Pitchfork

We're not sure if Bill Callahan (aka Smog) and Joanna Newsom are still dating, but the pair sure have been hanging out a lot recently. First of all, Newsom took that photo of Callahan you see above. Callahan returned the favor by contributing backing vocals to "Only Skin", track four on Newsom's forthcoming epic album Ys. (Or maybe he was returning the favor for her piano work on "Rock Bottom Riser".)

And on Tuesday, Newsom joined Callahan on stage at the Cactus Café in Austin, Texas. Wearing her trademark Renaissance Faire sleeves and a gigantic belt, Newsom accompanied Smog on keyboards for the entire set. Chalk it up to the Negro Modelos and whiskey, or to pure chemistry or whatever; the pair turned out a spectacular set.

Callahan's spare guitar picking was fleshed-out by Newsom's warm keys, at turns percussive and melodic and even verging on prog at times. The drama infused into the Smog material eventually galled Callahan into his beloved four-step jigs, despite the intimacy of the club's small capacity. Mutual buddy Jim O'Rourke would've been proud.

The set consisted mostly of songs from last year's A River Ain't Too Much to Love, but the night's highlights hung on two Knock Knock favorites ("Teenage Spaceship" and encore "River Guard") and the Drag City Supersession cut "Nothing Rises to Meet Me". The two pulled every re-invention off so effortlessly, and so refreshingly, that Drag City should seriously consider underwriting a Smog Family Plays (Smog)'s Greatest Hits.

UPDATE: Reader Erik Bogle confirmed that Newsom also backed Callahan the following night in Denton, Texas. 

Drag City couldn't confirm whether or not Newsom will join Callahan on the rest of the Smog tour, which continues throughout the coming month.

Dates:

09-07 Tulsa, OK - Blue Dome *
09-08 Springfield, MO - Randy Bacon Studio and Gallery *
09-09 St. Louis, MO - Blueberry Hill *
09-10 Chicago, IL - Old Town School of Folk Music #
10-01 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
10-02 Birmingham, AL - Bottle Tree
10-03 Atlanta, GA - Red Light
10-04 Charlotte, NC - Visualite Theater
10-05 Carrboro, NC - Local 506
10-06 Charlottesville, VA - Gravity Lounge
10-07 Arlington, VA - Iota Club

* with the Howling Hex
# with Josephine Foster