SONGSTRESS RETURNS

You may recognize her Grammy-nominated single "Dream" from the "The L Word" or the furries episode of "Entourage," but Alice Smith has a four-octave vocal range and a whole bag of bluesy tricks that extend her sound.

From D.C., the now-Brooklyn-based soulstress is touring on her new album, a much-awaited follow-up to her 2006 hit, "For Lovers, Dreamers & Me." Issues with her record label left her struggling to find her unique voice, but she found it alongside the likes of Janelle Monae, Erykah Badu and even Gym Class Heroes at the recent Afropunk Fest. Now, with a new label and a new outlook, it's about creating art on her own terms, and "it's the art (and hard-won battle) of simply being herself," as she puts it.

This Hamilton (600 14th St. NW) show should be a great one for all audiences. Tickets are $17 in advance or $20 at the door, which opens at 6:30 p.m. -- and you will see Spotlight at this one!

9-HOUR HARD CORE

Warning -- this next musical event contains a lot of bass. Stop by the 19th Bar (1900 I St. NW) Thursday night and witness a sound fortress that will be sure to leave your ears ringing. Twelve electronic musical acts will take the stage from 5 p.m. till 2 a.m. as part of Matthew & Molly's Music Massive Birthday Blowout, and you can hear them all for just pocket change! Musical guests include DJ Classless, DJ Throdown, Lindsay Lowlend, Yola Monster, Wes Goodie and more. Party on Mars will even be doing visuals that will knock your socks off.

A no-cover happy hour will be offered from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets for the first three hours cost $5, and any shows starting after 10 p.m. will cost $10. For more information on musical guests and performance times, go to facebook.com/events/399129926825518.