As bassist for Indiana’s Murder by Death, Matt Armstrong helps produce the driving rhythms behind their bizarrely perfect version of Americana-punk tinged with gothic overtones. The band, which includes Armstrong, cellist/keyboardist Sarah Balliet and drummer Dagan Thogerson, create the perfect background for singer/guitarist Adam Turla’s throaty recitations of their take on Old West legends. Their 2003 release Who Will Survive and What Will be Left of Them? is the story of the devil coming to a Mexican village, while 2006’s In Bocca al Lupo is said to be loosely based on Dante’s Divine Comedy. Murder by Death recently signed with Vagrant Records and released their fourth album, Red of Tooth and Claw, in 2008.