If it didn’t sound like a putdown, “winsome” would be the perfect description of Villa Rosie. The D.C.-based quartet’s singer, Judy Ferrel, sounds like a more ephemeral Natalie Merchant, delivering her words with slurred passion. While Ferrel has the type of soothing voice that lonely boys with bad indie haircuts fall for the minute they hear it, chaps with good barbers may initially find Villa Rosie a bit hard to distinguish from other female-fronted bands like Letters to Cleo and Velocity Girl. But see why more than a few listens to the band’s latest demo charmed this well-coiffed writer, and why Lilith Fair may soon beckon, when Villa Rosie performs with Phaser, Earthmen, and Mike Shupp at 10 p.m. at the Velvet Lounge, 915 U St. NW. $5. (202) 462-3213. (Christopher Porter)