Ricky Stein‘s music is a refreshing, unironic throwback to the days when blues-rock ruled the airwaves. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Stein harnesses the gritty, southern aesthetic personified by classic rock bands like The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more recently, Shakey Graves, and creates a sound unique unto himself. On "Don’t Leave Me Hangin’ On," from 2012’s Crazy Days, Stein showcases his aptitude as a songwriter while also paying tribute to his roots-rock predecessors. The music is urgent and driving, but also subtle, with unexpected twists and turns that proves an artist can be steeped in tradition without being predictable. Ricky Stein is playing at Mercury Lounge on April 10th, with Belle-Skinner and Pearla. Listen to "Don’t Leave Me Hangin’ On" below! – Ethan Ames

  

NYC’s Pearla is an act you’ll want to keep an eye out for – her songs are brooding, melodic and relatable. With inflections of Fiona Apple, Pearla laments her sense of dislocation on "Somewhere," using her literal geographical disorientation as an analogy for her own sense of unmooring. The song’s arrangement is atmospheric and poppy, making good use of tasteful electronic percussion and delicate keys. "I don’t know which way is north/I never do, I’ve just trusted I would end up somewhere." It’s a compelling sentiment for anyone who feels as if they’ve been thrusted into adulthood, ready or not. Pearla is playing at Mercury Lounge on April 10th, with Belle-Skinner and Ricky Stein. Listen to "Somewhere" below!" – Ethan Ames

LUECK, the five-piece indie-folk band fronted by Katy Lueck, is a hybrid of musical influences that resounds with emotion. With hints of ’90s alternative and West Coast ’70s folk rock evident in the band’s instrumentation, LUECK creates an atmosphere of longing and introspection without being too esoteric. As a songwriter, Katy Lueck has a pop sensibility, and her songs take enough interesting turns to further augment the appeal of her virtuosic vocals and shimmering guitar lines. LUECK is playing at Mercury Lounge on April 11th, with Dan Abraham. Watch the video for "Delirium" below! – Ethan Ames

New York-based songwriter Dan Abraham puts a new spin on indie-folk. It’s evident that he’s first and foremost a pop songwriter: on "Golden," with vocal inflections reminiscent of The Black Keys, Abraham reminisces on lost love with bitter clarity and 20/20 hindsight, over warbling, chorus-drenched guitars and a punchy rhythm section. However, on "As Things Move" and "Alive," Abraham’s approach is much more steeped in the folk tradition, with delicate, fingerpicked acoustic guitar and lyrics rife with desperation and longing. "Another day in the life/Without taking a pill to survive/God knows if we’ll make it alive." Don’t miss Dan Abraham at Mercury Lounge on April 11th, with LUECK. Listen to "Alive" below!" – Ethan Ames