Flashclash, a poppy dance music group, brings its signature mixture of ‘80s-influenced pop tunes and modern indie-rock to Mac’s Bar Thursday.

Back in September, Root Doctor released “Joy,” a new album of soulful blues tunes. For area blues lovers who haven’t heard any of the new tunes yet, the band plays Friday at the Green Door.

A new side project, the Starlight Six, which features members of Steppin’ In It, focuses less on technical skills and more on stripped-down songwriting. Steppin’ In It members Dominic John Suchyta and Joshua Davis formed the band with fellow veteran Michigan-based musicians Seth Bernard, May Erlewine, Rachael Davis and Mike Shimmin.

Chris Bathgate’s melancholy indie-folk has earned him a loyal following in the Midwest and beyond. On Thursday, he plays Mac’s Bar; openers include Small Houses, Pioneer and Kevin Killen. His acclaimed new album, “Salt Year,” has been compared to songwriters Damien Jurado and Will Oldham. Bathgate is originally from rural Iowa, but now calls Pinckney home.

'Lansing Covers Lansing' CD release show A new compilation CD of Lansing bands covering songs by other Lansing outfits will be released Friday at Mac’s Bar. Taking the stage will be a few of the featured artists: Frank and Earnest, Small Houses, Tommy Plural (solo acoustic), Cavalcade and American Gothic. The album, “Secret Identities: Lansing Covers Lansing,” is a co-release by LansingMusic.tv and Good Time Gang Records. The comp features Lansing bands Drinking Mercury, Small Houses, The Break Ups, The Plurals, Narc Out The Reds, Frank and Earnest, Cavalcade, Jason Alarm, Calliope, Fields of Industry and American Gothic covering new and old songs by area bands like The Fix, Small Brown Bike, The Ones, Jen Sygit and Mystic Shake, among others. CDs are $8.

Going to local rock clubs like Mac's Bar or The Loft isn't one click away, and most often it isn't free (unless one has managed to weasel their way onto a guest list). So it's a remarkable feat when bands not only win a local following, but also manage to make some waves nationally and internationally.

Na Style Jaa's pre-NYE rap show For those who cannot wait until New Year's Eve, The Loft hosts a night of unconventional hip-hop acts at a Friday show dubbed “New Year’s Eve EVE.” Lansing-based Na Style Jaa takes the stage. The eccentric rap group formed in January, and has since created a genre the group calls “story core,” which most often combines humor and dramatized historical events into the lyrics.

American-roots band The Hoopties plays some original material while also paying homage to the members'euro;' favorite musical heroes with a few choice covers. The Lansingbased group, which plays the Green Door on Thursday, dabbles in blues, country, zydeco, reggae and even some old soul.

Chinese Telephones are a Milwaukee-based pop-punk band that s been playing shows across the country since 2004. On Thursday, the band plays an all-ages show at Mac s Bar. Chinese Telephones has been featured in such indie publications as Maximum Rocknroll, Razorcake and Punk Planet.

Holiday Sing At Ten Pound Fiddle Come belt out some songs at the 9th Annual Holiday Sing at the Ten Pound Fiddle. The event is hosted by longtime local folk-music supporter Sally Potter, who invites one and all to sing holiday and seasonal selections, no matter what the talent level.