Hot New Band: Experimental Folkies Vetiver

Vetiver

He's collaborated with star freak-folker Devendra Banhart, but San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Andy Cabic isn't limiting himself to just one genre -- and his band Vetiver's excellent new album proves it.

With everything from laptop-generated atmospheric sounds to big-band brass, Vetiver's just-released Sub Pop debut, Tight Knit, is all over the place -- as are Cabic's inspirations.

"Musically, my influences are Allen Toussaint, J.J. Cale, [L.A. psych-rockers] the Rain Parade… and booze, the weather, and vowel sounds," Cabic tells SPIN.com.

Although Cabic, who started releasing material with Vetiver in 2004, plays almost every instrument on the album, he certainly doesn’t work alone. Tight Knit also features his backing band -- Kevin Barker (guitar), Sanders Trippe (guitar/vocals), Otto Hauser (drums), and Brent Dunn (bass) -- as well as production work from Thom Monahan, a frequent Vetiver collaborator who has produced albums from Devendra Banhart and Brightblack Morning Light.

One of Tight Knit's best songs is "Another Reason to Go," a funktastic jazz ballad with 10 different musicians playing a variety of instruments, including horns, electric guitar, and keyboards.

Cabic agrees: "I'm really enjoying 'Another Reason to Go' right now," he tells SPIN.com. "The keyboard parts kill me. They say 'boogie' to me."

Below listen to "Another Reason to Go." Plus: Download Tight Knit's first single, "Everyday," an upbeat ditty with acoustic guitars and lyrics about missing your loved one.

Listen: Vetiver, "Another Reason to Go"

Download: Vetiver, "Everyday" (DOWNLOAD MP3)