As January continues, Austin continues to emerge from "event slumber" as news of parties and celebrations begin to flow again. For Austin's many beer lovers, this month has two great parties and one newish spot to offer that should make your month as malty or hoppy as you'd care to have it. more ›

The time has finally come: Bravo's Top Chef: Texas kicks off tonight with an episode filmed in San Antonio. The big news for Austin may be less that some shows were filmed here and more that two Austinites are among the 29 chefs in the competition. Both Paul Qui of Uchiko and East Side King and Andrew Curren of 24 Diner appear in the initial episode - but that's as much as we know at present. If you'd like to celebrate the show launch, both chefs' restaurants have viewing parties scheduled for this evening. more ›

For every specialty showcase presided over by SXSW and its strict badge-holders only policy, about fifteen other events are taking place on the east side and elsewhere, featuring many of the same bands and oftentimes featuring free libations. Both the official and unofficial sides of SXSW have notable advantages and disadvantages, which make for a good chunk of casual conversation during the festival (the rest is taken up with where to find the best and most free beer). What we've compiled here is a list of some of our most worthy hopes for a non-sanctioned SXSW blast during the days and occasionally nights of the coming week. more ›

Earlier this month, Hotel Saint Cecilia decided they'd host a New Year's Eve party. As with all things Saint Cecilia, though, they've opted to keep it rather under the radar and exclusive, so we're not really supposed to tell you about it. But now you know. more ›

As the people start to flock into town and more and more talk around town is about the upcoming Austin Film Festival, we are starting to get really excited. There are some incredibly talented people and equally amazing movies coming to town, and more premieres than you can shake a stick at (um, not that you’d want to. Why is that an expression?). And when you’re not at a conference or your last film’s final credits have rolled…it’s time to party! No need to check your schedule. We’ve got all the info you need on all the big events. Read on… more ›

Cupcakes will be flowing like wine -- or at least rolling out of the kitchen pretty darn quick -- at Sugar Mama's Bake Shop this Sunday from 2-5 pm. That's when the family-owned bake shop on South 1st, which prides itself on 'keeping Austin sweet,' celebrates its two year anniversary. You are cordially invited to partake in the sweet shop's birthday festivities, which include cupcakes on the house! more ›

There's a lot going on in Austin's food scene this month, but sometimes events do seem to have a unique twist to them. If you've ever considered asking actor Edward Burns a question, like perhaps "how does one manage to win the Sundance Film Festival, convince Tom Petty to soundtrack your ideas, and marry Christy Turlington?", then this may be the evening to get your answer. Burns, The Blind Side director John Lee Hancock, and Braveheart screenwriter Randall Wallace will all appear as featured guests at the Austin Film Festival's 8th Annual Film + Food next Wednesday at the Driskill Hotel.

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This Saturday, east Austin's acclaimed Live Oak Brewing Company enters its angsty teenage phase with (fittingly) a party. This is their 13th year of delivering hand-crafted, never-bottled brews to a select few cities in Texas; you can find it in Austin at the Alamo Drafthouse and the Draught House Pub, among other locations. more ›

Like many great ideas, the Johnny Cupcakes clothing line started completely by accident. Boston resident Johnny Earle printed a few shirts with his nickname from work (at the famed Newbury Comics) and the comic tenor of the name and logo started a regional sensation. Earle now runs three Cupcakes stores in Boston and Los Angeles as well as a thriving online site.

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• Prolific blogger Robert Scoble is leaving his current job with FastCompany, and may announce his newest venture at SXSW. Scoble joined FastCompany about a year ago and has been running their FastCompany.tv site. He plans to continue writing a column for FastCompany magazine, but will not do video for the site.
• Monday, March 16 looks to be the big party night for Interactive. Festival organizer Hugh Forrest reports there are more than 20 official parties and get-togethers scheduled for that evening, including the annual Nuclear Taco feat, 20 x 2, Plutopia, and the Great British Booze-Up.
• If you don't have a Gold badge, but still want to see some movies, there are several screenings that are open to Interactive badgeholders, including Ondi Timoner's We Live In Public to Gary Hustwit's Objectified.

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. more ›

Although Hoot Nights and Tribute shows tend to occur frequently, Saturday’s extravaganza at Ruta Maya promises to trump all with an extensive lineup of local talent set to cover a variety of tunes recorded (or released) in 1967, known otherwise as the Summer Of Love. Get there early, even if the music does only start at the respectable time of 4:20 p.m. Full lineup below but we have to mention some of our favorites --... more ›

Believe it or not, there's still a bunch of activities going on around town this week other than SXSW. This week's IST List won't include our usual bevy of music and film events; for those, we recommend that you check out our Interactive Guide to SXSW Parties and the Other Side Guide, respectively. Meanwhile, if you'd like to share your SXSW photos with the Austinist community, simply tag 'em "sxswaustinist" -- we'll be featuring... more ›

Believe it or not, there's a bunch of activities going on around town this week other than SXSW. This week's IST List won't include our usual bevy of music and film events; for those, we recommend that you check out our Interactive Guide to SXSW Parties and the Other Side Guide, respectively. We'd also like to welcome LAist editor Tony Pierce and Gothamist arts editor Jen Carlson, both of whom will be joining us... more ›

We've gotten our hands on a bunch of tickets, guestlist spots, and assorted swag for several excellent parties happening during SXSW, and over the course of today we'll be giving these away. Check back every hour for the newest giveaway contest -- each will only run until the next one is posted, so your chances at winning are pretty damn good. Congrats to the winner of our last contest, who'll be announced at the... more ›

We've gotten our hands on a bunch of tickets, guestlist spots, and assorted swag for several excellent parties happening during SXSW, and over the course of today we'll be giving these away. Check back every hour for the newest giveaway contest -- each will only run until the next one is posted, so your chances at winning are pretty damn good. Congrats to the winner of our last contest, who'll be announced at the end... more ›

We've gotten our hands on a bunch of tickets, guestlist spots, and assorted swag for several excellent parties happening during SXSW, and over the course of today we'll be giving these away. Check back every hour for the newest giveaway contest -- each will only run until the next one is posted, so your chances at winning are pretty damn good. Congrats to the winner of our last contest, who'll be announced at the end... more ›

We've gotten our hands on a bunch of tickets, guestlist spots, and assorted swag for several excellent parties happening during SXSW, and over the course of today we'll be giving these away. Check back every hour for the newest giveaway contest -- each will only run until the next one is posted, so your chances at winning are pretty damn good. Congrats to the winner of our last contest, who'll be announced at the end... more ›

We've gotten our hands on a bunch of tickets, guestlist spots, and assorted swag for several excellent parties happening during SXSW, and over the course of today we'll be giving these away. Check back every hour for the newest giveaway contest -- each will only run until the next one is posted, so your chances at winning are pretty damn good. Congrats to the winner of our last contest, who'll be announced at the end... more ›

San Antonio trio Girl In A Coma is comprised of siblings Nina and Phanie Diaz, and complemented by childhood friend Jenn Alva on bass. The band’s energetic pop/rock has been seen on tour with the likes of Frank Black, The Epoxies, and The Eyeliners, with an upcoming gig opening for the Pogues announced this month. Also secured recently is a record deal with Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records, with their debut album expected sometime this... more ›

For a band putting out records on Buddyhead, self-described "steampunks" The Cassettes spend a remarkable amount of time busking for quarters on the streets of DC, their hometown. Perhaps they just belong to an earlier, simpler time; singer/mandoliner Shelby Cinca throws around old-timey words like "bourgeois" and "Al Jolson" like it was 1928 all over again. Then again, he's apparently a huge Oasis fan. Oh, contradictions... more ›

Hailing from Scotland, and pursuing melodious, riff friendly pop-rock, popup is coming to town for our beloved SXSW music festival. Their latest single, “Chinese Burn” has been blazing feverishly on our playlists lately but we would like to stop short in trying to sell them as the next big thing from across the pond, especially since NME (Issue dated 27.1.07) recently stated that Babyshambles would like popup to tour with them. And having Pete... more ›

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Bellingham, WA's The Trucks carry on the loud-and-proud post-riot grrl tradition of acts like Peaches, Le Tigre, and The Gossip, playing guitarless, keyboard-driven pop-punk that'd be perfect for your little sister's sleepover if their hit single wasn't called "Titties." Maybe it is anyway. Depends on your sister. Anyhow we got to chat with singer/visual artist Marissa Moore, who also doesn't get why the SXSW schedule isn't up yet. Share a story about a visit... more ›

Norman, Oklahoma sounds like a fairly sedate, even mundane blip on the vast plain of Middle America...so of course they churn out psycho rock bands with names like Flaming Lips, Chainsaw Kittens, and latest blog darlings Evangelicals with the consistency of pubescent rabbits. With a full-length out on Austin's own Misra label, Evangelicals are livin' the dream; we talked to bandleader Josh Jones about audience antagonism, fecal pranks, and his cool parents. Share a... more ›

The Wildhearts have had a fluctuating career marked by numerous peaks and valleys. The English band formed towards the end of the “hair metal” era, released their debut full-length (Earth Vs The Wildhearts) in 1993, and re-formed last year with plans for a new album, due in April of this year. However, their mainstay has always been straight up rock n’ roll, highlighted by the talent, and antics of lead singer, Ginger. Formerly of the (London) Quireboys (some of us might still remember the forgotten anthem “7 O’Clock”), and currently also pursuing solo ambitions, we caught up with Ginger to quiz him on the past, present and future. more ›

Montreal's Besnard Lakes are not your typical Canadian outfit. When you think of an outfit fronted by a husband and wife duo, you probably think of sugary slop soaked with trite lyrics and knowing glances, but don't make that mistake when it comes to The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse, the band's latest effort. Roy Orbison and Brian Wilson spring to mind as masters of falsetto harmony, and that comparison is legit, but... more ›

Architecture in Helsinki is an enterprising collective of musicians adept at relaying diverse and distinct sounds in unison, and they bring their eclectic catalogue (and promise of a new record) to Austin this March for the annual SXSW music festival. The band’s multi-instrumentation utilizes the usual goodness (guitars, drums, bass), along with synthesizers, horns, a variety of percussion, assorted audio samples; the list is long but it all adds to the band’s flair and... more ›

Jagshemash! Borat is a hit. It's getting rave reviews, grossing millions, and definitely the most quotable thing we've seen in ages. But Borat seems to have missed most of the -ist cities, and we were all wondering how the film would have been different if he'd made his way around the world on the -ist tour. In Shanghai, Borat would be observing Inane Learnings of Penis Photos for Make Benefit Glorious Flat World of... more ›

Avoid the Noid. Or if you're Oxford Collapse, jump off of the side of a swimming pool and tackle the shit out of the (inflatable toy) Noid. A presumably tanked gentleman is depicted as doing such on the cover of the band’s most recent release, Remember the Night Parties (Sub Pop). In it, OxC reminds us that hard-hitting bands who know how to bring it 80s-style without simply ripping off Joy Division do, in... more ›