You might be surprised to learn that Death Vessel isn’t a morbid metal band, but instead a Sub Pop signee and the folk project of one Joel Thibodeau – just as surprising, perhaps, as hearing Thibodeau’s voice for the first time and being bowled over by the pitch. Of all of this band’s notable features, it’s Thibodeau’s high-octave vox that commands your attention, but you’ll stay for the songs themselves and their tendency to sound epic and truncated all at once....

THURSDAY [28] music • Ratatat, Envelopes, Panther (outside), Maritime, Ghost of the Russian Empire (inside) at Emo's ® music • Clap Clap at Whisky Bar music • Jonny Lang at Stubb's music • Jose Gonzalez w. Death Vessel at The Parish Room ® music • AUX, Red Leaves, Belhome at Flamingo Cantina music • Boy Band Hoot Night with Single Frame, Golden Bear, and more at The Mohawk (912 Red River) ® music •......

Perhaps ACL Fest wasn't the ideal venue for Sweden's José Gonzalez. His typically quiet Sunday afternoon set was marred by muddy sound and the strains of Jack Ingram bleeding off of a nearby stage. He jumped offstage after about 25 minutes, likely running for the exit and some air conditioning. If you are a fan of José and his Pitchfork-approved Veneer disc, you will likely have a much better experience tomorrow night. A scant......

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)......

Pitchfork today posted the initial lineup of confirmed SXSW XX artists, and the roster is ... well, see for yourself: The Adored, Annie, Arctic Monkeys, Belle and Sebastian, The BellRays, Be Your Own Pet, Blockhead, The Boy Least Likely To, The Brokedown, Calexico, Neko Case, Cat Power, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clor, Jason Collett, The Cribs, Cuff the Duke, Jamie Cullum, Dashboard Confessional, Death In Vegas, Death Vessel, Dengue Fever, Destroyer, Die! Die!......