Music

Midtown Dickens

Durham, NC folk outfit strums towards Infinitea

Martha Galep |

 
The band, relaxing after a great game of king of the hill.

As refreshing as a desert spring shower, Midtown Dickens will breeze into Eau Claire on April 3. The band hails from Durham, NC and has released two CDs, both of which have received acclaim from a wide spectrum of reviewers. While their original compositions skip through alternative country, bluegrass, urban old-time, jug band, and punk music like a day at the beach, mostly they play modern folk music: low production, audience friendly lyrics, harmonies, and melodies played on enough instruments to form a small jug band orchestra. Original band members Kym Register and Catherine Edgerton began as a duo playing instruments they were given by friends or found in dumpsters. After their first CD, the band expanded to five members by adding Will Hackney, Jonathan Henderson, and Michelle Preslik. The band has a style of songwriting and singing that might be called minimalist if they were artists – as musicians they craft tunes and write songs that display a mature take on life despite their youthful approach and schoolyard attitude towards performing. With songs like Old Dog (“you can’t learn new tricks…”) and a pop/punk take on the Sonny and Cher hit I Got You Babe, the Dickens are unpredictable yet easy to sing along with. Grab a friend and join in on the fun, but watch your teaspoons – the band may borrow them for their rhythm section on more than one tune.

Midtown Dickens • April 3 • Infinitea Teahouse, 112 E Grand Ave. • 8pm • FREE • all ages • infiniteateahouse.com