Seattle musician Whitney Monge calls her sound “alternative soul,” but don’t expect Aretha Franklin or Al Green — not quite, anyway.

“Alternative soul means music coming from a place that we all have: our soul,” Monge says, admitting she’s influenced by heavyweights from soul music, but her sound is a mix of rock and blues. “It’s music that’s relatable. It’s music you can feel,” she says.

Monge picks her song “Gracefully,” from 2014’s Steadfast EP, to sum up her sound. “Maybe because it’s saying, ‘Hey, I’m not perfect but that’s OK,’” she says. “I think it’s my Taurus rising sign talking there.”

“Gracefully” has an “Amazing Grace” inspired melody line over uptempo acoustic guitar, gentle flourishes of Keb Mo-style pop-blues electric guitar and Monge’s notable voice — a natural mix of Bonnie Raitt and India.Arie’s earthy tones. In “Gracefully” Monge sings: “Sometimes I do things I don’t believe in … I remember I’m still learning, I’ll be learning ’til I’m old.”

Monge always makes Eugene a tour stop, most recently playing last spring’s Out/Loud Queer Women’s Music Festival at WOW Hall. “I love Eugene!” Monge says. “Be prepared to have a blast with me and my friend Kim Archer on our Best Coast Tour.”

Whitney Monge and Kim Archer play 8:30 pm Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Axe & Fiddle; Cottage Grove; free. 21-plus.