State College is in for something sweet at 10:30 Saturday night as the ladies of Pure Cane Sugar bring their harmonies to Zeno's, 100 W. College Ave.
"They are some of the sweetest vocal harmonies in any bar setting for years," Zeno's Manager Dave Staab said. "The sound is unmatched."
Pure Cane Sugar is an ensemble of women who form a three-part harmony with an American sound, group member Molly Countermine said.
"It's definitely Americana. We are also going to do some upbeat stuff," Countermine said. "We will probably do some Sheryl Crow, Aretha Franklin, Stones, Lucinda Williams, and we even do some Led Zeppelin."
The State College bar scene is a hard place for artists to have original songs heard and appreciated, Countermine said.
"The bar owners and the students want to be spoonfed the covers they are used to hearing," she said. "At these gigs, you're playing for these kids and they are yelling 'Livin' on a Prayer' and 'Free Fallin' -- we try to find a balance between cover songs we are happy to do and still be able to throw in a few originals."
Zeno's aims to bring forth bands that fit the bar's vibe, and Pure Cane Sugar is something new, Staab said.
"We have always tried to offer quality music, from blues, bluegrass, funk to reggae. This is new territory," Staab said of the band's sound.
Despite their differing schedules, the group will play Zeno's with a full band this weekend, Countermine added.
The group was formed by accident about two years ago.
According to Countermine, the Phyrst, 111 1/2 E. Beaver Ave., needed a band one night so they called her to see if she and Ted McCloskey could perform. Countermine said she then decided to ask friend Jason McIntyre and current Pure Cane Sugar vocalist Kate Twoey to play with her and Ted.
In the crowd was Macintyre's girlfriend Natalie Berrena, who joined Twoey and Countermine on the stage, Countermine added.
"The harmonies were amazing," Countermine said. "Katie called Natalie and I the next morning and said, 'We have to put a girl band together.' "
