When: 7.30pm on Saturday 13 December
Where: The Deaf Institute, 135 Grosvenor Street, Manchester M1 7HE

Please note: This show will be done and dusted by 10pm sharp, so arrive early – doors 7.30pm, first band 7.45pm. Thank you!

The easiest thing to say about Herman Düne is that they are atypical. Created by David-Ivar Herman Düne and Andre Herman Düne more than ten years ago, the two Swedish-rooted fans of American music were already playing all around Europe and the States before they’d even begun making records. Having written over four hundred songs, they have become a reference in the modern folk-rock songwriting scene.

The English press has described them as ‘Swedish Lo-Fi Serge Gainsbourgs‘ and wrote praise after praise of their first album Turn off the light. John Peel invited them for a studio session and to his home for a live BBC broadcast of his Christmas party in 2000. Andre has since gone solo and David has been joined by percussionist Neman, who is also one half of fun electro outfit Zombie Zombie.

On tour, the British audience and press were stunned by both their personality and presence. Claiming vegetarian ethics from a candle lit stage, the Herman Dünes give quite uncommon performances. In France, where the band lives, the press and audience are also unanimous.

Further releases on London’s Track & Field – notably 2005’s Not On Top – were followed by 2006’s Giant on Source. This was their break-through album, helped on by regular radio play on BBC 6music and by ingenious videos such as these for I Wish That I Could See You Soon and 1-2-3 Apple Tree.

Some of Herman Düne’s influences include Jonathan Richman, Lou Barlow, The Mountain Goats, Cat Power and Silver Jews, and they have worked with several other bands and singers such as Julie Doiron, Leah Hayes, and Laura Hoch.

This is Herman Dune’s first visit to Manchester in over a year, to support their new album, Next Year in Zion. It’s a Saturday night, no less, so fun and good times should be guaranteed.

This is a co-promotion with Pineapple Folk.

Tickets from WeGotTickets.com, Ticketline.co.uk, SeeTickets.com, Piccadilly Records on Oldham Street, Zavvi in the Arndale Centre, Ticketline Box Office in St John’s Centre, Liverpool, and on 0161 832 1111.