It’s not hard to guess how Matthew Houck reacted when his band’s gear was stolen a few weeks ago, on the eve of its tour for Here’s to Taking It Easy. Frequently, the characters in his band Phosphorescent’s songs aren’t doing so well either, even if they’re afflicted more by desperation than exasperation. They inhabit landscapes carved out of boozy guitars and pedal steels (a few years ago Houck preferred feedback) and they’re often weary—of the thankless stage, of strained relationships, of pushing back against those things. Maybe now Houck will realize the universe is rooting for him: Phosphorescent’s van and its contents turned up less than a week after being lifted.

PHOSPORESCENT PERFORMS WITH J. TILLMAN AT 8 P.M. AT THE BLACK CAT, 1811 14TH ST. NW. $13-$15. (202) 667-4490.