The Watson Twins have a great visual gimmick -- striking-looking twins given to posing for pictures in ways that emphasize their similarities -- but that's far from the best part of this Kentucky-bred sister act. Best-known for their backup-vocal stint with Rilo Kiley chanteuse Jenny Lewis, they made a terrific album of their own last year, "Southern Manners," a delectable shot of spectral country-pop that is subdued, sultry and oh so listenable. The Watsons open for Magnolia Electric Tuesday at Carrboro's Cat's Cradle.

Speaking of pretty female voices, Meg Baird has one for the ages. It sounds misty and mountainous in a back-porch Appalachian kind of way, even though she's from Philadelphia. "Dear Companion" (Drag City Records) is a beautiful and literally solo album, consisting of Baird's evocative voice and minimal instrumentation on a set of originals that sound like traditionals, and traditionals that sound like originals. In an intriguing pairing, Baird opens for Chicago post-rock combo The Sea & Cake on Wednesday at the Cradle.

This weekend brings the second annual Spark Con to Raleigh, with music happening at various venues around downtown Raleigh. Mike G from Jungle Brothers tops a hip-hop bill at Downtown Event Center tonight, while Goner, Swinging Johnsons and others play the Berkeley Cafe. Saturday brings Apples in Stereo to Lincoln Theatre (see page 19) with Loners, Moaners and others, as well as Q Burns Abstract Message to Riviera. Things conclude with a Sunday afternoon blues bash at the Berkeley with Josh Preslar and friends.

Elsewhere this weekend: Mountain Goats crony John Vanderslice plays the Duke Coffeehouse tonight while roots-rock madman Unknown Hinson brings it to Raleigh's Hideaway; pianist Brendan James plays a homecoming show tonight at the Cradle (see page 16), with heartbreak king Thad Cockrell and Clef Hangers; SNMNMNM shows off its fine new album "Crawl Inside Your Head" (Unschooled Records) at the Carrboro ArtsCenter on Saturday, while Polecat Creek does likewise with "Ordinary Seasons" (Yodel-Ay-Hee Records) at Rock Rest Amphitheatre.

Furthermore: Bluesman Roy Book Binder plays Holly Springs Cultural Center on Sunday; from the Justus League orbit, Median and 9th Wonder team up Tuesday at Raleigh's Pour House; Raleigh's Walnut Creek has a Christian pop bill featuring Three Days Grace on Wednesday; Austinite Matt the Electrician comes to the Hideaway Wednesday; and Thursday is a night of difficult choices -- experimental pop combo Animal Collective at the Cradle, the peppy VHS or Beta at Chapel Hill's Local 506 or the peculiar strains of Harptallica (yes, Metallica songs played on harps) at Chapel Hill's Blend.