We here at Austinist jump at the chance to catch shows upstairs at Lamberts, home of fancy bar-b-que. What really sets this restaurant apart is they've developed into a terrifically diverse musical venue, showcasing Austin's best acts in an intimate setting with great sound, to boot. Tonight, for a measly 5 bucks, we can't think of a better lineup for this venue. Hunter Cross and The Strays are a new project from some of the wunderkinds that comprise Mediums, a local group making some of the most gorgeous music that has come across our desk in a long time. Channeling the ghost of the as yet undead but totally weird Tim Kinsella, Mr. Cross' tunes are at once pensive and suffused with a recklessness that belies their meticulous execution. Smart and substantive, we suspect that we're developing an addiction to these music nerds will yield an Austinist presence at many shows to come. San Marcos folk-rockers The Archibalds have a sound as thick as a slab of porterhouse: four guys hurling out quirky, badass songs with a knowing half-smile (check out "Muzzleloading Evangelicals" on their Myspace). They'll be closing things down this evening like a flaming F-150 hurtling off of an overpass, so bring your beer-drinking shoes and flannel cummerbund and be prepared to chase after your eardrums as they're magnetically drawn towards the stage. La La Quarry (aka Nic Walker) opens.

[Hunter Cross and The Strays Myspace]
[The Archibalds Myspace]
[La La Quarry Myspace]