Transplanted New York band Cady Wire has found a home for itself amongst Ballard’s country-loving, cowboy-boot wearing populace. Frontman Sam Riley possesses a soulful singing voice that lends itself well to the mournful melodies he favors. Lyrically, Riley tends toward vivid imagery that’s so effective, it’s downright unsettling. One memorable lyric references a woman sucking the blood out of his stones and spitting it into the shitter. Disgusting, yes, but it does garner a visceral response. Another song, “Tumbleweeds” juxtaposes raw, wistful lyrics with a cheerful tune, a more affecting combination than the tear-soaked numbers that dominate Cady Wire’s repertoire. If the band can duplicate the success of “Tumbleweeds” on future releases, they might just have a future as Son Volt’s freaky younger sibling. With Ryan Purcell, The River Empires, Jones Family Fortune. SARA BRICKNER

Thu., April 29, 9 p.m., 2010