This past Saturday (Pi Day, for any math fans who might be reading this), Ruby Rose Fox played a brilliant, sold-out performance in her return to Atwood’s Tavern in Cambridge, MA. Clad in a gold-sequined jacket and wielding a matching gold telecaster, Ruby commanded the audience’s attention on stage. Her shiny appearance wasn’t what made her stand out that night though–it was her mesmerizing voice. Ruby’s vocal performances have have generated substantial buzz around Boston recently, and for good reason. She possesses so much power and soul that when she sings, it’s hard to do anything except stop whatever other unimportant thing you’re doing and listen.
My favorite song from her set was her encore, a solo rendition of "Golden Boy," one of her more popular tunes. The choruses of that song were particularly impressive, with her voice reaching intense crescendos that drew loud whistles and applause from the crowd.

After generating so much hype in the city, she is finally preparing to hit the road in April, supporting Martha Davis and the Motels. As most people would probably assume, touring costs a boatload of cash, so she and her band have established a Patreon campaign to help raise funds for the trip. For every $2 donation, donors will receive exclusive "tour videos" shot by Ruby and her band as they travel around the States. Pretty cool perk for less than the cost of a pack of guitar strings.

For more info about Ruby and her upcoming tour, click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
Photo credit: @lystenboston

A product of woody Concord, MA, Diana DeMuth’s dark voice croons over funky but varied instrumentals on her new track “Act like a Stranger.” With both a voice and lyrical wisdom that sound beyond her years, DeMuth’s new record is packed with the classic themes of a young songwriter; the joys of love, traveling, the pains of love, traveling again, and the ever poignant nod to your home town. “Act Like a Stranger” breaks away from the mostly acoustic record “Albuquerque” with an energetic percussion intro and bright back up vocals out of some early 60’s pop tune. She’s already a force to be reckoned with solo, but Alain Mallet’s production props her up while never out-shining that voice. Some singers blow your hair back with their power, but I prefer those like DeMuth, smoothly pulling you in for a closer listen. Her new album Albuquerque will be coming out later this month on March 17th, be sure to keep an ear out for it. – Paul Jordan Talbot

Photo by Chris Macken

In the mood for some rock n’ roll? It’s Tuesday night–of course you are! Head over to TT the Bear’s in Central Sq. (Cambridge, MA) for a colossal lineup. Locals Atlantic Thrills, Black Beach and CreaturoS will be setting the stage for San Francisco’s Cool Ghouls, who are currently working their way around the US. You won’t regret staying out late on a worknight, but you’ll probably regret staying in and not going to this show. Music starts at 8:30PM. $10, 18+ with proper ID.

For more info about the show (including set times), click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Friday nights were made for whiskey drinkin’ and relaxin’, so why not start your Friday evening early with a few tracks from Burlington, VT’s Saint Lou? The group’s latest EP, The Buffalo Tapes, is a great mix of folk/blues/50s doo-wop grooves. It’s the kind of stuff that makes you want to pour a glass of whiskey, kick off your shoes and soak up the weekend. The band will be on tour for a few dates in April and May, with a smattering of gigs in Vermont and NYC.

For more updates about the band and their current shows, click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Letters to Toska, the fourth EP from Zoya, could easily be classified as “indie-folk” or “singer-songwriter”, but none of those labels would even come close to describing what takes place on these tracks. This EP reflects a perfect blend of jazz, folk and R&B, while still finding room to inject some hints of Zoya’s South Asian heritage. These influences are prominently displayed on the track “Willows”, with its smooth guitar-work and hip-hop/soul-inspired melodies and cadences. With such a dynamic mix of inspirations, I expect Zoya’s songwriting will only continue to become more intricate and mesmerizing as she continues her musical career.

For more information about Zoya, click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)
Photo Credit: Jerome Vivino

A Distant Fist Unclenching, the newest batch of songs from Boston’s Krill, is–for lack of a more refined, technical musical term–freakin’ awesome. Heavy Modest Mouse and Built to Spill influences permeate the tracks, especially on songs like “Foot.” Super-tight stops and thick guitars are rampant throughout this song (and the rest of the album), making it nearly impossible not to crank this record as loud as your speakers will go. 

Krill has quite a big year planned so far. Currently on a European tour, the band will be back in Boston on 3/13 for an LP release show at Great Scott, before heading back on the road for a string of dates that will be capped-off by an opening spot at this May’s Boston Calling festival.  

For more about Krill (and to check out their upcoming tour dates), click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Looking for a reprieve from the arctic cold? Look no further than O’Brien’s in Allston tonight for a lineup loaded with catchy pop tunes from some incredible local acts. Dominic Florio, K.O., Kevin William and Jen Aldana will be livening-up the dive bar, presented by Boston Music Scene. Doors are at 8PM, $8, 18+. Just remember the number eight and you should be fine.
 

For more info about the show, click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

The Sun Parade’s Hearts Out EP feels like a care-free walk through the woods of Western Mass. The light hearted single “Hearts Out” showcases the vocal prowess of lead singer Chris Jennings, with a smooth and bright tone and surprisingly rich falsetto. They’re in the midst of tour right now and will be playing Great Scott in Allston, along with the ladies of And The Kids, this Wednesday February 25th, and again in New Haven, CT on the 26th. So Eastern MA and South Eastern CT, be sure not to miss these killer showcases what’s coming out of the Amherst area. You can download the EP here.

Come February 27th, Dover Brickhouse will be heated up by three premium local New England Psych acts. Gymshorts grabbed the #3 slot in our end of year poll with their scuzzy Surf-Punk. They’re being joined by The Televibes and Randos, from Massachusetts and New Hampshire respectively. The Televibes have a bright punchy sound with absurd amounts of reverb and delay on the vocals. When they all start shouting the chorus of their tune “Washed Up” it makes your head spin in the best way. And if the bands weren’t already trippy enough, there will be a old school liquid light show while the bands play. Check out the Brickhouse’s website for more details. – Paul Jordan Talbot

Swap out your snow boots and parkas for your dancin’ shoes and head over to The Middle East Upstairs tomorrow night, February 18. Brooklyn’s Leisure Cruise are coming through Cambridge/Boston, bringing with them a warm wave of electro-pop that should make everyone forget about the frozen tundra outside, if only for a little while. They’ll be supported by locals Atlas Lab and Sundog, who is making the trip all the way from outer space (also known as New Orleans), according to his bio. The show kicks off at 8PM and is presented by Boston Music Scene. 18+, $10 at the door, proper ID required. For more info about the show, click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn) 

There’s something oddly comforting about dirty guitars, fast drums and shouting, which probably points to some hidden emotional issues on my part, but whatever–that’s why punk music was invented. Chips in the Moonlight, the newest release from Nice Guys, has everything you could want in lo-fi punk recordings–distorted, almost tortured guitars and vocals that sound like they’re being pushed through a PA on the brink of explosion.
 

If you dig these tunes as much as I do, go see Nice Guys release this EP at Club Bohemia (Cantab Lounge, downstairs) in Central Sq., Cambridge, MA tomorrow night. $8, 21+, doors at 8PM, presented by Illegally Blind. More details about the show can be found here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Rok N Rol Community College, the latest offering from Bufu Records’ own Ben Katzman’s Degreaser, cuts right to the chase. No reverb-soaked vocals or dream-bedroom-shoe-pop-gaze-core gimmicks–just straight-forward rock n’ roll. Coming in at around 10 minutes in length, Katzman crams even more raw rock n’ roll energy than one would otherwise expect into such a short time frame. My favorite song is the title track; with its crunchy guitars, fast rhythms and gang vocals, "Rok N Rol Community College" sounds as though Van Halen got bored one day and decided to play some Ramones covers.

For more info about the Degreaser, click here.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)