Talkdemonic pulls off something that many bands fail at: Creating beautiful-yet-technical instrumental tracks. Most bands with a good vocalist and killer lyrics don’t have to worry about what their backing music sounds like. As long as listeners pay attention to the voice and words, the guitar can bust a few power chords and all is dandy. Not so with Portland’s electroacoustic folk duo. On “Duality of Deathening,” a track from Talkdemonic’s new EP Eyes at Half Mast, rat-a-tat drumming holds steady beneath a lilting viola, creating background music that needs no foreground vocals. This is the sort of music that can be appreciated for its complicated approach while still soothing the senses, making Talkdemonic every indie music nerd’s wet dream. Photo courtesy Jason Quigley.

Thu., Jan. 8, 8 p.m., 2009