The Brothers and The Sisters feature singer/songwriter Jeremy Pinnell, whose work with The Light Wires and The Great Depression proved him to be one of the most soulful writers in the Folk/Roots arena. The songs are similar but presented in a different setting — instead of electric instruments or a stark acoustic-duo format, The Brothers and The Sisters use banjo, acoustic guitars and dobro (and drums and bass).

Organizers for Sunday's "Help for Haiti" benefit at Oakley's 20th Century Theatre put together a show in just a few days, and the massive and diverse roster of performers shows just how quick to help local artists are when an important cause comes up. The 6 p.m. concert will have Them Bones featuring Cheryl Renee, Freekbass, Kathy Wade, Kevin Fox, Sonny Moorman, Scotty Anderson, Phil DeGreg Trio, Steve Schmidt, Rumpke Mountain Boys, Robin Lacy and DeZydeco and many more acts. Suggested donation is $20. Proceeds go to the Red Cross.

Chris Sherman (aka Freekbass) and his Funk band (aka Freekbass) maintain one of the most consistent touring schedules of any band based in Cincinnati. Soon, Freekbass (the man, not the band) will be getting a lot busier, especially if his new "all star" group takes off. His new trio (With DJ Logic and Steve Molitz) gets its official debut Saturday here in Cincinnati.

The first time I put on 'Got to Tell the World,' the new album by local Pop/Rock foursome Screaming Mimes, and cued up the first track, "You're the Kind of Girl," I listened for about a minute then had to run outside to pay my parking meter. Walking back to the office, I found myself already singing the chorus hook in my head.

The Cincy Blues Society's annual "Winter Blues Fest" is coming up at the end of January, but Monday you can get your Blues fix via a stellar lineup at Play By Play in Silverton. And it's for a good cause: helping area artists spread the good word of Midwestern Blues. The "Road to Memphis 2010" raises money to help local musicians get to Memphis to battle in next month's International Blues Challenge.
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Local Indie rockers The Koala Fires have the honor of producing the first Cincinnati-spawned release of the new year/decade and, therefore, it’s the best local release of the year/decade so far! In all seriousness, The Beeping in Our Hearts is a strong effort that certainly has the potential to be on future “best of” lists.
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The holidays are a good time to be a music fan who lives in a town that has harvested a lot of talented musicians. Many of the ones who have moved away come back home for a visit and want to play a show. Bands that live around here and tour a lot might offer local fans a special performance, something often more casual and fun than usual.
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Get your fill of holiday cheer with Blue Jordan Records' "Winter Show," local Punk pioneers SS-20's, some Free Lap Dances, the third EP release by You, You're Awesome, and some Rockabilly/Psychobilly action at "Greasemas." All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth knocked out in a mosh pit. What do you want... a Tickle Me Elmo?
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It'll be pouring CD release parties this weekend, with five very disparate area bands celebrating the completion of their newest studio offerings: altrockers Seabird, Pop Rock band Lovely Crash, Soul Jazz outfit iolite, Cajun vets Lagniappe and Americana favorites Wild Carrot. Get all the details here.

Veteran Jazz musician Bruce Menefield formed the Omni Works Music organization to teach about Jazz via after-school programs around the city. He teams up with a local school that does recognize the intellectual importance of music education, Walnut Hills High School, for the first Omni Works Music All Star fundraising event Monday at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club. For the 7:30 p.m. event, Menefield and his Omni Works Music All Stars (which will include Mike Wade, Marc Fields and Billy Larkin) will be joined by the Walnut Hills High School Jazz Band.