Providence’s The Range (aka James Hinton) released his latest album, Nonfiction, on the UK label Donky Pitch last October, gaining him recognition both in the States and across the pond. The album’s weirdest moments are its best: check out the dialogue that acts as a rap on "Metal Swing" and the slow ascent from spacious introduction to full-on electro jam. On March 25, he will release the EP Panasonic, but not before he makes the most out of a four-day stay in Austin for SXSW. Check out the full list of The Range’s SXSW stops above.  – Jake Reed

Three years ago, Alex Whitelaw left the band that he was in and decided to start his own surf rock solo project called Sexy Girls. His efforts culminated in a nine-song album called The Collection, which was released on Bandcamp in 2012. "Tell Me" should give you a perfect taste of the nonchalant, summery sound that defines the album.

Today, Sexy Girls is a four-piece indie rock band comprised of Steve Kerr (drums), Sam Hatch (guitar), Ben Semeta (bass), and Whitelaw (vocals, rhythm guitar) – but Whitelaw still writes all the music. The Amherst, MA band is currently working on a new album called Satan’s Hands which they hope to release in August, and will perform at the 13^th Floor Music Lounge in Florence, MA on April 24. – Mary Reines

If you live in the Pioneer Valley and haven’t heard June & the Bee, well, you need to. The band is led by the spunky stage presence of lead vocalist Emma June, but its versatility is what really sets the folk trio apart. When they took to Jittery’s Live at Smith College in Northampton last night, listeners were treated not just to guitar and vocals, but mandolin, saxophone and violin as well – plus drums and cello thanks to a few extra musical friends. Make sure to check out “Spadina,” which June referred to as a “folk-rap,” and catch them on March 13 at the Habberdashery in Northampton or March 29 at the Jewish Community Center in Amherst. – Jake Reed

Boston’s Andrew Scandal released the album Mosaic Mirrors last month, and the eight-song collection is as trippy as it is captivating. The indie singer knows when to keep it organic (“Rainy Room,” which features instrumentation by The Lightyears) and when to let synths take center stage – check out the 8-bit Nintendo bleep that leads into “Fluorescent Dreams.” Album opener “Superpowers” is a highlight, with its “Do-do-do-do you know” hook and the disorienting vocal echos that crop up throughout the track. Since the album’s release, Andrew’s been keeping busy: he is featured on “Night Swim,” a collaboration with London-based artist ZEEN, and will play at Hotel Vernon in Worcester, MA, on March 21. – Jake Reed

The latest release from Amherst, Mass.’s Young Tricksters finally delivers its spacious and melodic indie rock to its listeners. Welcomed with a release show at which all of its five tracks were played, its hard to tell which moments deserve the most attention on Ripples – the audience had plenty of cheer to spread around, whether for guitarist Lucas Solorzano’s slow burning solos or the band’s sing-along three-part harmonies. On “Gotta Move On,” the band leads toward 60s psychedelic rock, while it steers in a more alternative rock radio direction on the lead single “Twisted Love.” Buy Ripples on Bandcamp now and see what the commotion is all about. – Jake Reed

Just as its name implies, Breakfast Lunch & Dinner is something you might want to incorporate into your daily routine. On its Easy EP, the New Hampshire band’s brand of indie rock is laid back and relaxed, but fun to listen to. For instance, check out the funky wah-wah guitar that breaks up the verses on the title track. When the set’s opener, “Yeah, Cool,” hints at surf rock, you can tell the guys are longing for summer – as just about all of us in New England are at this point. The band doesn’t have any shows lined up at this point, but stay tuned to their Facebook page on which they make no bones about it: “You just have to come to our shows and really see what we can do.” – Jake Reed

B. Dolan has big things lined up for 2014. In addition to taking on SXSW this March, an as-yet-untitled film that he penned will see production later this year. On his last release, 2012’s House of Bees Vol. 2, the Rhode Island rapper is a stylistic chameleon. “Still Here” plays around with a samples straight from the Middle East, while “King Bee” finds Dolan playing frontman to an anonymous rock band – and those are just the first two tracks. “2Bad (Epic Beard Men)” reclaims the carefree vibe of the Beastie Boys’ greatest tracks and “Tin Soldiers” uses marching drums and a sample of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio” to lament the injustices of the U.S. military. Catch B. Dolan with fellow Rhode Island rapper Sage Francis at Club 512 in Austin on March 14. – Jake Reed

Before heading out on a brief East Coast tour with the Men, the Ukiah Drag has released its latest single “Dirt Trip.” The song’s dark, distorted melodies and speak-singing vocals make it the perfect cut to soundtrack a movie scene set in hell – not to mention the haunting pitch-shifted hook “If you pray, you’ll be saved.” By the end of the track, its psychedelic production takes over, with one guitar moving along with the bass while another wails in the distance. The single will be released on March 4, along with the B-side “Poison Ivy,” and the Ukiah Drag will make a local stop on March 2 at Great Scott in Allston. Check out the full list of tour dates below. – Jake Reed

March 2: Allston, MA – Great Scott*
March 3: Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel*
March 4: Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s*
March 5: New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom *
March 6: Brooklyn, NY – Death By Audio°
*with the Men
°record release show with IVY and PC Worship

Fat History Month has a left-of-center sound that awarded them an odd type of celebrity – recognition within DIY music scenes nationwide. Still riding on the hype of its latest release, last April’s Bad History Month, the band will be crossing the country in March, including a three-day stint in Austin, before returning to New England for a show in Bloomfield, CT, on March 22. A duo made up of guitarist/vocalist Sean History Month and drummer Mark History Month, the band’s sound is made up of simple components but made unique thanks to constantly changing percussive patterns and guitar tones, and of course, Sean’s nonchalance as he delivers lines like “It was all me. I’m Bad History. I burnt down Rome, and Chicago too.” As local scenes become permeated with overproduced and overthought bodies of work, it’s nice to hear something a bit more bare-bones, and that’s what makes Fat History Month stand out amongst its peers nationwide. – Jake Reed

The 2014 New England Music Awards are finally upon us. This Saturday, February 22, New England’s best local musicians will gather to duke it out for awards like Best in State and Indie/Pop Act of the Year. The show will also feature performances by musicians like Nemes, Dressed for the Occasion and The Deli New England featured artist Sarah Borrello. Score your ticket to the event here, and in case you missed them, check out our interviews with five nominees below.

Indie/Pop Act of the Year: Dan & the Wildfire
Country Act of the Year: Ashley Jordan
Hip Hop Act of the Year: Young Kaii
Best in State: Vermont: Jatoba
Best in State: Massachusetts: Bad Rabbits

In December, Tumbling Bones previewed its upcoming full-length debut with the singles “Broken Things” and “Money is for Spending.” On the former, the folksy trio borrows Fleet Foxes’ bright vocal harmonies to tell the story of a girl who “doesn’t have many unbroken dreams,” and adds a touch of banjo and violin to give the song an all-American sound. Americana comes even further into the forefront on the up-tempo “Money is for Spending,” which just begs to be played at your next communal square dance. Catch the guys at a Pete Seeger tribute tonight at One Longfellow Square in Portland, Maine, and look for their upcoming album this spring. – Jake Reed

Boston/Brooklyn-based label Shorewave Records is taking over the Tasty Burger basement in Harvard Sq. (Cambridge, MA)  this Saturday night, February 22. Upon first glance, that may not seem like a novel occurence (there’s a ton of "Brooklyn" and "Boston/Brooklyn" labels and promotions groups out there vying for attention), but the quality of this bill sets Shorewave apart from the competition. Honeywild (on the Shorewave roster) will be joined by my local favorite Fax Holiday and Funeral Advantage, starting promptly at 9PM. 

Doors are at 8PM and the show is FREE. The Shorewave bill will be followed by another epic event produced by Eye Design (featuring Ontario-based The Dirty Nil), so be sure to stick around after the show to catch even more rad tunes.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)