Damien Jurado and Laura Gibson [Tonight at Cactus Cafe]

In Austin we oft find ourselves spoiled with an array of music on any given night. With all the big name bands coming to town it's hard not to get overwhelmed and lured in by the indie rock scene. (See: Cake, Death Cab, Ra Ra Riot and Mates of State all playing just this week) Those of us tired of crowded shows in huge venues can find solace at Cactus Cafe tonight with some down to earth down-tempo folk rock.

The savvy music venue is housed on the UT campus and hosting an artist of refined class tonight: Damien Jurado. The singer/songwriter started his solo career in the mid '90s and provides folk rock tunes with a tenacity all his own. He's tested the waters with many record labels, but his latest work can be found on the Secretly Canadian label. The minimalist expression found on Caught in the Trees is delightfully debonair. Jurado took a full year to create the record, taking time to make it full of meaning and purpose with a deceptively simple tone. The jaunty jam "Caskets" and hauntingly romantic ballad "Calli" will be worth the cost of the ticket on their own.

Opening up is Laura Gibson, who has a voice reminiscent of Joanna Newsom and a whimsical Americana sound. The combination of these two artists and the venue should make for a classy hideout from the norm routine. At the very least, the potential exists to appear very sophisticated by taking a first date to Cactus Cafe tonight.

Damien Jurado MySpace
Laura Gibson MySpace