Puss N Boots

Puss N Boots sounds like the best local band you never expected to find in a neighborhood dive bar. It is music that prioritizes the joy of playing over the polish of the studio, characterized by a loose, swinging rhythm section and guitars that alternate between gentle fingerpicking and gritty, reverb-soaked leads. The atmosphere is consistently intimate, as if you are pulled up to a table just a few feet from the stage.

What makes the group truly distinctive is the democratic chemistry between Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper. While Jones is a global star, here she is a band member, often trading lead vocals and blending into tight, three-part harmonies that recall the classic country trios of the 1970s. Their sound is a bridge between Brooklyn indie-folk and Nashville tradition, favoring raw takes and occasional imperfections that give the music its human heart.

Start with their debut, No Fools, No Fun, to hear how they tackle both original songs and inspired covers of artists like Neil Young and Wilco. It captures the essence of their live chemistry. For a more seasonal mood, their Dear Santa EP offers a charmingly un-slick take on holiday music that avoids the usual cliches.