File under ‘moms who rock’

Singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell’s new record is a concept album about becoming a single mom to twins. But don’t expect lullabies and Seussian rhymes: this is a cool collection of vintage tones, girl band vocals, and soulful flourishes. Mandell plays The Grey Eagle with Benji Hughes on Tuesday, July 24. Photo from Mandell’s Facebook page.

Greetings from Kenya

Local producer Ben Gradison is traveling through Africa, helping to build studios, deliver equipment, and train youth and adults to create and record music. Follow his work (and listen to the music he’s recording with African groups) on his blog. Photo from the Likoni and Arusha Studio Projects blog.