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Pearlene performs "Hosannah"

Starting out as a delta blues -inspired acoustic ragtime duo in Cincinnati, Pearlene has expanded its membership to four, and added electric and drums, taking the sound into its current conglomeration of country-rock-boogie-soul. Influenced by such greats as Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Willie Johnson, the band now finds itself touring with the White Stripes and Bellrays, as well as old timers like T-Model Ford and recent punk retirees Dead Moon. Pearlene’s latest recording, For Western Violence and Brief Sensuality (High and Dangerous), is being plugged with the new descriptive phrase “southern soul psychedelia,” a sweaty, sweet and boozy blend of sad themes, raucous rock and country twang. While comparisons to the White Stripes pop up inevitably, a more fitting one might be to the Black Keys with the way that Mississippi flavor oozes through. Pearlene plays at Mohawk Place on Friday (June 22) with the Found and Siren Street Shutdown, 10pm.