The Brummy Brothers sometimes sound a little like the Avett Brothers with a dash of Riverdance sprinkled in to keep things spritely. But they shift gears regularly.
It’s bluegrassy, filtered through all kinds of other sensibilities — the countryish, old-time side of the Grateful Dead in particular. The Brummys are from New Jersey (two of the four are Brumberg brothers), and the acoustic quartet is just as comfortable in a rock or jam-band setting as a hoedown. Some tunes on the band’s debut album, “On Our Way,” have a newgrass angularity and jazzy feel to them, like “Hub City Hoedown.”
The band’s “Cruisin'” might be the first song ever about music-themed cruises. They also have a zippy tune about people who are addicted to their smartphones (“Cell Phone Blues”). The bros can go fast, giddy and jittery, or slow and sad, depending on the setting.
The Brummy Brothers play the Arch Street Tavern, 85 Arch St., Hartford, on Friday, Feb. 19, at 9 p.m. $7 to $10. archstreettavern.com and 860-246-7610.
