If you were weaned on Peter, Paul and Mary, you may want to stop reading now. OK. Well, don’t say we didn’t warn you. Girlyman may be a threesome with the same lovely harmonies as the popular sixties trio, but any other resemblance is purely coincidental. In the aughts, things are a bit more fluid.

Doris Muramatsu, Nate Borofsky, and Ty Greenstein are long-time musicians and friends who create a rich, poignant, playful sound that crosses genres and genders. Girlyman’s harmony-driven style veers from contemporary folk to country rock to pop. Each member switches off songwriting duties, lead vocals, and a range of instruments, including acoustic guitar, djembe, banjo, baritone guitar and mandolin.

Many people wonder about the origin of the band’s name. “We didn’t want to take ourselves too seriously, and with a name like ‘Girlyman,’ we can’t,” explains Nate. “Also, the name reflects our annoyance with traditional gender roles.” Doris adds. And, if you put us all in a blender, you’d probably end up with a girly man.” The band was so thrilled by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s inadvertent plug when he referred to the California Democratic legislators as “girlie men” that they reserved a permanent seat in their touring van for him (providing he helps move equipment).

In the fall of 2003 Girlyman independently released its debut CD, “Remember Who I Am,” which sold several thousand copies at live shows before being picked up by Daemon Records. The CD was released nationally this past fall and it captures the dynamic chemistry of the musicians’ combined talents. Sing Out! writes: “Any moment when the entire trio sings is a high point of the album, rendering listeners temporarily disabled,” while Song Circle calls it “a record of subtle beauty that reveals more depth with every spin.”

Doris and Ty got their start as the Outmusic Award-winning duo The Garden Verge, and Nate, as a Boston Music Award-winning singer-songwriter. Due to housing complications, the three musicians ended up renting an apartment together in Brooklyn in 2001. “It was a ‘hey-you-got-your-chocolate-in-my-peanut-butter’ situation,” explains Ty. “We immediately began to sing in a soprano-alto-tenor configuration.”

Their first rehearsal as a trio was scheduled for September 11, 2001. Needless to say, it was postponed. But, according to Nate, the events of that day affected the group’s vision: “After that, we thought it was really important to go into this new project with the intention to have fun, to do what felt right, and to not take ourselves too seriously.” Well, it’s their decision not to take themselves seriously, but their delirious fans may think differently.

At the Me&Thee we are proud that we still have such a great mix of traditional and groundbreaking music, even after 35 years. And we are very proud to host such great new talent in one of the best listening rooms around. Be a girlyman and check it out!