Heart & hands

No matter what’s wrong in the world, you can always turn to life’s simpler pleasures: drink, song, and, yes, manicures.

If any of the aforementioned indulgences appeal to you, do yourself a favor and head over to Hamtramck’s Belmont Bar for Mademoiselle Mondays, the popular series for hygienically conscientious, music-loving sots. The price of admission, a measly 10 bucks, gets you a martini, clean fingernails and, this week, one of the finest living singer-songwriters in rock ’n’ roll, Greg Cartwright.

Visiting the D for a rare solo performance, Cartwright is one of the masterminds behind the Reigning Sound, whose Too Much Guitar was one of 2004’s finest releases and resulted in a short stint touring with Nordic boy wonders the Hives. He was also a heavy hitter in the righteous rock ’n’ roll outfits the Compulsive Gamblers and the Oblivians. Cartwright is a barrelhouse music-maker and no stranger to Detroit. He has written songs praising local bands and had a strong hand in production and songwriting for the Detroit Cobras’ latest release, Baby.

Cartwright’s live sets can be nothing short of frantic, but his slower balladeering can also leave an indelible mark. We can’t say for sure which way Monday’s performance will lead, but one thing’s certain, this is a show you shouldn’t miss.