Big in Japan

If you were to peruse the “About” section of IndianGiver’s Facebook page, you’ll notice how the instruments attributed to each of the Oklahoma City band’s five members are described with downright flippancy: Dylan Jordan plays “sticks & animal skins,” while Jazzton Rodriguez earns his keep with “shanties & loud noises,” and so on.

Code 22 — Going Soft: The Acoustic Album!

The guys of Oklahoma City’s Code 22 seem like a likable group of fellas. Their latest release, Going Soft: The Acoustic Album!, is likable enough as well — so likable that on first listen, I took its clean, acoustic sound and clear, unstressed vocals as an alternative praise-and-worship band.

Eureeka — Polysynthetic Fields

It’s always refreshing to hear music that embraces its own eccentricity, yet presents it in an accessible and meek fashion. Eureeka — the Norman-based duo of Jordan Vargas and Devin Wahl — has tapped into this rarified air on its self-released EP, Polysynthetic Fields.

Issei Aoyama’s original jazz pieces will be performed at Sunday’s free concert.

Sunday

Jazz guitarist Issei Aoyama will pick, pluck and strum in a free concert 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Performing Arts Studio, 200 S. Jones in Norman.

He will be accompanied by Cory Gavito on piano, Michael Geib on double bass and Justin Walke on drums. The quartet will play original pieces by Aoyama, as well as jazz standards, all in a contemporary style.

“We have been playing together for years. They are very talented musicians. And they are good people. Those are the most important things for me,” Aoyama said.

Originally from Japan, Aoyama moved to Canada when he was 16 and then to America a year later. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 2003 and currently works as a senior graphic designer at Oklahoma City University.

According to Aoyama, he is inspired by other guitarists, like Peter Bernstein, Kurt Rosenwinkel and George Van Eps. He has played at venues all over Oklahoma solo, in combos or with larger groups.

This is the third performance in the Jazz Concert Series that has been brought back by the PAS after a break last year. Admission is free, but voluntary donations are accepted and encouraged. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, call 307-9320 or visit www.pasnorman.org.

—Sara Custer

IndianGiver — Plafond EP

Various artists — Never Give Up: Celebrating 10 Years of The Postal Service

Big Worm — Bench All-Stars

Code 22 — Going Soft: The Acoustic Album!

Eureeka — Polysynthetic Fields

Big in Japan