One of the dynamic new fiddle bands to come bubbling up from that frenzied, percolating hotbed of creativity known as the Boston neo-trad scene, Blue Moose & the Unbuttoned Zippers (BMUZ to their friends) is quite the band to catch. Weaving influences from Appalachian mountain music to Celtic to traditional Scandinavian, the four members of the group mix tunes and songs from varied traditions and their own sparkling originals, with startling rhythms and innovative arrangements a-plenty. Like fellow Berklee College of Music graduates, Crooked Still, BMUZ offers amazing chops, inventiveness, and verve—and they surely do know how to rock the house, as well.

In the venerable tradition of bands that start as a group of friends jamming and swapping tunes, BMUZ features an eclectic lineup of instrumental skills. Bronwyn Bird plays accordion and nykelharpa (a traditional Swedish bowed, keyed instrument that's difficult to describe, but sounds heavenly); Andy Reiner is a fine, fiery fiddler in the Cape Breton tradition; Mariel Vandersteel specializes in Norway's haunting hardanger fiddle; and guitarist Stash Wyslouch propels it all along with his driving grooves.