Kenny Roby

As Bailey is driving his family to Florida in Flannery O’Connor’s supremely grotesque classic “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” you wouldn’t be crossing any lines in presuming that Kenny Roby’s debut solo outing would make a fitting soundtrack. A sort of Southern Gothic air filters through Roby’s songwriting. “Memories & Birds,” for instance, is a stunning track. There’s almost a nostalgic bend to it as the strings sculpt Roby’s vocals into lilting odes to yesteryear. It melts into “The Monster,” landing a one-two punch to kick off the album. In fact, it’s this song that most calls to mind O’Connor’s iconic short story. Also, regarding tonight’s gig: Laying down a set at Merry Arts isn’t a typical move for artists swinging through town, and that may add to the mystique of this show. (Eric Sandy)