Nationwide viewers tuning into “Conan” on Monday night may have had their first intersection with The Head and the Heart. The Seattle indie-folk pop sextet performed their traditional concert closer, “Rivers and Roads,” a sonic sneak attack that begins as quiet as a church mouse before swelling into a roaring flood.

Spokane math-prog-rock favorite Belt of Vapor can hardly be accused of overexposure. While BoV has been a staple in the local scene for well over a decade, the trio has been known to fall below the radar from time to time, only to re-enter the atmosphere with another batch of face-melting rock ’n’ roll aggression.

In 18 years as a journalist, I’ve interviewed senators and CEOs, even got a statement from the president. But I’m as nervous as Chris Farley’s star-struck teenage talk show host from “Saturday Night Live” at the prospect of interviewing one of my favorite musicians. (“You’re Michael Franti? Wow. That’s so cool.”)

When it came to starting a local band that specializes in reggae covers of Elton John hits, the name forced the concept. Elton Jah was just too irresistible.

The all-female tribute to AC/DC, punk-rock veterans, the rap “Mail Man” of hip-hop, and half of the drummer duo from the Grateful Dead – that’s what is on the docket for live music this week to The Knitting Factory Concert House, 919 W. Sprague Ave. Tickets for all Knitting Factory shows are available at www.ticketfly.com.

If you’re of a certain age, what irresistibly comes to mind when you hear the phrase “Zed’s dead,” is the classic line uttered by Bruce Willis in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film, “Pulp Fiction.” But if you’re from a younger generation, and plugged into the dubstep movement, Zeds Dead evokes heavy beats and genre-busting experiments, compliments of the Canadian electronic music duo, DC and Hooks.

Adam Carolla is always up to something, whether it be his record-setting podcast, starring in independent film, dancing with stars, selling his celebrity home, competing in celebrity car races, hustling on “Celebrity Apprentice,” or simply finding time to goof around with his kids. In this interview, Carolla talks about all of the celebrity hub-bub and why it’s making him miserable.

Mutemath is adding blues and funk to the equation. Mat Kearney is maturing with “Young Love.” And Los Lonely Boys remain in their own world. All three acts have recent albums in tow for tours that arrive in the coming days at The Knitting Factory Concert House, 919 W. Sprague Ave. (Tickets for all three are available through www.ticketfly.com.)

Ted Nugent is heard loud and clear by millions of people each year, and we’re not even talking about the rock ’n’ roll music assault he’s been making on the ears of his fans for more than 40 years. The 63-year-old rock guitarist says he devotes all summer to concerts and about 10 months to hunting. Meantime, he takes no time off throughout the year from his favorite sports of “crushing liberals, destroying animal rights, defending Second Amendment rights and exposing the monsters who hold political office.”

Ted Nugent has many names: The Nuge, Motor City Madman, Ted the Sledge, for a few. But no matter what you call the gregarious and outrageous musician, he’s still got the passion, the drive, the energy and the moxie to please rockers of all ages.

As Secondhand Serenade, John Vesely has been highly regarded for his introspective lyrics and deeply personal subject matter. But on his new album, “Here Me Now,” Vesely delves deeper into his soul and his sound.

A white-clad dance party, dark metal mosh pits, politically powered folk songs, headbanging hard-rock anthems and juggalo hip-hop hysteria. That’s what’s on the menu of music being served up at the Knitting Factory Concert House over the coming week. Here’s the lineup. Unless otherwise noted, tickets are available through TicketFly (877-435-9849, www.ticketfly.com).