It's a new week, which means it's time for a new installment of Bobble Tiki's South Sound music news and notes column. Without further ado, let's get rolling.

Bobble Tiki's never been afraid of redundancies. For years, Bobble Tiki has heard his bosses fight against it, both in print inside the Weekly Volcano, and in practice, saying things to Bobble Tiki like, "You don't need to print out every e-mail you get!"

Whatever.

So, it should come as no surprise to those familiar with Bobble Tiki that he wont pass at yet another opportunity to shine a light on Tacoma's lightning-in-a-bottle songstress, Vicci Martinez. A voice and talent that's nearly become synonymous with our City of Destiny, Martinez doesn't just have a voice and songwriting style that sparkles, she's - quite simply - one of the hardest working members of our hardscrabble music community. Even if it does border on redundant, Martinez deserves any and all props we can give her.

The Volcano's Paul Schrag, who just so happened to pen this week's cover story on Tacoma Hempfest, put Martinez's place into far more eloquent words back in 2009, writing about her then brand-new album, From The Outside In, which a year later still packs the same punch.

If you pick up a copy of her new CD, From the Outside In, you'll hear freedom, girded by a sort of profound, sober honesty. The 12-track opus is packed with the quiet power of someone who has finally gone through enough to figure out who they are, and embrace it. Whether she intended it or not, everything about this album speaks to transformation and rebirth - the lyrics, the tone, the variety of melody and rhythm, even the order of the songs. The album progresses from some fairly typical Martinez jams - sultry, alive, bluesy, awesome - to a set of four, sparse acoustic numbers that are simply stunning.

The album launches with "Find My Way Home," which begins, "Every day turns into a maze, I'm just trying to stay in the pace." It starts on a stuttering wah guitar riff, a dirty organ and piano - slightly awkward and determined, like someone stumbling out of a dark room into the sunlight. From there, the song builds momentum, evolving into a full-on jam - from the hesitant "Every day turns into a maze," into "I'm going to find my way home," repeated with increasing conviction as the song peaks.

Dirty Holywood

If Vicci Martinez ain't your bag, and you prefer your evenings to be a little more raunchy, rambunctious and stereotypically rock ‘n' roll, Bobble Tiki recommends hitting up Hell's Kitchen Friday for Dirty Hollywood - the best Motley Crue tribute band this side of Motley Too, Red White and Crue, Monster Crue, Holiday Crue, True-2-Crue, Too Fast For Love, Carnival of Sin, Primal Scream, Wildside, Girls Girls Girls (naturally, an all female Crue tribute) and Motley Crude.

Fine company, indeed. Dirty Hollywood, who - along with being the self-proclaimed "ultimate tribute to Motley Crue, and having resisted the urge to work some form of the word "Crue" into their name - are from Seattle, and definitely have the big hair, makeup and rock posturing down. As GI Joe might say: That's half the battle.

Friday night at Hell's Kitchen, we'll see if Dirty Hollywood is the full package - levitating drum-kit, hypodermic needles, sad reality television appearances and drunk driving convictions included.

Honeybear

Get this. Aaron Meyers, who - with help from his endearing ukulele and folk leanings makes Honeybear tick all by his lonesome- actually moved to Calgary, Canada. That's right! He MOVED there. Consciously, even.

The contemporary indie troubadour originally came from L.A., but before Honeybear - which will play Northern in Olympia Tuesday - could blossom, he had to pack his bags and head north - for keeps. Intrigued by what sounds like a rough and tumble, make-your-own-adventure music and arts scene in Calgary - which, by description at least, sounds a lot like Tacoma in its struggles and possibilities  - Meyers (and thus his outfit, Honeybear) have drawn supreme inspiration and motivation from the artistic buzz of Canada's fifth largest metropolitan area. Meyers channels this creativity via ukulele and charm, and - at least according to Bobble Tiki - it's something worth tuning in to. Luckily, you'll get your chance Tuesday.

Finally, Bobble Tiki would like to send a note of congratulations to the Ventures, perhaps the most famous and important Tacoma band of all time.

What's that you say? You doubt The Ventures' status in the annals of Tacoma rock?

Silly, you. Even the Emperor of Japan knows better.

It's true. Through chatting with local artist and gadfly Teddy Haggarty recently, Bobble Tiki learned The Ventures will be honored Monday, June 28 in Seattle by none other than the Emperor of Japan.

Here's what the invitation says, which chances are you didn't received. (Don't fret; Bobble Tiki didn't either.)

To celebrate the Decoration of the Ventures

with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette

by H. M. the Emperor of Japan

The Consul General of Japan and Mrs. Mrs. Kiyokazu Ota

Request the pleasure of your company

Note to party crashers: The dress code is "business attire" - much to the chagrin of famous Tacoma bartender and filmmaker, Justin Peterson, who will be attending the event and filming it for a Ventures documentary currently in the works. Peterson is not pleased with the suit requirement. No word yet on whether he'll also be forced to shave.

See you next week.