THURSDAY, APRIL 2
The Hymns I just wrote about these Harrisburg alums, but nothing I saw or heard that night is gonna dissuade me from reminding anyone within eyeshot to get off the couch and go see 'em. Unless of course you're averse to classic melodies – folks were buzzin' about the VU, Kinks and Byrds vibes last time – updated and delivered with an all-out rock & roll party assault. Menu colleague Timothy "C the Hymns" Davis recently caught 'em in Nashville, and has given me permission to speak for him as well when I say: "great band, great tunes, ridiculous fun." Plus, they're playing with The Whigs and the Sammies – if you need reasons beyond that they're clearly not music-related. Visulite Theatre (John Schacht)
Erika Blatnik Often categorized – mistakenly, I believe – as a freak-folk-type artist, young Blatnik's hi-ho speedy delivery as a solo artist seems to owe a little bit more to the Ani DiFrancos of the wor(l)d. There's a lot packed into each song, to be sure. And she's certainly got the pipes to pull it off most of the time. One wonders, however, if a little more breathing room (both for her and her audience) might be in order. Consider a band like Tegan & Sara, an act who, once they slowed their roll a bit, found both more fertile artistic ground and the wider audience that those expanded horizons can bring. Regardless, she's quite talented as is, and remains one to watch. As in, right now. With Ben Henry, Robbie Owen Hale; Pete and J, Jimmy Brown, Ashlee Hardee. The Evening Muse (Timothy C. Davis)
The Farewell Drifters This Nashville, Tenn., quintet's last'n, Sweet Summer Breeze, was one of the more pleasant bluegrass discs I sonically supped all year. Featuring 12 originals and two covers (an excellent take on Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons' "Wheels"), the boys fall somewhere in the middle between acts like Chatham County Line and The Avett Brothers. There's definitely a traditional bluegrass element, thanks to the stringband songwriting of guitarist Zach Bevill and mandolinist Joshua Britt. However, there's an undefinable looseness here too, something akin to what Townes Van Zandt was onto when he penned "Blue Ridge Mountains." Regardless of your allegiances, well worth your time for traditional music fans who don't see why you can't love both Son Volt and Son House equally. The Sylvia Theater, York (Davis)
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
Rocco DeLuca The indie-rocker made waves with his first single, "Colorful," back in 2006. He's currently touring in support of his latest CD, Mercy. While he may get lost in the shuffle in a pile of singer-songwriters, his use of the dobro makes him stand out from the pack. It gives his music a down-and-dirty appeal. Amos' Southend (Jeff Hahne)
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Gringo Star Check if the boombox is set on mono. This Atlanta quartet has a decidedly lo-fi vibe that tips hats to the early Kinks era Brit-rock. You know the kind where the guitars are raw yet somehow sound more alive than in stereo. Gringo Star harks back to that garagey era, albeit with loads of multi-part harmonies where ooohs and aaahs dance along with guitar chops and a grooving rhythm section. A touch of Southern rock only adds to the fun. With Guam High. Snug Harbor (Samir Shukla)
Alice Peacock A spunky storyteller and songwriter, Peacock is not shy in aiding her muse with strings and keyboards, although it's her guitar and voice that carry the day. The Chicagoan is on the road with her folk and country-tipped new disc Love Remains. Her words are about life's entanglements and though she's not from the South, her voice has that warm southern twang when she croons. Evening Muse early show (Shukla)
S.O. Stereo Save our stereo! This popular local indie-rock quartet is sure not to disappoint. The group has built a solid following here after the release of their album about a year and a half ago, and fans can't seem to get enough of the band's laid-back melodies. The music is definitely on the softer side, comparable to bands like Coldplay, Third Eye Blind and Better Than Ezra. With Manic. Evening Muse late show (Jill Jacobs)
SUNDAY, APRIL 5
Inaugural Breastival A great cause – all proceeds go to Save a Breast Foundation – and lineup to match. Few in the Carolinas command a stage like Aimee Argote, the driving force behind the Durham-based aggro-folk machine, Des Ark, now back as a three-piece and featuring Maple Stave drummer Evan Rowe; Charlotte's Yardwork adopts the strength-in-numbers approach to pack its melodies with punk-gospel enthusiasm, and is recording their debut full-length; and locals Zoe Vette & the Revolvers have a new one, Trash Is the New Glamour, which sums things up nicely. Also featured – Black Lashes, and Shiprocked's Lilith Deville and Bethamphetamine. Snug Harbor (Schacht)
My Education Leave the planet for a spell without leaving your headphones. Austin's My Education weaves a swirl of spacey, jazzy, somber instrumentals that flutter and float while building layers of mood sounds. It's ambient and cinematic where the music soars but doesn't pound eardrums and sways the listener to someplace cool and hip. The track "Spirit of Peace" is a masterwork of subtlety. The Milestone (Shukla)
TUESDAY, APRIL 7
Eric Sardinas The blues-rock guitarist is known for playing an electric resonator guitar and astounding audiences with his live performances. A friend of mine caught his live show not too long ago and said it was one of the most impressive displays of guitar showmanship he's seen. I mean, the guy's signed to Steve Vai's record label, so that has to say something about his ability to shred, right? Double Door Inn (Hahne)
