Greeninger and Kai to perform at The Barn

Perennial Sisters favorites Keith Greeninger and Dayan Kai will perform at The Barn in Sisters on Thursday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m.

"We're looking forward to it," said Greeninger. "We've always loved that spot."

The folk musicians bring soulful singing and multi-instrumental virtuosity to bear on a catalogue of songs that cut to the heart of the human condition - sometimes joyful and sometimes stark.

Their work has made Greeninger a regular feature of the Sisters Folk Festival. However, this summer, the show at The Barn will be their only Sisters date. It's the first date on a mini-tour that will stretch up into Canada.

"This is kind of a nice shot to see all our friends," Greeninger said.

Greeninger and Kai will be performing new material, including the song "Hop in the Truck," which was recently turned into the duo's first full-length music video.

The song stems from Greeninger's contact with immigrant workers. The California songwriter has worked in construction for years to support his travels and his music and he has encountered many Mexican and Central American day workers and heard their stories.

"I just started writing a song almost verbatim from the conversations I have when I pick them up as a contractor or in construction," he said. "You know: What's your name, where do you come from, do you have any family?"

The song and accompanying video fits into a tradition of songs stretching back through Tom Russell's "Who's Gonna Build Your Wall" to Woody Guthrie's "Deportees" - pointing out the contradictions of a society that wants cheap labor but doesn't want the laborers.

The Barn is located three-quarters of a mile south of Sisters on Elm Street (Three Creek Road). Visit www.

nuggetnews.com for a link to the video for "Hop in the Truck." For more information on Keith Greeninger visit http://www.keithgreeninger.com.