Roky Erickson is hard at work on a new album called True Love Cast Out All Evil, out on April 20th on Anti-. Helping out are some familiar Austin faces, the guys in Okkervil River. As Okkervil backs Erickson, singer/songwriter Will Sheff produces the record. The album will feature "found-sound and archival recordings culled from Erickson's home videos and recordings made in the Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane," according to a press release. more ›

Some back story, if you really need it. Roky Erickson was what Syd Barrett could have been if he moved out of his Mum's basement and onto a faithful regiment of anti-psychotics. He's a monument to the redemptive qualities of music, having built this fair city on psychedelic rock and roll, wandered off the reservation with bombastic panache, and returned decades later to conquer the world: a man shattered and reassembled to his own soundtrack. more ›

Used to be the word “garage” was the template and the starting point for most if not all of rock and roll. Whether the garage was literal was irrelevant - the term could apply to a basement, empty room or vacant storage space/warehouse, or really anyplace a band could put their roots down, plug in equipment and then plug away at songs without disturbing the peace. Back then, rough demos were cut onto cassette tape (putting a pillow over the built-in microphone helped stifle cymbal noise), and “in the garage” recordings were the first and easiest way to get the word out about a project. more ›

Famously dissipated Austin songwriter Roky Erickson lived up to his name tonight, playing a tight set of blues-fueled rock n roll to a receptive crowd at the smallish Austin Ventures Stage. more ›

September is a big month for locals The Black and White Years, starting with the much-anticipated release of their self-titled debut and continuing with their noon set at ACL on Saturday. The group’s funk-addled rock and roll makes for energetic sets and possibly dancing, so come prepared. more ›

Chaos In Tejas 2008 kicks off this evening at Emo’s with Roky Erickson & The Explosives headlining the outside stage. Erickson has had a storied if troublesome life -- he was an instrumental force in the psychedelic music revolution in Texas in the 60’s with the 13th Floor Elevators, he then battled mental illness and had some run-ins with the law, and in the 80’s, he apparently claimed to have been possessed by a Martian. Erickson’s career returned to some sense of normalcy in the 90’s and by 2005, he was back in the limelight, performing at the 2005 Austin City Limits Music Festival with The Explosives. more ›

There was no escaping the gravity of Austin in 2007. Three major festivals drew artists, labels, promoters and press from around the world. Critically and commercially, Spoon was an undeniably dominating force. Production power increased with the emergence of C3 Presents, a joint venture between heavyweights Charles Attal, Charlie Jones and Charlie Walker. Yet our unique universe still grows from within. Bands like Okkervil River and businesses like Transmission Entertainment continue to expand our horizons. My best of list is a celebration of what makes the Austin music scene independent and innovative. more ›

Roky Erickson of the 13th Floor Elevators. If you missed your chance at tickets to his ACL taping, you can catch him, along with bassist Benny Thurman, drummer John Ike Walton, and producer Walt Andrus at BookPeople this Saturday. Image from Southern Records Paul Drummond and Roky Erickson present Eye MindSaturday, November 10th BookPeople (603 N. Lamar)Free, at 7pm[info] There are plenty of routes to fame in the world of music, and talent certainly plays... more ›

Poster by Jagmo Roky Erickson ACL TapingMonday, November 12Austin City Limits Studios (26th and Guadalupe St)8pm, General Admission and Space-Available Tickets Only[info]Austin psych-rock legend Roky Erickson will be featured on the next taping of KLRU's Austin City Limits show. Enter below for your chance to win a pair of guaranteed admission tickets—first 20 entrants get 'em! Update: thanks, folks! If you'd like space-available tickets, tune in to to KGSR on Friday evening for the giveaway... more ›

Photo from myspace Roky Erickson ACL TapingMonday, November 12Austin City Limits Studios (26th and Guadalupe St)8pm, General Admission and Space-Available Tickets Only[info]Austin psych-rock legend Roky Erickson will be featured on the next taping of KLRU's Austin City Limits show. If you'd like space-available tickets, tune in to to KGSR on Friday for the giveaway announcement—we're not sure exactly what time they'll announce the details. On the other hand, if you'd like a chance to score... 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 ›

Austinist guest correspondent Beth Bellanti, Director of Marketing at Tito's Vodka, was at last weekend's Lollapalooza Music Festival in Downtown Chicago. With Austin having such a large presence at this year's event— the lineup included Spoon, Ghostland Observatory, Roky Erickson, and Blue October—we thought it only fitting to invite her to share some photos from the fest. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.... more ›

If you've seen You're Gonna Miss Me, Kevin MacAlester's unflinchingly intimate documentary about the bewildering life and times of Austin's own psychedelic-rock icon Roky Erikson, you were probably left wondering, with good reason, what direction Roky's life took when the cameras stopped rolling. Years of untreated schizophrenia, shock therapy and acid trips had taken such a toll on the erstwhile rock star that he seemed unable--or unwilling--to contemplate life beyond a spacey Grey Gardens-like... more ›

Justice † (Vice) You might have familiarized yourself with French dance duo Justice courtesy the remix of Simian's "Never Be Alone", and such an introduction wouldn't be a false start, though the album is a bit different. Justice, who have received (mostly justified) comparisons to Basement Jaxx and Daft Punk, seem to shine when given someone else's work to toy with, but seem less dynamic when working from their own toolbox. This album claims... more ›

Austin MetBlogs scooped traditional media outlets today by revealing that the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown will soon relocate from its current spot, at 5th and Colorado, to the Ritz, Austin's storied dive bar/movie house/pool hall/music venue that once played host to the likes of Roky Erickson, the Butthole Surfers, and the Flaming Lips. Curiously, the original post on the Alamo's blog has since been unpublished, most likely because an official announcement will be made later... more ›

The following is a column by guest contributor Laurie Gallardo. Hear her on KUT 90.5FM, Friday evenings from 11pm-3am. -- The Editors Greetings, ghoulies! I must admit that this happens to be my favorite time of the year, which means I just may wreak a bit of havoc on the ol’ airwaves this evening. With plenty of helpful recommendations from some of my KUT peeps, including music director Jeff McCord, Texas Music Matters producer... more ›

FRIDAY [20] dance • Requiem at Intel Shell (8pm, $20-$30) party/gay • Q Monthly Magazine release party at Oilcan Harry's (5-9pm) art • Chris Campbell: Surface/Depth Reception at Gallery 3 at the Co-Op (5-7pm) art • "The Stones": Art of Ronnie Wood Reception at ART on 5th (6-8pm) drag/party/various • International Drag King Extravaganza 8 at Venues Around Austin music • Oakley Hall, Brothers & Sisters, Li'l Cap'n Travis, Pink Nasty at Emo's music... more ›

MONDAY [16] film • Matador at Arbor (1:10pm & 6:50pm) ® film • Law of Desire at Arbor (4:10pm & 9:30pm) ® film • Strangers with Candy at Alamo Downtown (7pm) film • Notre Musique at Texas Union (7:30pm) ® film • The Goonies at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) film • Slums of Beverly Hills at Café Mundi (8pm, Free) film • Dr. Strangelove at The Space (8pm, Free) ® film • Super Troopers... more ›

FRIDAY [29] film/aGLIFF • Puccini For Beginners at Regal Cinemas at Arbor (7pm) film/aGLIFF • Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds at Regal Cinemas at Arbor (7:30pm) film/aGLIFF • The Truth or Consequences of Delmas Howe at Regal Cinemas at Arbor (9:15pm) film/aGLIFF • The Sex Movie at Regal Cinemas at Arbor (9:45pm) party/aGLIFF • Opening Night Gala at Austin City Hall (9pm) film • Sinus Show: Terminator at Alamo Drafthouse (7pm & 10pm, $12.50)... more ›

MONDAY [25] music • Art Brut, We Are Scientists, Spinto Band at Emo's ® music • The Audrey Hepburn Heroine at Hole in the Wall (10pm) music • Tony Joe White at Waterloo Records music • Open Stage Hosted by Abi Tapia & Graham Weber at Cactus Café (7:30pm Signup) music • The Doug Moreland Show at Continental Club art • Show & Tell Part III, A Digital Slide Jam at Women & Their... more ›

FRIDAY [28] [books] Mike Henry presents a 24-hour Nonstop Slam at Progress Café, 500 San Marcos (8pm) LINK(Postponed) [dance] Improvisational Movement Project at Blue Theater (8pm, $8-$20) LINK [theatre] "Petra's Cuento" at Dougherty Arts Center (8pm) LINK [theatre] Edward Albee's "The Play About the Baby" at play! Theatre (8pm, $10) LINK [theatre] "Radio: 30" at Hyde Park Theatre (8pm, $13-$15) LINK [theatre] "In On It" at Off Center (8pm, $17) LINK [theatre] "American Fiesta" at... more ›

MONDAY [24] [film] The Pop Films of Peter Whitehead Series at Alamo Downtown (7pm) LINK [film] The Pink Panther at Paramount Theatre (7pm) LINK [film] Nightwatch at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) LINK [film] Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind at Austin Java (8pm, Free) LINK [film] KOOP Monthly Benefit Screening: Granito de Arena at Monkeywrench Books (8pm, $5) LINK [film] The Big Lebowski at Café Mundi (8:30pm, Free) LINK [film] The Party at Paramount Theatre... more ›

FRIDAY [21] [music] Sons of Hercules and The Bad Rackets at Woody's South (link) [music] Those Peabodys, Grand Champeen, Birds of Avalon (ex-Cherry Valence), Man Eaters of Tsavo at Emo's (link) [music] The Radiators at The Parish (link) [music] Blue October w/ People In Planes and Bril at Stubb's (link) [music] The Shells CD Release at End of an Ear (Free, 6pm) (link) [lecture] The Texas Observer presents David Sirota, author of Hostile Takeover: How... more ›

Its premise is charming in its optimism: let's, for a single day, transform a barren, urban city block into a vibrant, organic gathering of public art and music. This weekend, Austin Green Art and Capital Sports and Entertainment (CSE) are taking over Block 21 -- better known as 2nd Street and Lavaca -- to throw a huge Earth Day celebration. "Rock The Block" promises to be replete with performance art, temporary sculptures/installations, and a... more ›

MONDAY [17][music] The High Flyers at Continental Club (10pm) (link) [lecture] Josh Rushing, future host of a show on Al Jazeera International and "accidental media star" in "Control Room," speaks at UT LBJ Auditorium (7pm) (link) [art] Opening Reception for Michael Schliefke's newest works, "What If We Could Get It All Back?" at bolm Studios (6pm-11pm) (link) [film] Oscar-Nominated Documentary shorts at Alamo Downtown (7pm) (link) [film] Anime Movie Monday at Ventana del Sol (7:30pm)... more ›

: : FRIDAY : : [music] Moretempo, 10pm-2am @ Copa - $5 [theatre] "Inside a Broken Clock: A Tom Waits Peepshow" @ Arts on Real (Through Saturday) [film] New Movies! @ your local theater [music] The Sad Accordions with Jim Yoshii Pileup, 10pm @ the Ritz [lecture] Gallery Tour of the Ansel Adams exhibit @ The Harry Ransom Center, 6pm - FREE! [art] Jerry Uelsmann and wife Maggie Taylor present their latest works, 6-9pm@... more ›

M O N D AY [ 31 ] music/party · The White Ghost Shivers' Halloween Ball at American Legion Hall! Burlesque, Independence Brew, apple bobbing with the TX Roller Girls, Tarot card readings, a kissing booth and more. The White Ghost Shivers will also be performing a live soundtrack to accompany Buster Keaton's "Cops." ($25, 9pm) music · Galactic, Mofro and New Monsoon at Stubb's music · Halloween Show at Emo's with Flametrick Subs, Satans... more ›

With ACL just a little over a week away, we've found ourselves spending quite a bit of time at work thinking about all the bands we can't wait to see during the day, and deciding which after-parties to attend.Second to the hot weather, the task of figuring out which acts to see - and, sometimes, which acts to avoid at all cost - is our biggest concern. Certainly, we've had our hearts set on... more ›