Preview: Born Ruffians, Plants and Animals at Emo's

So, in case you haven't heard, there's this little performance going on tonight at Emo's. This little sold out show by some mish-masher called Girl Talk. And say you were one of the unfortunate many who slept on buying tickets, and now you're locked out of one of the hottest Monday nights in months. Well, there's no need to fret or weep or pity yourself into your pillow, because you should know there's another option tonight, and it's not sold out, and as a matter of convenience, it's actually in the same venue as the night's "pretty big deal." So, without further ado, your official "next best thing" (or "best thing," if you're one of those who think Girl Talk's a hack, and we know you're out there): Canada's Born Ruffians, with support from fellow countrymen Plants and Animals, will be bringing the sound to Emo's Inside, and, actually, both of these bands are pretty darn swell, even if they do suffer from making their own music on true-to-life instruments.

Toronto's Born Ruffians are a fine little group which blends a new-folky aspect with the occasionally dazzling electronic flourish, and they end up sounding not unlike a less manic Akron/Family or Megafaun. The trio has put together a well-received debut album, Red, Yellow, and Blue (note proper use of the serial comma), and played to positive reviews at this year's South by Southwest—so enamored are the Canadians with Austin that they actually have a membership, randomly enough, to our local Eagle's Nest firing range.

Opening up for that odd amalgam of facts are Plants and Animals, a Montreal-via-Nova Scotia trio who craft ramshackle folk-pop-rock tunes that would sound perfect around a big-ass campfire. Their first LP, the curiously spelled Parc Avenue, is a disarming mix of singalongs and straightforward pop, and was so adored north of the border that it was shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Prize. Not too bad for a debut record. And not too bad an alternative to Girl Talk's pop-(non)sense happening outside.

Feel like checking it out? Fill out the form to win a pair of tickets: