Photos courtesy Nash Cook...

The Mohawk on Friday is going to be absolutely busting out with music, as one of their patently awesome two-stages-for-one-ticket deals hits the scene. Getting the big print and final time slot on the two stages are Elf Power and Belaire, but they're just small pieces of what looks to be a good long night of song. So we'll break this down all methodical-like so you won't have to worry about missing anything, and you'll finally learn the wonderfulness that is six live (and actually quite good!) bands for less than an Alexander Hamilton. ...

You've got to love it when, long after the lineup is set and the schedules are printed, the opening act takes a quantum leap in the quality of their music, and, for all intents and purposes, stacks a show with TWO truly engaging acts rather than your customary one. And that's exactly what's happened here, as New Zealand natives The Ruby Suns' new album, Sea Lion, is so badass that getting to the Mohawk early enough to see them open up is imperative. And, in a nod to their previously determined spot as a Friday night headliner, Throw Me the Statue is a delightfully tight and catchy band belying their Seattle roots. So, hell, The Ruby Suns AND Throw Me the Statue? Even if you haven't caught word of these bands yet, they're both damn good, and for such a quality lineup this show is about as inexpensive as they come....

Oakland's Xiu Xiu, led by Jamie Stewart and Caralee McElroy, made a gorgeous noise on Saturday at the Mohawk performing songs from their latest release, Women as Lovers. They were supported by the smoky curiosities of D.C.'s Thao & the Get Down Stay Down. ...

Many were wowed by the fractured-yet-pleasant pop melodies of Field Music, but with the disintegration of that band, its lead figure, David Brewis, needed a new way to spin his musical sensibilities. And this is where School of Language comes in, a driven and focused effort that features all the polish and shine of Field Music without the bubbling conflict that sent that group on an ominous "indefinite hiatus." The result of Brewis being allowed to explore on his own is the album Sea from Shore, a collection of murky sun-pop songs with a thin experimental edge. Nice to listen to and not particularly demanding, this is music that seems ready-made for a light-hearted good time concert, one that is particularly well-suited for the laid-back attitude of the Mohawk....

Justice made a pre SXSW stop at Stubb's on a freezing cold Monday night, playing tracks off their bass resistant, a-typical French house album "†" to a sold out crowd intent on keeping warm by living the dream: D.A.N.C.E. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

Snapshots from Sunday's Zilker Kite Festival...

Photos courtesy Nash Cook. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

Because we love you so very much, we've gone ahead and put together a special mini-site dedicated to this year's SXSW Festival....

Austinist & Gothamist are proud to announce our SXSW day party, taking place on Wednesday, March 12 at the Mohawk. The party kicks off around 11 a.m., and the day ends at 6, but not before Shout Out Louds, Shearwater, Liam Finn and Phosphorescent perform. As usual, the party is free, open to all. See you then!...

Photos by Steve Hopson. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

Kick off this weekend early on Thursday at Antone’s with music from Black Joe Lewis, Bankrupt and the Borrowers, and The Best Love In Town on the special occasion of The Versatile Syndicate’s “Launch Party.” The entity is now open for business, and their agenda is to aid any artist in pursuing their dreams and professional development via booking/tour management, consulting, live production, and so on. This event is a part of the Austin Music Foundation’s Love Austin Music Month and cover for AMF members is $5. The rest of us mere mortals can get in for $10. The shindig also marks AMF's 6th Birthday; free cake and food (courtesy of Whole Foods Market) and free 2008 She Rocks Calendars while the goodies last....

When the band Minor Threat dissolved, lead singer Ian MacKaye famously declared he wanted his next project to sound "like the Stooges with reggae.” For about fifteen years, Fugazi was that band, whose atypical sound and grounded approach to touring and performing have made them legendary, and nearly deistic to their many granola-punk followers....

If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

Sonic Boom (a.k.a. Peter Kember) makes his 2nd appearance in Austin within the last six months at The Mohawk on Saturday. Since our city regularly hosts acts numerous times in a year, this might not seem too extraordinary. But this is no ordinary act -- Sonic Boom was once part of the legendary British outfit Spacemen 3 whose psychedelic innovations influenced many of the bands you might listen to today....

“Ever wanted to be a space ship pilot in an 8-bit Nintendo game?” With that subject title, the latest press release from local synth-pop outfit Built By Snow grabbed our attention well before we even ventured into deep space. The “rad dudes” rescue a princess in the brilliant video for “Underneath”, the first song on their debut EP Noise, eventually scoring cheeseburgers for their troubles. The video incorporates plenty of eye catching imagery and retro animation and the result is a hilarious conglomeration of pop culture influences....

Photos from last night's Texas Democratic Party debate watching party at the Hyatt, with post debate appearance by Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. All photos by Romain Nayalkar for Austinist.com. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

Photos from last night's historic CNN/Univision Debate between Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. All photos by Steve Hopson for Austinist.com. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

Hopefully you didn't skip your daily jog on the trail today so you could rush home and make dip for your debate viewing party. If you did, you missed the opportunity to share your famous french onion recipe with (temporary Austinite) Senator Obama while he got in a gingerly stroll. Photos courtesy of Romain Nayalkar. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

Austinist photographer Steve Hopson previewed the UT Rec Center, site of tomorrow night's debate. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

If you love booze and cinema, well, have we got a deal for you. Cine Las Americas, Austin's own multicultural, non-profit media arts center, will be holding Chicha 56, a combo happy hour and after party fundraiser to benefit this year's programming. The event comes a mere 56 days before the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival kicks off....

Last Saturday, actor Will Ferrell made a quick stop in Austin during a press tour for his new film Semi-Pro. He also attended a sneak preview of the film and did a Q&A session at the Alamo Drafthouse, where attendees were required to dress in 70's basketball attire for admission - you can see the Drafthouse "team photo" here. Austinist's Tom Thornton and Gordon And The Whale's Chase Whale spoke briefly to Ferrell during the media day....

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....

Photos courtesy Nash Cook...

The iconic Grant Hart, of well-earned Hüsker Dü fame, headlines for Grand Champeen and The Service Industry tonight inside the Mohawk. Hüsker Dü, for those of you who don't remember, or are merely too young to have been a part of their revolution, were one of the most influential hardcore punk bands in history. Not only were they one of the first underground successes to sign to a major label, but they were the first group to truly weave melody into the greater punkrock mentality. Basically, without their influence, we wouldn't have had bands like the Pixies, Green Day, and some little garage outfit called Nirvana. And Grant Hart, my friends, was Hüsker Dü's drummer and part-time songwriter....

Photos of some of the items to be shown at Fashion Freakout at The United States Art Authority (next to Spiderhouse) on Saturday, February 16th. Featuring fashion from Buffalo Exchange, New Bohemia Boutique, Prototype Vintage Design and Pink Hair Salon. DJ Scandalizer, Brian Tweedy, Jason McNeely, and Mike Wiebe start the night off. Toko-Ri Get High and Shapes Have Fangs will play the after the show. $5 cover/ 21+ Photos courtesy of Briana Purser.......

Besides the wonderful events above, follow the jump for information on more weekend shows!...

Hey everybody, we're giving away two tickets to the Liars/No Age show at the Mohawk on Saturday! Winners are also invited to a late Happy Hour (8-8:30) with Liars before the show. Details and concert entry form after the jump...but first, backstory:...

Photos courtesy Nash Cook If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......