String band with a twist - Joy Kills Sorrow to open Black Box Concert Series in Athens Nov. 8

photo Boston-based Joy Kills Sorrow will perform Friday, Nov. 8, in Athens, Tenn.

IF YOU GO* What: Joy Kills Sorrow,Athens Area Art Council's2013-2014 Black Box Concert Series* When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8* Where: Sue E. Trotter Theater,320 N. White St., Athens, TN* Admission: $8 students, $15 adults* Phone: 423-745-8781* Website: www.athensartscouncil.org

The name of Joy Kills Sorrow pretty much sums up the philosophy of the Boston-based band.

A string band filled with virtuosos, they thrive in playing nontraditional songs in a traditional string band setting. And they're getting noticed.

After catching the band's live version of "Such Great Heights," an electro-pop song originally done by The Postal Service, American Songwriter magazine dubbed them the most impressive band at the 2012 Savannah Music Festival.

In June, the five-member band released "Wide Awake," a seven-song EP the band says strove for an "epic sound of an indie-rock band plugged in, but on acoustic instruments." Led by vocalist Emma Beaton, Joy Kills Sorrow falls into the same basic territory as Mumford & Sons and Fleet Foxes as committed Stanley Brothers enthusiasts.

The band will play Friday, Nov. 8, as the opening act in the Athens Area Council for the Arts' 2013-2014 Black Box Concert Series. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

The concert, one of three in the series, includes a Jan. 17 show by blues artist Mac Arnold and Plate Full O'Blues and a March 28 show by Genticorum, which plays a mix of international, traditional, folk and Celtic music.

All Black Box Concert tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students. There is a 20 percent discount when tickets to all three shows are bought as a season ticket.

Tickets are available online at www.athensartscouncil.org, by phone at 423-745-8781, by email at office@athensartscouncil.org, in person at the Arts Center, located at 320 N. White St. in Athens, or by mail at P.O. Box 95, Athens, TN 37303.

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