All Over Albany

Vetiver: freak folk at Valentine's

Fresh off a European tour, "freak folk" collective Vetiver will be stopping in A-town Saturday with a performance at Valentine's . The band last played the rock club two summers ago.

Andy Cabic is one of the original members of the band. He spoke to AOA Tuesday from his home in San Francisco as the group geared up for a northeast tour that kicks off tonight in Rochester.

Cabic says he's excited for this tour because the band will be playing a lot of places he's never played before. They've been to Valentine's twice before, and he says it's always been great.

"It's been totally memorable," said Cabic. "I'm looking forward to coming back."

Vetiver started as a trio featuring Cabic on vocals, banjo and guitar with Allissa Anderson on cello and Jim Gaylord on violin, indie darling Devendra Banhart joined the band in 2003 before leaving for solo ventures. These days the band features a revolving cast of characters along with core members.

The group released their self-titled debut in 2004, a quirky and introspective collection influenced by 70s folk greats like Nick Drake. They've also toured and collaborated with fellow freak-folkers like Joanna Newsom and Banhart.

Their third full-length album, "Thing of the Past," is collection of covers by some of their favorite musicians, including Loudon Wainwright III and Townes Van Zandt. It was released in May. One of Cabic's heroes, legendary musician Vashti Bunyan, even does a duet.

Cabic first began performing and recording solo under the name Vetiver, which is a type of fragrant grass native to India, before expanding into a full group. He said he's always looking forward to working on the group's next album, which they've already started and hope to release next year.

Vetiver performs upstairs at 9 tonight. FY, downstairs you can hear The Ting Tings of "Shut up and Let Me Go" fame.