Aotearoa (A-O-TAY-UH-ROW-UH), the two-man jungle-funk explosion have built their reputation on endless touring. Pointing the van Westward in 2011, the forty subsequent states and countless stages have brought into the world their debut LP “STRANGE WEATHER.” Heralded by the band as an American ode to booty-sweat and a drunken eulogy to apathy, the songs are seasoned by the highway and only truly come alive in person.

The guitar / drum duo is comprised of mufti-instrumentalists Jacob Lerman and Ilan Gitter who by way of sample free live-looping and a notoriously raucous live show have managed to take the familiar dance-rock form back to it’s long dormant animalistic roots.

(They will eat your worries.)

As if the warm familiar melody of rootsy porch music has been plugged in and turned up: The Delta Saints are driving listeners from the comforting recline of their porch swings right to the edge of their seats. It’s a fusion of traditional southern soul and funk-inspired power, all layered with furious harmonica lines that simultaneously tie the group together and threaten to unseat it all in one sweep. It’s the unsettling sound of strength. A strength fueled by talent and bridled by a passion to relate to another that catches the attention of passers-by with its language-like quality. You can hear within it a conversation between five men able to speak to one another through their instruments. The essence of the Midwest and the bayou work together to make a sound unique but befitting of Nashville. And the energy that sweats from this gritty howling dynamic is a message heralding love and loss and consequence. And though the songs may end, the intensity generated from the act of something old made new again will hauntingly remain.

Music should not simply be heard. Music is meant to be experienced. This is the ideal that inspires the eclectic, high-energy sound of the Lafayette, LA based band Vagabond Swing. The band creates the driving force behind their music with their uninhibited blending of styles and creativity. With their musical roots ranging from bluegrass to ska, the band produces a surprisingly smooth mixture of progressive Gypsy/Experimental/Circus-vibe/Swing tunes. Along with their melodic energy, the band members themselves bring on a show of vibrant, youthful spunk, which gives their performance a thrashing air of excitement.

Singer/songwriter Dave Shanaberger has 10 EPs debuting every two weeks, comprised of leftover songs from his band, Big Livy. Five more follow through March at alberta.bandcamp.com. Alberta inhabits the burred, darkly beautiful fields of Americana, the vocals and electric guitars are equally gristly at times. Alberta’s anti-folk style blends in a bit of gothic blues; some darker, meditative dirges are warmed by hearty vocals, humming organs and yowling lap steel; minimal at some points, epic at others. — JEFF MILO