ACL Previews Interview: Ghostland Observatory Previews: The Broken West, Big Sam’s Funky Nation & Rose Hill Drive Previews: Billy Joe Shaver and Fionn Regan Previews: Brandon Rhyder and Ocote Soul Sounds Interview: The Broken West Previews: Sylvia St. James, Jeffrey Steele, and Amy Cook Interview: Bloc Party ACL Fest Updates: Google Mashup, Contests, Eco-Chic Previews: Augustana, Amos Lee Interview: Peter, Bjorn, and John ACL Band Clash, Round 3: Wilco Vs My Morning Jacket Travis... more ›

The Broken West play the sort of power pop you'll want as background for a trip to the beach, especially if you're into the Kinks and enjoy wearing vintage Adidas short shorts. The L.A.-based band released their first album earlier this year, and the sound is bright and dense, filled up with guitar and piano draped with harmonized vocals that seem to be looking toward George Harrison's work. The Broken West Los Angeles, CA... more ›

FRIDAY [12] Some of you have asked that we publish the Weekend IST List on Thursdays, in order to better help you plan your goings-on. We're happy to oblige. Starting today, we'll be including Friday-Sunday listings both on Thursday and Fridays. --Ed. Note music • Yacht Rock Party with DJ Starsign -- Chicago, Steely Dan, America, Air Supply, Toto, Boz Scaggs, Loggins and Messina, Carole King, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Doobie Brothers, Seals and... more ›

It turns out that the destruction and devastation wrought by Katrina may be a boon for the Austin music scene. Through a great article by Michael Corcoran in today’s Statesman, we have come to learn that a slew of New Orleans’ musicians have relocated to Austin, some permanently. And several of the bands and artists have already lined-up gigs. The Iguanas will be playing the Continental Club on Monday nights; Big Sam from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band has joined the Topaz lineup; Cyril Neville and a host of other New Orleans’ players will be playing every Tuesday at the Cedar Street Courtyard; and Basin Street Records has temporarily re-located to Austin. So, while the hurricane has brought us only sad news for the most part, this story should fill the hearts of all Austin music lovers. We will now have a stronger scene, spiced up considerably with the music of our neighbors, and these displaced musicians will have somewhere to share their art and fantastic energy. And, as we all know, New Orleans has always had a better music scene than us, anyways, at least as far as blues, roots, jazz, funk and hip-hop go. So get out and support these cats and welcome them with open arms. more ›