The Profiler

The Suspect: Jazz the Ripper

The six-man group formed in Asheville in 2007; its members range in age from 14 to 18 years old. This is no ordinary boy band, however; their dual-sax set up gives them a unique funky sound that gets audiences dancing. This show celebrates the release of the band's second CD.

Can Be Found: The Grey Eagle, Thursday, June 17.

RIYD: Galactic, Tower of Power, Herbie Hancock.

You Should Go If: You reenact the "Old Time Rock n' Roll" scene from Risky Business at least once a month;
Team Edward!;
When you're out to eat, people often mistake you for their waiter; you signed all your papers "Joe Cool" in the sixth and seventh grade.

The Suspect: Mason Jennings

A prolific singer/songwriter, his most recent release, Blood of Man, is more rock n' roll than his previous efforts; the inspiration came while decorating the Christmas tree with his 6-year-old son. According to the singer's web site, his son picked up an electric guitar ornament and asked, "What's this, Dad?" A horrified Jennings went to work, and the result is his first "plugged" album. His performance on the record has invited comparisons to the Doors, Lou Reed and Dennis Wilson.

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Thursday, June 17.

RIYD: Bob Dylan, Joshua James, Joe Purdy

You Should Go If: The three weeks you spent doing Outward Bound comes up in conversation at least twice a day;
You organized your first boycott before age 10;
Death Before Hair Products!;
You like taking 13 items into the express lane just to mess with people.

The Suspect: Mad Tea Party

The Asheville duo Ami Worthen and Jason Krekel make music that the Metro Santa Cruz described as "A bubbly amalgam of juke-joint blues, pop, tiki exotica and rockabilly." Their 2006 release, Big Top Soda Pop was voted the No. 2 regional release by WNCW listeners; dancing shoes are a must.

Can Be Found: Lexington Avenue Brewery, Friday, June 18

RIYD (Recommended if You Dig): The Ditty Bops, Old Crow Medicine Show, SCOTS.

You Should Go If: You never met a clothes swap you didn't like; It's not a party until somebody gets kicked in the shins;
You were easily the coolest member of marching band; You enjoy ordering cocktails that the bartender has never heard of.

The Suspect: Megafaun

The band, DeYarmond Edison, moved to the triangle of North Carolina from Wisconsin in a push to find a wider audience.  The band broke up instead, and front man Justin Vernon traveled home, formed Bon Iver, and went on to record one of the most critically acclaimed discs of 2008. The remaining members of DeYarmond Edison formed Megafaun; they have since released two discs, most recently the critically praised Gather, Form and Fly, which was given an honorable mention by Pitchfork magazine as one of the best releases of 2009.

Can Be Found: The Grey Eagle, Wednesday, June 23.

RIYD: Bon Iver, Vetiver, Blitzen Trapper

You Should Go If: You believe Ultimate Frisbee will eventually be an Olympic sport; Your Facebook profile still doesn't have a picture; Women tend to marry the next guy they date after you; You sold your comic-book collection to buy rain barrels.

The Suspect: Dar Williams

She has been playing pop/folk music for 20 years and is widely considered one of the leading women of that genre. She released her first studio album in three years in 2008, Promised Land, produced by Brad Wood (Liz Phair, Ben Lee and Pete Yorn.) 

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Saturday, June 26.

RIYD: Kathleen Edwards, Indigo Girls, Catie Curtis.

You Should Go If: You kissed a girl and you liked it; She kissed a girl and you're totally okay with that, really, seriously, you are; You fantasize about meeting the man who came up with the whole "skinny jeans" thing in a dark alley; All your cats are named for female historical figures.