Introducing: Blood and Sun

Blood and Sun are a Minneapolis-based group who recently self-released a self-titled tape that highlights the bands haunted pysch-folk music. The band mix Nick Cave-like gravedigger vocals with simple acoustic guitar parts. The squealing string arrangements sound like they could be courtesy of a John Cale guest appearance. With song titles like “Slaughter the Instant,” Blood and Sun don’t bother softening the edges of their sound, which is both abrasive and challenging, dark and distant. The four-song tape is an exercise in gothic songwriting, wrapped in dark shadows and meant to be played as the convicted are shuffled to the hangman’s noose. I don’t know if the band are as brooding in life as they are on record, but you can find out tonight at the Varsity Theater. The band is playing with local up-and-comers The Rope and Safewords.

—Josh