On Saturday January 14, 2012, local recording group Rural Electric will play original, alternative rock music to celebrate the release of its third cd, “Fess Point”, at Åarhus Gallery in downtown Belfast. Opening the show will be Alex McGregor of Ponies in the Surf.

Since its first release in 2002, Rural Electric (Alan Gibson, piano, guitar, vocals; Andrew Carpenter, guitar, bass, vocals; Mike Bahner, drums; Amy Arnett, violin) has seen some changes in lineup and instrumentation but has not strayed from its output of quirky, pop-infused rock songs that treat lost love, family history, and the nature of reality with ironic tongues in cheek. Fess Point was recorded and engineered by Rushmore DeNooyer of Southpaw Studios who added his own artistic and technical signature. DeNooyer will join the band for a few tunes on the 14th.

Opening act Ponies in the Surf has garnered much-deserved critical acclaim for its original, Latin-tinged pop songs, melodic guitar arrangements and delicate harmonies. Alex McGregor is a Belfast resident who is often joined on stage by his sister Camille.

The cd release party opens at 7:00 p.m. and requests a suggested $8 donation to benefit Åarhus Gallery and the musicians. The gallery is located at 50 Main Street, Belfast, 338-0001.