The Great Drain Down is upon us. That is to say, the time when legions of bands across the country stream down odd-numbered Interstates with Austin’s SXSW in their sights. That festival starts on March 18.

St. Louis benefits from this pilgrimage as several bands hit our town to play a gig and pick up a few extra dollars.

One such band is Brooklyn’s Here We Go Magic, playing the Off Broadway Thursday. Their folk rock incorporates much vocal harmonizing and electronic tinkering, though the sonic explorations can be monotonous. Probably not for those looking for a tight set of pop songs.

Also on the SXSW trail this weekend are California’s Brown Shoe (above) which puts on a fun show. The wholesome quartet from Folsom return to Cicero’s Friday.

New Zealand buzz band Cut Off Your Hands and Champaign’s Headlights will play Sunday at the Firebird. This is one of two can’t miss shows by SXSW-bound bands on Sunday. The other is the Heartless Bastards, who open for Andrew Bird at the Pageant. Look for my interview with them this week. Bird does not have any SXSW gigs on his MySpace schedule.

Search our events calendar  for all of the details at events.stltoday.com.