Music fans (myself included) who have just a passing familiarity with bluegrass might consider it a predictable, rigidly conventional form. If so, seeing Drakkar Sauna should dispel that idea; the Kansan duo has been called “one of Lawrence’s most outlandish new bands” and makes music with guitar, upright bass, mandolin, pump organ, kazoo, tambourines and harmonophone. Last year they got rave reviews for Wars and Tornadoes, an album of earnest Louvin Brothers covers that includes numbers like “The Weapon of Prayer.” But Jeff Stolz and Wallace Cochran are also willing to use their knowledge of gospel music history to subversive ends, as in a suite called “Very Much Alone Pentateuch” that includes a song titled “O, Fuck, I’m Fucked, Fuck.” Their best songs manage to sound relaxed, joyous, exuberant, and a touch yearning. Sharing a bill with Dave Cloud and Caitlin Rose, they’ll have a chance to expand their small but devoted fan base.
Sat., Aug. 8, 9 p.m., 2009
Sat., Aug. 8, 9 p.m., 2009
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