Fri. March 21

Thao Nguyen says "My songs reflect my personality as far as the shirking the seriousness of things." Sometimes. Humor is part of her arsenal, certainly, but the 23-year-old Virginia-bred singer-songwriter gets into some seriously arresting music - sometimes spare and acoustic, sometimes with horns and a full rhythm section. Interview had a perceptive take: "The sheer pissed-off force of her raspy voice, paired with music that ventures from jumpy countryside jams and spare acoustic melodies, reveals a musician with the confidence to be in it for the long haul." Elle says her voice is "like tea and honey spiked with a healthy shot of whiskey." Nguyen is touring behind her debut record for the Kill Rock Stars labe, "We Brave Bee Stings and All," and will play the Museum of Fine Arts' Remis Auditorium Friday March 21. She'll be with her band the Get Down Stay Down at 7:30, supprorting label-mates Xiu Xiu. Who be Xiu Xiu? They're a four-piece featuring Jamie Stewart, Caralee McElroy, Devin Hoff, and Ches Smith. They're an experimental indie rock band based in California. Their music draws on influences coming from such disparate genres as punk, modern classical and folk. Their 2005 album, La Foret, was described by No Ripchord magazine as "A dark and beautiful album with true emotional resonance and weight". Tickets: $12.

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