You Write the Songs that Make the City Sing—Ask any honest musician, no matter how prolific, and they'll be straight-up with you: It ain't easy writing original music. Even the professionals get their share of funks where the chords clash and the lyrics just aren't flowing like they used to. What happens if you've lost your inspiration? What if your knowledge of music theory is a little flat, or you can't seem to find time to get your ideas down? These are just a few of the potential pitfalls of the songwriting process that a new city-sponsored program, The Albuquerque Songwriters Series, is hoping to guide you through.

Bonkers

For the sixth year running, High Mayhem will pack more than 30 exceptional performances into three evenings at Santa Fe's Wisefool performance space (2778 Agua Fria, unit D). Friday, Oct. 6, through Sunday, Oct. 8. Visit www.highmayhem.org for a current schedule of performers and ticket information. (LM)

With Romeo Goes To Hell, The Oktober People, Black Maria, Lousy Robot and The Dead Electric

“Just when I think that my faith in mankind has reached its limit, I run into Little Bobby somewhere. And my faith is restored.” --Anonymous quote overheard in a bar.

’70s glam rocker Mark Mallman brings keys and cheese to town

It's hard to tell whether Mark Mallman is kidding.

After our interview, I'm pretty sure he and his Billy Joel/Elton John-like piano-based tunes (most of which are about booze) are for real. That's Mallman, according to his press photos: longish hair, a leather jacket, a tiger superimposed over his upright, pentagrams in music notes all over his site.

Tabatha Roybal

The Duke City's most deafening seek shelter at this practice space. Luckily, it just got bigger.

Bleeding Eardrum's Michael Burke may have bitten off more than he can chew.