Austinist Preview & Giveaway: Bishop Allen and Zykos

There's something about this unpredictable spring weather that's just so tiring. If you think it's going to rain, it's going to be sunny. If you want sun, you're getting clouds. If you plan an Easter barbecue, it will be freezing cold and sleeting. These are the days the names of playlists on your iTunes are called "Upbeat" and "Light-hearted" and "Even If It's Raining I Will Ride My Bicycle." On these lists are Motown favorites and indie rock-poppers like Bishop Allen. In fact, Bishop Allen should definitely be on those mixes. And in order to cure your April Showers blues, they're playing tonight at Emo's inside (free from fear of rain) with Zykos.

Actually, beyond their foot-tapping tunes, Bishop Allen have a lot going for them -- after a well-received first album (Charm School, 2003), in 2006 the group released one EP per month and have continued to garner props and recognition from the indie scene. Their next album, Bishop Allen and the Broken String, is to be released in July 2007 on the new label Dead Oceans (love-child of Secretly Canadian and Jagjaguwar; signed artists include Evangelicals, Dirty Projectors, and Iran).

You know you're going to have a good time when the band says, "It's a special show" on their web site, so just put your name in the hat and click click click click to see the show tonight!

Ed Note: Tonight's show is doubling as a pre-wedding party for some dear friends of Austinist: Phil (of Dead Oceans) and his soon-to-be-wife, Dylan. Congrats, you two!

Congrats, winners!

Bishop Allen w/ Zykos and DJs from End of an Ear
Friday, April 13th
Emo's inside
Doors at 8pm, Show at 10pm, $6

Bishop Allen on [Myspace]
Zykos on MySpace
Dead Oceans

Photo courtesy youaintnopicasso.com