Dark combines Americana and Eastern European influences to create a compelling soundscape of songs housed on, among others, “Bright Bright Bright,” and the group’s just-released “Wild Go” record. Accordion, piano, snare drum, banjos and vocals led by Nona Marie Invie meld the old and new world sounds. Dark Dark Dark is a serious contender for my new favorite band. Lose yourself at www.myspace.com/darkdarkdarkband.

And by the way, Milagres is also worth your time. Listen to “Glowing Mouth” at www.myspace.com/milagresmusic. Opening the show is Portland’s Meghan Yates and her new band, The Reverie Machine.

Dark Dark Dark with Milagres and Meghan Yates and The Reverie Machine. 8:30 p.m. Monday. Space Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland. Ages 18 and older. $7 tickets at Bull Moose Music locations and www.brownpapertickets.com. 

And now for a little multimedia fun. If you’ve never heard of Melissa Auf der Maur, her bio goes a little something like this: She’s a bass player from Montreal and spent five years as a member of Hole. After that gig, she toured with Smashing Pumpkins and released a solo record. She’s also a published photographer.

Earlier this year, MAdM released her second solo record, “Out of Our Minds,” which was three years in the making. It’s accompanied by a comic book and a short film, which will be screened at Empire on Wednesday night. Afterwards, Auf der Maur will partake of a Q&A session, and then will give a live performance. Check out her official website: xmadmx.com/ooom.

Melissa Auf der Maur (film and performance). 9 p.m. Wednesday. Empire Dine & Dance, 575 Congress St., Portland. Ages 21 and older. $8 tickets at www.portlandempire.com. 

Aimsel Ponti is a Portland freelance writer. Contact her at aimselponti@yahoo.com