It’s more often that fans of the Casbah music venue in downtown will arrive expecting a massive loss of hearing, a sore neck from head banging and a strong desire to call in sick the next day.

However, last Tuesday saw duo Wye Oak treating the busy crowd to a night of steady indie groove — no hearing loss required.

Hailing from Baltimore, Wye Oak consists of guitarist / vocalist Jenn Wasner and drummer / synthesizer / background vocalist Andy Stack, who used one hand to keep a steady beat on the drums and the other to synth simultaneously.

Its sound was heavily inspired by folk-driven artists such as Neko Case and She & Him, with a touch of Doris Day in Wasner’s deep, rich vocals.

It was the kind of music someone could turn on in the background while sipping a glass of wine and trying to woo that special someone.

The band’s set included recent single “Civilian,” a simple but haunting track akin to a blend of Carina Round and early White Stripes — if Jack White had suddenly switched genders.

According to Wasner, this was Wye Oak’s second time playing in San Diego, but “even the first time, we were treated like it was the 50th,” she said. “We’re really happy to be back in San Diego.”

Another notable band of the evening was Brooklyn-based trio Callers, currently following Wye Oak on a national tour.

Despite being its first appearance in San Diego, Callers managed to instantly fill the room with its engaging blend of indie groove and acoustic folk, with just a touch of blues influence.

Sara Lucas’ unique vocal styling was reminiscent of classic female singers such as Cat Power and Janis Joplin, especially noticeable on tracks such as “Life of Love,” where she lets her vocals play the lead role against a simple but sensual backdrop of accompaniment.

Also appearing at the show was indie clash duo The Nothingful Band and local rockers Gun Runner, which recently returned from an appearance at the SXSW music festival in Texas.