Alejandro Escovedo’s folk and blues stylings are rooted in the punk and rock bands of his youth, and the blend has been winning rave reviews ever since the release of his debut solo album in 1992. By March 1998, that had even morphed into an “Artist Of The Decade” award from alt-country music magazine No Depression — despite the fact that said decade still had nearly two years left. But he’s also seen darker times which often turn up in song: his first two albums grappled with the suicide of his first wife, for example, and a near-death encounter with Hepatitis C in 2003 might have ended differently without the benefit album put together by Steve Earle, John Cale, Lucinda Williams, and Jay Farrar to help cover his medical bills. Thankfully, Escovedo is now in good health, able to resume both his recording career with last summer’s Real Animal and his more-miles-than-money touring schedule.

Rising Nashville-flavored Carolina quartet Roman Candle opens with Whiskeytown styled alt-country tunes that have been cast using indie rock and power-pop molds.