We’re used to hearing stories of musicians moving to our city limits to ply their trade, but Austin can lose a few, too. Such is the case of Monarchs, the soul-pop band led by Celeste Griffin. She’s packing up and moving the outfit to the bright lights of New York City. But before she leaves, you can say goodbye tonight at the Mohawk where Monarchs will be saying “au revoir, Austin” and hello to a fall mini-tour. more ›

Three rising artists with brand-new records take the stage tonight at the Hole In The Wall. Bird Call, Monarchs, and Johanna and the Dusty Floor all share a love of folk music, but they go about it in vastly different ways. Read more about the bill and find out how you can get a free download of Johanna's new album after the jump. more ›

Although Monarchs' driving force is clearly lead singer Celeste Griffin, there is more to this group than meets the eye, especially at this Saturday's album release show for The Rise and Fall. In this particular iteration of Monarchs, Jon Sanchez from Roky Erickson will be on guitar, Daniel Jones from Future Clouds and Radar on drums, and Gary Calhoun from One Hundred Flowers on bass. But that's not all - special guests Michael Kincaid from What Made Milwaukee Famous and Hope Buchanan from Till We're Blue or Destroy will also be on hand to join the Austin love-fest for Monarchs album debut at Swan Dive. more ›

What’s the Deal: This Brooklyn indie dance-rock duo bordering on the cacophonous charmed the pants off CMJ-goers last year, and it’s a good bet they’re going to do the same thing this year at SXSW. Then, immediately following their shows in Austin, the two of them are headed out on some massive April coast-to-coast touring, joining up with Yeasayer midway through in California. Did we mention they don’t even have an album out yet? more ›

Can't brush off Monarchs as another "pretty-girl-with-achingly-satisfying-vocals-fronting-tight-indie-outfit" no matter how hard you try. Claiming both ATX and Birmingham, AL (BAL?) as their HQs, their self-proclaimed influences run a similarly interesting gamut, including both Jerry Garcia and Amy Winehouse. more ›