Jess Williamson, Jesse Woods

Jess Williamson last visited the Continental Club to see Dale Watson on her 30th birthday. Now 35, the Austin-launched, L.A.-and-Marfa-based songwriter lands an ideal musical homecoming. Williamson will play two nights at the Continental: June 9 with Jesse Woods, marking the release of her fantastic fifth record, Time Ain’t Accidental, and June 10 with Scott Ballew. Both openers are old friends from her days as a UT-Austin photojournalism student turned folk singer.

Having blossomed her early banjo sound into a deeply felt wash of country and pop with razor-sharp writing, Williamson also plays a free solo set at Waterloo Records on Sunday, June 11, at 5pm. Among an array of Texas scenes on the new Mexican Summer release, Williamson aims her poignant gaze on Austin in “God in Everything,” specifically referencing some ’til-4am action at her favorite local brasserie. In her sweetly savage intonation, she sings: “The boys back home all worship Dylan and Townes/ And they’re at Justine’s ’cause it’s after hours.”

“I went through that whole process of thinking I was totally letting Austin go, and now I miss it so much,” she says. “I can’t wait to get there and play these shows, and I’m even wondering if it won’t be too much longer until I live there again, because I really miss it.” Read our full interview with Williamson online.