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Last chance to catch The Eilen Jewell Band before they begin a European tour which has them playing eight shows in the Netherlands before hitting Belgium, Germany, and Spain. After a thirteen show jaunt through the UK, the band will finish up in Sweden before heading back to the States in November. Touring behind their latest release, the twangy Sea of Tears, the Eilen Jewell Band continues to wow audiences wherever the international back roads and main streets take them. Letters from Sinners and Strangers, their swanky 2007 release, found the band firmly esablishing themselves as masters in the over crowded field of Americana artists. Sea of Tears, however, finds the band paying homage to the country/folk rock sounds of the late 60's with long time EJB guitarist, Jerry Miller, ripping through one reverb laced lead after the next.

You can catch the Eilen Jewell Band tonight at the Precinct, former home to the Somerville Police Department. Sharon LeVesque opens with EJB taking the stage at 10:00. Promises to be a great show.

Great music to be had all over these parts this weekend capped off by the Wilco show at LeLacheur Park on Saturday. Friday night Los Lonely Boys bring their rousing Tex Mex sounds to Boardinghouse Park or, if you're feeling a little lethargic with all the rain and want to be sedated even further, head to the Firehouse in Newburyport to catch the dreamy sounds of pianist/guitarist Vienna Teng. Saturday night Ani DiFranco plays Boardinghouse and a quarter mile up the Merrimack alt/country/pop heroes Wilco play to a packed house at LeLacheur. Opening for Wilco is Nebrasken Conor Oberst (picture) who is quickly establishing himself as the next great singer/songwriter. With comparisons to Bob Dylan and Graham Parsons, Oberst continues to win critical and fan acclaim with his May release Outer South. A rolicking collection of biting, somewhat sarcastic songs, Outer South shows Obesrt willing to share the spotlight allowing six of the tracks to be sung by his bandmates. The result is an album that sounds like a band of brothers who have been playing together for years; a great record from beginning to end. Finally, the Newburyport Riverfront Festival kicks off at 2:00PM Saturday. Highlights include Eric Hutchinson, Fastball and Katie Herzig. Regardless of your musical tastes, this weekend has something for everyone so get out and hear some music!

After years of playing the support role in numerous local blues and roots bands like Red Devil Lye and the Contra Banditos, Groton bluesman and all around nice guy Arte Kenyon steps into the spotlight on his debut CD Be a Man. From the opening track Red Moon in the Morning, Arte bellows his way through a collection of old timey tunes, his deep, resonating voice at the font of the mix and sounding very much like a seasoned veteran. Though the blues influence is evident throughout the album, it's the country twang of Why I Always End Up Alone and the gospel spirit of Be No More Crying that keeps things interesting, highlighting the many influences that have shaped and molded Arte along the way.

With a core group of musicians including Justin Beaulieu on drums, Steve Esposito on piano and local guitar great Carl Johnson playing on nearly every track, Arte also gets help from Wayne Morgan on harmonica, Carl Ayotte on bari sax and Jim LeBoeuf on guitar, the band sounding like they've been playing together for years. Studio wizard Bob Nash of Wonka Sound continues to prove he's the best kept secret in NE with another crisply engineered production.

Check out Be a Man at CD Baby or catch Arte and Steve Esposito at the Devens Grille on April 9th.

Still basking in the afterglow of Graham Parker's solo show at Tupelo last night, I asked a friend, "Why can't a room like this make it in Lowell?" Come May 1st, we may all have a chance to find out when Hot Day at the Zoo christen the"Friday Night Concert Series" at Gemstones, Lowell's hottest new night spot. Upstairs from the Blue Shamrock, Gemstones is an ultra cool room with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a huge stage, and a 300+ capacity complete with free VIP seating. Gemstones Live, the brain child of Hot Day mover and shaker Mike Dion, has one clearly defined purpose: to revitalize the live music scene in Lowell. That is the kind of singular vision necessary for any, successful venture. Under the wing of his own production company, Emerald City Productions, Dion hopes to re-establish downtown Lowell as a viable venue showcasing local, regional, and national touring acts.

Besides HDATZ on May 1st, Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion play Gemstones on May22nd to celebrate the release of their much anticipated new CD Year of the Ox. The fun continues when Boston based HI8US bring their soul laden "groove pop" to Gemstones on May 29th. While the Village Smokehouse dabbles in live music on Thursday and Mickey's tries to figure out whether it's Mexican or Irish, sports bar or music room, Friday nights at Gemstones may be THE music haven we've all been hoping for. Best of luck Mike!

With the release of their first full length album, If You Don't Mind, the Bella Birds continue to develop their signature indie-folk style with seductive harmonies, creative instrumentation and clever arrangements. I've always been a fan of bands with more than one lead vocalist and Pam Craven and Zack Root admirably share the spotlight throughout the album. It's the vocal harmonies, however, that grab your attention and make you want to listen further. During the chorus of Craven's Watchtower, the two voices blend beautifully, though somewhat eerily, as the descending melody melts over sweeping, minor guitar chords. Drummer Chris Forgione drives things forward without ever becoming distracting keeping the focus where it should be: on the vocals.

The Bella Birds celebrate the release of If You don't Mind at the Egg Roll Cafe in Lowell on Thursday, March 5th. Music starts at 7:30. Should be a cool show, especially while sipping on a bubble tea or a rasberry sake.

What happens when you take 10 of the most well known improvisational artists from outside the area and randomly pair them with 40 local artists/musicians? You can find out Friday and Saturday, February 27th and 28th, when Lowell's most innovative arts venue, 119 Gallery, extends the boundaries of contemporary art, music and media in what is being billed as the "alternative festival." Claiming the Lowell Folk Festival has become overly commercialized in recent years, Walter Wright, the Gallery's director, wanted to celebrate todays true, cutting edge artists. Each night will feature 10 half-hour sets with each act performing together for the first time: movement, visual arts and music breaking from tradition with the focus being on communication and possibility.

Walter has assembled a who's who of of avant garde artists including cellist/vocalist Audrey Chen, experimental dance artist Nicole Binder, and former funk band"Chuck" guitarist Dave Ross. Musicians from bands Ralph Eats Dynamite, Lowercase P, and Paraffin Section highlight the list of participating local artists. For a full schedule visit 119 Gallery.org.

Fair warning...not for the faint of heart!

This year's Winterfest was capped by a sold out performance by U2 clones the Joshua Tree and an awesome fireworks display that ignited the downtown night life. During the day, however, it was the soup competition that brought the crowds. And as an added bonus, it was great to see and hear local folk/rocker Brian Bergeron keeping them entertained as they sampled the offerings. Looking very relaxed, the amicable Bergeron played a mix of covers and originals to an appreciative audience. No surprise...he has honed his craft as a street performer in Fanueil Hall for the past two summers and is rapidly becoming a favorite in the all important college market. Last year he shared the stage with Matt Nathanson and Collective Soul to name a few.

Friday, March 13th, Brian celebrates the release of his first full length studio album at the Lilypad in Inman Square, Cambridge. Brian will be joined by his band of talented musicians, The Late Greats as well as special guests, Cahill. Should be a great show. The Lilypad is a small 100 seat performance space so get your tickets early.

2009, The Year of the Ox, is predicted to be an exciting year full of growth, stability and accomplishments. With a tentative release date sometime in March, Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion are currently putting the finishing touches on their much anticipated new album which not only shares the same astrological title, but which promises to reflect the growth and stability of one of Lowell's finest singer/songwriters as well. With an ever expanding fan base, a hot new album and a high energy live show, 2009 is already looking to be a very successful and accomplished one for Jen and the band.

You can catch Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion every Thursday in February as part of a month-long residency at Toad, the cozy, neighborhood bar adjoining Christophers in Cambridge. Jen takes the stage at 10:00PM. And as an added bonus, on the 12th and 26th, Lowell tunesmith and ukelele great Melvern Taylor kicks things off at 7:00. Couldn't think of a better night of music. Closer to home, Jen and the band play the Village Smokehouse this Thursday night.

And one other thing...anybody else find themselves fantasizing about a Jen and Daryl Hall duet at the close of last year's Boardinghouse concert? I can't get it out of my head!

This year the 21st Boston Music Awards takes place at the Roxy on Dec. 7th and several acts with ties to Lowell have been nominated:

Outstanding Americana Act, Frank Morey
Outstanding Hip Hop Act, Los Wunder Twins
Outstanding Blues Act, Evan Goodrow
Best Hip Hop Producer, D-Tension

Local favorite Frank Morey, the Tom Waits of Lowell, has been crafting timeless, gritty and bluesy gems that capture the spirit and essence of the Mill City more than any other artist I've heard. Check him out every Sunday night in December at the Plough in Cambridge.

Place your vote by December 5th.