Somehow I overlooked the first couple of years of Fx3 as a transplant to Austin still elated and overwhelmed by the plethora of accessible live music available on the regular. But in 2009, I scored a cozy introduction manning a booth at the fest for a few hours one day in exchange for a weekend wristband. Why not, right? I had no idea what to expect and found myself pleasantly surprised by the laid back scene - not too crowded, manageable lines for beer/food, and a good mix of fans. I have since happily resigned any interest I once had in attending ACL for a yearly fling with Fun Fun Fun. And while I adore the excitement and unparalleled buzz SXSW generates, the intimacy of Fx3 has made it my favorite of Austin’s fests. more ›

If you haven’t seen Ratatat’s live act yet, you’re missing out on some sweet electro-powered psychedelia. Their shows take you on a trip through a unique audio visual experience. Evan Mast and Mike Strout command the stage like rock gods while appearing only as dark, shredding silhouettes cloaked in their long mops of hair. By only muttering a few words between the their all-instrumental tracks, they let their guitars communicate for them in snarls and wails as they thrust all their energy into their energetic production. more ›

Also out today are Ratatat's LP4 and Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti Before Today, both of which will be listened to at tonight's listening party, happening at Whetstone Audio. And oh crap, there's a new Teenage Fanclub record too! more ›

Big to-dos on the new release front! As you may already be anticipating, artists of rock and assorted other genres are jockeying to make their records your soundtrack for the summer of 2010. more ›

Tickets go on sale today at the brand new Fun Fun Fun Fest Web site. For two weeks, early birds can get a weekend pass for $67.50 or a PIP (Pretty Important Person) pass for $135. more ›

Photos courtesy Pooneh Ghana. more ›

hough they just graced us with their presence in September, Ratatat is coming back to Stubb's tonight and sure to deliver a sweet mix of blissful lyric-less love. Famous for shows seething with billowing smoke and intriguing aesthetics, the members of Ratatat are surprisingly unassuming on stage. Quiet and bleak, they waste no time with chatter between tracks. more ›

It's not supposed to be 65 on a September night in Austin, but then again a Monday night shouldn't rock so hard and require so much manic dancing, like a Shaker rock revival only without the sensible furniture. more ›

We recently talked to Ratatat's Evan Mast about this fall's tour, musical influences, and film music. more ›