The boys of Long Beach, Calif.’s The Fling must be quite the fans of the Sooner State, as they are following up a late-fall show at The Conservatory with tonight’s set at The Deli, 309 White, Norman. 

 The Dangerbird Records signees play at 8 p.m. with ever-evolving local rock trio The Pretty Black Chains, showcasing material from “What I’ve Seen” and “When the Madhouses Appear,” both of which were released nationally last year.

The Fling’s brand of classic American indie rock recalls acts both new (Delta Spirit, Deer Tick) and old (Guided by Voices, The Byrds), and several of their Western soul ballads have found their way onto TV shows like “Being Human,” “I Just Want My Pants Back” and “Revenge” in recent months.

Enjoy the video for “What I’ve Seen” standout track “Dogpile,” and then catch it live tonight:

You’d think playing all the instruments on a single track would be intimidating enough, but former Tulsan Ben Rector took it a couple steps further at Norman’s Blackwatch Studios. Per the video below, Rector commands six different instruments (seven, if you count that man-pretty voice of his!) on a cover of one of a much-beloved late diva’s most-beloved songs. That being my favorite Whitney Houston jam, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

Compare the two for yourself. Would love to hear opinions in the comments:

World Literature Today magazine is hosting the biggest Irish-centric cultural event Norman’s seen since U2 rocked its football stadium more than two years ago. Its Puterbaugh Festival Opening Night event is of course much scaled down from the goliath, 360-degree stage in the middle of the OU football field, but arguably more Irish, as playwright Marina Carr graces Oklahoma with her authorial presence. 

So head out to Norman’s Performing Arts Studio (known by some as the Train Depot) to enjoy some free wine and cheese; the tunes of Mike Hosty, Ali Harter, Brine Webb and Steven Eiler; and Irish poetry ready by Lauren Zuniga. The musicians will play original songs, as well as covers by Irish artists (think Van Morrison, Fionn Regan, and sigh The Swell Season).

right Ali Harter

Also be sure to check out the Irish Film Festival at Meacham Auditorium Friday night, which costs the same in admission as the Opening Night activities: nothing! Head to ou.edu/wlt for more information, and watch Webb’s recent performance at TEDxOU: