Danny Barnes, an inventive banjo player and composer who has performed with Dave Matthews Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Bill Frisell and Jello Biafra, takes the stage at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Rockfish Grill. Cover is $8.

“Barnes is a sonic pioneer, hacking through the underbrush with his musical weapons of choice, banjo as compass ... ,” wrote Sarah Hagerman of jambase.com. “The banjo stirs a feeling of timelessness with its old time/bluegrass/folk associations. Danny Barnes builds with these base molecules of the instrument’s heritage, sculpting a sound with one foot in contemporary technological landscapes, another in deep running traditions, and arms waving free in outer space.”

Barnes’ work shows the influence of a wide spectrum of music — the Flatt and Scruggs favored by his Tennessee-born grandmother, the country music of his father and the punk and Delta blues his brothers preferred. He had a natural skill with audio production that was nurtured at a brother’s studio and later at the University of Texas. Since he left Texas for Port Townsend a decade ago he has been collaborating with the likes of Frisell.

“Like all great neo-traditionalists he can string together snippets of traditional tunes and lyrical fragments from dozens of folk and country songs, and come up with something that’s instantly recognizable and yet brand new,” wrote Harp.

Rockfish also offers Dylanesque young Ian McFeron and his band at 9 p.m. Saturday. McFeron has garnered radio play in Seattle and performed with Patty Griffin, Nanci Griffith, Shawn Mullins, Amos Lee, Julia Fordham, Carbon Leaf and Jars of Clay.

McFeron’s lyrical prose and fervent work is compared to Bob Dylan and Ryan Adams.

“The Ian McFeron Band plays an earthy yet sophisticated blend of folk, rock, alternative-country and blues that belies the band’s youthfulness. And it’s danceable, too,” said Gene Stout of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Also this week:

• Department of Safety, 1011 12th St., has Hello Shark and O Paeon Friday, Jan. 9; $7. Call 293-8361.

• Star Bar, 416-1/2 Commercial Ave., presents Gadjo Gypsies, Jan. 9; Fortune 500, Jan. 10. Call 293-6747.

• Majestic Inn, 419 Commercial Ave., offers Anthony Easterwood, Jan. 9; Marcus Whiting, Jan. 10. Call 299-1400.

• Watertown Pub, 314 Commercial Ave., offers a swing class 8 p.m. Jan. 9 followed by Fidalgo Swing; all ages until 10 p.m.; Saturday ladies night with top 40 DJ Ben Brown; Wednesday karaoke with DJ Steve, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call 293-3587.

• Johnny Picasso’s, 501 Commercial Ave., presents John Van Deusen 6 to 9 p.m. second Mondays.

• Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., presents Jazz Invitational with Frankly Moanin’, Jan. 7; Stilly River Band, Jan. 14. Call 588-1720.

• Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., presents live music most weekends. Open Jam Thursdays with Mike Rothmeyer 9 p.m. to midnight. No cover. Call 293-2544.

• Swinomish Northern Lights Casino presents Jazz Lunches 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays. Call 293-2691.

• Anacortes Eagles presents live music 7:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Ray Peake plays 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Members and guests only. Call 293-3012.