Vocalist Carole Ferrara and guitarist/singer John Plankenhorn have been performing around Milwaukee for the past 12 years as electri-violet. Given the lack of self-conscious trendiness about what they do, their act can be called organically retro. The confessional catharsis of ’70s singer-songwriters melds with the affirmations of ’70s R&B. If the effect at first seems disjointed, it's held together by Ferrara's flexible, soulful alto. Bass and drums round out the sound for studio purposes, with occasional friends providing brass and keyboard accompaniment.

electri-violet performs July 6 at Chill on the Hill.