I’ve been having this recurring day-dream lately. It’s the first warm day of the year, the sun is beaming down on me as I cruise around on my purdy blue bicycle. The birds are chirping away on telephone wires like I’m in some sort of suburban snow white student film. I don’t have to worry about riding my bike home drunk and every night out is observed by fireflies. Then my feet lose feeling and I remember that I’m waiting for the bus and spring is teasingly out of reach.

Laura Veirs grew up in Colorado, and I have a feeling she is as intimate with summerlust fantasies as I am. Her latest album, released on her own boutique label Raven Marching Band Records, is a loving sentiment towards warmer days. The mix of oddly tuned nylon guitar, banjo and piano is as sweet and brightly mellow as the strain of peaches Veirs named the album and title track after.

If you caught Veirs opening for The Decemberists this past fall, you already know that she gives an excellent performance. Be sure to catch her this time around this Friday the 12th at Higher Ground.

And people, pick this up for your folky special friend for Valentine’s Day and reap the benefits like a bountiful summer garden.