Brazos’ debut LPs has been in the works for a while now. It’s been two years since principal member Martin Crane released the first EPs to fly the Brazos banner, A City Just as Tall and Feeding Frenzy, which he wrote and recorded entirely on his own. The fact that those EPs were essentially bedroom recording projects, coupled with the two year absence of any new material during which Crane assembled a (mostly) steady lineup for the band, may account for why Phosphorescent Blues is such a compelling departure from the original Brazos recordings. The album is beautifully recorded, and filled, for lack of a better phrase, with a kind of joyful nostalgia—both for the past and the future, if that’s even possible. more ›

WOXY will celebrate their move to Austin Sept. 6 at Scoot Inn. Black Before Red, TV Torso, English Teeth and Martin Crane will perform. more ›

Oh, Canopy, we hardly knew ye. While we understand the difficulties of keeping an eight-person band all on the same page and distinctly fulfilled, well, it's still all so sudden. But at least you'll go out tonight with a bang, what with a stellar show planned and the official release of your new EP on Autobus records, Canopy/Anopy. more ›

Two days after SXSW kicks off and our city becomes a living, breathing conglomeration of people from all walks of life, Austinist presents Local Music is Sexy at the PureVolume Ranch. Past Local Music is Sexy events have showcased acts such as The Black Angels, Brothers and Sisters, The Lemurs, The Corto Maltese, Black Before Red, and IV Thieves to name a few. Last year, we remember dancing the night away to Car Stereo (Wars)’ mad mash-ups, drinking free Red Bull (among other things), and having a go at the sweet Wii set up in that little lounge at the location. All in all, an excellent time. more ›

The Mohawk presents a solid double bill of local pop this evening. The Lemurs have been writing new material over the last few months and a handful of those songs will be included in their set tonight. The band enjoyed a stellar 2007 -- highlights included licensing their music to NBC show Las Vegas (as well as an Australian indie flick called Newcastle) and touring with Canadian act Stars. This past Sunday, ME Television telecast a 2nd ME Live! featuring The Lemurs' shimmering melodies in concert at a recent La Zona Rosa gig. more ›

This Sunday, come to one of one of Austin’s most comfortably worn-in bars to see four promising local artists strut their stuff. The Pillow Queens, Canopy (or CCANOPYY), Spirit of Space and Jacob Borshard will all play The Hole in the Wall starting around 9, with no cover. more ›

It's been a big year for local acts. Big name bands like Spoon, Iron & Wine and Okkervil River made a huge impact on the independent music scene world-wide, while up and coming acts like White Denim and Moth!Fight! captured our attention at the indie rock water cooler all year long. As rising hopes and swelling egos swept the town alongside buzz and bravado, we parted ways with bands like SOUND Team and Clap!Clap!. more ›

Think male/female indie harmonies, and what comes to mind? Mates of State? Well, try letting your lips get comfortable with Arthur & Yu. They are the childhood nicknames of Seattle multi-instrumentalists Grant Olsen (Arthur) and Sonya Westcott (Yu), and their debut, In Camera, is an organic, acoustic folk delight. Flute sounds, wood blocks, glockenspiel and plenty of tambourine along with conventional rock elements create a sound that’s minimal yet layered. In Camera is not only... more ›

Pitchfork reports that Okkervil River have settled on Stage Names for their upcoming release (slated for August 7), featuring artwork by William Schaff (featured left). The album was recorded here in Austin with Brian Beattie and Jim Eno. Follow the cut below for the track listing and tour dates for the summer (hint: there's only three). The Chronicle has taken note of the Tonewheel Collective's recent Beerland extravaganza / farewell show. The news here, incidentally,... more ›

*The views expressed in The Laurie Show are those of the author and do not represent Austinist as a whole.* -ed. note Kids, there's been some confusion in regards to The Laurie Show on KUT 90.5. My usual gig is from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays, but recently, I've either been off duty or sitting in for Jeff McCord on Left of the Dial. I promise I will return to my usual... more ›

TUESDAY [21] beer/books • Austinist's very own Truecraig presents a very special reading in honor of the release of his new memoirs, I Am An Idiot (but there's nothing wrong with you) at Club de Ville (8pm, Free, Recommended) food • Massive free pre-Thanksgiving feast at Palmer Events Center (4-8pm) books • Nomi Prins presents Jacked: How Conservatives Are Picking Your Pocket (Whether You Voted For Them or Not) at BookPeople (7:00pm) film •... more ›

MONDAY [20] film • Cine Las Americas presents Letters from the Other Side at Carver Museum (6:30pm, Free) film • Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple at Alamo Downtown (7pm) film • Mouchette at Texas Union (7:30pm) film • "City of Men," Episodes 5 & 6 at Spider House (8pm, Free) film • Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) film • Who Killed the Electric Car at Café... more ›

"The book is a riddle, it's our generation's bible, and you have to guess the title with one clue: After photoshop was used only to remove certain letters, what remained were the words FACT and CON..." more ›

Ah, love. It’s nice. But you know what’s even better? Hipster love. Romance between two people who've achieved a certain stature in their particular social circles. Two people who've attained a little recognition in their chosen profession. Two people who are so cool around each other that they don’t annoy the crap out of you with lovey-dovey little kisses and coo coo cooing. Hence, we bring you our first interview with a bona fide... more ›

MONDAY [10][karaoke] Monday Karaoke at Beerland (Free, 9pm) (link) [film] Monday Movies al fresco, with 'Heavenly Creatures" and "Welcome to the Dollhouse" at Sidebar (link) [comedy/books] David Sedaris at Bass Concert Hall (8pm) (link) [music] Elizabeth McQueen at Theadgill's (Free, 8pm) (link) [film/drinking] FUSEBOX Happy Hour at Blue Theater (6pm, $5, screening of short films by Austin's Zellner Brothers as part of the ongoing FUSEBOX Festival) (link) [theatre] "Durang/Durang" at Mary Mood Northern Theatre (8pm,... more ›

*Update: this post has been revised after receiving some very helpful feedback. For a while now, we've been hearing good things about the Tonewheel Collective, a bi-weekly acoustic happy hour show on Thursdays hosted by members of some of Austin's best bands. Two weeks ago, we finally had the opportunity to experience it for ourselves. And, to put it succinctly: wow. Members of Tonewheel include Jared Van Fleet (Voxtrot, Sparrow House), Martin Crane and Mark... more ›