Locals on the verge

Casey Dienel of Jamaica Plain performs and records as White Hinterland. (Tod seelie)

HOORAY FOR EARTH The Boston rockers spew big guitar noise, crafty synths, gripping melodies, and intricate aural theatrics with massive style and ridiculous aplomb. They need to be famous, and toward that end a new EP, "Cellphone," will be released by Dopamine next month. The band celebrates with a local release party Feb. 29 at the Middle East Downstairs.

ELI "PAPERBOY" REED The Brookline-bred, baby-faced soul man is a local favorite with his lively gospel shuffles, languid ballads, and vintage-style dance tunes full of serious swagger and old-school sincerity. This year he's set to break out on a national level, with interest from major record labels and the March release of "Roll With You," Reed's new album with his band, the True Loves, on Q Division.

MISS TESS AND THE BON TON PARADE The Maryland transplant called one of her albums "Modern Vintage," and that neatly sums up her crisp approach to old-time jazz, folk, and blues. After a recent contest win, Tess will hit the high seas next month as part of a music cruise in the esteemed company of artists including Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, and Patty Griffin. No doubt they will be as charmed by her classic covers and clever originals as Boston audiences. Check out Tess and the gang at Toad Jan. 27 or at Atwood's Tavern Feb. 19.

ELEMENTAL ZAZEN Fast, furious, raw, and reflective, this Cambridge-based MC has got a lot on his mind: war, poverty, Third World exploitation, visions of world leaders in handcuffs. Verbally nimble and righteously indignant, Zazen rhymes with a purpose - "pump a fist if you exist to bring the system down!" Soon those rhymes will be collected on his second album, "The Glass Is Half Full." Zazen will be bringing the noise to the Middle East Downstairs Jan. 26.

WHITE HINTERLAND Under a new guise, Casey Dienel slipped under everyone's noses and got signed to Dead Oceans, an imprint of the tastemaking indie label Secretly Canadian (home to Antony and the Johnsons and Jens Lekman). After a fleeting stint in Brooklyn, Dienel is back in town, living in Jamaica Plain and making gorgeous music as White Hinterland. From what we've heard on My- Space, the songs are more introspective than the buoyant pop Dienel crafted on 2006's "Wind-Up Canary." The new album, "Phylactery Factory," is out March 4, and Dienel will no doubt preview it at her P.A.'s Lounge gig Feb. 2.