Wed. Aug. 22

 It’s unusual to describe your current album as a “bridge” record, but that’s how former Dambuilders singer-guitarist Dave Derby views his second solo effort, “Dave Derby and the Norfolk Downs.” “I didn’t have a clear compass in terms of what I wanted to do,” says Derby. “It took on this amorphous life. But I think the songs have real cohesion. It’s a somber record, a product of the times. A pretentious word to use would be ‘autumnal.’ A lot of the songs have a similar tempo and feel. There’s a nostalgic vibe, wistful. It’s a dark horse record.”
Derby lived in Boston eight years before a move to New York. The Dambuilders were on the those very good bands that deserved to make it. The chips just didn't fall right. Derby is copacetic. He's moved on. He recorded this disc for the UK label Reveal, where his former band mate, violinist Joan Wasser, has found success as Joan As Policewoman. Wasser played on Derby’s disc as did Lloyd Cole, Jill Sobule, Chris Brokaw and Kevin March. (Norfolk Downs is the Lower East Side studio where it was done.) Playing with those people got Derby thinking about his next recording. “It will be a lot more rock and uptempo,” says Derby, “and will befuddle anyone who likes this record.” Whatever band he puts together will be called the Norfolk Downs. For now, Derby is promoting the new disc with a show at the Midway Café Aug. 22. He’ll be joined by ex-Luna guitarist Sean Eden. Opening up: Hilken (Fuzzy) Mancini’s new group, Shepherdess, at 9 p.m. Admission: $5. (A version of this ran in last week's Boston Phoenix.)

3496 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-9037 www.midwaycafe.com