Arts and Entertainment: October 2009 Archives

For our third, and final installment of Halloween at the Movies we pay tribute to those individuals who just want to throw on some sweatpants and a t-shirt, pop some popcorn, stock a bowl of candy, and then turn out the lights with something festive in the DVD player. Something with dead people, or living people with masks; often times both. After the jump, allow us to suggest some wonderful and available titles that may have flown under your radar, but are worthy of a Halloween night viewing. more ›

OH SNAP! So, Austin is considered the Live Music Capital of the world? Well that’s not all that’s crackin’ up and spacklin' in and amongst our cultured ranks. Some of us can read, and certainly do. Which is why Austin is blessed to host the Texas Book Festival again for 2009. Music’s nice and all for listenin’ and whatnot, but BOOKS and WRITERS will be on the main stage this weekend at the Texas Book Festival! more ›

Texas has nurtured more than its fair share of talented musical acts over the course of our esteemed history. Buddy Holly, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Roy Orbison, and Stevie Ray Vaughan have garnered worldwide fame and acclaim, but digging a little deeper and looking beyond every instantly recognizable musician from the Lone Star State uncovers some of the most unique acts to emerge from this land. And thus, we arrive at the Butthole Surfers, a legendary Austin band armed with a moniker that’s had parents and censors running for cover for almost three decades, and a sound that has largely defied categorization through the years. more ›

Ok, ok, it’s been said before, and it will all be said again, but something happens to a society on edge and at war, and that something is happening now, an subconscious shiver that plays out tangibly, and literally, not just on cable and the and radiowaves but in music venues across the U.S. Will 2009 ultimately be dubbed Year of the Freakout? There’s a case to be made there, as we all the meantime follow “Mad Men,” transfixed by characters grappling with identity issues, about to be caught in a riptide of racial politics and a national disgrace of a war. Hmm. Well, it’s a good year for Halloween, as citizens all over the political spectrum slog, wade, or tip-toe through suspenseful pauses. And the Black Angels, homecomers fresh off a tour with The Raveonettes, know this. That’s why they’re hosting a freakout, complete with an event poster featuring an ambivalent, Voltron-eyed Obama in a Jean Genet-esque pose. (We guess.) more ›

It's been a long and glorious eight days, eight days during which we saw some extremely memorable and well crafted films, got to listen to talented, engaging filmmakers and screenwriters, and enjoyed the company of other cinemaphiles at the Austin Film Festival. But the show's not over yet, and tonight you have one final chance to catch some brilliant flicks that have already received some great buzz. more ›

Vic Chesnutt is currently touring in support of his latest record, At The Cut, and from this album and its tour are trailing an entourage of indie notables. Featuring Guy Picciotto of Fugazi and David Payant of Silver Mt. Zion, the Vic Chesnutt band wraps up its tour with a show that promises to be a singularly appropriate pairing between band and venue at Central Presbyterian Church. We’re excited about this one, because church rafters seem to be the natural habitat of Vic Chesnutt’s voice—a voice so compelling it isn’t outdone even by the instruments of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. more ›

Today's second offering in our three part series Halloween at the Movies presents you with a list of the different horror features currently (and by currently we mean as of Friday, October 30) playing at one of our many fine theaters around town. If you don't feel like staying home Saturday night (Halloween night), but aren't feeling the social vibe, then we suggest taking a peek at one of the films below so you can successfully avoid trick-or-treaters, and enjoy the spirit of the holiday. more ›

With Gossip, you're going to get a seasoned group of creative minds who are truly talented. They've got ten years under their belt in which time they've pumped out four full-length albums, a bunch of EPs and a live album. They've toured with Cindy Lauper, Le Tigre and CSS and have been remixed by MSTRKRFT, among others. Self-proclaimed feminists, Gossip must have thought it'd be cute to call their latest album "Music for Men." more ›

Remember that part in Jurassic Park when Ian What's-His-Fuck says something along the lines of, "They were so busy thinking about whether they could. No one stopped to think whether or not they should"? Murder Ballad Murder Mystery is like Jurassic Park sans dinosaurs and coherent narrative (right down to the theme of dead things being resurrected). Oh, it's visually stunning, resourceful, raucous, and joyous theatre-making, but there are clearly ill-conceived aspects to the whole affair. While fresh, the piece is unripe and therefore minimally nutritious. more ›

What’s the Deal: Not to knock musical threesomes or anything, but when one makes themselves sound like there’s a lot more going on than just a guy on guitar, a guy on bass and another on drums they stick out from the pack. Russian Circles have been called post-metal and post-rock, but really they’re a thick, evolving, expanding instrumental group making the most out of their equipment, drawing forth everything from metallic chugs and thrashes to flickering chimes and climactic cymbal crashes. Fun Fun Fun Fest this year will welcome the Chicago group as they tour in support of their third album, Geneva. more ›

Photos courtesy Pooneh Ghana. more ›

We've talked a few times about the Austin Batcave, a non-profit organization that aims to further the writing skills (both creative and non-fiction) of children and teenagers. more ›

What would you do if you had Saddam Hussein laid up in the shed behind your house? What would you ask him, and how would you imagine he'd answer? We can think of a handful of good questions right off the bat, so it's unfortunate that the characters in Baghdad Texas can't think of anything to ask one of the world's most famous dictators in the middle of the Iraq War. more ›

It’s not that Warpaint doesn’t want you to read the proverbial writing on the wall; this beguiling psychedelic outfit has smudged the message simply because they like it better that way, and you probably do, too. Offering you a hit of backlit, smoky lullabies sung in dreamy female harmonies, it’s no wonder this Los Angeles band has gained both Hollywood devotees (Heath Ledger was among them), and a reputation for stealing live shows from their headliners. more ›

Photos courtesy Steve Hopson. more ›

If you're like a good deal of us you may not have any kind of clue what you'll be doing for Halloween this year. Or, maybe it is just us. Regardless, over the the next few days we'd like to provide you with a hefty dose of options for you to partake around town that combines the wonderful world of film with a thematic relation to our country's greatest holiday that we don't get off from work. more ›

Happily, Mike Million’s script shows innovation and admirable restraint, resulting in a finished film that only vaguely resembles a standard commercial comedy. Charlie Thurber (played by Wilson) is trying his best to earn tenure at Grey College, where he is a well-liked but professionally underachieving English instructor. When a whipsmart new hire from Yale (Gretchen Mol) enters the mix, threatening his chances at a job for life, Charlie’s pal, anthropology professor Jay Hadley ( David Koechner) eagerly steps in to help sabotage her career. more ›

With Fun Fun Fun Fest fast approaching, be reminded that the festival also includes a number of comedians. Chelsea Peretti is among the standup acts on this year's bill. The New Yorker does a full circuit of stage shows and gets booked on college campuses, but she's also a regular on Tru TV's "The Smoking Gun Presents," one of the masterminds of BlackPeopleLoveUs.com, and a writer whose work has been featured in publications including Details, Playgirl, and the Village Voice. more ›

Fun Fun Fun Fest is just a couple of weeks away and we sure are licking our chops in anticipation of what promises to be the biggest installment of the emerging annual festival. The organizers have been keeping busy, doling out tickets weekly via their Tuesday Trivia on Twitter contest, and last Saturday, over 40 teams participated in a Scavenger Hunt to win a whole host of prizes. Check out all the pictures -- you won’t regret it! more ›

While in town last weekend to host their Found Footage Festival, program curators Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher, managed to track down the genius behind one of our city's hidden video treasures: "At Home With English," a public access show that was hosted by Austinite Greg Thompson. more ›

However hard it was for you to make it to your high school each morning, the teen moms at Catherine Ferguson Academy in Detroit likely have it harder. In Grown in Detroit, the principal says that it takes some girls 2 hours and multiple bus routes to get to school (especially since the auto lobby held back any progress on Detroit's mass transit system). Catherine Ferguson Academy is unique in that it is only one of a few schools in the nation geared exclusively towards pregnant teens/teen moms. Another factor that makes this school unique: they have their own urban, organic farm. more ›

What is left to say that hasn’t been said, written, or sung about this motley crew? Rumors of Shane MacGowan’s death have been greatly exaggerated, and 27 years on from their founding, The Pogues remain one of the rare bands that deserve to be on anyone’s “see before you die” list. The fact that we have an opportunity to witness the London troupe reunited with talisman Shane MacGowan at the helm is somewhat miraculous—after MacGowan was dismissed from the group in 1991 for his erratic and unreliable behavior, the band experimented for a brief time with Joe Strummer and then original member Spider Stacy on vocals before fizzling out temporarily in 1996. Most assumed the group would be relegated to the history books at that point, but the original members (including MacGowan, minus bass player Cait O’Riordan) reunited briefly in 2001, and since then have gradually worked their way up to playing several dates a year. more ›

The Pablove Foundation is a California-based organization whose aim is to "improve the lives of children with cancer, at both a national level as well as a local level here in Los Angeles." more ›

The internet is undecided - are the Dirty Projectors worthless, off-key hacks, or is their 2009 album Bitte Orca the Best Album Ever? more ›

Photos courtesy Pooneh Ghana. more ›

When at a loss in descriptive powers, resort to metaphor: if bands were wines, Shearwater would be a French Chardonnay. Their sound is rich yet delicate, smooth and fleshy, packing tightly layered elements that offer to the palate lush sonic fruits with a proud, metallic Old World austerity. It's easy to imagine Shearwater's Jonathan Meiburg in monk's robes tending to ancient vines. But luckily for audiophiles, he's currently tending to a new release instead- The Golden Archipelago, due out early next year. (Fun Fun Fun Fest attendees just may be treated to a sample pour, if you will.) Jonathan was gracious enough to take time out to answer a few of our questions and whet our palate. more ›

That’s right. Someone who worships Conan O’Brien believes Todd Barry to be “Icky”. So that puts him amongst the ranks of Gonzo journalism and oh who gives a shit what O’Brien’s viewers think. Todd will be visiting Austin for Fun Fun Fun Fest 2009! But not to protest Eugene Mirman! more ›

Rep. Nasishat 'steps in' KUT controversy. more ›

Just like ACL, the early performers at Fun Fun Fun Fest often get overlooked or brushed aside. We highly recommend checking out one of these early bands, because many are just on the brink of popularity. And once that happens, they won't be cool anymore. Astronautalis, aka Andy Bothwell, admits his fear of popularity, but isn't holding back in the meantime. A lone rapper from Jacksonville, Flordia, Astronautalis first started turning heads in Seattle. more ›

After four years, Brian Chippendale (drums) and Brian Gibson (bass) are back with their follow-up to 2005's Hypermagic Mountain. Luckily, time hasn't caused the Providence-based duo to forget their roots. They're still pummeling listeners with raucous, unabashed noise and fuzzed-out low ends. On Earthly Delights, they venture a bit closer towards the metallic fringes of rock, offering what sounds like a bit of Albini-influenced tone. "Sound Guardians" rips through the history of punk rock, turning it on its head a couple times over (with speed), and "Colossus" comes close to being a rock ballad, oozing happily distorted bass lines drenched in Gibson's howl. All in all another solid release from a pair of hyper-metal noise rockers. more ›

Halloween is just around the corner and it’s natural to gravitate towards all things dreary and sinister leading up to October 31st. Especially in light of the gloomy weather in Central Texas lately. But if you’re in the mood for irresistible melodies garnished with glistening synthesizer and drum machine beats, head down to The Mohawk tonight for a hearty helping of Islands’ shiny pop songs. Although the Canadian band’s lyrics have been known to contain some dark subject matter, their forte is undeniable hooks and hum-along choruses, the kind that bounce around in your head all day. The duo of Nick Thorburn and Jamie Thompson formed Islands in 2005 following the demise of The Unicorns and released their debut album Return To The Sea in April of 2006. Thompson left the band shortly after, leaving Thorburn to spearhead 2008’s Arm’s Way but rejoined the ranks prior to Vapours. The new album (released last month) finds Thorburn, Thompson, and company in good form, fine-tuning an accessible collection of atmospheric synth-pop soundscapes to perfection. more ›

Paul Feig, creator of Freaks and Geeks and director of every-other-critically-acclaimed-show-that-the-cool-kids-love, came to bedazzle a number of extremely lucky panels at the Austin Film Festival this weekend. On top of marrying Jim and Pam on The Office a few weeks ago, Feig is currently directing Showtime’s Nurse Jackie and HBO’s Bored to Death in New York. Given that Feig’s X-Men ability is apparently multitasking (have you read his books or figured out that he’s a Twitter connoisseur yet), Austinist tracked the incredibly charismatic man down for a series of questions at the Stephen F. Austin hotel. Note: Paul was kind enough to provide actual detailed answers and anecdotes to each question, so we decided to forgo editing out...pretty much anything. In fact, scratch out interview because this is now deemed Storytime with Paul Feig. more ›

Fun Fun Fun Fest is just around the corner (November 7th and 8th), so let's get to know a few more of the acts performing. Here we'll look at punkyish stuff from both new hotness No Age and the reunited glory of Face to Face. more ›

In a roadside diner somewhere in Connecticut, on a snowy afternoon, Caleb Sinclair (Adam Scott) takes a momentary break from his omnipresent cigarettes to tell his younger brother Peter (Alex Frost), whom Caleb is reluctantly chauffeuring home for Thanksgiving holiday, that all women are whores. So begins the misanthropic and misogynistic journey of The Vicious Kind, the new feature by precocious writer/director Lee Toland Krieger (at 24-years-old and two feature-length movies under his belt, precocious may be an understatement). more ›

There are lots of goodies on tap tonight, from the festival's most outrageous documentary to a Chinese historical epic. Docs are definitely on show, starting with Floored, about the traders on Chicago's stock exchange. Already one of the most interesting jobs in America, we're expecting some memorable characters up in here. more ›

Monster-themed dance parties, a boat party, and, of course, zombies: Halloween in Austin offers something for just about everyone. Check out our roundup below, and shoot us an email if there's something we've missed. more ›

Dan Bejar of Destroyer—who moonlights with the Spencer Krug and Carey Mercer supergroup Swan Lake, as well as the Neko Case and A.C. Newman supergroup The New Pornographers—is known as a writing virtuoso, one of those few and proud and usually-called-crazy in music who bring true artfulness to the words themselves, and not just the instrumentation. Inspired by his upcoming appearance at Fun Fun Fun Fest, we thought there’d be few better things than to give Dan an opportunity to jot a few things down, so we shipped off to him a handful of questions and said have at it. And he did, and delightfully so, citing Lorca and the Duino Elegies, his prejudice for Wallace Stevens over Robert Frost, how fucked most musicians would be if they had to truly worry about lyrics, and why maybe someday he’d write a book if only he weren’t “a complete stranger to real work.” Needless to say, when he takes the Yellow stage at 8:45 on Day One of Fun Fest, we’ll be in the audience, following every word. more ›

Let’s turn our attention now to a pair of bands we’re excited to see on the first day of Fun Fest's aught nine edition, San Diego’s Night Marchers and Tokyo’s Melt-Banana. Both groups, despite playing two very different styles of music, are touring veterans with highly respectable punk pedigrees. more ›

Photos courtesy Tyler Nutter. more ›

The Screenwriter's Conference is over and done with, so now it's just down to the films. Here are our picks for Monday at the Austin Film Festival, including some you may have missed the first time around... more ›

Angela Chase said it best in My So-Called Life: "There's something about Sunday night that really makes you want to kill yourself." Well you know what she didn't have? The 16th Annual Austin Film Festival. Here are our picks for the AFF Sunday happenings that will make you so incredibly thankful to be alive today. more ›

It may be a slightly obtuse choice to put a band known for their honest approach and disdain for disingenuous musical behavior in a venue with such a superficial handle as Beauty Bar, but who knows, maybe they’re being ironic. Either way, they’re going to be there Saturday night. The trio does seem to have a pretty healthy sense of humor. Future of the left, a Welsh rock group crossing the streams of punk, noise, pop and alternative, are touring in support of their sophomore album, Travels with Myself and Another, which emerged in late June. The release was met with favorable reviews in the U.S. as well as across the pond, where they have been favorites of NME since the single at least the release of the single “Manchasm”. The band, formed from the ashes of Mclusky and Jarcrew, joins the ranks of 4AD with Travels being their first full-length, with the exception of a live record, for the label which already hosts bands like Bon Iver, The National and St. Vincent. more ›

Michael Cera’s birdlike awkwardness is perfect for the part of gawky, virginal nerd Nick Twisp, a 16-year-old-who finds love on a trailer park vacation and decides to do whatever it takes to hang on to it. Think Fight Club for nerdy virgins. And if that last sentence didn’t sell you, just trust us—it’s funny. more ›

With Halloween just a week away, the the various seasonal celebrations are in full swing! On Saturday, October 24, the Mexic-Arte Museum will celebrate its 26th Annual Día de los Muertos -- Austin's largest and longest-running Day of the Dead festival -- a lively, traditional Mexican and Latin American holiday that commemorates loved ones who have passed. This year, however, the Mexic-Arte Museum will present Día de los Muertos as "Viva la Vida Fest" to celebrate life and the environment, featuring Latino artists, special exhibitions, music, activities for families, and a Grand Procession. 
 more ›

The first weekend day of Austin Film Festival is jam-packed with goodies, and since there’s only a small chance that true fest-fatigue has begun to set in yet, you’re in the perfect position to enjoy a healthy array of films, panels and people-watching. Follow your bliss, of course, but here are a few offerings that look mighty fine to us. more ›

It’s been a few years since we’ve heard from them, but San Diego’s Black Heart Procession is back with a new album Six —their first numerically titled album since their 2000 effort Three—and a tour that brings them through town with a show at the Mohawk tonight. It’s an interesting time for the band, as singer/guitarist Pall Jenkins and keyboardist Tobias Nathaniel recently reformed their indie rock combo Three Mile Pilot, who recently finished recording their first new album in over a decade and are operating concurrent to BHP for the first time. more ›

It’s no secret that we’ve been fans of White Denim for a long time. And for good reason. The band has churned out a handful of excellent records, and on stage, the trio of James Petralli, Steve Terebecki, and Josh Block exhibit an instinctive chemistry, combining effortlessly to execute their calculated sonic experiments. Although the new record Fits dropped in the U.K. this past June (read our review here), it finally saw an official release in the U.S. earlier this week and the boys will mark this momentous occasion at The Mohawk on Saturday night with a typically robust performance, no doubt. more ›

We know it’s a busy time for all the filmmakers this week, and they’re probably getting asked a thousand questions by a million different people, so we just had a quick “speed date” of an interview with Bob Byington, director of Harmony and Me. Of course, Austinist film buffs are busy too, rushing from panel to panel to screening, and you’ve only got a few minutes before the next thing starts anyway. So read on and get a little insight into the mind of an AFF filmmaker. Go ahead—it won’t take long. more ›

For a little while there it seemed Built to Spill was fading into the background, that the mountain of awesomeness that was their 90s output had become but a memory of a fonder and more Clinton-esque era, and that the dog days of the aughts had put a damper on the six string noodling of the exceptionally liberal and ever-modest Doug Martsch. And then, when the expectations had reached a valley unlike any the band had seen since flannel shirts were all the rage, they dropped on us, seemingly out of nowhere, There Is No Enemy, quite possibly the best BTS release of the decade. This album, from top to bottom, feels like a resurgence of hope for the most famous band from Idaho (Idaho?), and the catchiness and energy of new tunes such as "Good Ol' Boredom" and "Aisle 13" means that it won't just be the old songs getting the crowd fired up. Basically, the show this Saturday night at Stubb's is not one to pass up, even if you've seen the bearded Martsch work his tenor before. more ›

In Myna Se Va (Myna Has Gone), the title character is an illegal immigrant who is trying to care for her charge, a young boy who has been seriously injured while his parents are away. Oh, and there's a dog whose leg has been lacerated by a tuna can . . . or so Myna tells the vet before she steals tranquilizers to then use on the boy. more ›

Crystal Castles are prepared to wake up Waterloo Park on what would be a humble Saturday evening albeit for Fun Fun Fun Fest 2009. Trance-like, thumping beats are a sure fire way to wrap up the evening after a long day of absorbing great music. The Canadian boy-girl duo brings a whole new meaning to the experimental electronic genre. Crystal Castles are currently supporting their self-titled debut album. more ›

Fall is here and we know you're still struggling to decide between renting that sexy witch costume or using last year's sexy black cat costume. Consider a more creative option, and head over to Mixx on Saturday night for Electric Promotions and Twogroove's Mixx Make: Pre-Halloween Craftacular. The productive party will feature opportunities to make masks with help from the WonderCraft, using among other things, decorations from Sublime Stitching. Costumes of some sort are encouraged, and photographer Trevor Ray Thompson will be there with a photo-booth to document everyone's haunting garb. If you show up hungry, consider entering the gummy bat and worm eating contest - the winner will take home VIP passes to Flip Scene's Halloween Bash at the Mohawk. more ›

Since the early '90s, Justin Pearson has been a crucial crux in the heart of southern California's hardcore/punk scene. Beginning with his record label Three One G and hardcore band Struggle, Pearson has dedicated himself to the noisiest and most abrasive elements of punk. Though best known for his involvement with Locust, he's had his toes in dozens of dirgy pools over the years -- Swing Kids (who recently reunited and performed), Crimson Curse, Some Girls and Holy Molar are all Pearson projects -- and he continues to astound with his prolific tendencies toward angsty screamo and powerviolence. more ›

It’s a game they hadn’t played since grade school, everyone holds a beer while they play, and they run the wrong way around the bases. The appeal of a game of kickball is obvious. But somewhere amid all the drinking, swearing, mock brawls, and (oh yeah) the kickball games themselves, this film becomes about something more than kickball. more ›

The Dillo reports details on an upcoming visit (April 2010) from Anthony Bourdain at the Paramount Theatre. more ›

Friday. Day two of Austin Film Festival. Everything’s really getting going now, but you’re already worn out from yesterday’s insanity. Not to worry, we have you all set! We’ve even taken into account that some panels might be full, so we’ve gone ahead and given you a backup. That’s just the kind of friends we are. more ›

As our era gains notoriety for rendering traditional art forms obsolete, the Austin Alternative Process Group breaks through the flickering screens. Drawing with Light: A Modern Exhibition of Historical Processes currently being exhibited at the Dougherty Arts Center, reaches back to the 19th century to combine our modern sensibilities with some startlingly tangible stretches of light and shadow. Sunlight, wet glass, egg whites, and gun cotton (cotton soaked in nitric and sulfuric acid) are just a few of the time-honored ingredients needed to harness the extraordinary photographic power of these complex processes. more ›

Still haven’t bagged yourself a ticket to the fourth edition of Fun Fun Fun Fest? Transmission Entertainment presents the perfect opportunity to convince a handful of friends to pool together their hard earned dough for a tasty little discount -- this weekend, if you purchase three weekend passes via the Fun Fest website, the fourth one is free. Simple enough. Oh, and there’s that Scavenger Hunt starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Red 7 where you can win tickets, PIP upgrades, and a whole lot more. Check out our “This Week in Fun Fun Fun Fest” post for recent festival related updates and news. more ›

What’s the Deal: As far as instrumental groups go, Austin has its fair share - Balmorhea, Explosions in the Sky, Calm Blue Sea. Why not add San Marcos’ This Will Destroy You to that score card? After all, it’s only about a 30 minute drive to the building and bursting of this foursome’s ambient to supernova sound. Their music is full of atmospheric guitar tangles and sparse but powerful rhythms. The band began gaining positive buzz the same year they formed, in 2005, with the release of their first EP, Young Mountain. Later came their self-titled full-length on Magic Bullet Records. And, this year, they released a split with another Magic Bullet band, Lymbyc System. more ›

An American Cowslip is an extraordinarily beautiful, rare flower that can only grow when it’s left totally alone. That’s the best way to think about Ethan Inglebrink, a lovable sweet, naïve, agoraphobic heroin addict with a green thumb in Blythe California, a small town full of seemingly full of nothing but quirky characters. It takes a special kind of film to get the audience to root for the junkie, but in this colorful world, everything is as seen through the rose-colored glasses of the perfect high. And we have to admit, it’s hard not to get caught up in this stubbornly sunny worldview. more ›

Hipster death! How many of you already have a heated, passionate response to those two words? Maybe there's an involuntary, guttural groan prepped for release. For some odd reason, "hipster" has become an extremely loaded noun. To lighten things up (or possibly stir them up more and then stab them with a razor before laughing and sprinkling rat poison all over it), you should check out The Scenesters at Austin Film Festival; it's the first film from comedy troupe The Vacationeers and it follows a few desperate documentarians as they try to cash in on the story of a serial killer that's murdering beautiful lady hipsters in East LA. more ›

Follow That Bird's Singer/guitarist Lauren Green should be proud. She's leading her trio away from the lo-fi garage haze and into Austin's next big thing: solid, never precious guitar rock. more ›

Excitement and anticipation was thick in the air last night as Austin Film Festival goers began to claim their badges and passes. Today is the first day of AFF 2009, and while it starts a little bit later than all the other days, there is still a lot of content to pack in this afternoon. Here are the things we think you should ink in on your schedule. more ›

Austinist, Ultra 8201 and Austin Eavesdropper (along with a host of other sponsors and supporters - see the flyer) are proud to present one more way to gear up for Fun Fest the weekend of November 7. The Thursday preceding the festival (that's Nov. 5), Austin Bleet Up's "Austin, Meet Your Bloggers" event at the Mohawk. more ›

Yeasayer announce news and information about their upcoming album, Odd Blood. The record will be released on Secretly Canadian in early 2010. The band will be performing at Fun Fest on Saturday at 6:45. more ›

Propelled by irresistible anthems such as “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and “Cold Hard Bitch,” Australia’s JET fast became a staple of mainstream radio a few years ago on the heels of their debut full-length Get Born. The band formed during the early part of this decade, releasing the Dirty Sweet EP in 2002 and immediately gaining the attention of U.K. hype-mongers NME and probably more importantly, Elektra Records. The aforementioned Get Born, released on Elektra Records in 2003, was followed by a high profile tour in Australia in support of The Rolling Stones and a lengthy jaunt overseas. The ensuing albums, 2006’s Shine On (Atlantic Records) and this year’s Shaka Rock (EMI), continued to utilize the tried-and-test formula, showcasing JET’s love for classic-rock and penchant for undeniable hooks. more ›

When you think about all the big name film festivals, we bet it sets off a soundtrack of ka-ching ka-ching in your head. Expensive to get to and pricey to attend, most folks like us can't work that sort of expenditure into our yearly budget. Well, we would like to remind you that this isn't Utah; you're livin' in Austin, baby, and around these parts Austin Film Festival passes start at the totally-affordable-even-if-you-don't-have-a-ton-of-money price of $42 (General Admission to individual screenings is just $9!), and it all happens right in your backyard. more ›

It's almost an adage in the theater: Monologue plays are dangerous. If not properly textured, they can be downward slopes into boredom and irritation for audiences. Performers can become "actress-y" when dealing with overtly narrative speech. It's common for a play like this to get derailed and stuffed with excessive space-fillers. These plays are deathtraps for amateurs... more ›

Terry Hitchcock, the self-professed "dreamer of the family," found himself grounded in harsh reality when his wife passed away from breast cancer in 1984. After losing his job shortly thereafter, Hitchcock was starting to fade away. The daunting task of single parenthood loomed large overhead, channeling fears of constant uncertainty, crushing loneliness, and general hardship; he had three kids to usher through adolescence, not to mention a major grieving process. Hitchcock discovered that he still needed to learn how to be a parent and that's what he did for over ten years before realizing he felt incredibly passionate about the lack of knowledge, resources, and empathy for single-parent families. Inspired by his hero, Terry Fox, Hitchcock decided to bring attention to single parenthood by challenging himself to run 75 consecutive marathons in 75 consecutive days. **Insert Forrest Gump reference here** more ›

The genre of romantic comedy is not everyone's favorite; indeed, the lead character Momoko in Happy Ending deplores romantic comedies, preferring the slasher genre instead. But then Momoko finds herself in a series of meet-cute scenarios with an attractive patron of her library. Her video store-owner friend Kuroda suggests that perhaps her "life is actually a movie." This adds another layer to the film; if Momoko knows she is in a film, is she aware we are watching her? Still, when she thinks her life has become a rom-com cliche, no one really doubts her. more ›

There's no shortage of influential bands performing at this year's Fun Fun Fun Fest, but one that we're extremely excited for is Boston's Mission of Burma. They've been producing since the late '70s, and are one of the most influential post-punk bands around. They're performing at Fun Fest in support of their entire catalog (and hopefully "That's When I Reach for My Revolver") as well as a brand new record, engineered by Bob Weston. more ›

OMG Fun Fun Fun Fest is getting closer and closer, and, with that, it's important to get an itty bit of knowledge on the stacked roster the two-day pile o' awesomeness has to offer. This week, we're checking out a couple notable if somewhat underexposed acts, acts that help ensure that this year's Fest will be the best yet, for serious. Atlas Sound is the solo brainchild of Deerhunter man-about-town Bradford Cox, while Broadcast have come to us all the way from England to delight us with some dour electro-art-pop. more ›

This Saturday, you're invited to join the Fun Fest crew at Red 7 (611 7th Street, next to Beauty Bar) for the first ever Fun Fest Scavenger Hunt, benefiting Caritas of Austin. more ›

Photos courtesy Chad Wadsworth. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump. more ›

A murderer with a well-dressed conscience, bloody humor and plenty of existential meandering characterize Little Fish, Strange Pond, an Austin Film Festival Narrative Feature. more ›

People, it is time to start kinking outside of the box. Coming right up at Club MIXX on Sixth is Extravagasm Fantasy Ball VIII. This year’s theme is Erotic Renaissance, a nice blend of that Ren-Fest nuttiness and not-a-dry-seat-in-the-house eroticism. No need to wait for Halloween proper to inhabit your inner-fantasy-alter-ego. The time is now to dig out the whips and ball-gags and masks and prance about in all your wenchy and studly splendor. more ›

Austin's department of Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services has posted a job listing for Music Program Manager. The job is Austin City Council's alternative to a city music department. more ›

The Austin Foodie scene has truly exploded over the last couple of years, exposing our growing metropolis to so many opportunities to eat tasty food and drink delicious drinks. It is overwhelming to consider just how long it would take, and just how many pounds we would gain, in order to experience the best of what Austin has to offer in the dining realm. Thankfully, over the last seven years, the Austin Film Festival's Film & Food Party has been able to compress all of the tasty business around town into one night of bites, booze and bidding. more ›

You can look around at various injustices in the world and in a sotto voice decry, "Oh, the humanity!" But what does that really mean? What defines our humanity? Is it social constructs? Is it chemical reactions in our brain the cause us to react to certain situations, images or ideas in a predestined way? What if you are put into a situation where the confines of your own humanity are tested outside the bounds of what you thought was possible? Perhaps you would find that your own humanity differs from those around you and that in the end we are all just animals, attempting to survive in a cruel and graceless world. Hunger, a new film by writer/director Steven Hentges, explores these basic instincts in a dark and brooding new way. more ›

Though still considered something of a force in terms of culture and energy, once upon a time in the late 1970s, New York City was the true epicenter of all things gritty, wild and revolutionary in terms of music, art and fashion. That’s according to the AFF Documentary Feature Downtown Calling, which focuses on a few transformative years in one of the world’s liveliest cities. more ›

Austin is a story town - but for every treasured encounter with the vitality and talent that surrounds us, there are a thousand voices we don't get to hear. What if a single book promised one-hundred glimpses into the thoughts, lives, and creative capacities of one-hundred Austinites? Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists want to make this possible, with the community based project, Austin Makes a Book. more ›

The Philadelphia-based sextet has returned with their fourth LP, III (excluding covers record, Weed Tree) on Drag City. The sprawling psych-folk release continues the group's revitalization of the psychedelic revival, proving their place as leaders in the retro-indie folk revolution. more ›

As we've noted in the past, festival schedules are never completely set in stone until the projectionist rolls the film. A couple of TBA slots had remained empty in the Austin Film Festival docket until today when they announced the newest additions to this year's Marquee Screenings line-up, which include Youth in Revolt, An Education, Facing Ali, The Fourth Kind, The Road and The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. more ›

Their self titled album entered the Irish Albums Chart at #1. It includes covers of Zeppelin’s "Stairway to Heaven" and Metallica's "Orion". Rodrigo y Gabriela also cite Metallica Megadeth, Slayer, Testament and Overkill as influences. Their recent release, 11:11, is a tribute to the pair’s idols: Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Astor Piazzolla, father of nuevo tango, and Pantera's Dimebag Darrell are referenced among others. If you had as much fun reading Astor Piazzolla’s name alongside Dimebag Darrell’s as we did writing it, you owe it to yourself to check out Rodrigo y Gabriela. more ›

Pinback, an indie rock alternative duo from San Diego, is known for presentation of nimble lyrics and inventive musicality with a high drum mix. Their records are full of pulsating beats that march into the brain by rote, but the mesmerizing brilliance can only be truly appreciated after multiple listens. The cryptic messages lying beneath the musical layering mean Pinback's capabilities are only truly realized after witnessing a live performance. more ›

Calvin Marshall, directed by Gary Lundgren, captures baseball's charms by introducing us to a few archetypal characters - the gruff, washed up coach who may or may not have a secret soft side, the optimistic player with more heart than talent, and a beautiful woman with a habit of throwing curve balls. more ›

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire premiered to glowing reception at the Sundance Film Festival. Yet despite love from critics and fans alike, there were still doubts the film would make wide release until both Oprah and Tyler Perry put their names (and money) behind it. The film tells the story of an illiterate teenage girl impregnated (twice) by her father, living with her abusive mother (Mo'Nique), and desirous of a way out. Working to help her towards this goal is Mariah Carey (yes, you read that right) as a social worker, as well as a teacher (Paula Patton) at an alternative high school. Starring as Precious, a refreshingly atypical Hollywood heroine, is new actress Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe. more ›

Long before Mos Def referred to Somalian-born K’Naan as his brother, inviting him back onstage for an extended duet rendition of “My God,” it was clear how organically their sounds fit together. Even as their stellar hip-hop acts broke ground as a new sound for ACL, K’Naan and Mos Def kept true to cherished intimacy of an ACL taping while infusing the crowd with more energy than we’d ever seen there before. more ›

LOST and Mad Men are the stuff that water cooler salesmen everywhere dream of, the kind of television shows that inspire viewing parties and passionate debate for weeks after an episode has aired. How could Don Draper so callously break our hearts week after week? Do the writers on LOST actually know where the story is going? Have they ever known? Lucky for you, the Creator of Mad Men, Matthew Weiner and the Co-Creator of LOST, Damon Lindelof, will both be in town for the Austin Film Festival this week, and even luckier for you, you could win the chance to ask them the questions that you so desperately want, nay, need answered. more ›

The Bright Light Social Hour is part of the small and non-nascent Montopolis music scene. I spoke to guitarist Curtis Roush and bassist Jack O'Brien at Curtis's home in the southeast Austin neighborhood, where the band often practices and records. Two weeks ago, they won the "Sound and the Jury" battle of the bands at Antone's, earning themselves a show at ACL. more ›

A scant few years ago, the prospect of an Os Mutantes reunion seemed about as far-fetched as seeing Morrissey and Marr patch things up and hit the road, even in these reunion-crazed times. If Kurt Cobain’s public pleading to the Baptista brothers to reconvene Mutantes for a gig didn’t work, what would? Nevertheless, 3/5s of the São Paulo-based Tropicalia legends found enough common ground between them to reunite for a brief international tour in 2006, 34 years after the original lineup splintered off into their various solo careers. more ›

His name is Jamey Huggins, he records under the name James Husband, and he’s releasing his first album A Parralax I on the Polyvinyl label this month. But this is really the first time Huggins has pulled his personality to the forefront. For years, he’s been better known as a multi-instrumentalist and part of the noise/pop confederacy of the Elephant Six Collective (or, to his disdain, simply as “the drummer” for of Montreal). Huggins’ past relationship with classical form and experimentation come to a head on his new record, as well as on an accompanying EP of cover songs. He was in the middle of his first rehearsal with his touring band when I gave him a call. more ›

The Waco Girls will play a heavy metal version of Erik Satie's "Vexations," a 24-hour composition. more ›

Diligently peddling wares from bands like Grupo Fantasma, Ume, and Ocote Soul Sounds during the daytime shift, local PR firm Learning Secrets continues to make a name for itself, all the while acquiring a healthy reputation. But the LS crew doesn’t stop at 5 p.m. They curate regular late night shindigs in town and are veritable purveyors of sweaty dance-floor mayhem. The event planners extraordinaire recently hosted quite a party to close out day one of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. A typically robust Voxtrot effort and some choice Loyauté Soundsystem selections had Beauty Bar bumping all night long and the tangible energy in the club definitely helped revive our tired legs. We’re pleased to hear that a pre-Fun Fest bash is currently being planned, especially since early reports cite a DJ set by Yeasayer inside plus performances by Best Fwends, Total Michael, and Josh Mills’ (Clap!Clap!) new project Missions in the Beauty Bar parking lot. more ›

This past weekend might have been one for the ages but The Mohawk is not resting on its mighty laurels just yet. This Saturday, prepare for yet another sonic blast at the venue when Japanese band Mono sets up shop to peddle its atmospheric post-rock compositions. Mono’s forte is epic instrumental soundscapes that build up gradually before erupting with ferocious splendor, à la Mogwai and Explosions In The Sky. The members’ technical expertise is evident in the intricate details and it’s no surprise that they bring it all together in a very cohesive fashion -- they’ve been honing their skills collectively for over a decade now. The band formed in 1999 (a few years after that other Mono) and has released five full-lengths, including 2009’s Hymn to the Immortal Wind. No strangers to the use of assorted string instruments in their work, the band employed a chamber orchestra to further embellish Hymn’s lush, grandiose sound. more ›

What’s the Deal: Fun Fun Fun Fest is always a yearly fix for punk lovers from Austin and beyond. And, bands like the L.A. noise/punk fivesome Miko Mika are responsible for bringing the stuff that makes the voices stop… or start. They have an energetic punk sound full of snappy drumming, power chord distorted guitars, catchy bass riffs and female vocals that make you miss groups like The Slits and The X-Ray Spex. They have a long list of 7 inches, self-released tapes and other recordings under their belts, but none do justice to their live show. more ›

Sunset are one of the busiest bands in Austin, so it's no surprise that they're continuing to host shows at their east side studio Baby Blue and have a new release planned for the near future - an album entitled Gold Dissolves to Gray out on Autobus records. According to the band's blog, a vinyl form of the album (with a cd version included) will see release on November 24th. more ›

There's a story on one of Kevin Smith's comedy DVDs where he talks about being on the set of Live Free or Die Hard. He explains that, during a particularly heated argument with the director about what his character was doing, Bruce Willis picked up the phone to call the studio. They sided with the director, and he finally offered to end the argument for good. "Let me ask you something," He says in Smith's recount of the conversation, "Who's your second choice to play John McClane?" The point was made, and they made the choice that Willis wanted. more ›

Tonight, Laguna Gloria presents what is arguably one of the most highly-anticipated food and drink events of the year. Now in its 20th turn, La Dolce Vita will host 50 restaurants and 20 vineyards this event for its international tasting party, benefiting Austin Museum of Art. more ›

A month after Matthew Shepard was murdered in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998, New York’s Tectonic Theater Project trekked down there and conducted interviews with hundreds of locals—including those close to the family of the victim and perpetrators—to try and understand why such a horrific hate crime could have occurred. The result was The Laramie Project, a jarring, heartrending play that interspersed dozens of those interviews with journal entries from Tectonic members. Fast forward, ten years later: The Laramie Project became something of a national phenomenon, easily one of the most performed productions of the past decade. HBO even made a film adaptation of it in 2002, starring Laura Linney, Peter Fonda, and Steve Buscemi. more ›

Two is a magic number when applied to garage bands. This year has seen a glut of talented duos ripping it up - WAVVES and Lullabye Arkestra are just a few examples - and similarly, the Vancouver band Japandroids have been pushing their own "maximal," duo-driven agenda since 2006. more ›

Don't miss the I Heart MJ Party featuring Who’s Bad, The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band w/ DJ Mel at Stubb's. Go here for more details more ›

If you’ve got a penchant for undeniably catchy garage-rock, look no further than The King Khan & BBQ Show, performing on Sunday, November 8th at the 2009 Fun Fun Fun Fest. Mark Sultan and King Khan first teamed up in the ‘90s, gaining notoriety with their band The Spaceshits’ belligerent shows. At the start of this century, Sultan was turning heads as the one man team that is the BBQ and Khan was busy finding success with his soul outfit The Shrines. But it was only a matter of time before the two friends reunited. The aptly named The King Khan & BBQ Show dropped its self-titled debut album in 2005 and followed it up with the What’s For Dinner? LP in 2006. They’ve appeased the masses with a handful of 7" records since; a new full-length called Invisible Girl is expected next month. more ›

Photos courtesy Tyler Nutter. more ›

The Blakes, who don’t have a schtick to wax clever about. They’re just straight-up gritty Seattle garage rock. They sing tweaked rock songs about misbehaving that sound like they were recorded in a toolshed. If we’ve gotten to the point where that sound comes off as retro, it’s more a quirk of our times than the Blakes’. After all, there aren’t many places better for making music than a garage. more ›

Photos courtesy Eric Uhlir. more ›

Never mind raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens: beautiful boobies and adorable puppies are a few of our favorite things. And happily, the two come together (sort of) for a few brief but glorious hours on Friday night. more ›

You've no doubt read all about this year's Fun Fun Fun Fest, and the outstanding line-up inspired you to buy tickets immediately. But in case the festival doesn't somehow bring enough live music to your brain, or you (god forbid) have to work/aren't attending the festival, Transmission has put together three evenings worth of pre- and after-parties with bands and DJs galore. Check out the multi-venue schedule after the jump, which includes film screenings and performances by notable locals and out of towners. more ›

Johannesburg’s Blk Jks made more than a few new fans during their last stop in Austin for SXSW. Having built up a good head of steam with their first EP, they were one of the bands that everyone seemed to be buzzing about. Seven months later, they return to Emo’s outside with a brand-new full length under their belt, the ambitious After Robots. The record is a cavernous-sounding, guitar-based rock record that fuses elements of prog, mbaqanga, experimental noise, metal, and dub, and stands in stark contrast to Kwaito, the popular music of South Africa’s post-apartheid generation. Overall, the band and album are one of the few bright exports from a city with a 37% unemployment rate, in a country that's still struggling to build a reliable infrastructure. more ›

As we reported last week, Austin lost a friend and significant talent in Jon Pettis last week. Pettis suffered smoke inhalation and died at his home in northeast Austin after a faulty power strip started a fire. In the wake of his death, his bandmates (also his roommates) and his fiance have been left devastated -- not just by the terrible loss of a friend -- but by the complete destruction of all of their belongings. more ›

Photos courtesy Pooneh Ghana. more ›

Ed Note: We're pleased to introduce guest contributor Robin Sinhababu, a North Carolina native and current East Austinite. Each week, Robin will be interviewing folks who, as he puts it, "create Austin's food, music, events, and sense of overwhelming and unavoidable fun." Today's inaugural post is a double-feature. Let us know what you think in the comments. -- AYC more ›

Head down to campus, find the communications building, and get ready to rock in the ACL Studios this afternoon from 3-5 p.m. The band has an open call for extras and you're invited ... head out! more ›

An errant malfunctioning power strip sparked a massive blaze this morning in the East Austin home of local band Bankrupt and the Borrowers. Founding member Jon Pettis died in the fire. more ›

Like many collaborative art experiments, The Art of Such n Such is rather difficult to classify. Part midway show, part burlesque/vaudeville performance, and part fire art extravaganza, it's clear that The Art of Such n Such just has to be experienced first hand. Lovers of beautiful performers, fire, and carnival games will be satiated at this weekend's Art Outside where the Art of Such n Such will engage audiences of all kinds. We had the opportunity to talk to Charlie Smith, the official Instigator of the Such n Such crew about their past experiences, what they'll be presenting at Art Outside and what inspires their madness. more ›

Photos courtesy Pooneh Ghana. more ›