Dirty Projectors

‏They may not look the part in button-down plaid and peasant tops, but the members of Dirty Projectors have done a tidy job reminding us why American rock circuits have survived so many reincarnations. This group’s daringly offbeat and cleverly multi-cultural pieces — from llama guest stars in the “Stillness Is the Movie” video to Swing Lo Magellan’s (2010) retro silhouettes — never fail to surprise. You might guess that the comfortable, personal sounds of tracks like “Gun Has No Trigger” and erratically crooning “Cannibal Resource” are the stuff of tight-knit threesomes, which is a testament to an ensemble as large and frequently changing as this one. While their numbers may rise and fall, frontman David Longstreth guides a band that is unexpectedly single-minded. Their concoction of oddities, jarring strings, a little ‘70s homage and powerful individualism ignores the hipster label for a greater goal: finding innovative new ways to rock. (Friday, 7:20-8:30, Red Stage) –text: Jessica Millman–photo: Sarah Cass