Singer-songwriter Amory Sivertson originally hails from Cleveland, Ohio, but began cutting her teeth on the Boston scene after attending Emerson College, where she released debutLa Di Da in 2008 and worked with student group Wax on Felt to produce her sophomore effort How To Run Away two years later. Shortly before graduating, she released 2011’sHuman, an album that propelled her post-collegiate career to new heights as she continued to perform in Boston with collaborative partner Mike Moschetto.

I initially discovered Fax Holiday last week when I saw them open during the Bunny’s A Swine show last week. After their set I approached singer Eric Schermerhorn and he handed me what I would call, for lack of a better phrase, a “Fax Holiday Greatest Hits” cd. Since the band does not have a new full-length (their last was recorded in 2011), the disk he gave me had a smattering of old stuff and a couple more-recent tracks (from 2012, all of which can be found on their bandcamp site.)

I’m really into what these guys are doing. As mentioned in the Bunny is a Swine review, the autoharp Schermerhorn plays is awesome. It adds this trippy, eerie sort of sounds to the already lo-fi recordings. One of the newer tracks “Lots of Glass”, makes excellent use of the electric autoharp. The whole track sounds like Doug Martsch of Built to Spill died, came back as a ghost, and held a concert in an abandoned mansion–yeah, I think it sounds pretty cool, too.

“Chameleon” (from their record, Rope and Wine) is another track full of ethereal, ghostly qualities. From the somber chord progression, to the spacey leads and mournful refrain of “Hey, no need to be so upset”, it’s difficult not to become immersed in this song.

Fax Holiday will be playing O’Brien’s in Allston on July 11. Check their Facebook for more details. –Dan McMahon

Lowell-born, Boston-bred band Bearstronaut has been active in the national indie community for over two years now, and it’s high time their pop-electro sound is finally being lauded as it should. The group is slotted to perform on main stages for both the ambitious nine-day Outside the Box Festival, making its inaugural effort this year, at the City Hall Plaza mainstage next Thursday, then in the same location in September for the Boston Calling festival’s second effort of the calendar year. This is a long time coming for the group, which started downtown with EP Satisfied Violence in 2010, owned every party they attended and eventually released Paradice, a full-length album in late 2012. They’ve toured the circuit heavily developing a dance sound you can fall in love with without feeling guilty, and it’s high time out feel in love– they’ll be plating the Allston-Cambridge circuit in addition to the free OtB show next week, so catch them before they catch the hearts of Boston Calling! You’ll certainly be glad you did. 

–Jamie Loftus

Hailing from Brockton, MA, The Cultured met in high school and began creating some of the best sometimes indie, sometimes reggae inspired rock in New England, and after three years touring the Boston circuit have landed an opening gig for Shwayze in Rhode Island next month. This comes after the release of one full-length album on S.H.O.P. Records in 2012 and in the midst of their new single "Revelation"’s buzz, leaving the four-piece band poised for huge success before a sophomore release. There’s no doubt thatthe Shwayze show is only the beginning for The Cultured, so scramble to check them out while they’re still playing smaller venues before they become the new big thing. –Jamie Loftus

As I was scouring the internet for the next band/artist/musical act to catch my ear, I stumbled on something awesome. Yes, awesome. Kid Mountain’s Visitor’s Center EP is a great set of tracks. It opens up with a great boom of energy and sustains that excitement and passion throughout each of the seven songs. A blend of Fleet Foxes reverb and vocals, coupled with Dodos-esque rhythms makes this EP a must on your iTunes playlist (you can download it from their bandcamp site for only $5!). The entire EP actually reminds me of hanging out on a deck at a party in the summertime, and who doesn’t like partying outside? Even if you hate parties, you’ll certainly dig the tunes these guys have created. The second track on Visitor’s Center, “Upskirt”, really stood out to me; with it’s powerful guitars and gang vocal choruses, I would imagine these guys are great live. The band recently wrapped up an East Coast tour, but stay on the lookout for them at a club/bar/basement near you.

— Dan McMahon

Ladymob is anything but—consisting of singular lead lady singer Shannon Reynolds, the remaining members are all packed with testosterone (guitarist Joe Diaz, drummer Brian Becker, and bassist Matthew Paul McCarron) and are far more likely to draw a mob of ladies than be one. Though they’re less than a year into the scene after forming last October, the group has already built buzz with a series of released tracks including official single “The Ladder” as well as bonuses “Blackout” and “Regret”. The aesthetic is a little deceptive and it’s easy to jump to a goth rock conclusion, but give them a listen for a sound reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac from the vocals to the extended guitar riffs. This is a new sound for the underground Boston scene that’ll be on display at TT’s in Cambridge a week from Wednesday, and it shows nothing but promise. –Jamie Loftus

After recently releasing their latest album, Calling Out, Bunny’s A Swine set out to promote their tunes, and if the show on Thursday, June 28 sponsored by Eye Design at Great Scott was any indication, their record will have to be placed on back-order pretty soon. By the time the band took the stage, a sizeable crowd had gathered–apparently the fact that Bunny’s A Swine plays kickass rock n’ roll is not a secret to the people of Allston. From the first distorted chord to the last lyric, it was evident the band really enjoys being on stage and can really take over with their on-stage presence. While Calling Out is slightly more reserved, their live performance is anything but that. Drummer Dustin Cote was perhaps the most animated member of the band, flailing his arms and smashing drums in a blur of wooden sticks and cymbal crashes. The band played a lot of stuff from the new record, including “Lasalle” (the song highlighted in my preview of this show). “Lasalle” seemed to take on a new life when performed live–louder, more rowdy–with a great PIxies feel to the vocal combo of lead singer Emerson Stevens and guitarist Candace Clement. In addition to the impeccable performance by Bunny’s A Swine, I was also impressed by the rest of the line-up that night. The opening band, Fax Holiday, brought this great brand of grunge/stoner rock that was really incredible hear. Two things really stood out to me from their performance: their use of a guitar dropped several steps instead of a bass, and the fact that they used an electric auto-harp. Yes, that’s right: electric auto-harp. In case you’ve never heard one before, it sounds freakin’ cool. I’d highly recommend checking out some of Fax Holiday’s material–specifically the track “Lots of Glass”. The lead singer kept reiterating during the course of their set that a new record was in the works, but apparently there are no immediate plans for a release date. Jamaica Plain all-girl punk rockers Shepherdess lit up the stage with some gnarly punk riffs. Several times throughout their set, their lead singer got so into the songs, she knocked over the mic stand and would just move around the stage screaming her face off–rock n’ roll. Closing out the night was Boston-based Pile. These guys played some loud, dark and heavy stuff. They kind of sounded like a nascent QOTSA. A lofty comparison, I know, but check out one of their shows and tell me I’m wrong. The entire night was full of great rock n’ roll, restoring my faith in the Boston music scene that it isn’t all full of trendy shoe-graze, synth-pop junk. Thank God for that. -Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

All Joan Jett references aside, I love rock n’ roll. Really. And Krill’s latest release, Lucky Leaves, piles on the rock in heaping portions. I really like the guitar work on this record–loud and distorted, in-your-face, but reserved at the same time. The guys in this band really know how to play their instruments. The vocal melodies on this album sound like Alec Ounsworth of CYHSY had one too many beers and went out singing on Boylston St. What sort of sound is that, you ask? A glorious one, that’s what. I particularly liked the last half of “Purity of Heart.” The vocals, guitars, drums–everything comes together in this super-loud, super-emotional punch in the face of rock n’ roll goodness. Definitely worth a listen. While you’re at it, if you’re in the Boston area this weekend, you can check out the band at Great Scott in Allston on Saturday, June 29. Or just listen to/buy the record on their bandcamp site. Or both! — Dan McMahon

Have you ever first listened to a band and said "Once they nail down their sound, these guys will sound great"? Well, Elephants has nailed down their sound, and their sound is good–very good. I reviewed a disc of theirs, The Sea EP, in 2011 and was impressed by their brand of low-fi, punk-inspired rock. A couple years later, they’ve still got that sound, but it’s much more refined and clean-cut, while still retaining an intense energy. Elephants’ most recent effort, a self-titled album, reflects changes both in the band’s musical quality, and the makeup of the band in general. The solos are more technical, the rhythm is tight–overall it’s a great sound. I think what really makes this record is that the band really filled out their songs–instead of sticking with their two-guitar format, Elephants added bass and drums on this record, beefing up the sound and really maxing-out the potential of their songs. The vocals provided by front-woman Lauren Garant are somehow catchy, uplifting, indifferent and jaded all at the same time. Quite an interesting combination, but a great combination nonetheless. If you have a spare minute (or twenty), head on over to those-elephants.bandcamp.com and give Elephants a listen. The band will also be performing live at The Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain on July 5.  -Daniel McMahon

Dead Cats Dead Rats recently played at O’Brien’s Pub and TT the Bear’s Place in Allston, and they’re some of the best punk you’re going to find in the city. They’ve snagged the Boston Music award in the genre twice and deliver it on 2012’s "No God in Massachusetts", delivering equal doses of garage and grunge with the self-titled single. Tracing back to their three previous albums since forming back in 2008, this is the consistent thread– Matt Reppucci, Travis Tenney, and Chris Gelz’s influences are tangible in every track on the new album. In the great tradition of Boston, Dead Cats Dead Rats are slotted to go down as a band that’s not catering to anyone, and that’s why we’re in love with them. Keep kicking ass, guys, and showers are optional. –Jamie Loftus

The Allston-Brighton neighborhood may be known for dirty surf and punk, but there’s the occasional folky breath of fresh air found in groups like The Novel Ideas, who are playing Great Scott tomorrow night with The Ballroom Thieves and T. John Cadrin tomorrow night. The six-piece group, which blends acoustic and pedal steel with the occasional soaring trumpet solo is currently touring the area in support of third album “Home”, recorded entirely in a barn in Jaffrey, NH. Ah, America.

The Novel Ideas are known for punctuating their still-emerging tracks like “Heart of Stone” and “Running Speed” (both from Home) with terrific covers of crowd-pleasers, especially their rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide”. Introspective and lyrically fueled, this group is bound to bust out of Boston any day now, so catch them at an intimate venue while you still can.

In order to pull off a name like Never Give a Goat the High Ground, you had better back it up with some good music. NGAGTHG’s new EP “T.I.N.A.” (short for There is No Alternative) is definitely not background music.  It’s noisy. It’s harsh. It’s aggressive.  It makes your want to ditch all of your possessions and leave all the insanity behind; everything a good "punk" band should do! Bassist and Vocalist Jeff Ausura’s socio-political spoken word rants and raspy screams, give some serious meaning and legitimate anger behind the noisy guitars and punchy drums. NGAGTHG’s sound has a bit of Post-Punk legends Big Black mixed with Sleep and Refused, which is a delicious combination. Give them a listen on their Bandcamp, and like them on Facebook. – Paul Jordan Talbot