They might not have won EMP's Sound Off! Competition, but Seattle youngsters Dearboy definitely made an impression on me. The all-female quartet incorporate plinking mandolin, piano harmonies, and stand-up bass to conjure a romantic sound that dances daintily with flamenco and jazz. Throw in a backbone of disco drumming and a healthy dose of teenage 'tude, and you've got four young ladies who sound like DeVotchKa with a chip on their shoulder. On Friday, March 27, Dearboy open for Australian duo An Horse and Nova Scotian band Wintersleep at the Vera Project. Where Dearboy incorporate interesting time signatures and weird melodies, An Horse use plain old guitar and drums to make dark but approachable songs about being sad, young, and growing into one's skin.

Fri March 27: An Horse, Wintersleep, Dearboy at Vera Project, 7:30 pm, $10 ($9 w/club card).

Fri March 27: Seattle Phonographers Union, St. Rainbow, Sweet Potatoes at Fremont Abbey Arts Center, 8 pm, $8.

Fri March 27: Black Whales, Offshore Radio at Piecora's, 10 pm, $6.

Sat March 28: Pig Destroyer, Skarp, Iron Lung, Owen Hart, Hell and Reason, White Jazz at El Corazón, 7:30 pm, $15.

Mon March 30: Leslie & the LY's, Stereo Total at Neumos, 8 pm, $13.50.