Tonight at the Middle East (Central Square in Cambridge, on Massachusetts Avenue) Bats in the Belfry presents Garmana From Sweden.

I was honored to attend a promo/press party with the band at Pravda last night--they played three short but amazing sets. (There was also an incredible spread of Scandinavian food, vodka drinks made with lingonberries and elderflower juice poured over a huge block of ice made into a sort of bartenders' luge run...all sponsored by the Scandinavian Channel)

Anyway, the music combines medieval ballads, some in Icelandic or Swedish, set to haunting, circular, trancing melodies with occasional hard rock stylings; the instruments include fiddles, hurdy-gurdy (the one used is a copy of an ancient model found in Scandinavia), acoustic guitar, bass, jaw harp, and drums (heavy on the tom-toms).

Indescribably gorgeous vocals from a beautiful young singer; she is like Bjork without all the trembling earnestness...grounded and calm and able to sing both fiercely and sweetly.

Two other bands open at 9 pm (Desar and Basque); Garmana should go on at about 11 pm...

Peg