Two Gallants/Les Claypool

The indie-blues duo Two Gallants showcases complex and original folk ballads. The pair's lyrics are at once confessional and cheeky ("If liquor's a lover, you know I'm a whore") and its songs are gritty, somber and (sometimes) uncomfortably sincere. New fans are often lured into its hypnotic live show by dense, emotionally naked songs. Two Gallants also has a witchy ability to enchant: Often when its set is over, the audience collectively wakes up and remembers to snap back to the normal concert-attending reality of getting a drink, taking a piss or talking to their friends. Two Gallants are opening for Les Claypoolthis time around, but we'd bet the next time they come through town they'll be headlining.