Austinist Show Preview: Dosh, Anathallo, and Balmorhea at Emo's

Minneapolis' intriguing and mostly-instrumental outfit, Dosh, headlines a deep and fascinating set Thursday night at Emo's. Dosh, aptly named after lead soundmaker Martin Dosh (sometimes drummer and co-songwriter for Andrew Bird), blends the electronic with folk and jazz and postrock and whatever else you can think of to form an energetic brand of ambiance—his new album, Wolves and Wishes, has received enthusiastic reviews, and the Martin Medeski & Wood comparisons lie not too far beneath the surface. Surely, this will be a show where the focus is multi-formed and looping is plentiful, as the absence of regular vocals will keep the eyes moving from instrument to instrument, allowing the musicianship and electronic handiwork of those on stage (often just Dosh himself) to shine through.

Readying the stage will be Anathallo, a dramatic pop act from Chicago, who has moments where they sound not unlike Austin's own Shearwater, as the vocals make ample use of the higher register. They should provide an intriguing juxtaposition of rock normalcy (keep an eye on the drummer, because he has been known to bring it) in comparison to the more ethereal sounds of the act they precede, as well as the classically-influenced act that plays before them. And that act is Austin's own talented Balmorhea, who use acoustic instrumentation to buttress their spare, haunting songs, many of which are quite nice to listen to. At any given time, you may be pleased to find upright bass, cello, keys, and violin on their stage, and they may in fact be the absolute perfect group to watch in the early night, when your attention is still rapt and you want to see something a little more sophisticated—it, as well as this whole show, should be pretty excellent viewing.