It’s the Christmas season and I’m wandering around the gift shop at Franklin Park Conservatory. Against the backdrop of the vibrant poinsettia tree and the twinkly lights is a lonely drum set and a silent red guitar, just waiting for someone to come along and make them sing. An older man asks the salesperson, “What’s going on?” “Three very attractive young women are going to sing bluegrass,” she replies. The man’s eyebrows rise and he nods just a bit.

In an hour, when the Salty Caramels take up their instruments, he is in the front row. The Caramels sing and twang and harmonize their way though such food-drenched ditties as “Gingerbread House,” “Breakfast” and “Jeni’s.” With feminine dresses and stomping boots, the trio’s enthusiasm pulls the little kids out of their seats and spirals of adorable twirling commence. At the end of the set, an adolescent girl, all indie attitude and teenage insecurity, inspired by the vision of three strong women making music, declares to her mom, “I wanna go to Woodlands Tavern and see them!”

After fans have purchased merch and the little ones have smiled and thanked the ladies for their music, the Caramels sit still for a moment and speak about their short history.

It was back in September of 2010, when these three – Bree Frick, Angela Perley and Molly Winters – got together and decided they were a little bit sweet and little bit salty. Hmmm, just like the salty caramel ice cream that introduced Jeni’s Splendid to the world. “When we first started out, we asked Jeni if it was okay,” said Winters. “Eventually they started asking us to do ice cream shop openings and special events and to write a song. It’s been a constant partnership.”

“When we were thinking of a name and we told people about it, people were like, don’t name your band that, people didn’t like it,” said Perley. “Its funny that people love the name now.”

Like the flavor, the band quickly became a local favorite.

“I’ve been playing music for years – all three of us have – but it seemed like when we put our forces together, people just loved to see women doing what we’re doing,” Winters said. “We don’t need anybody else but ourselves. We’re really strong and endearing. I think the instrumentation really helps too; you don’t get to hear a saw or people play the ukulele or washboard.”

Like the current culinary throwback to old timey methods such as pickling and home curing, part of the appeal of the Caramels is the nostalgic simplicity of gorgeous harmonies and really old school instruments. When Perley pulls her violin bow over the metal stretch of a saw, the sound is haunting and singular, like a David Lynch film in melody. “Just last year, I picked the saw up,” she explained. “I always thought the saw was my calling. I don’t know why I thought of it. Once we had that, we could incorporate all the weird instruments and relish it.”

During the set at Franklin Park, the women sing songs about Jeni’s ice cream, about wanting to live in gingerbread house and making their baby breakfast so he can make it through the day. That’s a lotta food shout-outs for a 45-minute set. “I think, me personally, I tend to write songs about food because it’s my way of nurturing someone, in that loving sense,” said Winters. “I’ve always been that kind of person. And, it’s something we can all relate to. Everyone eats breakfast, everyone likes ice cream.”

The Salty Caramels will be unveiling their self-titled release on February 10th. The three are beyond happy with the result. Perley describes the CD as a mixture of all the songs they’ve written so far, while Frick notes that they played all the instruments on the album. “It’s pretty straight-forward,” continued Frick. “If you’ve heard us live, that’s what you’re going to get. Not a lot of screaming guitar solos.” “No,” laughed Winters, “I think it showcases our three-part harmonies.”

No doubt, fans of all ages will be at the show, as will the Jeni’s Splendid ice cream truck. “There was this tiny little girl at the Easton Farmer’s Market when we played and her dad bought her salty caramel ice cream and took her to see the Salty Caramels,” said Winters. “He was like, ‘This is great, she’s having salty caramel ice cream and watching you at the same time. That’s such a cool sentiment … I wonder if she’ll remember that.’”

The Salty Caramels CD release party will be held on February 10th at Woodlands Tavern. Tickets are $10. Friend the Salty Caramels on Facebook and get all the details.