The Gilded Age

Tonight, I went to the Varsity Theater to see the debut of the Como Avenue Jugband's new movie. The film was awesome, and so was the jugband, but as much as I love the jugband, the hightlight of the evening was one of the opening acts, The Gilded Age. They were just supurb. Their sound is a quirky and eccentric mix of Appalachian folk fiddle, old-school country, gipsy-esque music, and other more modern things like Hollywood Town Hall-era Jayhawks and maybe even the Violent Femmes. It was without question the best old-timey music I've heard in the Twin Cities since moving here. I'll definitely be checking them out in the future.

By the way, the Varsity Theater is an excellent venue for live music. I don't think there's a seat with a bad view in the building, and the place is filled with comfortable sofas and leather armchairs. It's like seeing a show in a bar or a club, but with the low-key comfort of a coffee shop. I was impressed.