British R&B crooner James Hunter brings timeless, soulful ditties to Antone’s this Wednesday. Hunter recently released The Hard Way, while 2006’s People Gonna Talk record did indeed catch the attention of many and perked up listeners’ ears both sides of the Atlantic, eventually garnering a Grammy nomination in the “Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year” category for Hunter. But this talented singer is no one-album-wonder -- he fronted Howling Wolf and the Vee-Jays in the '80s; the band had a fairly prolific even if somewhat brief career. Hunter has also collaborated with Van Morrison in the past....

Firewater, the innovative world-punk group led by Tod A, will satiate fans with tunes from their new album, The Golden Hour, Thursday night at Emo’s. Firewater released the album in April, just a few weeks after their last Austin gig at SXSW. Translation: even if you just saw the band in March, Thursday’s show should offer your eyes and ears something delectably new. ...