- Local label Chicken Ranch Records has a lot going on. the Yuppie Pricks have just released their new full-length, Balls (one look at the cover might explain the title choice), Mr. Lewis & the Funeral Five are about to hit the road for a short tour, and the label itself has been invited to showcase at Next Big Nashville in mid-September. They plan to feature The Clutters, We Were The States, Willie Heath Neal and Tiger! Tiger!
- The Chronicle has an extremely informative piece examining "emerging solutions from the Live Music Task Forces four subcommittees."
- Austin Hip Hop Scene is keeping up with Bavu Blakes and his '08 So Great resolution to create one song per week for the year. Check out weeks one through twenty-nine (of fifty-two) here.
- Local bands heading out on tour listen up: Better Than the Van helps traveling acts meet up with friendly and willing folks willing to put them up for a night. We found one lady willing to make pancakes ... can we tag along?
- Austin-based startup Book a Band offers party-throwers and venues a chance to book a performer online. Browse local and national acts, listen to their music, and inquire online. Book a Band also provides support for musicians looking to expand their audience, offering performers another chance to be discovered by someone offering a paying gig.
- Confirmation: Nas will be performing at Emo's on August 21, along with Talib Kweli, Jay Electronica and DJ Green Lantern. Buy tickets.
- Thank goodness: here's one more way to "battle" your band's way into some kind of festival appearance (It's SPI Music Fest in South (whoops) Padre). Web 2.0 and social marketing have made it possible for lucky performers capable of irritating their friends (and fans) into desperation to busk their way into the limelight. Congratulations.
- Here's something interesting (or not). There's a write-in movement singing the praises (literally and figuratively) of the Red Headed Stranger, with the hopes of electing him President in November. Whiskey River take my mind, indeed.
- In the studio? Recording your own album? Read Studio Manifesto's "Top 7 Mistakes Indies Make." We like number 6.

Austinist's Will Mills Gets Dunked For Charity [Video]




san padre?