Tonight’s Concert Pick: AA Bondy at First Unitarian Church

A four-year whirlwind of solo success has uprooted AA Bondy’s life, but he has stayed true to his bluesy, folk foundation. After his band, Verbena, split in 2003, Bondy started writing songs that would ultimately construct the framework for his 2007 debut album, American Hearts. This album set a folk revival precedent evocative of Bob Dylan (but with much more agreeable vocals). His sweeping, acoustic finger-picking and nature-centric lyrics set a scenic stage that would be best illustrated by creeks, leaves, and mountains. It is easy for any listener to envision a rugged, tormented mountain man with an ill-stringed guitar humming the blues. Bondy’s most recent album, though a bit more produced and instrumentally complex, maintains that earthy bluesy-ness he is known for. 2011’s Believers is a misty, autumn album that reflects the likely development of a new solo artist. AA Bondy will be performing with Gold Leaves at 8 p.m at the First Unitarian Church; tickets to the all-ages show are $13–$14. —Caitlyn Grabenstein