The Tom Fun Orchestra

While the Dakota Tavern was hardly accommodating for the ten-piece band, it didn’t stop Nova Scotia’s latest gem from beating, stomping, and wailing into the small at-capacity venue. The overflowing stage (accordions, trumpets, banjos) poured into the sweaty, beer-guzzling audience, to the point one could barely identify where each began and ended. Their twang-filled blend of folk Celtic country jazz, with front-man Johnny Turbo’s growl-y Tom Waits impression leading the pack, made everyone a believer. Especially since it was played with such messy conviction. The violinist barely had any hairs left on his bow by the time their set came to an epic halt.