Now that the most bizarre election cycle in my memory is behind us, here we are to let the beat go on. Nothing transcends the ups and downs of history like good old music through natural healing properties of sound waves done right. The continuity of passion and pleasure afforded to us by the wonderful strains of melody and harmony, rhythm and rhyme, from beats to bossa nova, classical to country, rock to rap and punk to polka puts things into perspective like nothing else can do.

Here’s another addition to the downtown open mic scene, as Casey Cantrall and Travis Williams plus friends host a jam on Thursday nights at 411 Bar and Grill (on Washington between Fourth and Fifth) starting around 9. Come sit in with the guys or, if you prefer, bring your own band and play. It’s all good with Casey on Thursdays. 411 now officially hosts Frank Parker’s Jambalaya Jam on Wednesdays from 5 to 9, featuring jazz and blues open jams with a pot of Frank’s namesake jambalaya simmering in the kitchen. On Friday, Veteran’s Day, the bar presents the lovable Wolf Crick Boys for some hardcore, honky-tonk hullabaloo. Yeehaw!

Bar None continues to light up Fridays in downtown Springfield with acclaimed live music acts on the corner stage. This week, check out some of the region’s finest power-punk-pop original bands with Starter Jacket, The Complaint Line and Dangerbird. I’m not sure how to describe the homemade sounds of these groups, but they rock with punk, soul and folk DIY attitudes, done with creativity and spontaneity, honestly and with heart. All the bands definitely call out the fact they are wholeheartedly trying to do something different with thoughtful mayhem as a driving force.

If you’re interested, all three combos have free listens at a place called Bandcamp, a website designed specifically for bands to expose themselves, so to speak, by offering digital music for sampling and sale. Each band builds a page to explain their mission, disclose music available, and give others the opportunity to purchase and comment on the stuff. Bandcamp is a wonderful place to spend some time discovering new music and helping yourself by helping others, as well as being a fantastic and easy way to preview bands in town and all around.

While we’re hanging out at Bar None, let’s plug Saturday’s happening with a couple cool DJs, Annatomic and Em, spinning sounds into the late night. Then, next Friday, Nov. 18, the fun folks will want to know that Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys come back to town with Jukebox Casanova opening the night, and good old rockabilly is the name of the game. We should stop here, but we can’t because there’s much more good stuff, including Purple Stardust (local Bowie/Prince cover band, Nov. 25), Old Shoe (our buddy Greg Fundis drums with these cool cats, Dec. 2) and Henhouse Prowlers (Chicago-style bluegrass buddies, Dec. 3). So mark up your calendars and get to work planning on these lovely music nights to come.

On Sunday, stop by The Keg on Eleventh and Ash for good music for a good cause. Starting at 1 in the afternoon, check out Powerdown, Sleeping Dogzz, RockHouse and Springfield Shaky playing a benefit for Zach Beall, a fellow Kegger recovering from surgery and needing some help from friends for his family. There’s a bike ride scheduled for noon and auction items available between bands, so come on out and to the aid of one in need.

Let the music soothe the savage beast within us all (or at least get a pat on the head).

Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected].