The lead singer of Upstairs Downstairs sounds like Chrissie Hynde from the Pretenders, which pretty much seals it for me. I suppose I should say more, but those cool and soulful, yet laid-back and sarcastic vocals do so much speaking on their own. Upstairs Downstairs, if you need to know, play the kind of breezy folk-pop that seems to have gotten lost in the self-important shuffle in the years after Belle and Sebastian began evaporating from public view. So, you know, that's nice. But Upstairs Downstairs are really about that voice. It begins and ends every song, drawing you in and never relinquishing control. Something about it seems special, and there's no putting a finger on it. It is real, and it stares you right in the eyes. 

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Check Please, 8 p.m., cover TBA, 301 E. 25^th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]