On April 11, gristle-infused folk band Deer Tick saddled up at the Bluebird Theater for an evening of acoustic rodeo. When lead singer John McCauley emerged at concerts in 2007 with burned CD copies of their first album, “War Elephant,” his dearest musical project seemed doomed from the start. However, after releasing “Born on Flag Day” a year later, critics warmed up to their sound.

Deer Tick appeared in proper fashion, emanating raw heartbreak and tragedy to an intensely intimate audience. While the band has a discography ranging through many mediums of instrumentation, distortion and orchestration, they kept it really tight with a strictly acoustic set. The mix was impeccable with a clear sound and immaculate chops. Their stage was partially lit with tiny antique lamps providing a warm living room environment for a band who is constantly amidst a crescendo of popularity. Connecting the dots of every album they’ve made, the crew bellowed to a crowd that was pierced long ago by the infectious indie bug.

Thrusting forth their single off the ironically titled “Divine Providence,” “Hope Is Big,” many onlookers were touched to the brink of tears witnessing such a wall of emotion and courage. Their lyrics are passionate, haunting and plaintively remorseful at times, tearing at the memories and heartstrings of everyone present. Deer Tick’s set felt like a Thanksgiving dinner at the Bluebird as each member took turns singing, switching instruments and bantering between tunes.

They surfaced for wide appeal with “Twenty Miles,” their encore “Ashamed” and recent hit “The Rock.” McCauley paid tribute to Denver’s popular pastime, putting it bluntly that he now possessed a year’s supply of brownies for the ongoing tour. The music tends to thrive on rugged simplicity, yet some songs like “Mange” left space for thrashing drums, intricate solo and sheer sonic force. They even unveiled a few new numbers to the amazement and ruckus of ticket holders.

Stretching a country cover of a Velvet Underground song into the realm of ten emotive minutes, Deer Tick coalesced with an audience of lovers, wounded warriors and monkeyed backs. Their strength and vulnerability was met with smiles, laughter and damp cheeks. Ideally, the tour will swing back into Colorado next year. Their music can be found on iTunes and Spotify.