What To Do? Thursday's Pick: Rykarda Parasol

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There's something unmistakably noirish about San Francisco, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that one of goth-folk's finest chanteuses is based here. Rykarda Parasol likes to call what she does "rock noir," a sound that has attracted comparisons to Nick Cave, Johnny Cash, and Siouxsie Sioux. Toss in some Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blonde, and you have a pretty good idea of the dark, moody places Parasol enjoys visiting with her music.

"I don't try to live up to the natural or architectural beauty that surrounds me in San Francisco," she says. "If anything, I'm only comforted by those things. To be honest, San Francisco is a hard lover to leave, and I'm not sure she is entirely good for me. But then, I'm not sure I'm interested in writing songs about goodness."

Parasol's second full-length, For Blood and Wine, came out last fall, and she continues to support it with local shows. Tonight she has a headlining gig at the Hemlock Tavern (9 p.m., $8)