Garage, noise rockers A Place To Bury Strangers have a new EP coming out Feb 7th on Dead Oceans titled Onwards To The Wall. A tour with Joy Formidable set for the Spring as well, and this little snapshot video for "So Far Away" A Place to Bury Strangers "So Far Away" from Secretly Jag on Vimeo . TOUR DATES: 03/12/12 - San Francisco, CA - Independent* 03/13/12 - San Francisco, [...]

Most of you are already aware, but if not, today is the last day that the original Red River location of Emo's will be open. While there is the shiny new Emo's open on Riverside, it's just not the same, and never will be. The end of an era, that brings many of us a bit of sadness. When I first heard of the pending closure, I didn't really think about it much. Maybe it was my built in defense mechanism developed from mourning the loss of another landmark venue in which I spent countless hours in musical [...]
What do you get when you mix Deer Tick, Los Lobos, The Black Lips, Dead Confederate, and Six Finger Satellite? Diamond Rugs of course..duh. This band of wayward songsters will have a full length out sometime in Spring of 2012, and for a little Christmas cheer whilst we wait, Mr McCauley sings for us "Christmas In A Chinese Restaurant". You can bet that they full-length will be quite different than this track.. Live & Reel :: Diamond Rugs - "Christmas in a Chinese Restaurant" from Live & Reel [...]

It's no secret to anyone paying attention to the Austin music scene that Black Books created a steady stir of buzz about themselves when they quietly released their debut EP An Introduction To.. about a year ago. So..now that we've been introduced, when might we hear some new material and most importantly when will have full length from the band? That question has been on the minds of many and the answers are coming... The band recently set loose a brand new track from their upcoming full-length titled "Out The Door" on their Bandcamp [...]
Fun Fun Fun 2011 is still fresh in many's minds, but the Fun crew is already plotting and planning their next smash hit festival for 2012. Mark your calendars for Nov 2, 3, and 4 in 2012 for the next weekend of Fun Fun Fun happening at the expanded grounds Auditorium Shores. A limited number of "earlybird" ticket are to be released soon, and those who purchased tickets last year will be notified via email when they become available...sit tight. Keep an eye on the Fun Fun Fun Fest site for updates and register [...]

You ever have those records, cds, or tapes that somehow end up in your collection, but you aren't really sure how they might have gotten there? Those few gems that you developed an intimate relationship with, but it always was an unspoken, somewhat secret relationship. The Sea and Cake' s 1997 release The Fawn is one of those records for me. Like reconnecting with an old friend, it's nice to see that the band is still producing it's unique style of jazz influenced post-rock, with a solid fan base still intact. The band [...]

Being one of my top picks for bands to see at this past Fun Fun Fun Fest, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed that M83 's set took place during the daylight hours. Some things are just meant to be enjoyed in the cover of darkness with fancy lights. Well, the chance to see M83 again here in Austin will present itself once again next May at Stubb's. Pre-sale tickets are available now, believe it or not, and I'm willing to wager that this one will sell out. Full updated tour [...]
Deer Tick hooked me with their solemnly beautiful 2010 release Black Dirt Sessions and continue to capture my attention with the raucous, raw, and rowdy follow up Divine Providence. Their recent show here in Austin took me back to time when I first caught a little band called Wilco on the A.M. tour, feeling as I had just witnessed something that will become great in minds of many for years to come. The band released the clean version of the "Main Street" video last week, but if you know me, I'd [...]

Former Mighty Lemon Drops guitarist and songwriter turned producer/engineer David Newton, has resurfaced as a player once again with his latest outfit David Newton & Thee Might Angels and just released the Paint The Town EP. I have to admit that my interest in some of the new music that is coming out these days has been fading in favor of revisiting some of the older stuff that occupied my time. The Mighty Lemon Drops were definitely a favorite of mine for awhile until they disbanded in 1992. Happy Head, World Without End, [...]

Speaking of festival favs, The Antlers secured a spot with me as one of my favorite bands of current. They pulled off one of the best performances at this year's ACL Festival despite an early, early time slot on one of the main stages. That, and they were some of the nicest guys. A little late on board with these guys, just discovering the beautifully heart-wrenching Hospice earlier this year, but better late than never as they say. This year's follow up to that album Hospice is about to find a same [...]

Just over a week after catching this intriguing Japanese trio Boris , weave their mystical sound of multitudes of styles and genres at Fun Fun Fun Fest, the band releases the second track from their upcoming release aptly titled New Album. " Flare" follows the first single released which was titled "Spoon" and can be found on New Album released on limited edition vinyl and CD at independent retailers on Record Store Day: Black Friday Nov 25th and worldwide on December 6th. Still trying to wrap my head around this stuff, but it's fun [...]

Austin's Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 edition has come and gone, and while the dust has settled (literally), a look back at what has become one of Austin's hottest festivals showcasing scores of indie bands sprawling genres that appeal to audiences as diverse as the festival's lineup. Relocating Fun Fun Fun Fest from the friendly confines of Waterloo Park to a much larger venue Auditorium Shores, was met by little skepticism by some of us who have grown to love the comfort and convenience of the smaller setup. A setup that gave us relief from the larger festivals [...]

Quite honestly, I'm not that familiar with much of Lykke Li' s music, but "Little Bit" from the 2008 Youth Novels recording has seen some serious spin time around my parts. Maybe because of the lyric "and for you I keep my legs apart, and forget about my tainted heart"? I can't help it, I'm a guy. You have to admit, she is pretty sexy as well. I've been giving the music some serious consideration as well. I'm not that shallow. Curiosity sparked, so this young lady is on my list of artist's to check out at [...]
I had a wordy, descriptive post planned for recommending Murder City Devils as a must see at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011, then I came across this video from their 2007 performance..Let it speak for itself. A rare opportunity to see this great band. Murder City Devils play the Black Stage Friday 11/4 @ 7:20 p.m.

The real true heroes of rock-n-roll never really disappear, and Guided By Voices are the perfect example of that. Six years after the members laid Guided By Voices to rest, the original members reunite, tour, and tool away on some new recorded material. Bypassing the traditional studio setting the band has recorded 21 new tracks in living rooms, basements, and garages, to be released in album form in early 2012. Let's Go Eat Factory will be prefaced by the release of three 73 singles, the first of which, titled The Unsinkable Fats Domino / We [...]
Ever seen the Black Lips perform? I haven't, and the band has a pretty solid reputation for putting on what some might call an "interesting" show. Interesting enough, that they fled India in mid tour fearing that they would be arrested and jailed for "homosexual acts"...hmmm. Debauchery will ensue. Can't say that I'm much familiar with the music, but sometimes a band's reputation strikes up enough interest warranting some attention. That, and I need to see what "Flower Punk" sounds like live. Black Lips play the Black Stage (?) Sun 11.6 @ 7:50
It's official, our little festival is all grown up. Can't make it to the hottest ticket in town this weekend, but want to catch some of the action? You are one lucky pup. FOUR STREAMS PROVIDE A DIFFERENT MUSIC EXPERIENCE CATERED TO YOUR FAVORITE GENRES – FROM INDIE, METAL AND PUNK TO HIP HOP, ELECTRO, & MORE AUSTIN, TX (October 31, 2011) – Fun Fun Fun Fest and Pitchfork announced today that the 6th annual festival in Austin, Texas will be streaming live on pitchfork.com November 4 – 6, 2011. This will [...]

Who doesn't love Superchunk ? How can you not? Don't be Foolish. Happy Halloween from Superchunk via the band offering up a cover of the Misfits "Where Eagles Dare". The band says, "Happy Halloween everyone! An omelet of disease awaits your noontime meal! In the tradition of doing something we did last year, we've got another Misfits cover for you. We recorded it with John Plymale at Overdub Lane. Everyone sings! So it's festive. MP3> Superchunk 'Where Eagles Dare' (Misfits cover)

I honestly felt that Girls were going to be one of those bands that put out one interesting album, exploring their creativity to the max with that album, and slowly fade into the indie-rock sunset. Gladly, I was wrong. The band continues to craft catchy, pill induced, California dreamin songs that lay claim to the fact that their creativity has only begun to peak. The bands most recent release Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is a shining example of this. Tapping into his personal experience with the Children of God cult, songwriter Christopher Owens explores a [...]
With the coolest festival of the year just a mere 2 1/2 weeks away, the tools to start planning your weekend at Fun Fun Fun Fest are now in your hands. Looks to be an epic weekend of music appealing to all tastes, creeds, genders, religion, and species... Can't read the tiny print? Go HERE