Alex Nelson: A fast-rising one-man-band from Fort Lauderdale, Nelson specializes in hushed tales of heartbreak run, live, through a Byzantine setup of knobs and buttons. It captures the essence of both Dashboard Confessional and, say, the Postal Service, and it works — really works. Late Thursday/early Friday at 1 a.m. at the Lounge at Transit. Friday, 10 p.m. at La Guaracha.
People From Venus: Miami's previously best-kept secret, these Anglophilic indie rockers touch on glam and electro with a hefty dose of big hooks. What makes them stand out from the rest of the Brit-loving pack are the outerspacey melodies and supple, reedy vocals courtesy of frontman Paul Isaac. Friday, 10 p.m. at Mecca Discotekka.
Take a walk along Mindwalk Blvd.
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Sol Ruiz: Local girl Ruiz plays what she calls "psychedelic Cuban blues," sometimes solo, often with a rotating backing cast of Miami's best players. With her distinct, almost jazzy vocal inflections and percolating rhythms, it's multiculti and artsy while still being radio-ready. Thursday, 9 p.m. at Waxy O'Connors, outdoors. Friday, 9 p.m. at Mekka Goddess. Saturday, 11 p.m. at the Lounge at Transit.
Cat Shell: This flaxen-haired young chanteuse recently decamped to Miami Beach from her old Boca turf. She remains popular all over the tricounty area for jazz-pop infused with a bluesy tang that's mature beyond her years. Thursday, midnight at the Lounge at Transit. Friday, midnight at Wallflower Gallery.
Shonie: One of Slip N Slide's most recent discoveries, Shonie brings frank talk back to R&B. Rather than sing with her head in the clouds, Shonie gives it to you straight from a female perspective, as she did with her minor internet hit earlier this year, a somewhat salacious response song to Jeremih's "Birthday Sex." Late Thursday/early Friday at 1 a.m. at Ecco Lounge.
Shawn Snyder: This local rambling 20-something is one of South Florida's most preternaturally talented singer/songwriters, with a jangling blend of folk rock that lives up to the legacy of those he name-checks as influences, like James Taylor and Paul Simon. Last December, we named his Romantic's Requiem as one of the top local albums of 2008. Thursday, 9 p.m. at Mecca Discotekka. Friday, 10 p.m. at Havana Dreams. Late Saturday/early Sunday at 1 a.m. at the Lounge at Transit.
Eric Stinnett: Remember the good old days of now-classic '90s R&B, before much of the genre got slightly creepy? Stinnett does, and he does a bang-up job of bringing those good feelings back, with jazzy, soulful songwriting and instrumentation. Actually, without calling this "neo-soul," fans of artists like Musiq Soulchild should eat this up immediately. Saturday, midnight at Red Bar.
Stonefox: Imagine Led Zeppelin, Howlin' Wolf, and any number of obscure garage rock 'n' roll bands reincarnated in the bodies of four skinny kids from the Boca 'burbs. If that sounds like hyperbole, catch their live show, where hands go in the air and amps go to 11. Saturday, 9 p.m. at Tobacco Road, outside.
