How could you resist listening to an album called Dark Night of the Soul? It’s the title of the last recording by Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, and, although it’s hardly news now, the album has an even deeper and darker shadow cast upon it due to the recent deaths of Sparklehorse singer and bandleader Mark Linkous and singer/songwriter and contributor to the album, Vic Chesnutt. more ›

This time four years ago, Ra Ra Riot were a group of friends from Syracuse University who had just started playing outside of their home base. They were playing shows across the east coast and Midwest for several months before their debut EP was released in the summer of 2007. They spent another solid year touring the country after that, leading them on the path that would become 2008's debut album The Rhumb Line. more ›

Every band has a Utopian vision for their music, a Sangri-La of lyrics, melody, and structure.The leaner, meaner version of Ben Gibbard and his band Death Cab for Cutie took the red-carpeted stage on Friday night to prove that marrying into Hollywood and the pressures of major label success hadn't marred their vision with the afflictions of ambition and greed. While Gibbard's frame has become more svelte the band's sound has actually increased in both weight and aggravated edge. Throwing his guitar to the stage during the intro to "I Will Posses Your Heart" Gibbard stalked to the keyboard to take out his frustrations on the keyboard. A transition that is a natural part of the album version was made to feel like a moment of angry frustration at at a broken string, a dose of theatrical awareness from a band known more for introspective romanticism than guitar-hurling dramatics. more ›

Since you probably spent a reasonable amount of money at the 2008 Austin City Limits Music Festival, we offer up two giveaways to encourage you catch some more live music this weekend. In fact, opportunities to see shows for free dominate this Austinist Weekend Music Preview. more ›

We know you've heard the name, and we know you know they're not Japanese. Or police. They're actually just some kids from Canada who met in fourth grade and are living the dream: playing in an awesome, fun, and increasingly popular band. Elementary friends David Monks (vocals, bass), Graham Wright (keyboard), and Josh Hook (guitar) met Greg Alsop (drummer) in high school and formed Tokyo Police Club. Shortly thereafter, and totally out of the... more ›