Austinist Show Preview: Brazos (LAST SHOW!) with White Denim & More

It's always a sad thing when an old friend stops hanging out. And that's the sentiment sure to be held this Thursday night as Brazos, one of Austin's most solid acts the past few years, hangs up their skins and axes for good. But let's not be too sad for them—the reason for their untimely departure from the Austin scene is that one of their members leaves for graduate school soon. But really, their nearly flawless approach to pop-folk-rock (the band has existed for only a few years, but they play together like seasoned veterans) will be missed. But don't lose too much sleep—though the drummer will be departing for cooler climes, the rest of the band is sticking around, and new homes surely will be found for the tunes the remaining members write. Singer and guitarist Martin Crane has mentioned a Brazos full-length that won't be forgotten, even if it's released posthumously.

Helping them say goodbye is Austin's #1 piece of big-time hype, the wonderfully delightful White Denim. Lauded by Rolling Stone and practically every other national outlet these past few months, the band was rewarded for their burgeoning fame with a change in set times at ACL—they'll now have one of the primo evening slots, rather than the blisteringly hot late afternoon hour for which they were originally scheduled. But for tonight, they'll be doing the honors as opener, and the three piece's garage-y energy should get everyone in the right state of mind for a fond and raucous farewell.

Also supporting are a couple of up-and-coming acts, Zookeeper and Peel. Zookeeper (1 a.m.) is Chris Simpson and friends, and he writes songs ranging from the starkly subtle to the boisterously rocking, and it'll be interesting to see which side of his musical personality shows up on stage. Peel (10 p.m.) is a funtime indie band in the most indie sense of the word, as their most recent EP—a clattering lo-fi effort—is self-recorded, self-pressed, and self-released. When all's said and done, these four acts together should make for one great night at the corner of Red River and 12th, so let's make it a last great hurrah for Brazos, and turn the Mohawk upside down.

Follow the jump for the chance to win a pair of tickets to the show!