Alacartoona

The accordion doesn’t get a lot of love. Sure, its squishy sounds sweetened the already adorable Amélie, and it amused as an accomplice on AMG’s unique square-dance rap. And it ensures that hilarity ensues when “Weird Al” Yankovic covers angsty alt-rock hits. For the most part, though, the accordion’s esteem could be best illustrated by the heckle that greeted it when gothic-country gods Okkervil River unveiled it at a show: “Here comes the fag machine.” Fortunately, Alacartoona singer Ruby Falls generates endless affection, whether she’s strumming, singing and swaying onstage or sashaying through the crowd to enchant observers with laptop serenades. If you fall for Falls, you must also embrace her fedora-topped bandmate’s accordion and Alacartoona’s assortment of modern cabaret confections. It’s a deal that area audiences have proven more than willing to make.