What’s the Deal: Frank Smith isn’t the name of a man, but the name of an alt. country/Indie band of six with some of the most compelling songwriting in Austin. Their recent move from Boston has brought the group to an ideal state for their layered Americana full of gruff and gravely vocals, pluck and twang. They were even nominated for “Outstanding Americana Act” for the 2007 Boston Music Awards. Most of the time their music is a slow-moving, meandering drive in the country or on the winding roads of Appalachia letting the banjo and steel guitar radiate outward in waves to bounce back and forth between the birch trees and pines. ...

Zookeeper is the perfect nom d’arte for Chris Simpson. Technically Zookeeper is a band, a group effort, but Simpson is the one constant. He acts as frontman and ringleader for a pack of ragamuffin rockers associated with projects like Bishop Allen, Zykos, The Glass Family, 1986 and Sad Accordions. And Simpson knows how to write songs that capitalize on this unique amalgamation of talent. Zookeeper is more into performing than practicing, which makes each show a distinct and fantastic musical circus....

The Secret Show is a collective of Austin musicians who are dedicated to bringing music to the most out-of-the-way and beautifully unusual corners of Austin. Their 4th performance in the series took place on Tuesday night, in a drainage ditch behind Ricky Guerrero park, with a wall covered in graffiti as a backdrop and a few dozen fans and friends in attendance. The shows are always performed with short notice, announced on the group's......

Highlights from this week's IST List: Folk-pop crooner Page France brings the sparkling jingle-jangle of Page France and the Family Telephone to Emo's, alongside Bishop Allen, The Teeth, and Frank Smith Sidebar's turning three, and they're buying you a drink on the house to celebrate. Join them for Ruby's BBQ, DJ Supafly, and giveaways Alas, one of our favorite social butterflies is flying away to--where else?--New York City. Before he leaves, join Dave "KidIndie"......