One of underground rock's most crucial and influential bands of the last decade-plus is the California quartet Deerhoof, who play Austin's Mohawk on February 1st. Founded in 1995 by drummer Greg Saunier, Deerhoof currently exists as a quartet with guitarists John Dieterich and Ed Rodriguez and vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki, the band has been part of a creative nexus in the Bay Area (even though they no longer reside there permanently), along with groups like XBXRX, Caroliner, Xiu Xiu and THF TFFTHF. In advance of their new album Deerhoof vs. Evil (their eleventh full-length and first for Polyvinyl, following a long association with Kill Rock Stars), Austinist decided to ring up Dieterich for a chat. more ›

Molly Siegel’s mouth is the motor driving it all: there is yelping, some shrieking. There will be warbling. The effect is that of a punchy, anthemic stadium rock from outer space. more ›

The greatness of her sound is that it has not only retained, but honed and distilled that youthful spirit of playing music as play time, for the sheer joy of it. It’s that same raw, infectious joy shared between female vocalists in the tradition of Ponytail, Deerhoof, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and their fans. more ›

San Francisco-based eccentrics Deerhoof have spent their entire career on Kill Rock Stars. The sometimes avant, sometimes classically inspired but always interesting group released Offend Maggie in October to rave reviews. They're one of the acts we're most excited to see this weekend, mostly because we just heard about their distribution of "Fresh Born" to an audience in NYC in the form of sheet music -- an urging for fans to submit their own versions. Until we find out if they offer Austin the same privilege, we'll settle for a discussion with Ed Rodriguez, the band's (new-ish) guitarist. more ›

Austin's own Fun Fun Fun Fest is where it's at, and all the cool kids know it. This year, we're trying to one-up the awesomeness that was last year's debauched hootenanny, which will be difficult but doable. more ›