Austinist Show Preview: Zookeeper, Frank Smith and the Rosewood Thieves at Stubb's

Zookeeper is the perfect nom d’arte for Chris Simpson. Technically Zookeeper is a band, a group effort, but Simpson is the one constant. He acts as frontman and ringleader for a pack of ragamuffin rockers associated with projects like Bishop Allen, Zykos, The Glass Family, 1986 and Sad Accordions. And Simpson knows how to write songs that capitalize on this unique amalgamation of talent. Zookeeper is more into performing than practicing, which makes each show a distinct and fantastic musical circus.

Slotted as openers on tonight’s bill, it would be easy to miss the Rosewood Thieves. Don’t do it. We unwittingly stumbled on the New York folk rockers last year and instantly fell in love with their From the Decker House EP. Written and recorded in a frozen shack, their debut offering was raw and powerful yet whimsical. The new LP, Lonesome, lives up to the high expectations set by Decker House and shows a growing musical maturity that will lead to great things for the our five favorite Thieves.