In the current TONY Hot Seat, flame-haired singer Neko Case says she was inspired to pose for her album cover waving a sword, crouched on the hood of a beat-up car, because she thought, “If I was an eight year-old boy, what would I want to see on the cover of my record? I’d want me to have a sword.” We figure this is a good enough reason to think Case is pretty awesome. You want another? Try her incredible voice or her gift for writing stirring, full-blooded, ever-so-slightly country-tinged songs that will likely prickle the hairs on the back of your neck. Check her out at the Nokia Theatre tonight.

Women waving swords not your thing? Here’s what else is going down.

Arizona death-grinders (sorry, we’re still with the medieval violence thing here) Precious Metal and Wizardry top the bill at Lit Lounge.

Pianist and composer Vijay Iyer mixes up jazz, electronica and hip-hop with DJ Rekha at a free show at Elebash Recital Hall at the CUNY Graduate Center.

There’s free honky-tonk country from Jack Grace at the Ear Inn.

The Mingus Big Band does its bluesy Holy Roller soul thang at Jazz Standard.