Folk Rockers Play 'Sco Sunday

Malone and Means Promise Political Grooves

Backseat Driver: Folk veteran Michelle Malone performs with Pamela Means Sunday, 8:30 p.m. in the 'Sco. (photo courtesy SBS Records)

I think any college student can relate to, if not envy, folk-rocker Michelle Malone, performing this Sunday at 8:30 p.m. in the 'Sco, when she says, "It's a beautiful thing to break free from chains that can keep you from easily expressing yourself."

Malone's music certainly expresses her independence as a unique artist, whether it's her latest indie release Home Grown, or 1990's Relentless, issued on Arista Records. Malone doesn't let labels or politics get in the way of her honest and spirited songwriting or her accomplished musicianship.

Malone manages to hold her own with music that falls somewhere between the marketing spheres of pop and folk, while recurrently venturing into practically every other genre. Her music draws on influences from jazz, the blues and lots of rock. An Atlanta native, Malone spent three years in the late '80s leading an edgy Southern rock band, Drag the River, and opening for acts like ZZ Top. Further proof of her rock ability is 1994's Redemption Dream, an album released by Band de Soleil, a power trio led by Malone; the work exposes her command of the electric guitar.

Home Grown, her seventh album, is a perfect testament to Malone's victorious release from the world of corporate rock and big-name record labels. She wrote and recorded all of the album's 13 songs and released the album on her own Decatur, Ga.-based SBS Records. On this album, Malone returns to the tried-and-true acoustic guitar, but her rock and intelligent pop roots remain important elements in her sound. The songs achieve an overall warm and compelling atmosphere as they mix in pedal steel, violin and mellow electric guitar.

Joining Malone at the 'Sco on Sunday is Pamela Means, a Milwaukee native who has called Boston home since 1994. She's often been compared to Tracy Chapman and Ani DiFranco. The latter joined Means for vocals on one track of her second album, Bone Spurs. Means is a devout do-it-yourself crusader, who has released all three of her recordings on her own label, Wirl Records.

Means plays a mean and aggressive guitar, fusing her years of studying both classical and jazz guitar. She toys with alternate tunings, deep grooves, and rhythmic variations to create stunning compositions that are complemented well by her soft and introspective voice.

This soft-spoken voice nonetheless has plenty to say. Her lyrics are full of references to issues important to her: racism, sexism and the environment. Besides folk and jazz music, her songs draw influence from politics, religion and writers such as Audre Lorde and Bell Hooks.

The 'Sco's Sunday folk-infused concert is bound to be a wild ride through politically-driven grooves, emotionally charged rock and a full sampling of contemporary folk music, with its many twists and turns.