Benton Allen, who plays acoustic guitar in this “darkfolk” trio from Austin, has a hell of a distinctive voice, kind of an unforgettable nasal bellow, and it’s just one reason why Patch is unique and worth your investigation. He and Taylor Kurz Tazewell (accordion) started making leff-field Americana in their native North Carolina before relocating to a remote Virginia cabin to write; two years ago, along with Wesley Maffly-Kipp (bass) they took Patch full-time to Texas’ musical hothouse.

Their recorded music is rich alterna-Americana, with tastily mixed banjo, mandolin and violins soaring in and out between the guitar, bass and accordion. Strange but somehow intoxicating.

Atlanta singer/songwriter Jason Elliott is the ghost in the machine that is Spirits And The Melchizedek Children, a six-piece ensemble that creates languid psych/shoegaze music. - Bill DeYoung