BowerbirdsWhenever I head to the Triple Door in a state like the one I was in yesterday– sweaty from riding my bike in 100 degree weather, wearing threadbare clothes that I won’t feel bad about getting grease pn, well, I feel a little self-conscious. Not because the staff makes me feel that way– they’re always sweet– but they are dressed to the nines, and the atmosphere is swank. As in, if I’d had time to go home before the show, I would’ve worn a skirt.So I can’t imagine what it must’ve felt like for Megafaun and the Bowerbirds, who weren’t accustomed to such clubs and admitted as much during their sets. We love the Triple Door — and you do, too, as the Best of SeattleR Readers’ Poll revealed — and the reason we love it so much is for its grown-up, yet unpretentious, ambiance. You get to sit down, have a drink (or a delicious meal, if you’re feeling spendy) and actually concentrate on the music you’re hearing.At first, the three men of Megafaun, all of whom sport big, bushy beards, seemed pretty nervous, and the instrumentals (Megafaun is predominantly comprised of guitar, banjo and drums, with occasional bass) weren’t quite in sync for the first couple songs. I chalked it up to either nerves or a little pre-show toke, but after a while, things started to sync up better, and the vocal harmonies — the highlight of the band’s music — were always spot on. Megafaun is not, however, a straight-ahead folk act. These guys play around with cacophony and other experimental noise stuff — it’s one of those outfits in which the band’s Macbook could be considered a member — and this juxtaposition of old and new sounds sets these guys apart from all the other artists who’ve jumped on the covered bandwagon. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to translate as well live as it does on their recordings. But by the very last song, the band really seemed to have hit their stride, and I hope to see them again, when they’ll hopefully be feeling more comfortable onstage (even if it’s at the Triple Door). And before leaving the stage, they gave a shoutout to local jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, one of their idols who is apparently so important to them that they got tattoos of one of his songs. So Bill Frisell, if you’re reading this, Megafaun wants you to know that you have some big fans in Megafaun.Bowerbirds seemed to have a similar issue. They didn’t seem out of sync, but the first three songs sounded similar and sort of dragged on, and the band seemed nervous, as well. But let’s face it: they play drowsy sleepwalking music, which is why — even though they seemed nervous to be playing a place like the Triple Door — it was such an appropriate venue for them, and I hope they’ll play there again with more confidence. Thing is, I couldn’t help but be more captivated by Beth Tacular, the band’s keyboard and accordionist, than I was by lead singer and guitarist Phil Moore. And not just because she’s drop-dead gorgeous, either. Beth Tacular (best stage name ever) sings back-up vocals, and she never got a chance to take the lead on vocals, but I strained to hear her over Phil Moore. I’d love to see her front and center sometime. Still, the band, which relies heavily on its strings and the occasional accordion, writes such warm, cozy songs that by the end of the set, I found myself enchanted with them, if a little sleepy. Next time they play Seattle, I suggest a sleepover, because I can’t think of a better band to sing me to sleep.