EP-release is this Saturday at the Entry

Five local bands that deserve must-hear status this week

Hear it starting February 21

Band will hold down weekly gig indefinitely

Band's track 'Here is My Heart' in rotation on Local Current stream

Bon Iver took home two awards, while Wilson was honored for Adele collaboration

Holly Newsom describes Zoo Animal's new "Departure EP" as more observational than philosophical, and it's easy to discern how different the band is today compared to a year ago, fully cognizant of major changes which have altered the act's path. The title of the EP is blunt upon deeper inspection: Zoo Animal has dealt with the departure of two members, the addition of two rotating casts of local musicians, and a further departure in sound that Newsom has taken her songs which now find themselves steeped in beautiful minimalism.

So what is the sound? I still have no adjectives that work, but where it comes from might be a unique quality of our community at this time, coming from a skill-laden collaboration of artists willing to be brave and knowing that there is an audience out there, on the radio and in the clubs, that is willing to support them when they are.

'Shine On' is one of seven tracks on new 'The Bite Marked Heart'

Local music notes from the week of February 6-10