Recorded in Austin with Carl Thiel, Worth It showcases both her inherent gift for imparting an affecting tale and her penchant for melodious Americana tunes, and is an impressive conglomeration of the sounds of Texas. The album contains a number of irresistible, radio-ready tracks like “Cut From The Same Cloth” (with Joe Ely and Rosie Flores), “Truth Awakening,” and “Love Is A Bounty”; further highlights include the flamenco flavored “Fuente Vaqueros” (featuring Rick Del Castillo) and the stomping “Cowskulls and Ghostowns” (co-written with Shawn Sahm). When all is said and done, Worth It is a truly noteworthy effort by the charming Texan songstress and will surely serve as an apt backdrop to many a day spent in the vast confines of our great State. more ›

For now, stick to the beloved celebrations of the 80's, with a truly enticing one scheduled for this Saturday at Scoot Inn. Foot Patrol has previously dazzled us with many a Prince cover. This evening, the local funk outfit takes a stab at hits from the 80's. We’ve been promised renditions of 20 songs from the decade, including “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” But that’s not all, not even close to it. There is a costume contest. And should you go all out and bust out the Molly Ringwald or Andrew McCarthy in you, there is a John Hughes themed photo-booth courtesy of Jounetsu Photography. Wow! Plus DJ Mahealani will be on hand to spin many, many more songs we love. The $10 price of admission might be considered a tad steep but it’s all for the noble cause of aiding a talented local band put its best foot forward -- the cover charge will go towards helping Foot Patrol fund its first N.Y.C. tour. more ›

FRIDAY [9] art • Grand Opening Party for DRAW, 150 artists strong at Gallery Lombardi (7pm - 10pm) comedy • Todd Barry, Matt Bearden at Emo's Lounge music • Deerhoof, Macromantics, Experimental Dental School at Emo's music • Primordial Undermind at End of an Ear (6pm, Free) music • The Everyday People CD Release Show with The Hero Factor, Live Oak Decline at The Parish Room music • Lucinda Williams, Heartless Bastards at Stubb's... more ›

THURSDAY [8] film • Super Happy fun Monkey Bash 5 at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Now That's What I Call a Singalong: Pop Royalty at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Terror Thursday: The Beast Must Die at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown art • Opening Reception for "In My Stairwell" by Mark Seliger at Fielding Lecht Gallery (6-9pm) art • Artistic License: Matthew Day Jackson at The Blanton (6-7pm) art • Public Tour: The Geometry... more ›

MONDAY [5] art • Opening Reception for Sarah Canright and Melissa W. Miller: Measured Strokes at The Sarofim School of Fine Arts, Fine Arts Gallery (6-7:30pm) benefit/music • Heather Love Fest Benefit with Dan Dyer & Friends, John Pointer, Govinda, DJ Chicken George, BIGFACE, DJ Mahealani, DJ Chris, DJ Trey Lopez,DJ Orian, Performance by the Super Sonic Soul Squad, Complimentary Appetizers and TONS of Raffle and Silent Auction Prizes at Saba, Cedar Street, and... more ›

FRIDAY [3] party/music • Misprint magazine's latest issue release party, with The Jungle Rockers, Mr. Lewis and the Funeral Five, Chalk Outlines, and the Cave Dwellers at Flamingo Cantina (Doors at 9pm, $5/7, Free beer while it lasts!) art • Aaron Reynolds art opening reception with Music by Peter Wagner of The Mercers & free beer at End of an Ear (6pm) art • Warhol Reception and Lectures at ART on 5th (6-9pm) art... more ›

MONDAY [30] books • John Hodgman - The Areas of My Expertise at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • Tideland at Alamo Downtown (7pm) film • Be Here to Love Me at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) film • Grass at Café Mundi (8pm, Free) film • My Morning Jacket: Okonokos at Galaxy Highland (8pm & 10pm) film • Halloween at Regal Metropolitan (8pm) film • Anchorman at Austin Java (9pm, Free) film • Hillbillies in a... more ›

AngryRobot was kind enough to point out that the SXSW Music roster has now grown to over 1,200 bands. We're no longer able to keep track of who's new and who's already been listed, but festival organizers will have notified all qualifying bands by sometime tomorrow. Check out our list after the expandotron, or for much prettier versions we invite you to surf over to AngryRobot's: SXSW 2006 Band List, Parsed v4.0 Meanwhile, stay... more ›

South By Southwest released another round of additions to the roster of bands scheduled to perform at this year's music festival (March 15th-19th), bringing the current total to nearly 1150. Notable bands recently added as of January 29th include Morrissey, Camera Obscura, Captain, Boy Hits Car, Billy Bragg, Bedtime for Toys, Division of Laura Lee, and SF's Hudson Bell. The full roster appears after the jump, or you check out much prettier versions at... more ›

The roster of bands scheduled to perform at this year's South by Southwest Music Festival has grown to over one thousand, with several hundred still unannounced. If you're not on this, don't fret -- just yet. SXSW coordinators are promising to contact all selected bands by February 7. Meanwhile: The housing market during the festival is looking rather healthy. SXSW is still looking for volunteers Registration rates are at their penultimate price points before... more ›

SXSW.com released an updated lineup for this year's SXSW Music Festival earlier today, and it's one hell of a list. The SXSW committee hastens to note that "This is a partial list of performers confirmed to appear at the 2006 SXSW Music Festival. This list is current as of 1/13/06. All of this information is subject to change." International acts include: Masahiro Nitta, DMBQ, Ellegarden, Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re, PE'Z, The Emeralds (Japan)... more ›

[festival/music/art] First Night at Congress Avenue (All Ages, 2pm, Free/$10) [info] [tickets] [music] Nic Armstrong and the Thieves, Moonlight Towers and DJ Polecat at Club de Ville (21+, $5, Call 512-457-0900) [fabulous] Studio 54 Par-tay! at Rain (21+, Call 512-494-1150) [info] [music] White Ghost Shivers and The Small Stars at Blue Genie Art Industries (21+, 9pm, $37) [info] [tickets] [music] Flametrick Subs with Satan's Cheerleaders, Slick 57 and Basin Street at Emo's (All Ages,... more ›

* new! and improved! * : : FRIDAY : : [music] Book of Shadows & Devil Bat, 6pm @ End of an Ear - Free! [charity/music] Benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina with Attic Ted, The Vivian Girls, 8pm @ Monkeywrench Books [music] Zykos, Phosphorescent, Canoe, 9pm @ Emo's OUTSIDE - Free! [music] Voxtrot, Loxsly, Belaire, 9pm @ Emo's INSIDE - Free [charity/music] Crescent City Soul and R&B 45's by Waxploitation! DJs, 6-8pm... more ›