If you're looking for a diamond in the rough among over-hyped or just plain shitty Austin bands, head over to Emo's tonight for You Were Always. The quartet is composed of Cam Houser, Aubri Hughes, Topher Hyink (formerly of Just Guns) and Tim Faehnle, and their newly released EP is a breath of fresh, if not vulnerable, air.

With steady, patient songwriting, the songs on the EP build and reveal slowly, and are reminiscent of early Low or Ocean Beach-era Kozelek. Finger-picked electrics layered over analog synthesizers dovetail with male/female harmonies to create hushed, delicate compositions. In "Always", the climax comes in a particularly bare package: whispered words over a quiet guitar, and a quieter keyboard accompaniment aren't rushed, and it works. As Low became known for "slowcore" albums that defined a sort of minimalist payoff, You Were Always pay homage to the beauty of patience while delivering the heart wrench in the form of sentimental (but not sappy) lyrics, intimating an impatience for a long-distance loved one that balances the scales otherwise heavily weighted towards scarcity.

Like most Austin bands, there are interesting ties abound: Topher Hyink used to play with Just Guns, and Cam Houser first started playing music in Austin when he moved here several years ago with What Made Milwaukee Famous' Michael Kingcaid. You Were Always began years later, with Houser as the primary songwriter. The EP is for sale, and you have an opportunity to grab it tonight at their show, so get on out there.

Mandible, Midgetmen, You Were Always, Sloppy Kisses
Friday, August 3
Emo's (Inside)
Doors at 8 PM, show at 10 PM

You Were Always MySpace
Mandible MySpace
Midgetmen MySpace
Sloppy Kisses MySpace