New-Age Folk

On their current tour, New York's Gypsy Nomads are playing venues with such names as Witches Brew, Faerie Moon, Heart of the Dragon, Goddess Blessed, Mystickal Voyage and Chrysalis Moon. The gypsy-cabaret duo sounds like it could be the poster act for Magic: The Gathering, but the team of Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland is more of a neo-medieval band that takes inspiration from French singer Francoise Hardy and alt-rock icon Siouxsie Sioux. Helland played punk rock with J. Mascis and Lou Barlow before those two went on to form Dinosaur Jr., and his nimble acoustic-guitar style also reflects the influence of Michael Hedges and Django Reinhardt. The Gypsy Nomads truly are nomads, spending much of the year on the road bringing their loopy, percussive, belly-danceable music to alternative venues such as Vulcan's Forge and Aquarius (3936 Broadway, 816-931-6303, enter on Washington). Tickets cost $15 at the door or $10 in advance for tonight's show, which starts at 8. (Folk enthusiasts will also want to catch harp-guitar wiz Stephen Bennett Saturday at the Forge; tickets for that event cost $20 at the door or $15 in advance.)
Fri., June 12, 8 p.m., 2009