James Robles / Staff Photographer / dr122106@ohiou.edu

Only managing to stay still for a fraction of a second, Silo Circuit composed of Maria Kindt, Troy Newell, Gaelan Mullins, Sean Redefer, J.J. Jenkinson, and Jese Wilkes pose with their favorite things. The Silo Circuit will be performing tomorrow at The Union at 10 p.m.

Eastern Europe does not have a lot in common with Athens. Despite cultural differences, four Ohioans, a Kentuckian and a Carolinian became enamored with the sound of Eastern Europe. Even though Athens is thousands of miles away, local band The Silo Circuit has adopted the harmonic minor sounds and instrumentation of Eastern Europe for the glory of the motherland.

“It’s danceable and it’s hardcore,” said percussionist and trumpeter Gaelan Mullins. “Everybody feels the homeland in the music.”

The band loves to play eastern European music, said trumpeter J.J. Jenkinson, and people love to hear it.

“It’s like Jackie Chan meets Chris Tucker — East meets West,” Mullins said.

When his guitar strings broke, Sean Redefer decided to forgo that instrument entirely. He sold the guitar and then bought a banjo and an accordion with the money. Using the accordion as a fulcrum for the band’s sound, Redefer then skillfully crafted the band from traveling circus performers and otherworldly disciples, he said.

“We all sold our souls so we could be in the band,” said acoustic guitarist Jese Wilkes.

Relegated to the bars for the time being, the true arena for The Silo Circuit is the sidewalk. Walking home from class, Mullins said he often spies several musicians playing instruments. The practice of playing outside is much more common in Europe, he said, and he would like to see it happen more often in the U.S.

While regulated to the bar stage, however, The Silo Circuit takes full advantage of the reverb provided by the stage. They stomp, holler and clap, all to the wheeze of the accordion.

“People like to see people having fun,” Mullins said.

In addition, The Silo Circuit features two other members. Maria Kindt plays violin with a cigarette dangling from her lips, and Troy Newell plays both upright and electric bass with an unencumbered style available only to those with a laid-back temperament.

The name Silo Circuit comes from the days of old, Redefer said, when vaudeville was the preferred means of entertainment for the masses. The Midwest region, heavily populated with silos to store crops, was referred to as the “silo circuit.”

Fans who enjoyed the surprise success of eastern European folk/indie band Beirut last summer would also enjoy The Silo Circuit’s take on the genre.

The Silo Circuit will be playing with The Snails this weekend at The Union, 18 W. Union St. The last time the two played together, members of The Silo Circuit joined The Snails onstage for their performance. This weekend’s audience can expect some of the same, but their addition changes how The Snails rock, Mullins said. The collaboration, therefore, will be limited. The show starts at 10 p.m.