Maurice Tani has been a fixture on the local alt-country scene for more than a decade with his band 77 El Deora, and previously sang and played guitar for the seminal Motown-style party bands Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra and Big Bang Beat. The San Francisco Chronicle praised his “twangy modern country sound” and called his songs “wry yet romantic, tender but aggressive.” His band includes Mike Anderson on bass, Randy Craig on piano, Ken Owen on drums, and guest vocalist Pam Brandon.

Tonight marks the release of his seventh album, The White Water, featuring six new originals and four reimagined classics. No Depression calls his sound “hillbilly noir”—“at once familiar, ethereal and beautiful.” Maurice calls it “cinema for the blind.” His music paints vivid pictures of the darker side of human relationships – but even at its darkest, it swings. Scott Bloom of The Bay Twang says, “This music is neither retro nor country; it’s twang noir. A fully realized universe, on a dark night, with an AM radio station sending out a strong signal from somewhere down Highway 99. Are you listening?” If you’re not listening, you should be when Maurice Tani & 77 El Deora take the stage at the Freight!

Visit Maurice Tani & 77 El Deora's website

Listen to a track from Maurice Tani: