Dressed in a crumpled white button-down shirt, trousers, and a belt, singer/songwriter Dietrich Strause looked a little like a weary nine-to-fiver when he took the stage at the Lizard Lounge last night, but this unassuming demeanor is exactly what gives the Oberlin graduate his signature modest stage presence. A twinkle in his eye suggests that he sees a kind of humor in the situation, but his shoulders hang heavy with the weight of the observational wisdom that unfurls in his masterfully crafted songs. "As if being an acoustic guitarist/singer/songwriter weren't obvious enough," Dietrich hesitantly thought out loud into the microphone, "I guess you could say that I'm a pretty sensitive guy. I love puppies, and this is a song about dog-walking." Unsurprisingly, the song was not just about dog-walking.

In a completely non-pejorative way, Dietrich Strause is a geek. "Jean-Louise," a song he wrote about Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, is evidence enough that this is a guy who reads. "Run along, Jean Louise, while you're still a child," Dietrich urges, echoing the sort of perspective and insight that would sound right at home coming from Atticus Finch himself. Dietrich's intricate, feathery-light guitar playing and smooth, clear vocals bring him aesthetically closer to folk than lit-rock, strictly speaking, but lyrically, his bibliophilic style is reminiscent of poetry-prose artists like The Weakerthans or The Decemberists. "Smart" music can sometimes run the risk of coming off erudite and snobbish, but Dietrich seems like the boy next door who breathes clean, country air. Comparisons to Paul Simon come to mind, but Dietrich probably already knows that, given his spot-on cover of "American Tune." The highlight of the evening, though, was probably "Nuns with Guns," Dietrich's answer to Bob Dylan's "It's Alright, Ma" with the added bonus of a memorable sing-along chanty-style chorus. Word on the street is that Dietrich is an expert trumpeter, too; the only disappointment of last night's show, then, is that he didn't somehow figure out a way to play trumpet and sing at the same time. Maybe someday.

Dietrich Strause will be at No Place Special in Mashpee on May 22nd

--Stephie Coplan

Bring Our Music Back Festival (B.O.M.B.) will bring together the most promising bands in the Northeast as well as nationally recognized names on May 30th at Durham Fairgrounds in Durham, CT. Frankie Bombaci states on the home site for the festival that B.O.M.B started with the small idea of "“Hey, what if I bring some up and coming local bands and let them play at the same scene with some well-known gigs?" The festival is headlined by Lupe Fiasco, Of Montreal and Jay Electronica. The festival will also feature some stellar local bands such as M.T. Bearington, (New Haven, CT) The Band Eclypse, (Scarsdale, NY) The Shills (Boston, MA) and Clarias (Boston, MA).

Another great thing about B.O.M.B festival is the inexpensive ticket price (A one-day advance ticket price of $50). What is done with the profits is even better than the price itself. A percentage of the money goes to foundations such as The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and The Connecticut Children’s Hospital. Last year’s festivities raised $30,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Deli will be attending this year's festival so come find us and say hello!

You can purchase tickets HERE - $50 advance $60 dos
B.O.M.B Festival - Durham Fairgrounds in Durham, CT

--Nicholas Palumbo

Brothers McCann is a folk-pop roots group who describe themselves as "...a “ground-up” New England band through and through." Brothers McCann has influences of Ben Harper and moe. type roots, but with more funk and soul and less jamband sap. Their debut release Different Colors is made out of 100% organic materials (!!!) and they are selling it for only 10 bucks. They will be playing Radio Bean on Friday the 30th and Johnny D's on May 6th. These guys are down with the New England scene and successfully capture the beauty, energy and diversity of the area with their sound.

Radio Bean  - 8 N. Winooski Ave. Burlington, VT

Johnny D's - 17 Holland St. Davis Sq Somerville MA

---The Deli Staff

 The WBCN Rock 'n' Roll Rumble is a timeless tradition in Boston. With the recent demise of WBCN, Rob Potylo has decided to revive the contest, but in a non-traditional fashion. The WBCN Rumble had a reputation to promote local bands in a competitive way through an elimination contest even though they rarely played local music on their station. WBCN has a place in my heart. I don't know what that place looks like, possibly my bedroom at age fifteen listening to Nik Carter's show writing angry notes (that would be folded into hearts) to my friends about what a stupid bastard Nik Carter is and wondering who is picking this music? As grunge died off and corporate America consumed the music business, the station turned to crap and died. The Rumble this Thursday is in celebration of local music and the Boston music community. I will be one of the "judges". Come rejoice with the sounds of:
HUMANWINE
Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
Rob Potylo (Full-band)
KING HELL

Quiet Desperation is a sitcom about the Boston music scene. Check out episode nineteen above.

Great Scott - Allston MA 8pm, 8 bucks, 18+

--Meghan Chiampa