Austin's mashup wizards Car Stereo (Wars), having taken a hiatus after their hugely successful SXSW showcase, return tomorrow night with a special Austinist-sponsored party at the Beauty Bar. Opener Gabe Vaughn, aka Second Line Social, will spin NOLA-influenced jams ranging from soul to R&B, with a little funk thrown in for good measure. Come early to get your free portraits taken by Courtney Chavanell (Brothers & Sisters) and check out nifty projections from the very......

The following is a brief interview with Chris "Arch" Archibald, frontman of Bucks County, Pennsylvania indie rockers Illinois. Having just released their latest album, What the Hell Do I Know?, they'll be playing a slew of shows during SXSW, including the +1 House Party, Ace Fu showcase at Beauty Bar, and Playboy's Rock the Rabbit. Check their myspace for more info. [mp3] Illinois - "Alone Again" Share a story about a visit to Austin......

It was while trolling Gawker that we found out about this weekend's huge 2006 Mark Bingham Cup, the biennial tournament of the International Gay Rugby Association and Board named after a player from UC Berkeley who died onboard on September 11th. Our very own Division III rugby team, the Austin Lonestars, are headed up to New York City to participate in the tournament this weekend and join the thousand-plus muscled gay jocks who'll be......

Ray Allen is a sissy. We knew it back when Denzel kicked his ass in streetball in He Got Game, but it keeps going downhill from there. In 2001, Allen complained of an "NBA conspiracy" when his Bucks lost to the 76ers in the Eastern Coference Finals. This year, he has been involved in snippy altercations with LA's Kobe Bryant, Orlando's Keeyon Dooling (which merited a 3-game suspension), and of course San Antonio's Bruce......

M O N D A Y [ 1 4 ] music · Dios (Malos), Pilotdrift and Steeltrain at Stubb's music · The Lemurs and Tarantula A.D. at the Parish Room film · Spiderhouse Cafe screens "Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price" (RSVP, Free, 10pm) (Thanks, Kate!) shopping · Austin Museum of Art's Tax-Free Day music · Piebald, Hot Rod Circuit, Hit the Light and Valient Thorr at Emo's music · Nic Armstrong and the......

We have always had romantic notions of hotel living--like Royal of the Royal Tennenbaums, or Karen on Will & Grace making it with the the maintanance man at the Plaza Hotel during her divorce. Our fantasy includes terry cloth robes and slippers, daily maid service, champagne at our door, and lots of movies on demand. We fantasize about striking it rich just so we can make a habit of room service. We love hotels......