FRIDAY

There is something deeply upsetting about stumbling into a coffeeshop only to find a woman belting out plaintive songs on an acoustic guitar. Most will ignore this woman and either order their lattes to go, please, or chatter loudly in the hope of drowning out the melancholy diary entries blaring from that stageless corner. Thank goodness house-music duo Deep Dish has plucked Anousheh Khalili from the artistic obscurity of the Richmond cafe scene and dropped her sad, airy voice into its pounding singles “Flashdance” and “Say Hello.” Now this Galaxy Hut vet has a Top 10 U.K. hit and a No. 1 U.K. dance single in “Say Hello” to boost her out of irrelevance. Indeed, the song would go perfectly over the closing credits of Alan Ball’s next project, with just a hint of triumph to lighten up the brooding. On her album Let the Ground Know Who’s Standing on Him, Khalili keeps her voice embedded in piano and rock arrangements—which occasionally sends her into Tori territory. So I beg of you, Khalili: You got your voice out of Richmond; now find yourself some more beats and stay out! Khalili plays with Medications and Mary Timony at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, on the Black Cat’s Mainstage, 1811 14th St. NW. $8 (proceeds benefit Ramona’s Way). (202) 667-7960. (Jason Cherkis)