Chipotle is responsible for having Willie Nelson cover "The Scientist" by Coldplay. Connect the dots here more ›

What are the dangers inherent in making your debut indie rock record? For the last few years, the poorer-produced, the better - hence this renaissance of crappy bedroom four-track recording, even as one of the forefathers of the genre, Daniel Johnston, is now making big, chipper albums with Jason Falkner and was quoted as saying, "Everyone needs to take their demos and go back to the studio.” But okay, what about the opposite danger - that of an album sounding too polished and too produced? One thinks of the creations of producer/musician Chris Walla, who managed to anesthetize albums by The Decembrists, Nada Surf, and his own band Death Cab For Cutie. While Mechanical Bride, the debut album from scrappy quintet One Hundred Flowers doesn’t fit into either extreme, it does have a gloss to it that sometimes puts the listener at a distance. Still, there’s so much going on and enough turns and layers to these songs that you can’t blame the band for giving Mechanical Bride everything they could. It’s a fine debut album, and a clever equation of pop and rock that should satisfy a broad range of tastes. more ›

Pink Nasty’s pretty outstanding sophomore record Mold the Gold was a strong statement of purpose. The songs were smartly composed and often pretty, but they reveled in Nasty’s (Sara Beck) love of sick jokes, life crossroads that lead into dead ends, and romantic trauma. With her new self-titled record, Pink Nasty dives further into the fuzzy guitar pop that so strongly marked her last record, with songs that are even more referential to the bands she has loved, and to the perils and pleasures (but mostly perils) of dealing with love and lust. more ›

We knew that White Denim was hard at work on their third full-length this summer, and that there were tours coming up this winter, but we didn't expect birdseed this soon. more ›

In possession of both ribald wit and potent songwriting skills, the music of Pink Nasty (or Sara Beck, if you’re not feeling, err, nasty) is both deeply approachable but bizarre at its core - like a really sophisticated poop joke, maybe, or a night of fine dining and drinking that nonetheless ends up with your hovering over the toilet. more ›

L.A.-based Radar Brothers have been around for a while now, having established themselves over the course of five releases featuring soaring sonic landscapes, horizontally-unwinding melodies and lead singer Jim Putnam's soft vocals, all infused with a kind of mellow California vibe. You wouldn't fault them not changing it up, but change it up they did: for Illustrated Garden, released earlier this year, Putnam (who is the son of Bill Putnam, inventor of the modern recording console) recruited bassist Be Hussey and drummer Stevie Treichel to replace the band's original rhythm section. The newcomers push the band in a different direction, resulting in a punchier, more immediate feel to the well-worked Radar Bros. sound. more ›

Here's a sure-fire way to dirty up your Monday night: Black Nasty, certainly a contender for the title of Most Offensive MC Ever of All Time, is performing at the Hole in the Wall tonight. Nasty’s lyrics range from disgusting and hilarious to downright awful and reprehensible, and cover the full spectrum of violent, scatological, and misogynistic subject matter. What’s more, seeing him spit live is a decidedly irony-free experience that’s guaranteed to make for a strange, uncomfortable evening. If nothing else, this is your opportunity to see someone who is genuinely pushing the envelope of political incorrectness as far as he can possibly reach. more ›

The demise of Sound Team (following the release of Movie Monster) was, for the most part, considered to be a sad turn of events for the talented crew in the band. However, most of them reorganized fairly promptly and successfully -- Bill Baird’s various projects (sometimes boasting former Sound Team band mates) are already a staple of the Austin music scene. TV Torso contains Sound Team alums Matthew Oliver and Jordan Johns, along with A. Leonard Jones, and the trio has been performing intermittently around town over the last few months (initially as The Minotaurs). Now, with two 7" vinyls available for purchase on their website and a recently completed East Coast jaunt, not to mention a Le Diamant Brut feature, TV Torso is primed for take off. This Thursday, check them out at The Mohawk when they headline a quite sumptuous local bill also featuring Pink Nasty and The Authors. more ›

Seattle's Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band will be stopping by The Mohawk tonight as part of their tour of their summer tour. more ›

We've been putting the much sought-after Austinist stamp of Approval on Pink Nasty-who is neither pinkish, nor nasty-for some time now. And for good reason. Through thick, thin, or drunk the slick simplicity of her material always downplays the otherwise ragged resplendence of the sentiments behind it, and the formula keeps working and working. It's always a pleasure to catch her show, or simply brush against her at the bar (not that we have a small Moleskine dedicated to cataloging our encounters with her or anything *awkward laugh*.) more ›

For those with a hankering for a coffee drink, a panini, or some beer this afternoon, you'd be wise to consider a stop at Clementine Coffee Bar's 3rd Anniversary Bash. The popular Manor Road spot has lined up 11 local acts to celebrate their success, and all are welcome to join the festivities. We've always liked the fact that Clementine had Texas draft beers available like Big Bark and Fireman's #4 for those stopping by later in the day, and suspect this will prove especially useful this evening. more ›

L'il Cap'n Travis is one of those rare bands whose music transcends the trappings of abstractions such as "alt-country", "indie", or "Austin", eschewing any hint of pretension. We challenge you to bring to mind another band as effortlessly and legitimately rock as LCT, so quietly invincible against the corrosive influence of the scene beneath a down comforter of fundamentally kickass material, singing into the stale-beer smell through a sheepish grin. more ›

Two days after SXSW kicks off and our city becomes a living, breathing conglomeration of people from all walks of life, Austinist presents Local Music is Sexy at the PureVolume Ranch. Past Local Music is Sexy events have showcased acts such as The Black Angels, Brothers and Sisters, The Lemurs, The Corto Maltese, Black Before Red, and IV Thieves to name a few. Last year, we remember dancing the night away to Car Stereo (Wars)’ mad mash-ups, drinking free Red Bull (among other things), and having a go at the sweet Wii set up in that little lounge at the location. All in all, an excellent time. more ›

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. more ›

This Saturday, The Mohawk is hosting a benefit for Girls Rock Austin and the Girls Rock Camp Alliance, featuring oddly punctuated, mostly female rockers Ume., Follow that Bird!, Code Rainbow!, and the venerable Pink Nasty. more ›

Austin's own geographically misleading rockers What Made Milwaukee Famous will be debuting their new album at The Parish Room over two nights this Thursday and Friday. Both bills feature diverse acts with personality to spare: Thursday, they'll be supported by local contenders White Denim and the one and only Pink Nasty; Friday's show features pseudo-metallic slashers Ume, The Black And White Years, and a few of the friendly folks in Zykos. Tickets are on sale... more ›

We first fell in love with Yo La Tengo at 17. We were still stuck out in the sticks in high school, still reading Rolling Stone and still wearing those pink crackle-finish Vans. And Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out had just been released, and Rolling Stone recommended it for people who liked the Velvet Underground. We ordered the album from Hasting's, and when the album came in and we popped it into the Discman we... more ›

Black Nasty Feed From Me It's hard not to start by saying "This music is totally offensive, completely cringe-worthy, and absolutely not appropriate in almost any situation you can imagine." There, we didn't start by saying that. Feed From Me is a maxi single (not an EP, CD or regular single, these are different times, folks) with ten songs that push the boundaries of what most normal people consider music. Influenced by the olden days... more ›

We love Austin. As obvious as that might seem, it never hurts to declare how great this city is for people interested in art and culture, and specifically live music. On any given evening, one has a chance to experience a wide variety of genres at different venues around town. And in most cases the cost is minimal, or nothing. Tonight, the Scoot Inn presents another great opportunity to catch a local favorite. Pink... more ›

FRIDAY [1] party • Rare Magazine Summer Issue Launch Party at Mean Eyed Cat (5:30pm) bikes • Republic of Texas Biker Rally at All Over Austin dance/benefit • Project Transitions Hosts 12th Annual Texas Swing at Saengerrunde Hall and Scholz’s Beer Garten ($40, 8-Midnight) art • Opening Reception: Cantanker/us, the Cantanker Magazine staff show at Else Madsen Gallery, 411 Brazos, Suite 99 (7-11pm) art • The B Scene at The Blanton Museum of Art,... more ›

THURSDAY [31] music • Scion Live Metro presents GZA, Fyre Department at The Parish Room (FREE, RSVP before 5pm!) art • Opening Reception: George Krause: The Elizabeth Portraits & Other Works at d berman gallery, 1701 Guadalupe St (6-8pm) books • Douglas Brinkley presents The Reagan Diaries at BookPeople (7:00pm) comedy • Russ Nagel, "America's Funniest Biker," with Trey Galyon at Cap City Comedy Club film • "Notorious" at The Paramount Theatre film •... more ›

MONDAY [28] film • "King of Beggars" at Alamo Downtown film • Music Monday: "Zachariah: The Electric Western" at Alamo Downtown music • Sol-Illaquists of Sound, DJ J.Storm, Grey Matter, Maestro & Tee Double at Emo's music • Pretty Girls Make Graves (Final Tour!), Moonrats, Moros Eros at Emo's music • Moxie, Euphoria, Villains in Convertibles, Ricky Stein at Stubb's music • "Beat Street" at Beauty Bar... more ›

FRIDAY [25] party • The Onion's "Summer Fun Blast Blowout Extravaganza!" Party with Clap!Clap!, Crash Gallery, Devil in the Choir, DJ Rubix, Prince Klassen, and a chance to win a scooter from Scooter Revolution at Beauty Bar ($2, 9:30pm) theatre • Rubber Repertory presents A Thought in Three Parts at The Vortex (8pm) music • Emissions From the Monolith Fest at Emo's music • Voxtrot, Au Revoir Simone, The Black, Zykos at Emo's music... more ›

*The views expressed in The Laurie Show are those of the author and do not represent Austinist as a whole.* -ed. note I have a favor to ask, if I may be so bold: Will someone PLEASE give me an extra dose of caffeine? Yours truly, hostess of The Laurie Show, has been working double time at KUT 90.5. Today is an extra challenge. I'll be sitting in during the afternoon drive for the... more ›

THURSDAY [24] theatre • Rubber Repertory presents A Thought in Three Parts at The Vortex (8pm) music • Emissions From the Monolith Fest at Emo's music • Small Stars, Sounds Under Radio at Stubb's music • DJ Qbert, DJ Craze, DJ Klever, Table Manners Crew at The Parish music • Winovino, Bourbon Legends, Jett Mullens, Jaime Thomas at Beerland music • Morrissey Pre-Party with Andy Rourke! at The Mohawk music • Gulf of Mexico,... more ›

MONDAY [21] comedy • 22nd Annual Funniest Person in Austin Final Round at Cap City Comedy Club music • Eoto at Stubb's music • Buck Jones Tribute with Ray Wylie Hubbard, Walt Wilkins, Brandon Rhyder, Josh Grider at Antone's film • Movie Mondays with "Breakin'" at Beauty Bar music • JT Van Zandt and Friends at Scoot Inn film • "Killer of Sheep" at Alamo Downtown film • Music Monday: "Wasted Orient: A Film... more ›

ME Television and the Austin Music Foundation continue to promote the best of the city’s promising up-and-coming acts at Antone’s on Thursdays. After the success of the first Emerging Artists Series, the time is ripe for the latest edition. The good times rock n’ tonk of The Jungle Rockers (featured today in The Daily Texan) along with prog-metal from Stasis promises another night of diverse music. Add to that one of our fast emerging favorites,... more ›

THURSDAY [22] art • Opening Reception: Owen McAuley at d berman Gallery (6-8pm) comedy • The Frank Mills perform their new sketch show, "One Classy-Ass Show," at Blue Theatre (DEETS) party • Misprint Magazine's Beard & Moustache Competition with performances by Sharp Dressed Men (ZZTop Tribute Band), hosted by Matt Bearden, DJ sets by Stay Gold at Club de Ville (9pm) art • Artistic License: Blanton artist Fabian Marcaccio discusses his work, which is... more ›

MONDAY [19] books • Terry McAuliffe presents What A Party at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • Eddie Murphy: RAW at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Liquid Vinyl at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown music • JT Van Zandt and Friends at Scoot Inn... more ›

After taking last week off because we were sure SXSW would release their master plan, we now return as there seems to be no end in sight to the band list embargo. Many indie labels and some marquee acts have simply announced their appearances, as bands attempt to book routing shows in Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, or elsewhere to make their long drives worthwhile. The lack of info has started to get the press... more ›