Herman Dune are sometimes called an anti-folk band, which doesn't mean they're against folk music.

On the contrary: David-Ivar Herman Dune and Andre Herman Dune, Swedish brothers of Jewish race, have their hearts in old-time America. And they have plenty of admirers on the Brighton music scene, including another pair of musical siblings, Electric Soft Parade, who spent tonight's gig watching from the side.

American folk is the engine of the Dunes' music, which has carried them - together with drummer Neman Herman Dune - on a densely lyrical and poetic roadtrip for six albums since 1999. Their driving is direct and follows a route mapped by pioneers such as Neil Young via Modern Lover Jonathan Richman, Galaxie 500's Dean Wareham and Sebadoh's Lou Barlow.

The brothers took turns to sing their songs, which all yearned for moments of lo-fi beauty. These frequently arrived when David-Ivar - tall, gangly and bearded - abandoned his electric guitar for a battered acoustic to deliver perfectly-cut gems of country music, sweetly lamenting his broken dreams.

Andre, meanwhile, delivered his slightly rockier songs and melodic guitar lines through wreathes of cigarette smoke.

Unique and open-hearted, the Dunes' sound is also mysteriously fragile, implying a fascinating potential for sudden breakdown. This time their vehicle held together perfectly: Hitch a ride with them next time they roll into town.