SATURDAY

On his forthcoming album I See a Darkness, his highness Bonnie Prince Billy (pictured, aka Will Oldham, Palace Brothers, Palace Music, Push, etc. ) deigns to honor us with a new collection of densely wrought songs of desperation and consequence. Released on Billy’s own Palace Records label, the new album harks back to the days of his Viva Last Blues in its starkly contrasted moods, angling between the jubilant pronouncements found in “Minor Place” and the sound of lost centuries in darkly coated ballads, like the pint-swigging narrative sea chanty “Madeline Mary.” The record was recorded this past summer in the backwoods of Shelbyville, Ky., by Will’s brother Paul, whose band the Anomoanon (also featuring yet another Oldham brother, Ned) performs both backing duties and fills an opening slot tonight, along with locals Quix*o*tic. At 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Black Cat, 1831 14th St. NW. $9. (202) 667-7960. (Amy Domingues)