HORSE FEATHERS

Portland's string-centric folk trio are purists: despite the many variations on folk to recently emerge on the West Coast scene (freak folk, indie folk, folk pop, and even the errant electro-folk), Horse Feathers has maintained its lo-fi, no-fuss sound, bolstered by Justin Ringle's charmingly hoarse vocals and Heather Broderick's haunting cello. But the group's true power lies in the skills of David Broderick, whose lilting piano and resonant violin work weave the trio's songs into delicately humble melodies.

CONNIE HWONG