Blonde Redhead has always tried to push themselves outside their comfort zone. The drummer and guitarist have spent their whole careers trying to unlearn, in some way, their formal musical education in Jazz. And Kazu Makino though in love with the simple pop song, finds herself unable to write anything one could call simple, or really pop, for that matter. Their last album Penny Sparkle came out early last year, and Fun Fun Fun will be one of their only touring dates of the current year. We sat down with Kazu to talk about her new benefit album for Japan, her dream show, and why she feels so comfortable at the Austin Whole foods. more ›

As seasoned vets in the world of indie rock, Blonde Redhead have been evolving musically for almost twenty years -- from their noise-rock, Sonic Youth influenced debut in 1993 to this year’s calming, atmospheric Penny Sparkle. Their latest effort follows a three year hiatus and is undeniably the New York based trio’s dreamiest album to date. Tonight they bring their uniquely crafted, lofty vocals and guitar-driven, art-rock to La Zona Rosa. more ›

Oscillating joyfully between the skeletal and meaty in the vein of Blonde Redhead, Golden Beds is a charming setpiece from a band who continually delights with their mastery of musical mis-en-scene. It’s fantastical but also familiar, as if they were climbing into your head and nonchalantly performing feng-shui on your ears. more ›

The relevance of a 7" originally pressed in 1987 (two years after the band broke) being reissued now, in 2008, speaks volumes about a band with impact beyond its lifespan, beyond its then-insular and divided scene, and beyond our own expectations. In 1985, the punk scene in D.C. revolved around a sort of Machiavellian machismo which turned many punks into disgruntled outsiders at their own shows. Rites of Spring retaliated (even before Fugazi did), with unapologetically emotional lyrics about friendship, love and (oh my god hardcore scene) personal issues and groundbreaking song structures that took the hardcore scene by storm. more ›

Upon arriving around 2:50pm, we found quite a bit of chaos. An unfortunate propane tank explosion had injured four ACL staffers, so fire trucks, EMS vehicles, and golf carts were buzzing everywhere. Our tickets were stuck with a friend inside, so we found a shady tree and hung out until the dust settled around 3:15. We entered to the wafting notes of Peter, Bjorn, and John, who had attracted such a huge crowd we... more ›

Mindful of the rain and lightning debacles that canceled both the Blonde Redhead and Yo La Tengo shows earlier this year, promoters have moved tonight's Travis gig to the drier confines of La Zona Rosa. All tickets purchased for the Stubb's show will be honored, and will-call tickets have all been moved to the new venue. Doors open at 7pm, and the show begins at 8. We doubt that Travis are afraid of the... more ›

Let's get to it: ACL Fest organizers dropped the aftershow schedule yesterday, and it's fairly extensive. Stubb's, La Zona Rosa, The Parish, and Antone's will all host aftershows over the Thursday to Sunday that everyone is in town for the big event. Highlights include an intimate show from The White Stripes and Cold War Kids at Stubb's, an extra gig from Argentina's loungerific Gotan Project (also at Stubb's), appearances by Spoon, Common, and Queens... more ›

The foundations of Emo's Lounge are going to shake on Thursday when Ume, Chicago's The Narrator and Bring Back the Guns cause a commotion that will be off the Richter scale. Ume's music is like the soundtrack to a beautiful fairytale, or a terribly haunting ghost story. The group is often compared to early Sonic Youth or Blonde Redhead, but the passion and fury of their performances can't be understated. Guitarist/vocalist Lauren Lawson plays like... more ›

Pitchfork reports that Okkervil River have settled on Stage Names for their upcoming release (slated for August 7), featuring artwork by William Schaff (featured left). The album was recorded here in Austin with Brian Beattie and Jim Eno. Follow the cut below for the track listing and tour dates for the summer (hint: there's only three). The Chronicle has taken note of the Tonewheel Collective's recent Beerland extravaganza / farewell show. The news here, incidentally,... more ›

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The 2007 ACL Fest lineup came into focus a bit earlier than expected this afternoon. Much like last year's online scavenger hunt, the folks at Charles Attal have decided to whet appetites with an ACL Crossword puzzle in this Thursday's Chronicle. The two big names revealed today: The White Stripes and Björk. Well played, ACL. The crossword reveal: The White Stripes, Björk, The Decemberists, Peter, Bjorn, and John, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Robert Earl Keen,... more ›

We liked what we heard on Blonde Redhead's latest release, 23, although it came out perilously close to Jim Carrey's recent flop with a similar title. Unfortunate coincidences aside, BR has been molding their alluring art-pop over the span of their 14 (!) years together, becoming more comfortable balancing accessibility with experimentalism. For a band that has few rather salient qualities in common with experimental rock legends Can, their newest album appears to be their Future Days, resigned to its thoughtfully layered ambience. Tonight, they become the newest in a long chain of great recent shows at Stubb's, and are sure to knock out a set for Austin Indie-history books. Special added bonus: Annuals open, a band we unreservedly adore, and whose appearance tonight may threaten to even upstage BR's seasoned crew. more ›

WEDNESDAY [2] DJ • The Black (DJ Set), Gerald Cosloy at Scoot Inn (10pm, Free) books • Poetry on the Plaza: The Book of Poetry at The Harry Ransom Center (12noon) books • Jeffrey Greene presents Water From Stone at BookPeople (7:00pm) dance • Stomp at The Paramount Theatre exhibition • UT Department of Theatre & Dance's Annual Design and Technology Exhibition at Oscar G. Brockett Theatre, Winship Drama Building (9am) film • "Plagues and... more ›

As promised, Austinist has followed the developments surrounding Yo La Tengo's show cancellation last Saturday at Stubb's. At this time, the band is not rescheduling the show that was scheduled for April 7. Ticket holders are encouraged to contact Front Gate tickets to inquire about refunds. Our contest winner is now the lucky owner of a pair of tickets to see Blonde Redhead and Annuals at Stubb's on May 2. The show the band... more ›

Shearwater Palo Santo Remastered, Expanded (Matador) The release of Palo Santo in 2006 marked Jonathan Meiburg's emergence from the shadow of the 'O' into full light. The songs are dense, revealing themselves slowly and carefully amidst moments of reflective sincerity and emotional cacophony with equal precision. Shearwater's sound is difficult to pin down, but the songs are always centered around Meiburg's unfaltering voice, a dark but lilting instrument that narrows the gap between fragility... more ›

Ace Fu buzz crew Annuals have come on strong in 2006, thanks to their luminous debut Be He Me and tours with The Dears and Calexico; besides that, they got a song on "Veronica Mars," and is there no surer indie taste-maker these days? Bassist/engineer Mike Robinson kindly spoke to us about, well, SXSW and everything: more ›

Like the wandering ghosts of some long-lost pirate ship, San Diego’s Black Heart Procession will invade The Parish tonight with their moaning, clanking brand of spooky country. Though the BHP lineup is constantly shifting (and has included members of RFTC, Hot Snakes and Blonde Redhead) the current band includes Pall Jenkins and Tobias Nathaniel (both of Three Mile Pilot), Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse, Magic Magicians), Jimmy LaValle (The Album Leaf), Scot Mercado (Manuok/Via Satellite)... more ›

Idiosyncratic American ex-pat Scott Walker's musical career spans over half a century long, from his early years as a pop star in LA's The Walker Brothers to his extensive solo recordings (albums one through four named Scott (1967), Scott 2 (1968), Scott 3 (1969), and Scott 4 (1969)). Having signed to Beggars Banquet-funded British indie label 4AD (Blonde Redhead, TVoR, Mountain Goats, The Birthday Party) in 2004, the cult figure has enjoyed a resurgence... more ›