This past Friday, Ruby Rose Fox made a rare solo appearance as part of the First Fridays programming at the ICA in Boston. Despite being without her band and back-up singers, Ruby did what Ruby does best: put on a beautifully-captivating vocal performance. While most of the sold-out crowd was there to mingle and catch-up with friends, as soon as Ruby started singing, many in the crowd immediately focused their attention on the singer. Bookended by two emotionally-charged renditions of "Golden Boy", her set revealed that many of her songs are much more melancholoy than her full-band sets make them sound--a fact of which she was also aware. "These songs are kind of depressing for party music", she quipped, shortly after the start of the show. Nevertheless, every time I see Ruby Rose live I'm always left wondering how it's even possible that someone's voice can sound as good as hers. This might all sound like fan-boy gushing, but go see one of her shows and try to dispute me. 

For more information about Ruby Rose Fox and her band, check out their PledgeMusic campaign to raise funds for their first full-length album. 

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

Husbands is a dreamy bedroom-pop duo made up of two married guys (though not to each other) Wil Norton and Danny Davis. They met at undergrad in Oklahoma City while Norton was playing in instrumental prog-rock band "The Non" and Davis was recording songs with Beach Boys inspired vocal harmonies. The two started a project that would later succeed in transcending state boundaries when Norton moved to DC to attend Georgetown for an MA in Literature. Not only has the band's production survived, but flourished! On July 2nd they released their first full, 8 track album, "Golden Year". They've noted that this particular record was made with the intention of playing live shows, which for the duo meant less experimenting with Animal Collective reminesent sampling, but also gaining the discipline necessary for writing tighter, catchier tunes. We're excited to hear their future work, which will without doubt further perfect combining both of these songwriting methods. Golden Year melts seamlessly with warm and drowned guitars, sad surfy vocals, bright synths and samples, and hip shaking percussion. These songs derive strength from the duo's ability to add layer over layer (sent over dropbox) without overdoing it and washing out the core of the song. Give the lyrics a look-see when listening, there are some real gems. Husbands is proud, excited, and fast at work on their next two albums already. So go to Bandcamp, enjoy your new summer jams! We'll likely have some more good news from Husbands in time for fall or winter.

- Leora Mandel

It's a gorgeous day in Southern Ontario. So what better way to enjoy then to listen to some new tuneage. Big Frasier is a 4 piece rock outfit based in Toronto. They released their latest album "Tussle" in July 2014. I jammed out to "Love is a Paperback" first. It's a pretty greasy blues based tune. Solid rhythm laying the foundation for some slippery guitar licks over top. I particularly liked the line about "woman is a danger cat"....paying homage to one of my idol's Dean Murdoch. So clearly Big Frasier knows how to giver and probably shotguns Pilsners on the reg. There's definitely some Black Keys/White Stripes influence except they have a bass player. So it's pretty bad ass to say the least. They'll be playing Porcelain Records in Hamilton on Saturday July 4th so I suggest you go get good n' sloppy.- Kris "Big City" Gies

This Barrie four-piece knows how to rock n’ roll ! Fun, honest and good vibes all around, The Alpacas are @ the Horseshoe 7/3. They have a underlining twang and undeniable harmonies that pop, and will have any party going! Check out their new EP “Good Luck” out next week July 10th. Right now we are listening to “Comb My Hair” a heavy track with an entry yell and a loud guitar that frees itself with a “hey” of harmonies that have us singing.

TT the Bear's time in the local Boston/Cambridge music scene may be coming to an end, but there's still plenty of great shows to see before the doors close for good on July 25. Tonight, Lysten Boston presents a bill that will appeal to fans of upbeat, surf-inspired indie rock--just in time for the warm weather. Join Le Roxy Pro, Elison Jackson, Strangeways and Jack O'Brien in paying respects to a long-standing pilar of the Cambridge music community. Show starts at 8:30 PM. $10 cover, 21+ with proper ID.

For more info about the show, check out the Facebook event.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)