photos and words by Matthew Masin

Last Wednesday played host to a perfect storm of light rain and bluegrass music at Duffy’s. It was one of those rare times where a venue books similar but still uniquely entertaining bands, and Shaun Sparks (Lincoln), Saint Anyway (Cloquet, Minn.), Hillfolk Noir (Boise, Idaho) and Dean the Bible (Lincoln) made up the cast.

People filled the bar during Sparks’ set, but soon enough, they got a glimpse of Sparks’ friend Todd Poore on guitar and poured over onto the dance floor to hear him pluck the nylon strings on his guitar at breakneck speeds. The crowd eventually started to grow in size, and a rowdy group of Hillfolk Noir fans started up a dance party complete with a stage dive and knee-slapping. Hillfolk Noir posed for pictures after their set, kissed some fans on the cheek and then Dean the Bible took the stage.

I haven’t been to church in quite awhile, but I remember the way people looked while they sang songs in the pews. For some Dean the Bible fans, the experience looked eerily similar. One fan in particular did his best to hobble over in his crutches to a chair planted just left of the stage so he could sing his heart out, hug his buddy and have a good time.

Shaun Sparks

Saint Anyway

Hillfolk Noir

Dean the Bible

Matthew Masin is a Hear Nebraska intern. He doesn't approve of Tim Miles in Nebraska, but does enjoy Andrew Bird in Milwaukee. Reach him at matthewm@hearnebraska.org.