Elbow: It was fitting that Manchester's reigning kings of melancholy played to a tired but pleasant crowd under a grey, drizzling sky. Affable frontman Guy Garvey didn't waste any time taking credit for flying in the weather from England to help "these scorched lands." It had been over five years since the group last set foot in Austin, during which time they've grown massively in stature in Europe - so it was a rare treat to catch the band in this part of the world. more ›

At this point, Broken Social Scene is at least as much an ideal in the hearts and minds of fans as they are a musical entity. The Canadian megagroup, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, has established a devoted following over the course of four LPs, the last three featuring the band's widescreen approach of bombastic, many-guitars-at-once jams and softer ballads with ethereal female vocals. The band has been the trunk from which many other successful artists - Stars, Metric, and Leslie Feist, to name a few - have branched off. All the while, Broken Social Scene have maintained a touring pace at odds with their stature (in reputation and in number), playing everything from outdoor festivals to concert halls with a revolving coterie of musicians. Ahead of their Friday show at La Zona Rosa, we rang up guitarist Andrew Whiteman for a chat about musical family dynamics, how a BSS record comes together, and the personal benefits of reading poetry. more ›

Monday: The only thing people are going to be talking about on Monday is the Willie Nelson show at the new ACL Live Theater, where the patron saint of all things country/amazing will be performing. Either that, or their googly-eyed Valentine's Day Plans. Not romantic but possibly awesome: Death Angel and D.R.I. at Emo's. more ›

Yep, that's right. Cheap Trick will be performing at this year's SXSW music festival in March. Other names that have been added include She & Him, Broken Social Scene, and Metric. More details coming soon, we're sure. Check out SXSW Music for more information. more ›

With all the events, after-shows, parties, and spontaneous outdoor dance parties surrounding ACL weekend, you’d be forgiven for overlooking some of the festival’s incredible (official or not) ancillary events. This is not one of those events to overlook. If you only make it to one show outside of the festival this year, Rare Magazine and WOXY, Austin’s newest internet radio station (which is already endearing itself quite nicely to our community), have made a strong case for this being the one to hit. Of course, we’re referring to the rechristening of the decommissioned Seaholm Power Plant as a live music venue, with none other than the ensemble cast of Toronto’s Broken Social Scene shattering the bottle of champagne on the art-deco columns (figuratively for sure, literally, maybe). more ›

WOXY has announced their ACL afterparty taking place Friday, October 2 at the Seaholm Power Plant on Cesar Chavez. The recently transplanted internet radio station will present Broken Social Scene to the 300-capacity venue at 10 pm, free. More details on tickets and Saturday night's lineup coming later in the week. more ›

Despite his role as their mostly anonymous lead guitarist, there remains little doubt that Andrew Whiteman is a key figure making Broken Social Scene as dynamic as they are. And there’s even less doubt that it’s an admirable move on his part to avoid the whole Broken Social Scene Presents nonsense that gave (perhaps questionable) legitimacy to releases by good-enough-to-do-it-on-his-own Kevin Drew and probably-had-no-chance-without-the-help Brendan Canning. But while flying under the Apostle of Hustle banner is a strong statement of creative independence, with that comes not only substantial reward, but also substantial risk. And with Eats Darkness, Apostle of Hustle’s third LP, which side of that coin gets more play becomes quite the relevant question. more ›

The Dears were at the forefront of the Canadian indie music renaissance of the late 90s, and Missiles proves they’ve maintained the charisma that makes the dark pop scene they shaped irresistible. A subtler offering than previous albums, Missiles is clear-eyed and sober, deftly employing maturity even while asserting the earnestness that makes the Dears so engaging. more ›

The Canadian supernova commonly referred to as Broken Social Scene shook the walls at the newly-renovated Bass Concert Hall Saturday night, reveling in their first performance in the "new America." more ›

Those who've seen Broken Social Scene before may possibly recall that they are really durn good on stage. There are a whole bunch of them, they've all got talent, and as a strikingly peculiar bonus, they really seem to enjoy playing music with one another. And while the cascading guitars and sheer magnitude of their multi-instrumental assault may at times careen towards chaos, it always safely returns to the confectionary bliss of pure 21st century popism. more ›

Canada's Broken Social Scene music collective is making a stop in Austin at the Bass Concert Hall on January 31, 2009. more ›

For years, the Austinist staff has fielded queries from friends and acquaintances about SXSW goings-on. "Can I walk to The Salt Lick?" "Does it really take 90 minutes for a Casino El Camino burger?" But most of all: "What showcase do you recommend to see some good new bands I don't know about?" This year, we've made the answer official. Austinist is presenting an official nighttime showcase featuring six different American acts at Spiro's on Thursday, March 13. We've done a lot of listening to different bands and entire showcases, and believe that this one has great potential to impress you. The roster: more ›

It’s possible you’ve been tricked into thinking Free Week at Emo’s cares not for days as fickle as Sunday, but, just in case, let’s clear things up: YES, Free Week rolls all the way through, with not a break to be seen. And not only that, but Sunday offers up some of the most compelling bands of the whole shebang, including noted acts Ume, Until We’re Blue or Destroy and that nature battle you’ve been dying to see: Bee vs. Moth. more ›

Division Day Beartrap Island (Eenie Meanie) Formed in Santa Cruz in 2001, Division Day honed their craft in a small sound-proofed bedroom. They put together an EP, The Mean Way In, in 2005, and have earned a bit of blogosphere recognition since then thanks to their catchy indie pop hooks and knack for a good cover song. Beartrap Island, their first full-length, is full of toe-tapping, old fashioned sing-a-long start and stop rock'n'roll that... more ›

Do Make Say Think blend blistering rock guitars with numerous other soundscape generating instruments to create sophisticated and epic compositions of the finest caliber. The Toronto outfit captivated us with a rousing performance (when they opened for Broken Social Scene) last year at Stubb’s. The band’s use of an assortment of unconventionally obtained audio along with their application of jazz standards makes for a truly unique post-rock sound. Largely instrumental, Do Make Say Think have... more ›

Believe It or Not: My Bloody Valentine reuniting for Coachella 2008? Last weekend, the American Psychological Association rejected a moratorium that would have prevented its member psychologists from participating in interrogations at U.S. detention centers in Guantanamo Bay and secret CIA "black sites" around the world. Venetian Macao Aims to Transform Chinese Gambling Enclave Into Full-Fledged Resort City. Leslie Feist, joined onstage by members of Broken Social Scene, The New Pornographers, Grizzly Bear, The... more ›

Because we feel like you don’t have enough Canadian music in your life, we’d like to propose to you yet another opportunity to get your Canuck on . This Sunday night at Emo’s, Vancouver denizens Ladyhawk will bring some genuine, riff-heavy Canadian goods and prove, once again, that Neil Young’s influence knows no limits. Ladyhawk play the kind of guitar rock that Canada would be famous for, if only the border extended far enough south... more ›

On Tuesday, the American -ists will be celebrating democracy and hitting the polls, letting politicians know what they really think. It just made us wonder: if it were up to the -ist-a-verse, what would we be voting for? Londonist votes for better skincare, alternative spaces for art, cute little birds and the men who keep them, and concrete. Lots of concrete. Shanghaiist votes for one of the Bee Gees and Air Supply (it's a double-ticket),... more ›

Have you checked out Single Frame's "John Carpenter Halloween Remix" yet? Head over to their site, dig around 'till you find their mp3s, and grab it - then play it loudly for your friend's children. Here's what else is worth mentioning this week in the way of new releases: A Cloud Mireya Singular (Eastern Developments) Though half of A Cloud Mireya is Scott Herren, the mastermind behind Prefuse 73 and Piano Overlord, fans of... more ›

There was something electric in the air at Stubb's Thursday night, and it wasn't the sepia-tinged lightning to the East. Broken Social Scene was in Austin. "So what?", you shrug, "Austin gets a lot of terrific bands. What's so special about BSS?" Well, in founding member Kevin Drew's fawning overtures to the crowd, he said that BSS absolutely lurve Austin. It's their favorite place to play. In the world. And you know what? Like... more ›

THURSDAY [26] music • The Beauty Shop, The Shells, The Drawing Board, Just Guns at Emo's music • Broken Social Scene with Do Make Say Think at Stubb's music • Reunion Show for Clifford Antone's Birthday at Antone's music • Jamie Lidell w. Back Ted N Ted (late show) at The Parish Room music • Juana Molina w. Adem (early show) at The Parish Room music • Pete Yorn, Minibar at La Zona Rosa... more ›

Hailing from the great white north (Canada, not Plano) where inspiring bands just seem to be multiplying by the hundreds, Broken Social Scene and Do Make Say Think roll into town this week to play a show at Stubb's. more ›

Today's big news is the FunFunFun festival, but there are also several new shows in this edition of the concert update. Kasabian, Ben Folds, Mates Of State, and others have all announced Austin shows, and there are tons more on tap for late fall. Have a look: October: 10/21 Pet Shop Boys (The Backyard) 10/21 Ladytron (Stubb's) 10/22 Rolling Stones (Zilker Park) 10/22 Method Man (Emo's) 10/23 Jenny Lewis + Watson Twins (Stubb's) 10/24... more ›

GoogTube! GoogTube! GoogTube! Here's what's new at the record store: Annuals Be He Me (Ace Fu) Because of (or in despite of) their popularity with the blogging set, Annuals' highly anticipated album, Be He Me, is sure to be a hit this week. For fans of Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, and yes, even Animal Collective, Annuals add a bit of punch to the whole "we're pretending to be lo-fi but really we spent... more ›

Fans of the indie-rock will find much to like in the latest concert update. Flying V lovers My Morning Jacket, the willfully obtuse Fiery Furnaces, and alt.country godfather Jay Farrar have each been added to Austin's fall music schedule. As we've mentioned, the sheer volume of shows is unprecedented, so get out and enjoy the fact that every band you like is coming to town in the next two months. Thanks as always to... more ›

You’ve probably heard it through the grapevine that Brothers and Sisters is making quite an impression here in A-town. It seems that everywhere we turn, their name pops up in reference to a buzz they’ve produced in our local scene, so strong it threatens to drown out all indie-rock competition in a five hundred mile radius. We say kudos. With an influx of great bands like them, our scene’s standards have been raised ever... more ›

- Despite some rumors that Wilco would headline Shiner's annual Bocktoberfest, the event's main act is...Godsmack. Well, yeah, that's pretty much the same as Wilco. We just feel sorry for the Old 97's, who seem to be the only good act on the bill. Ask for a keg in your rider, guys. By the way, the 97's will warm up for Shiner with a 10/13 gig at Stubb's. - Speaking of drinking, Kinky Friedman... more ›

New music by Cursive, Kelis, Amy Millan, and more more ›

Wonderfully effusive post-punk-'n-pop band The Lovely Feathers hail from Montreal, and this crew is nothing if not motley. The five-some consists of: a classically-trained concert pianist, a former hardcore grunge drummer, a scholarship-winning college hockey player with a rumored criminal record in New Hampshire, a med school dropout, and a self-described Ancient Greek Hermeneutician. Their debut album, Hind Hind Legs, was produced by the guys behind Stars, Broken Social Scene, and Metric -- they toured late last year, in fact, with the latter band, though we're sorry to say that we missed their opening set. Lucky for us (and you), they're coming back next Tuesday for a show at Emo's with Man Man and Evangelicals (whose new album, So Gone, we reviewed earlier this week). We've got a special prize package that includes a copy of Hind Hind Legs and a pair of spots on the guestlist for the show for one of our lucky readers. Fill out the form below, and stay tuned for our interview with the band, which we'll bring you next week. Congrats, Rabia! [mp3] The Lovely Feathers - "Rome is in the Valley"
[mp3] The Lovely Feathers - "Fudgcicle"
[mp3] The Lovely Feathers - "Photo Corners"
[mp3] The Lovely Feathers - "Pope John Paul" (last two from The Yellow Stereo) [The Lovely Feathers on Myspace]
[The Lovely Feathers Official Site] Evangelicals, The Lovely Feathers, and Man Man
Emo's
Tuesday, June 19th
[tickets] more ›

You don't take care of your CDs very well. Your car—probably a mid-nineties Honda Civic with hit-or-miss air conditioning—is littered with albums, sans jewel cases. On this particular, hypothetical afternoon, you find that five discs have melted together whilst carelessly stacked in your center console: My Morning Jacket's Z, The Flaming Lips' Zaireeka, Broken Social Scene's Broken Social Scene, Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation, and anything from any labeled band out of Athens, Georgia... more ›