Going Batty

Formed in Chicago in 1999 as singer-guitarist Eric Johnson's solo project, the Fruit Bats have since become a revolving four-piece ensemble based out of Seattle. Soundwise, the band crafts melancholic and romantic acoustic pop songs similar in structure and personality to their Sub Pop labelmates the Shins. Lyrically, Johnson's poetic musings fuel the tunes ("It takes leviathans, down in the abyss / The hidden messages of the things that you missed"). Still touring to promote last year's Spelled in Bones, the band comes to Walter's today with Amandine, a Swedish group that churns out impressive versions of traditional American folk and alt-country. Former Beck collaborator and Love as Laughter front man Sam Jayne also will serve up some solo material.
Wed., April 19, 8 p.m.