Yes, Willie Nelson is getting up there. And, yes, he wrote "On the Road Again," perhaps the ultimate hymn to an itinerant lifestyle. But travelin' folks have had their own networks of support and brotherhood for centuries. Hobos, migrant workers, musicians - even those traveling salesmen goofballs you see in the rent-a-car ads - have all learned secrets during their travels and share them with like-minded free-spirits.

This is how the idea of the "house party" concerts evolved. Basically, Traveling Artist A runs into Traveling Artist B when their gigs overlap in City C. They meet, become pals, stay in touch - and help one another out in any fashion possible. And what if Artist B should come through Artist A's hometown? What if Artist A not only offers lodging but also says, "Hey, why don't we invite a few locals over and we'll each play a bit of music and maybe make some new fans and enough gas money for the next stretch of highway?"

It's a great idea and a damned good opportunity for music fans as well as the troubadours.

Enter Cabaret Voltaire, a new house party series debuting Friday in the New London home of Daphne Lee and Rich Martin. On the bill will be New Haven's Jenn Dauphinais - aka Ponybird - Scott Low of Athens. Ga., and Roz Raskins from Providence. All met Daphne Lee Martin on the road and, yes, as per the house party construct, all will be on hand to celebrate the inaugural session of Cabaret Voltaire.

"When you're on the road, you find the best performances you ever give - regardless of the 'legend status' of the room or the co-headliner, the size of the crowd or the guaranteed paycheck - are the ones you give to audiences that really listen and care," Daphne Lee Martin says. "As music venues have fallen into that sort of ADD/apathetic pushing-the-beer-specials-more-than-the-band mode, it's harder and harder to find people in conventional venues who are there for the music."

Over the last decade or so, across the country, house party concerts have become events that local communities as well as touring musicians look forward to and rely on - something that Martin, who's on tour about five months annually, has enjoyed and taken advantage of.

"There have been a lot of great folks who have offered up their 'unconventional' spaces so that I could play, and a lot of people here in New London have started to follow the acts I've brought into town from my travels, in places like the Hygienic Art Park or for the Traditions Festival. This seemed like the logical next step."

Low has been building his rep in the outlaw country genre and has been compared to Jason Isbell and Joe Fletcher. Raskin, known to many in the area as the front-person for post-rockers The Ricecakes, will present a slightly different persona. And Dauphinais is a master at melodic and meaningful folk-pop. The hope is that, after the artists' respective sets, a jam session might follow.

Martin is quick to emphasize that seating is very limited and the space is, after all, their home. A suggested $10 donation will support the players, and it's BYOB. And an RSVP is absolutely required.

Given the New England climate and her own touring schedule, Martin envisions Cabaret Voltaire dates to be seasonal - probably on a monthly basis from November to February and June to September each year.

As for whether Martin has a secret concept for each bill - whether thematic or a connective aesthetic tissue between artists - Martin isn't saying. "Well, that would be giving away the recipe, now, wouldn't it? Let's just say the bills are composed of fabulous, multi-course musical meals made with only the best songwriting and the most ambitious performers."

Cabaret Voltaire, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 41 Tilley St., New London; Scott Low, Jenn Dauphinais and Roz Raskin; $10 suggested donation, BYOB, RSVP required; email telegraphtouring@gmail.com.