the swell season

If you've ever seen the movie Once, than you know who The Swell Season are, but if you haven't, there's a good chance you probably don't. The Oscar award-winning duo is made up of Glen Hansard, front-man of Irish rock group The Frames, and Marketa Irglova, a Czech singer-songwriter who performs predominantly on piano. They write some of the most inspirational folk music I've heard in quite some time, and a live performance by the duo is unlike any other. I first caught them live at Austin City Limits last year, and left their show glowing from its genius. They were the first act I've ever witnessed that have made being in an over-sized festival crowd feel like you were in a much smaller, more intimate venue. Hansard has a certain way of involving the crowd that makes them feel more like they are performing the set with them, rather than just being a witness. Their set was definitely a sight to see, but was too short at forty-five minutes amongst all the other great bands playing that day at ACL. Fortunately it wasn't too long before The Swell Season hit the road again, this time in support of their latest release, Strict Joy. They found themselves back in Texas at Houston's Warehouse Live for a headlining set featuring up-and-coming singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata filling the support slot.

Read all about the show, browse my photos and watch a host of videos after the jump.

Congratulations to Monica Danna who will be going to see The Swell Season tonight courtesy of Breakfast On Tour, The Messina Group and Warehouse Live. Thanks to everyone for participating! We have plenty of ticket give-away's lined up for the next several months, so keep up with BOT for more opportunities to win!

We are giving away a pair of tickets to see Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, better know as The Swell Season, at Houston's Warehouse Live on Friday, November 12th. The duo are touring in support of their latest release, Strict Joy, the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut album, The Swell Season and their hit indie film and soundtrack, Once. I caught them live a couple of years ago, and I can assuredly tell you that this show is not to be missed. Singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata, of Hotel Cafe fame, will be on hand to lend support duties.

To win, all you have to do is leave a comment below with your name and either a valid phone number or e-mail address where we can contact you at. It's important to leave your information, because if you don't, we can't give you the tickets. We will be announcing the winner on the website and through text/e-mail on Friday, November 13th, so if you choose to sign up, make sure you're available on that day.

If you don't happen to win, or can't risk the chance of the show selling out, you can purchase tickets to the show for $30 here.

Recently, The Swell Season released a video for their latest single, "Low Rising," which was directed by Iron & Wine's Sam Beam. It's a moving video that points out that, even though times are tough, life could always be a bit worse. A piece of advice that everyone needs from time to time. After signing up to win the tickets, feel free to check out the video below.

In what seemed like an endless weekend of music on the east coast with All Points West in New York and the Baltimore edition of Virgin Mobile Festival, people made their decisions and ended up in one city or the other. Those that made their way to Baltimore found themselves surrounded by a headliner assault on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday found both Jack Johnson and the Foo Fighters filling the headlining spots with Wilco, Chuck Berry & The Silver Beats, The Offspring, The Swell Season, Bloc Party, Lupe Fiasco, and many more performing on the two main stages. Sunday's headlining spots were taken by Nine Inch Nails and Kanye West, with big names like Bob Dylan, Stone Temple Pilots, Iggy & The Stooges, Lil' Wayne, The Black Keys, She & Him, and more on the main stages. Virgin Mobile Festival also featured a dance stage, highlighted by sets from Underworld, Moby, Ferry Corsten, Armin Van Buuren, Chromeo, and a ton of other make-yo-ass-shake DJ's. A bunch of kind festival-goers were generous enough to tape some of their experiences to share with the world, and we've rounded up some footage for your viewing pleasure.

Check out videos from both Saturday and Sunday after the jump