After a six-month wait since the UK release, Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr.'s solo debut Yours To Keep finally arrived in US record stores this week. We reviewed the disc back in October, saying: "On his quick, punchy solo disc, Hammond does a slightly poppy variation on The Strokes' first album. This is meant as a compliment, because while most side projects are self-indulgent and weird, this one is concise, fun, and really catchy."... more ›

San Antonio trio Girl In A Coma is comprised of siblings Nina and Phanie Diaz, and complemented by childhood friend Jenn Alva on bass. The band’s energetic pop/rock has been seen on tour with the likes of Frank Black, The Epoxies, and The Eyeliners, with an upcoming gig opening for the Pogues announced this month. Also secured recently is a record deal with Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records, with their debut album expected sometime this... more ›

“This is the closest I’ll ever get to him,” remarked a fan as Frank Black waded his way through a gathering of collected faithful at Waterloo Records this rain hit Austin afternoon. The magic of in-store performances in the capitol has been evoked regularly by the city’s most visible record store, whether it be local icons like ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead or SxSW week imports like Doves. And, arguably, that fan was right, this is the closest the 100+ that crammed Waterloo Records would ever come to the Pixies legend. Starting off with Surfer Rosa classic, “Cactus,” Black treated the audience to a series of acoustic versions of his material, old and new, solo and not. Constantly stirring the crowd with questions and anecdotes, Black is promoting his new Americana tinged double disc, Fastman Raiderman. Soulful renditions of “I Burn Today” and (‘the song about’) “Manitoba” followed before Black truly appeased the crowd with “Where Is My Mind?” The short performance ended with some new tracks, including “Raiderman” and a plug for his evening performance at La Zona Rosa. more ›

TUESDAY [10] film • AFS Essential: The Romantic Englishwoman at Alamo Drafthouse (7pm) ® film • The Flower of My Secret at Arbor (2:45pm & 7:30pm) ® film • Talk to Her at Arbor (12:10pm, 5:05pm, 10pm) ® film • Noam Chomsky: Rebel Without a Pause at The Space (8pm, Free) ® film • Yellow Submarine at Alamo Drafthouse (9:45pm, $2) film • Beetlejuice at Rounders Pizzeria (9pm, FREE) film • SXSW Presents: The... 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 ›

We'll get the bad news out of the way first: Junior Boys, Hot Chip, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah have all slighted Austin on their fall tour schedules. So if you were hoping for one of these shows, start saving for a JetBlue flight. Thankfully, almost every other indie-Pitchfork-college rock band known to man will touch down in our town between now and Thanksgiving. There were a flurry of new show announcements over... more ›

Okay, so the headline isn't entirely true, but forget about World War III for a second and listen to some really good news: yesterday Rollingstone.com broke the story, and today pitchfork reported to people under 35 that legendary Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr has been added to Modest Mouse's permanent lineup. Our minds are reeling with the possibiities: imagine the man who wrote the riffs to The Headmaster Ritual and This Charming Man working for... more ›