Tacoma is a city that exists in an almost constant state of flux.  It's a choose-your-own-adventure that unfortunately requires the participation of a bunch of people who can be, at times, too prideful.  Because we are in that gray area of being not quite a big city, but much bigger than a town, there is a large contingent that, I think, believes we have a right to a vibrant cultural life. Seattle doesn't need to do shit, so why is it required of us to stand as one and fight for relevance?

As the years go by, there are little moments that scream to be taken advantage of in the interest of advancing Tacoma. The Squeak and Squawk Music Festival is one of those moments.  Sean Alexander has worked tirelessly to create - almost single-handedly - a call to arms for the prideful Tacomans.

It's up to us, as concerned members of the Tacoma music scene, to embrace wholeheartedly this opportunity to make our fine city a little cooler. It's been more than a year since the last Squeak and Squawk, and in order for it - and other events like it - to continue, it is essential for Tacomans to swallow their stubbornness and take part in what has the possibility of being a truly magical four days of music.

Contributing to the essential opening night of the festival will be Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside. The Portland band is fronted by Sallie Ford, a native of Asheville, N.C.  Her music comes from a veneration of old-time blues, ragtime and roots music. Sallie Ford's voice calls to mind classic vocalists from yesteryear.

"I've always been a bit of a belter," says Ford.  "I've never been scared to experiment with my voice and see what it could sound like.  I think Tom Waits kind of inspired me to do that."

Amidst Sallie Ford's vintage stylings, there lingers a modern sensibility that helps to keep the music fresh.

Also performing at the festival will be Pwrfl Power, an odd presence in indie pop.

"When I started out," says Kazutaka Nomura, AKA Pwrfl Power, "(I was playing) mostly silly songs, shorter songs just about daily topics. ... After about three years of playing, they've become not so funny."

Funny or not, Pwrfl Power's music is still marked by quirky awkwardness and unique guitar work.  There's an undertone of quiet romanticism in Nomura's writing that makes it endlessly endearing.

Sallie Ford and Kazutaka Nomura are good examples of the kind of bright and creative souls that persist in trying to make something special out of music, and out of whatever scene nurtures it. There's a warmth that exists in these people that yearns to be spread through the ear canals and gray matter of passersby.

Sallie Ford, a sweetheart, says of Tacoma: "I bet people are going to appreciate out-of-towners coming ... and I bet the art community is pretty close-knit.  I'm just assuming."

Can we please live up to her assumptions?

For ourselves.  And for our future.

Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside

With The Pica Beats, Basemint and Santee,  Thursday, June 10,  9 p.m., $8
The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma

Pwrfl Power

With Strange Holiday, Oberhofer and Cap Lori, Friday, june 11, 6 p.m., all ages, $6
The Squawk Box, 745 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma
myspace.com/squeakandsquawkfestival