Formed in the winter of 2006, The People's Republic of Gefiltestan is a young, energetic band offering an eclectic mix of folk, bluegrass, klezmer, Indian, and jam music. Made up of six students from the Oberlin College and Conservatory, this shaggy-haired bunch has been writing toe-tapping, hip-shaking, and sometimes even head-banging original material since its very beginnings. Playing on mandolin, guitar/sitar, banjo, fiddle, upright bass, and a homemade trash can drum set while singing some juicy harmonies, the People's Republic of Gefiltestan creates music that is solidly grounded in the folk tradition, but is also unafraid of exploring uncharted territory be it a rousing acoustic funk number, some bluesy soulgrass, or even, an occasional Indian raga. If there's one thing that you can expect from The People's Republic of Gefiltestan, it's a healthy dose of unexpected musical hijinks.