New Jersey native cellist Gregory Bortnichak (Sparta Philharmonic, Circa Survive) and Sarasota singer/guitarist Erin Murphy (The Equines) are the creative minds behind Bard & Mustache, a recording project they formed early last year and made permanent after some touring, an EP release and Bortnichak's move to the Sunshine State. Murphy's vocals are the rich and resonant centerpiece of the duo’s experimental folk-jazz, lyrics offering sweetly poetic musings or understated yet vivid metaphor ("We were dressed like summer camp, swimming in the oil paint / and the leaves were dripping pigment onto the river lying underneath," from "Velvet"). Two Tampa bands support; Diealps! does waltzing, finely-textured indie pop with multi-voice harmonies while We’re Not Dead serves bouncy synth pop marked by heavy distorted guitars.
— Leilani Polk