Photos courtesy Trent Lesikar. more ›

While listening to Balmorhea, if you squint your ears, you can hear where John Cage meets Gillian Welch. Though the influences of founders Rob Lowe and Michael Muller can be heard clearly, their music is an exercise in re-contextualization of classical sensibilities. Think of the fleeting delicacy of Debussy swept out onto the Texas plains, and you have an idea what Balmorhea are aiming for. Austin’s known for producing huge music via small ensemble—see Explosions in the Sky and Western Vinyl labelmate Ola Podrida—that invariably gets labeled as cinematic. But Balmorhea temper their dramatic flourish with a base of spare, open chords like slow-burning post-rock flares. Their last album,All Is Wild, All Is Silent, tugged some wilderness into their disciplined, classical style, escorting chamber music outdoors. Their eagerly awaited newest, Constellations, is set to release February 23rd after a debut performance tonight at Central Presbyterian Church. more ›

In Austin we oft find ourselves spoiled with an array of music on any given night. With all the big-name bands coming to town it's hard not to get overwhelmed and lured in by the indie rock scene. (See: Cake, Death Cab, Ra Ra Riot and Mates of State all playing just this week) But, those washed out tired of crowded shows can find solace at Cactus Cafe tonight with some down to earth down-tempo folk rock. 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 ›

FRIDAY [13] music/art • Austin Museum of Digital Art (AMODA) presents their latest Digital Showcase with Drop The Lime, MVSCLZ, HAPPYSUCKY, Wonder Jam Twins, Yatsuzaki, DJ Who's Jealous and DJ Radicon, plus visual artists including Ben Aqua, Ben Hibon, Bleep Labs, Cari Palazzolo, David Salinas, DEFASTEN, Eli Welbourne, Friedrich Kirschner, Johnny Cisneros, Lanneau White aka Karl Sapien, Lonja, Mike Ruiz, and Yuki Kawamura at The Mohawk (9pm-2am, $7/$4 general/members, 18+) ® music • Faceless... more ›

Seattle’s Damien Jurado has peddled his wares with different artists and on various record labels over the years. His latest, And Now That I’m In Your Shadow, released on Indiana-based Secretly Canadian, is his eighth solo full length. Jurado’s storied past includes collaborations with another WA favorite, David Bazan, and he brings his poignant lyrics and folk tinged pop to Austin for two shows, the latter with the afore-mentioned Bazan on the 15th at the Parish. On the 13th, he graces Emo’s intimate inside stage with singer/songwriter Rosie Thomas (who appeared on Jurado’s Ghost of David) as well Austin’s the Lovely Sparrows, fresh on the heels of the release of Pulling Up Floors, Pouring on (New) Paint. more ›

Hey, did you hear that Google bought YouTube? No? Well, then go buy some records. Damien Jurado And Now That I'm In Your Shadow (Secretly Canadian) October's releases seem to be in touch with the temperature drop (however small) and shift of mood. Damien Jurado's latest offering is the perfect example: dark, sparing treatments on the decline of romance in the Midwest, a disagreement between friends in the back of a pickup truck, and... 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 ›

As Elvis Costello might say, we just don't know where to begin. Even if you are skipping ACL, the fall is turning into a music wonderland. Acts of every genre and size are booking Austin's clubs up like there's no tomorrow, leaving music lovers with many questions on how to spend both time and cash this fall. Trust us, you can't see it all, so pick your favorites and buy tickets in advance to... more ›

Danielson (formerly the Danielson Famile) is an indie pop/Christian gospel troupe band of brothers and sisters from suburban New Jersey. Formed as a result of elder Smith and frontman Daniel's senior thesis at Rutgers, entitled A Prayer for Every Hour, the band released a steady stream of albums starting the late 90s. Back in 2001 they signed to Secretly Canadian -- home to beloved indie acts like Antony and the Johnsons, Jens Lekman, Damien Jurado, and Magnolia Electric Co -- on which they've recently come out with the amazing Ships. more ›

* Image from www.damienjurado.com more ›

SXSW.com released an updated lineup for this year's SXSW Music Festival earlier today, and it's one hell of a list. The SXSW committee hastens to note that "This is a partial list of performers confirmed to appear at the 2006 SXSW Music Festival. This list is current as of 1/13/06. All of this information is subject to change." International acts include: Masahiro Nitta, DMBQ, Ellegarden, Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re, PE'Z, The Emeralds (Japan)... more ›