Balthrop, Alabama + Andrew Vladeck January 30, 2010

Alabama-born songwriter-siblings Pascal and Lauren Balthrop moved to New York City to start a band and ended up founding a fictional Southern town. Balthrop, Alabama, population 11 or so, is their bustling folk rock township. Musically, the band straddles the fine line between antebellum and antifolk, reconstructing indie pop with songs of love, dead people, and dead people in love. One fan described the town’s genre as “barnyard epic indie rock.” It’s a raucous town-hall meeting where everyone brings an instrument to play.

The evening will open with NYC musician Andrew Vladeck, whose unique sound is folk and indie rock reconfigured — a “new wave” of folk that is distinctly American sounding. That being said, Andrew is first and foremost a wordsmith, whose sparkling, sharp-edged approach sets his often dark and hilariously ironic lyrics over sparse and tasteful instrumentation.

Official Website: http://www.abronsartscenter.com