Eight Gigs: The Tara Novellas

Four-piece indie band the Tara Novellas bring an unfettered, youthful expression of what they like to call “songwriter jangle folk rock” down from Portlandia as they tour the West Coast this month. The cherubic vocals of frontwoman Tara Velarde will strike a chord with fans of Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson, while the band’s overall sound keeps it folksy, yet light and airy—the sonic equivalent of the Head and the Heart having a pillow fight. The three-year-old group released a four-track EP in 2014, so expect to hear some new material; Banjo Bones and Caroline Alegre are also on the bill. 1400 Alhambra Boulevard, www.thetaranovellas.com.