It’s been twenty years since Liz Phair, a former art student, was messing around making her lo-fi, self-released cassette tapes under the moniker Girly Sounds, but she easily recalls those early days in Chicago’s indie scene and her first show days before the release of Exile In Guyville on Matador Records. Her debut success received unanticipated accolades for her sexually explicit lyrics, blunt delivery, and sassy, folk-rock stylings and launched her into a music career and a subsequent tumultuous relationship with record labels. Phair has dabbled in mainstream, ventured into composing television scores, and continues to strive and create on her own terms. This week Ms. Phair returns to Austin to participate in SXSW and perform at the IFC Crossroads House (Friday night), but first the indie icon took a minute to talk with Austinist about SXSW, the “scene,” her first performance, and some lessons she’s learned along the way. more ›

Tomorrow night, Liz Phair will be in town playing at La Zona Rosa. The last time we saw her in concert we had just bought her very poppy eponymously-titled album. It didn't seem that many in the audience (she was opening for Jason Mraz, ugh) were familiar with her music - until she broke out into "Supernova." Some die-hard fans will argue that Liz can never surpass her excellent first album, "Exile In Guyville." We love her enough to say that as long as she is making music, we'll be eager to listen to it and try to catch her in concert. more ›

M O N D AY [ 31 ] music/party · The White Ghost Shivers' Halloween Ball at American Legion Hall! Burlesque, Independence Brew, apple bobbing with the TX Roller Girls, Tarot card readings, a kissing booth and more. The White Ghost Shivers will also be performing a live soundtrack to accompany Buster Keaton's "Cops." ($25, 9pm) music · Galactic, Mofro and New Monsoon at Stubb's music · Halloween Show at Emo's with Flametrick Subs, Satans... more ›