How does one dress like an oil spill?

I had two ideas: wear trash bags — you know, because they’re black and shiny — or cover myself in baby oil. Luckily for everyone at the Continental Club for a recent benefit, I chose neither and instead opted for all black even though the event’s invitation encouraged costumes.

I was relieved to see that the other patrons had simply donned black as well. (The only thing worse than being the only person in an outrageous costume is being the only person not in an outrageous costume.)

J.R. Cohen, a smiling man in a cowboy hat, met me at the door and shook my hand, “You’re just in time for Runaway Sun."

Cohen of Support Local, Grow Together (SLGT) teamed up with the Social Media Club and Jim and Emily Connor to sponsor The Tar Ball. This Citizen Effect charity event was scheduled near the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and featured three local Houston bands.

It was one of many fundraisers planned around the country for Citizen Gulf’s National Day of Action with the goal of raising money for fishing families affected by the BP oil spill. Ticket sales and donations were given to the Citizen Gulf Education Program to provide children with school supplies as well as after-school tutoring services and activities.

I sat to the side of the stage next to two young-looking guys with matching buzz cuts. “You’re going to like this band,” one said to me. I smiled and nodded but thought, “Am I?

Because I’m a strictly into indie pop ... well, plus maybe the occasional apocalyptic neo folk album as a guilty pleasure

Though Runaway Sun certainly wasn’t indie pop, frontman Andrew Karnavas won me over with his weathered, bluesy voice and songs chronicling a life of whiskey and heartache. Daniel de Luna’s explosive guitar work had the heat of a sultry summer kiss, and a wa-wa pedal added sad longing to his intricate solos. Brian del Castillo played warm bass and Marshall West kept time with jazzy drum beats.

All combined for a decidedly sexy sound. Perhaps the highlight of their set was Clory Martin. A petite brunette with hair piled in a bun took the stage and belted out the soulful “Sweetheart.” The awed crowd stayed silent except for one stunned man who shook his head and whispered, “That girl, my God she’s good.”

Following Runaway Sun were Continental Club regulars Umbrella Man. The music began as a guy playing mariachi-style accordion emerged from the crowd and joined two guitarists (steel and electric), drummer and, stand-up bassist Nick Gaitan who recently won “Local Musician of the Year” and “Best Bassist” in a 2010 Houston Press poll. One band member brought new meaning to the term “washboard abs” when he strapped an actual washboard to his torso to play rough, folk-y percussion.

The band’s sound was at once wholly Texan and wholly foreign. Songs that started out as Chicano rock transformed into bootscootin’ country. If this band were a food it would be chips and queso and I’d eat all of it.

At the end of the night hosts announced that donations and ticket sales amounted to more than $1,000— a great help for families suffering from the after effects of the oil spill. Though the crowd had gathered in response to a tragic environmental and financial disaster everyone left the night looking quite happy.