(images, courtesy secret machines [myspace] & hands-on zune review [engadget])

Piling on the indie cred before sending their new mp3 player into the hands of consumers, Microsoft has been hosting all sorts of rockworthy events to romance music fans into finding room in their iPod entrenched hearts for Zune. Today they host a series of launch parties [zuneinsider] around the country.

Seattle gets a piece of the action with a free Secret Machines show at Westlake Center Plaza just in time for your lunch break. Head downtown and make it an avant space rock — food court double feature : the music starts just before noon [seattlest]; try not to spend so much time drooling over the new tech that you miss the band.

There are also rumors of a follow-up tonight with Blonde Redhead at the War Room; so ask around and maybe one of the marketing gurus will let some of the details slip.