Concert Preview: Vetiver @ Off Broadway on Dec. 15

Given the company they keep, it’s no surprise that Vetiver gets lumped in to the “freak folk” genre. Devendra Banhart is a good friend and frequent member of the band, and Joanna Newsom, Noah Georgeson and Vashti Bunyan have all contributed as well–but these recent Sub Pop signees definitely has a sound that distinguishes them from their peers.

True, Vetiver’s warm, summery sounds frequently feature the finger-picking so common to the new folk revial, but with each successive album, it becomes evident that much like the aromatic East Indian grass from which the band takes their name, Vetiver’s roots grow deep. Their sound has stretched beyond the folk tradition and been flushed out with bass, drums, keyboards, banjos and cellos, echoing the pop and country songwriting of yesteryear.

The band’s fourth most recent release, Thing of the Past, is made up entirely of covers of some of band leader Andy Cabic’s favorite artists. Using the work of such legends as Townes Van Zandt and Derroll Adams as their canvas, Vetiver meld past and present seamlessly with their dreamy, gentle brand of folk.

Vetiver will perform with Brandon Eckert on Monday, December 15 at Off Broadway. Doors are at 8 p.m.; the show begins at 9. Tickets are $10 and available online or at the door.

Recommended if you like: Devendra Banhart, Phosphorescent, The Pernice Brothers, Michael Hurley, Vashti Bunyan

Posted by | December 10, 2008 | Concerts, Culture, Music | 1 Comment 

Comments

  • http://kdhx.org/blog/author/goinghome/ Roy

    My review (and crappy photo) here.