Seryn
Using mainly acoustic instruments including ukelele, accordion and banjo, Texas-based six-piece Seryn craft shifting, swelling, almost liturgical compositions that bear a passing resemblance to folk, while sharing common touchstones with indie-pop. Seryn's multi-instrumental live presentation has been described as "a music shop (that) threw up onstage," and they occasionally need to nod to audiences to let folks know when their lengthy, ebbing and flowing compositions have come to an end. Frequently compared to the ubiquitous Mumford & Sons, and to the sprawling, folk-inflected song cycles of Sufjan Stevens, Seryn are both freakier than the Mumfords and more grounded than Stevens. Closer comparisons are the orchestrated Americana of Van Dyke Parks and the meditative cyclical classicism of guitarist James Blackshaw. Seryn's achingly beautiful five part harmonies easily outstrip anything the Fleet Foxes ever attempted, hitting the sweet spot occupied by Brian Eno at his most meditative. True to their name which draws from the first two syllables of "serenade" and "serenity," Seryn make joyful noise that seems to be searching for the eye of a psychic storm. Call it "third eye music." With Brave Baby. $8/$10. May 24, 8 p.m. Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 704-358-9200.