It’s often a bait-and-switch when Federico Aubele plays live: The Argentinian guitarist-singer-songwriter’s two albums—2004’s dubby, atmospheric Gran Hotel Buenos Aires and this year’s airy, sweet Panamericana—are tastefully produced by the guys behind Thievery Corporation (who released both records on their Eighteenth Street Lounge label). Aubele sounds utterly comfortable within those near-pop confines, but onstage, he isn’t afraid to strip down the songs to their Latin roots. There are some fine examples on YouTube—particularly a handful of clips from a show about a year ago in Baltimore: Aubele strums an acoustic guitar with boyish approachability while fellow Argentinian (and ESL labelmate) Natalia Clavier delivers the melodies with classic South American coolness. Clavier will be with Aubele again when he plays the Eighteenth Street Lounge itself, but this time there will be a stronger emphasis on beats: Texas-based percussionist El John will join them, too. Aubele performs at 9:30 p.m. at Eighteenth Street Lounge, 1212 18th St. NW. $10. (202) 466-3922.