The Arts

A way to keep up with Seattle theaters, concert halls, galleries, museums and other fine-arts events.

It’s not immediately apparent which one which one is which. At least with someone like Hall & Oates, you knew what you were getting. Here, it may even be that the main guy is Ivan, and all the rest are the collective Alyosha. Like a Hootie and the Blowfish kind of deal.

Either way, they were busy at SXSW this year — playing what seemed like three times a day — and I was able to catch their last set, Saturday night.

In February, the group released their first full-length record, “All the Times We Had,” and recently made the top ten on Billboard’s “Heat Seekers” chart. Judging from the crowd, they have a devoted following.

The room was packed, and the stage was small, but the deliberately groomed five-some charged through their set with verve.

Ivan & Alyosha play an accomplished version of indie/folk/pop, and they seemed quite with it in Austin. Their harmonic, exuberant numbers charmed the crowd. A successful showing.

Later, I noticed that the band played the next night in Flagstaff, which according to my reading is 1000 miles away and about 16 hours by car. I really hope they flew.