Shearwater weren’t what you’d call a secret, but the acclaim and attention that they’ve somehow ducked for years has finally caught up with them, thank god. Their musical direction over the years has evolved and twisted, moving from hushed and occasionally melodramatic folk on their first record and snuggly pushing into the more artful and strange world of operatic-pop where we find them now, for their first proper full-length for Matador entitled Rook and their fifth album in all....

For almost ten years, Shearwater have made huge strides as a progressive folk project that began with sparse, humble origins which has since blossomed into something altogether more intense and uplifting. They’ve also made Austin proud through a continued career of challenging and strikingly original material, not to mention the fact that they've given the seabird that inspired their name some much-needed attention. ...

Matador Records will release Shearwater’s fifth LP Rook on June 3rd but that isn't the only recent good news regarding the eclectic Austin act. The band is scheduled to play a number of cities in May including a couple of very special shows in New York and Austin. The New York gig on May 5th at the Florence Gould Hall kicks off the tour before the band makes its way back to Austin for a night at The Parish on the 29th. Both shows will feature a complete performance of Rook with accompanying strings, woodwinds, trumpets, and harp for our listening pleasure. Of course, some older material can be expected as well. You can read the official Matador Records press release here and buy tickets for the Austin concert here. The ticket price of $15.50 seems to be a steal for this exceptional event. And that’s not all -- a limited 7" that includes a cover of Talk Talk’s “The Rainbow” will be available at both shows. Bonus round!...