It List: Monday

Phosphorescent/Bowerbirds/Sarah Jaffe (the Cavern): Discovering that I liked Phosphorescent was sort of a happy little accident. Typically, when I hear about some artist who is compared to Will Oldham and Band of Horses and stuff like that all the time, I tend to think "yeah, another dude with a beard, just what we need," and then I usually move on and forget about it. But for some reason, I downloaded Phosphorescent's Pride several months ago and happened to be in just the right mood when I listened to it for the first time. I don't know if it's the disorienting sunshine production values on some of the tracks or the cool, highly visual lyrics on others, but something about the record really struck me and continues to strike me as I listen right now. Most of the material feels very classic and immediately warm, drawing from the most basic blueprints of Americana and incorporating a kind of uneasy, post-industrial weariness in delivery that serves as both a line in the sand and a reminder of how little some things have changed over time. The tone throughout Pride often seems spiritual and resigned, tired yet wide-eyed and curious. Lot's of beautiful, hypnotizing background vocals sway in and out of simple melodic folk songs that seem to find the amazing in the little things, all with a touch of loneliness and yes, creepiness, that gives everything enough of an edge to keep listeners on their toes. Anyway, I'll be the first to tell you that this kind of quiet folk show usually isn't the most exciting, but if you've heard this record like I have, then you're probably not really giving a shit about past experiences with similar artists. Highly recommended.

And Good Records will be hosting Phosphorescent for an in-store at 7pm.

Justice Yeldham And The Dynamic Ribbon Device/Atwa/Aunt's Analog/Dromez/White Bitch/Poisoned Birds (House Of Tinnitus): Some familiar faces here with Austin's Aunt's Analog and Dromez making another welcome appearance. Special thanks to Dromez for helping WSJR with our second day show at The Opera House this Thursday. Atwa is the new project from the man behind Fort Worth noise act, Judas Cow. Poisoned Birds features a member of Animal Forces, a noise duo who terrified some of the crowd at And/Or last Saturday, who perhaps are a little more accustomed to wine and cheese as opposed to two women creating ungodly amounts of volume from behind what appeared to be voting booths. Genius idea and hats off to the person who decided to invite them to the gallery opening. I thought it was one of the more fun and interesting things I'd randomly caught in Dallas in some time.

Justice Yeldham's Youtube clips are frighteningly intense, and by all accounts the Australian noise and performance artist will put on an unforgettable show. His setup involves a contact microphone attached to a piece of plate glass which Yeldham rubs across his face, bites, pushes and just generally attacks. Though the expected consequence of blood loss has been sensationalized in regards to his work, more importantly the sound that is produced and manipulated is apocalyptic and convincing. I was going to write a long essay about why this is the only valid artist playing at SXSW, but I didn't have time. Too busy RSVP'ing to another shitty day party.-DL

Catfish Haven/Zest Of Yore/Explorer's Club/Mannequine Men's (Hailey's)

Foreign Islands/Modey Lemons/These Are Powers/Prince William (Pastime Tavern)

Cool Out (The Cavern)