Austin Show Giveaway: Neko Case and Shearwater at Stubb's

It seems like everyone is in love with Neko Case. The cluttered halls of the 'net feature her portrait in gilded frame every few feet, and not simply because she's promoting her new album Middle Cyclone. She's an obsession. From the print editions of NME to Rolling Stone and all blogs north. Case in point: Indie Rock's exalted redhead was Paste's recent cover girl in a fawning, flattering spread that featured their girl Friday cavorting around a forest, playing at poking the cameraman with driftwood as they rattled off things they lurve about the chanteuse. The coup de grace had her looking coyly back at the camera, a shimmering, ginger dream. You probably picked up a free promo copy over SXSW, as the festival was saturated with them. Neko, Neko everywhere.

She deserves the attention, really. Since charging onto the international stage out of her non-native Canada she's carved her heart-outlined initials into country and pop, belting out lyrics like a heartbroken Annie Oakley, all forsaken bluster, crumpled on the proscenium after the show. Indie rock's eternally fresh-faced tomboy. Much of her work with The New Pornographers and her Boyfriends-as well as her growing solo dossier-is canon, and rightfully so. She's a singular voice, she's passionate about her art, and she takes a great head shot.

Tonight, Neko will be sharing the stage with another-albeit more reserved-indie-darling, our very own Shearwater. Rook, last year's blistering addition to their catalog, stormed the ramparts of countless Best-Of lists, currying the critical favor from here to Timbuktu, even nailing down a humble niche on the electro and hip-hop soaked Pitchfork 100. Rumor is, they're churning out more terribly beautiful music as we type, so rest assured that more is on the way post-haste. Catch both of these titans tonight on the big stage at Stubb's. Surely we don't have to tell you it's going to be one of the shining highlights of our musical annum.

One more thing to add: a pair of FREE tickets. Just name the color and brand of v-neck that Neko wore at her 2001 Bonnaroo appearance.... or you can simply plug your email addy into the box.

[Neko Case Myspace][Official] [Shearwater Myspace][Official]