This week as I sat down to write my column concerning the no-longer-important subject matter I had been planning to write about, I made a musical discovery of seismic proportions - the kind of discovery one might liken to IMPORTANT DISCOVERY HERE, with an effect more profound than a college student discovering SparkNotes for the first time.

This unearthing, of course, came within a stone's throw of my article deadline, but if I didn't take this opportunity to write about local songstress Erica Freas, I'd never fully forgive myself. 

Browsing upcoming shows at all-ages venue Northern in Olympia, I decided to check out the artists included on the bill for the May 8 show. One of the scheduled artists - Olympia native Erica Freas - immediately caught my ear. Her delicate acoustic guitar and punk-yet-soothing vocals instantaneously impress. Upon further listening, her sophisticated songwriting and thoughtful, heartfelt lyrics also become apparent.

Freas released her first original music, a four-song EP entitled Help is in the Hair, in 2007,and last November she released a full-length album, Belly.

Both are comprised of original songs that rarely feature an instrument other than an acoustic guitar and Freas' voice. This is disputably the most audacious way to approach an album, as it relies solely on the quality of the songwriting. It also almost guarantees a good live performance, which is why my Wednesday night plans are going to find me at Northern (414 1/2 Legion Way, Olympia).

Other artists include Your Heart Breaks, Rae Spoon, and Ivan Coyote. Doors open at 8 p.m., with the show beginning promptly at 8:30.

This show will make for the perfect mid-week night out, and will probably send you home with a list of must-have albums to purchase.