Fans of Bob Dylan and the folk tradition should be in for a treat this Saturday when The Court and Spark breaks out its pedal steel guitar and soft strumming for a nice night at Plush.
The band has a strange tie to '60s music. None of them are related to Crosby, Stills or Nash, but two of the members once played with Jim Morrison's nephew.
Too bad guitarist Scott Hirsch didn't remember it when asked.
"I forgot about that," Hirsch said. "That was awhile ago ... He played bass and we played with him a few times. I don't know what happened to him. I don't even remember his name, actually, but yeah."
Touring to promote their latest album, Witch Season, The Court and Spark was returning from New York to their San Francisco homes earlier this week.
The band, whose name comes from an old expression referring to a man and woman's courtship and the ensuing spark of love, will play with American Music Club at Plush on Saturday.
"We have a pedal steel player in our band and a lot of American music has that kind of flavor to it, but I don't think that we use it in the way that those people use it," said Hirsch, going on to say that the band does not simply provide an alternative to the pop country/western flooding Nashville lately.
"I think that we just play the music that we play, "said Hirsch. "And I think people that like it are people that are music lovers, that are interested in listening to good music and folk music, and music with good songs and great playing and great sounds. I think our niche is people who enjoy music. I don't know if we have a place in any [music] industry because we're not exactly making millions over here."
Hirsch said the band enjoys touring and tries to put on a good show that transcends their albums.
"I think that our live set is a little more energetic than some of the music on our record," he said. " We like to have a good time. Like, the best night is when everyone in the room is just enjoying themselves, listening to the music and having a great time."