There’s a running gag in the TV series Flight of the Conchords that has characters assuming that bandmates Bret and Jemaine are Australian, when they are actually from that high-profile country’s underdog of a neighbor, New Zealand. Apparently, this is a common mistake: During a performance at the Echo by another New Zealand band, the Ruby Suns, an audience member was overheard saying that she thought frontman Ryan McPhun was from Australia. While the band is in fact headquartered in the Kiwi country, McPhun was born and raised in California, and his music appears to have sprung from all over the globe. The Suns’ set tonight showcased the far-flung sounds that they cohesively packaged in their recent Sea Lion album, from the mariachi-flavored strains of “Oh, Mojave” to the African pop explosion of “Tane Mahuta” (which is actually sung in a Polynesian language). McPhun and his two bandmates all sang and frequently swapped instruments. Perhaps most impressive was the variety of percussion throughout the set. For some songs, McPhun would build beat loops on a small electronic drum kit before coming in on guitar. At other times, he would put his guitar behind his back, grab a pair of sticks and, while still standing, attack a traditional drum kit for a few measures. During one number, McPhun’s bandmates both grabbed sticks and alternated between hitting them together in the air and simultaneously striking the drums, which notably were positioned at the front of the stage. Maybe it’s time to start giving New Zealand some recognition.

— Thomas McMahon