Between releasing a new EP, scoring a theme song for a new MSNBC show, and remixing songs for Ladytron and Queens of the Stone Age, Richmond act Ki:Theory has found time to play a show for the hometown crowd, at Gallery 5 on December 6.

I usually don’t find myself applying the terms “electro” and “lo-fi” to the same artist, but Ki:Theory, AKA Joel Burleson, manages to be both. He has been compared to varied artists including Beck, Four Tet, Radiohead, and Sparklehorse, with music blending electronic, synth, rock, and pop influences, yet he defies categorization (his MySpace page labels the band merely “alternative”).

His new, all-original EP, Brittle Branches, is a 6-track exploration of mellow, introspective, and yes, lo-fi electro-rock spearheaded by the single “Holiday Heart.” The song balances a cheery, almost cute synth-line with slightly dark lyrics and stark, processed vocals. The music video for the song, which has allegedly been making the rounds at film festivals far and wide, bears a similar theme, with paper-cut animated woodland creatures and an oddly dark storyline.

In addition to his originals, Ki:Theory has been gaining some attention with his remixes. His remix of Ladytron’s “Runaway” was included on a 12” and CD-single release of the song. Other recent remixes include songs by Queens of the Stone Age, UNKLE, and Sasha.

Burleson and his drummer, Ash Bruce, have performed live with the likes of The Fiery Furnaces, Matthew Dear, and As Tall As Lions, but this week will be their first headliner. Playing Gallery 5 with Ki:Theory are local shoegazers Autocue (not to be confused with the UK ska-punkers of same name), and DJ Cambot, AKA Cam Denunzio of Denali (if that’s an MST3K reference, I am sold). The show is all ages and cover is a mere $5, so be there at 8.