You could say Ann Arbor’s Fred Thomas has a vertical monopoly when it comes to music — creating it, playing it and putting it out — but if you’ve ever had a chance to meet this deliberate and thoughtful sound addict, you’re probably laughing at the idea of calling him a corrupt businessman. We’ll just say he’s a DIY multitasker.

Although many know and appreciate his work in Lovesick, Flashpapr, His Name Is Alive and with labels, Westside Audio Laboratories and hereforeveralways, Thomas says that lately, his time has been “monopolized” by a strong desire to work on songs for his solo project/collective effort, Saturday Looks Good To Me. And while the band has already recorded three CDs, this Saturday’s performance at Carbon Lounge (11474 Jos. Campau, 313-366-9278) marks its live debut.

The idea behind SLGTM started about a year ago.

“Me and my friend Ben were messing around with this Beach Boys loop he had taped,” Thomas explains. “I ended up putting music over it. It sounded really cool so I started playing songs that weren’t from loops.”

He gathered 13 friends (Jessica Bailiff, Matt Smith, and members of Ida and Retsin, to name a few) and recorded a bunch of claustrophobic pop songs, featuring “ridiculous, out-of-context lyrics” held together by a Motown undercurrent. “There’s a song about how my dad used to drive an ambulance in Detroit set to oldies music,” he says.

The effect is softly chilling, but with the promise of warmth and melting drainpipe icicles. What better time than now, with the first signs of spring peeking through the shadows and exhaust(ed) snow mounds, for Saturday Looks Good To Me to make its debut? Wouldn’t it be nice?

Saturday Looks Good To Me performs Saturday, March 10 at Carbon Lounge, 11474 Jos. Campau (313-366-9278).

Check out the other artists that made MT's 10 more to watch list.

Stroker Ace
DangerVille
Buzzards
They Come In Threes
S.U.N.
Blush
Mike Huckaby
Ansonia
Willies

Melissa Giannini covers the metro-Detroit music scene for the Metro Times. E-mail her at mgiannini@metrotimes.com.