Show-going this weekend is understandably limited by the amount of Austinites out of town, out of sorts, or otherwise taking a vacation from the live music grind that makes our town so special but occasionally overwhelming. But that doesn't mean you can't score a good performance or two during the holiday hubbub. Choose wisely, and you may be in for a show far better than the tattoo display at your third cousin's porch post-dinner. more ›

...because he was in the band Folk Implosion, which had a big hit with the pop oddity "Natural One," right? Barlow is a lo-fi legend, and he found his greatest successes as the bassist and occasional songwriter of Dinosaur Jr., and later as the principal songwriter and guitarist for the band Sebadoh. The band hit paydirt with 1994's Bakesale, gross cover art and all. more ›

We Americans tend to think we have a pretty amazingly musical and artistic country, but perhaps we should be paying a little closer attention to the music of our neighbors to the North. Pretty much anytime you want to get turned on to a new act that might not have made it down over the border and to your ears, all you have to do is check out the Junos or Polaris. This year, Plants and Animals were up for New Group of the Year, but lost to The Stills. more ›

Free Week Free Week Free Week has your overflowing bosom of otherworldly and cost-effective goodness just about reached its point of earthly ceasing? Dost thou have in thy kindly arms any more delights with which our post-holiday doldrums may be cast into the fires of non-necessity? Is there yet another verbally absurdist imploration we can offer you, so you can have for us but one last weekend of excellence? ...Hopefully not. But what we can say is that this Saturday night has blessed us with one of Free Week's finest offerings, as not only do the proceedings continue elsewhere on Red River, but at Stubb's, where local faves Leatherbag, The Pons, and Danny Malone will be plying their fine craft. And bonus points for being inside, because being cold is for suckers. more ›

With the Austin City Limits Music Festival approaching, Dell Lounge’s annual The Sound and the Jury contest is fast gaining momentum once again. This year’s five finalists, Andrew Tinker, The Bright Light Social Hour, The Bubbles, Mobley, and OK Sweetheart will battle it out next Wednesday (the 30th) at Antone’s for the coveted Dell Stage spot at the fest. The Steps were victorious last year, and this Thursday at Stubb’s, the Austin360 Concert Series give you the opportunity to check up on the winning band from the first installment of the competition in 2007. more ›

Malone’s been planning on releasing a new album for a while now and has apparently finished it, so keep a look out. He performs at dive bars, house shows and even Stubb’s inside. He’ll be playing at the latter Saturday night alongside The Eastern Sea with their haunting, melodic indie rock with the occasional sax and trombone and Jude/Ross’ melodic, Jonathan Richman-style pop. more ›

World-famous radio station WFMU made a special appearance in Austin this past Monday when the weekly show Sound and Safe with Trent roadtripped its way into a south Austin back yard. WFMU has a long history of creatively unhinged musical programs, beginning its broadcasts in 1958 and more lately enlisting the DJ talents of notables including Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum, Matador records main man Gerard Cosloy, author Irwin Chusid, etc. more ›