Like former bandmate Alejandro Escovedo, Jon Dee Graham has also developed another side, another strength, in the eight solo albums he’s been releasing since 1997’s Escape From Monster Island. He’s a forcefully evocative singer/songwriter whose deeply gruff, soulful voice is reminiscent of Tom Waits.   

As the old adage says, “preparation meets opportunity” is often the path to success in the music world. However, a little luck doesn’t hurt, either. When you talk about the career of Ryan Bingham, all of the above is true.     

When people of a certain age hear the name Chevelle, they typically think of Chevrolet’s high performance sports coupe from the ’70s. Oddly enough, the brothers Loeffler had the same thought when naming their band in 1995; the Chevelle was their father’s favorite car.    

Left Land Cruiser's output is brutish, noisy and deep-fried in so much muck and raw distortion that you'll want to take a half-hour shower after a few YouTube listens.   

Sometimes it only takes a well-placed reference to bump an artist up to the next level. French-born guitarist Stephane Wrembel was already enjoying an acclaimed career when director Woody Allen tapped him to score the theme of his 2011 Academy Award-winning film Midnight in Paris, which he performed live to the millions who tuned into the ceremony’s telecast.   

 In the case of the effervescent seven-piece, The Duke of Uke & His Novelty Orchestra, their inclusion of “bacon” as an inspiration on their Facebook page — alongside the more conventional choices of Motown, Funk, Ragtime, Jazz, Rock and “Popssical” — is telling for multiple reasons.   

Most people have some sort of plans for this Tuesday. But for those who don’t celebrate Christmas — and, especially, for those who need a family-gathering escape hatch — MOTR Pub and The Guitars have an easy (and free!) out.   

Unless you’ve seen Delta Spirit before, there is no way you are fully prepared for one of its concerts. Not so much a raging, thrashing party as just a gentle, bouncing ocean of people, the crowd’s vibe at a Delta Spirit concert is transcendent, almost spiritual.   

James McMurtry has gone from strength to strength in the past 23 years, compiling an estimable catalog of eight studio albums and a pair of stellar live recordings as proof of his compelling stage presence.   

Band of Horses is back and its music is sexier than ever. The members’ beards are luscious and their button-down shirts are oh-so-tantalizing, but it’s BoH’s awesome new(ish) sound that will truly make you squirm.