Stubb’s hosts a stellar line-up of Lone Star talent this Saturday. The Drams headline with southern-style melodies off their debut record, Jubilee Dive, out now on New West Records. The band consists of Brent Best, Jess Barr, and Tony Harper from the now-defunct but somewhat-cult Denton band, Slobberbone (along with Keith Killoren and Chad Stockslager -- both from Budapest One.) The Drams’ brand of alt-country will be preceded by similar southern strains courtesy of Mice & Rifles and blissful Americana from Slow Train. Get in there! more ›

Patterson Hood is best-known for his work with the Drive-By Truckers, but the Alabama native, whose father was a member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, has a musical career stretching nearly 20 years. He's been through near-hits and near-misses aplenty. In one particularly tumultuous season, he put together an album of solo material, Killers and Stars, which became an unofficial release passed out at shows and circulated amongst fans. Now, as he's wrapping... more ›

Nearly a year after the release of Drive-By Truckers’ magnificent A Blessing And A Curse, Jason Isbell departed (in friendly fashion) from the band in April of this year. In July, he emerged with his first solo effort, Sirens Of The Ditch on New West Records. Recorded at the Fame Studios (graced in the past by the likes of Little Richard and Aretha Franklin) in Alabama, the album is chock-full of bluesy alt-country balanced... more ›

The holidays are over, there's an all you can eat grackle buffet downtown, and it's January 9, the first proper release week of 2007. How fitting: the damned Canadians are dominating it. Neko Case Live From Austin, TX (New West Records) Though Case's recording from Austin City Limits is four years old (recorded originally in 2003), it stands as a testament to the unequivocal talent those not in the audience that night were privy... more ›

FRIDAY [27] party/music/awesome • Car Stereo (Wars) and Austinist host a Halloween Bash with Clap!Clap!, carnie games, face painting, fortune tellers, free fangs, "killer" drink specials, a costume contest judged by the fashionistas of Team Fabrication, and more at Beauty Bar (10pm-2am, $3 with, 4 w/o costume) zombies • Zombie Flash Mob at City Hall fashion • Beauty Bar Blowout with complimentary 'dos by Birds Barbershop, makeup applications by MAC artists, DJ Robbie Hardkiss... more ›

Mundane societies often pave the way for artistic innovations and highly creative individuals. Not to imply anything about various areas in England, but one frequently hears murmurs about its bleaker areas, be it Sheffield or Nottingham. And it was the latter’s working class culture that gave rise to IV Thieves. more ›

Photos from the IV Thieves CD release party last night at Habana. Their album drops today from New West Records - buy it! It will rock your face off. more ›

Once upon a time in Nottingham, England's "Capital of Crime," four young working-class lads met and started a band. The brill quartet was spearheaded by Nic Armstrong, but it's no secret that Johnny Aitken, Shane Lawlor and Glenn Wedgewood are all incredibly talented and undoubtedly the dog's bollocks. more ›

Austinist is having a big bash at Mohawk on Thursday. You know this much. But perhaps you don't know anything about IV Thieves (who were formerly named Nic Armstrong and the Thieves before getting all democratic). That's OK - we'll help you. more ›

If you've lived in Austin for a while, you've surely heard the twang-pop of Dallas' Old 97's by now. While the group is currently on hiatus due to Rhett Miller's solo career, they were absolutely one of the best alt.country outfits of their era. The band eventually outgrew (or chose to downplay) most of their country influences, becoming more pop-rock oriented with each new album. By the time their last major label record "Satellite Rides" was released, the 97's were totally radio friendly, though we suppose that means XM or Sirius these days, since they never really got any airtime. more ›