This too shall melt. And not only that, I have yet to do my annual slip on the ice in public and land on the dirty, salty sludge with a bruised knee, elbow and spring-seeking heart. There’s still plenty of time for that.

And still plenty of time to cure whatever strand of cabin fever that ails you. I’ve got two shows in Portland and one in Saco for you this week. And, wow, did I really just see some dude wearing shorts walk into the coffee shop where I’m writing? Yep, I sure did. Bless his brave, nutty heart. 

I was all about Hi Tiger within three seconds of hearing the song “Wolves” at www.hitigermusic.com. Then when I heard singer Derek Jackson’s vocals, I was even more hooked. It’s no coincidence that he’s wearing a Joy Division shirt on the website.

Hi Tiger cites Joy Division as an influence, and Jackson clearly went to the Ian Curtis school of fabulously dark vocals. However, Jackson isn’t the only reason this band is onto something. Cory McCulloch’s bass, guitar and keyboards are a scintillating nod to everything I hold dear about ’80s alternative. Erica Burkhart’s guitar and keyboards add another luscious layer, with the same contributions from Roy Ghim, who also plays what are described as “ad hoc” instruments. Drummer Tony Leighton punctuates the sound of Hi Tiger — which, by the way, has been in existence only since last summer.

I am making it my mission to track them down to learn — and hear — more about them. Also performing is Jacob Augustine, and, yes, ladies and gentlemen, there will also be a juggler on hand by the name of Matiss Duhon. Keep Portland random!

Hi Tiger with Jacob Augustine and juggler Matiss Duhon. 8 p.m. Friday. Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St., Portland. $10. www.brownpapertickets.com.

Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Gregory Alan Isakov has now been a Colorado guy for a dozen years. Since the 2003 release of his debut album, “Rust Colored Stones,” he’s been compared to Iron & Wine, Leonard Cohen and Jeff Tweedy. Um yeah, not too shabby, mister.

His latest record is last year’s “This Empty Northern Hemisphere.” Listen to songs from it and other releases at www.myspace.com/gregoryalanisakov. I sat and listened to seven of them and fancied them all. True that.

Gregory Alan Isakov with Billy Libby. 8 p.m. Friday. One Longfellow Square, Portland. All ages. $12. www.onelongfellow square.com; 761-1757.  

A whole mess of local singer/songwriters participated in Delilah Poupore’s “Songwriting & Performing from the Heart” workshop over the last several months, and they’re now ready for prime time.

With an armload of new songs and collaborations, Michael McNerney, Erika Gilbert, Phil Daligan, James Pryor, Jennifer Comeau, Leigh Kellis, Herb Williams, David Beseda, Deann, Getty Payson, Rob Ellis and, of course, Poupore will be throwing it all down in Saco on Saturday night.

Delilah Poupore’s Singer/Songwriter Showcase. 7 p.m. Saturday. The Saco Coffeehouse at Unitarian Universalist Church, 60 School St., Saco. $10 suggested donation at the door. Children 12 and under admitted free. 282-0062; www.sacocoffeehouse.com. 

Aimsel Ponti is a Portland freelance writer. Contact her at: aimselponti@yahoo.com