For the longest time I was perplexed as to why my freshman year roommate would decorate our dorm room with a poster of some scruffy looking guy in a bathrobe. I found out it was one Harry Nilsson, who’s long been relegated to “cool music you learn about in college” status, a veritable musician’s musician and songwriter’s songwriter. But this year finally saw the release of the excellent doc Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)?, and now Nilsson seems to be on lots of people’s lips. He’s even earned himself his very own Austin-style hoot night, taking place tonight at Ruta Maya. more ›

Tonight's edition of Music Monday at the Alamo Ritz features John Scheinfeld's acclaimed documentary, Who Is Harry Nilsson? (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him). This film has languished for several years after debuting on the festival circuit in 2006 because of music rights issues. It would be difficult, after all, to tell the story of a singer and songwriter like Nilsson without using clips of his songs. Legal issues settled, Lorber Films has recently released the film on DVD and we can highly recommend checking it out for Music Monday. more ›

Sure, Harry Nilsson's birthday isn't actually until Friday. And some of you probably don't even know who he is. But neither of those things should stop you from partying at the Alamo tonight in honor of the late great songwriter, Grammy Award winner and all-around brilliant guy. If you're familiar with Nilsson, we obviously don't need to sell you on his wonderfully diverse and inventive pop music. But if you're not sure who he is,... more ›

MONDAY [11] film • Patton Oswalt live with "Ratatouille" sneak preview at Alamo Downtown film • Music Monday: "Harry Nilsson's Birthday Party" at Alamo Downtown food • Central Market Cooking School Class: Sushi 101 with Chef Timothy Thomas at Central Market Cooking School, 4001 N Lamar ($70, 6:30-9:30pm) music • Maserati, My Education, Lazar Wolf at Emo's music • Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Cheer Accident, Oh, Beast at Emo's music • Manu Chao at Stubb's... more ›

Label-mates (and band-mates) The Channel and Golden Bear have been making the rounds at Austin venues for the past few months, hot on the heels of their respective CD releases. However, this Saturday the Channel will mix things up at the Parish with a re-do of Harry Nilsson’s The Point. A tale revolving around the only round-headed boy in the Land of Point, the story has been reinterpreted in various media, including an animated... more ›

You probably know actor Curtis Armstrong best as the vulgar, grubby, utterly lovable anti-frat boy character Booger from the 1980s teen comedy series Revenge of the Nerds. So you may be surprised to find out that in real life, Armstrong is articulate, cultured and polite - and that he’s one of the world’s foremost experts on pop songwriter Harry Nilsson. This Saturday, Armstrong will be visiting Austin to host a screening of Nilsson’s 1971 film... more ›

Here's what's new this week: The Walkmen Pussy Cats Starring the Walkmen (Record Collection) When John Lennon and Yoko Ono took a break in 1974, the former jumped into the studio with pals Ringo Star, Keith Moon and Harry Nilsson (among others) to produce Pussy Cats, a fascinating mix of classic tunes and originals arranged primarily by Nilsson and Lennon. Misunderstood and bizarre, Pussy Cats is the ultimate buddy album for music geeks with... more ›