Cigarettes, Chocolate Milk, and Rufus Wainwright

“I challenge my listeners,” Rufus Wainwright said.

The son of famed folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, this singer-songwriter’s music has often been described as “popera,” a mish-mash of ballads, torch-songs, and catchy riffs. If he does challenge his audience, then Austin-music fans seem to be up to the test.

Rufus Wainwright originally scheduled only one performance at the Paramount, but tickets sold out so quickly, another date was soon added. No wonder. His music’s complex structures and thoughtful lyrics engage listeners.

The set list included music from nearly all of his albums, including his breakthrough solo album Poses and new material from an upcoming release. “Various songs from my various endeavors.”

Eagerly anticipating the opportunity to perform new material, Wainwright understands the importance of garnering feedback from his fans. “To rehearse something or try something new in front of an audience is worth about, you know, 10—15 hours.”

Sitting backstage with him before his Monday night performance, he seemed calm and excited:

No surprise, of course. Rufus Wainwright is the scion of a musical family. Beside his mother and father’s careers, both sisters perform. The family is planning a reunion of sorts at the Royal Albert Hall for a Christmas Concert. Featuring such names as French & Saunders and Boy George, the venue is sure to a hot ticket for the holidays.

Rufus Wainwright’s newest album is scheduled to be released in March. Check out Poses or his Grammy-nominated Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall.