Preview: Tegan and Sara @ Bass Concert Hall [Friday]

Austinites have enjoyed Tegan and Sara’s previous concerts at the city’s traditional, (dare we say) run-of-the-mill live music spots like Emo’s or Stubb’s. All that changes this Friday when UTPAC’s majestic Bass Concert Hall hosts the Canadian act’s latest foray into town. A slightly odd random choice of venue, it may seem, but considering the twins’ penchant for frequent, cute banter between songs, the seated auditorium could well be the perfect setting for the sisters Quin to bestow their obvious charm, not to mention irresistible melodies and forlorn tales, upon the audience.

Tegan and Sara initially gained momentum in their home country in the late '90s with a series of releases called the Yellow Demo, Orange Demo, and Red Demo, as well as their debut full-length Under Feet Like Ours. Their early folk offerings landed them a spot on the Lilith Fair in 1999 and they have not looked back since. Over the years, Tegan and Sara’s introspective lyricism and ability to relay the joy and pain of intimate relationships has remained a trademark. Their musical style has shifted though -- Tegan and Sara have favored a polished pop sound on their recent recordings, including 2004’s breakthrough So Jealous. The album made them quite a hot commodity at SXSW 2005, and later that year, The White Stripes covered So Jealous single “Walking With A Ghost.”

Having cemented a loyal following with So Jealous, Tegan and Sara continued to amass new fans with 2007’s The Con and last year’s Sainthood. Appearances at most major music gatherings in the U.S. (Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Music Festival, and Bonnaroo) throughout the second half of the oughts have further boosted their rising star. Tegan and Sara won’t be here for SXSW this year so you best catch 'em within the comfy confines of the Bass Concert Hall on Friday evening. The show starts at 8 p.m.; Holly Miranda and Steel Train open.

[Tegan and Sara MySpace]
[Holly Miranda MySpace]
[Steel Train MySpace]