American Aquarium

American Aquarium planned 2012 LP Burn.Flicker.Die as their last, but its breakout success led to a rejuvenation for the North Carolina sextet and frontman BJ Barham. Behind Barham’s late-night, whiskey-burnt ballads and 2015’s Wolves, the outfit has climbed the ranks of Southern roots rockers to rival the Drive-By Truckers. Prolific Pennsylvania songwriter Matthew Ryan opens showcasing this year’s gritty, brooding, and excellent LP Hustle Up Starlings. – Doug Freeman