Sour Mash Hug Band

Here's the thing about music in 2014: half the bands around are playing some obscure conglomeration of genres that require a couple trips to Wikipedia to understand. Take the Sour Mash Hug Band. According to the group's official bio, they "have developed a unique cabaret style drawing on New Orleans jazz, old-time fiddle music, muzica lautareasca, and Yiddish theatre." But there's an easier way to say it. Take some Rain Dogs-era Tom Waits, add a healthy serving of the Soggy Bottom Boys, and then picture them joining forces to play a hora dance tune at a traditional Jewish wedding. Or you could ignore all of this and just trust us. Go to the show. These guys are fun. (Stephen Layton)