Earlimart [ tickets ] frontman Aaron Espinosa hails from Fresno, CA; the little farm town that gave the band its name sits about halfway between Espinosa's hometown and his adopted Los Angeles. The positioning of one thing on the way to another thing--in the purest, hopeful sense--reflects the kind of music Earlimart creates: dense narrative structures set in front of lush, yearning music, miniature storytelling imbued with a sense of mystery and adventure by Espinosa's earnest, yet deadpan, vocals. The band released its fifth and latest studio set, "Mentor Tormentor," last fall.

Performing Friday, March 14 at 11 p.m. at Buffalo Billiards (201 E. 6th St.).

website: http://www.earlimartmusic.com