The idea of indie authenticity died in 2002, when the Shins sold "New Slang", their pitch perfect spaghetti western melancholia, to McDonald’s. With hip hop always open for business and one of the most emotional indie ballads of the year embracing the uber glyph of Corporate evil, it was clearly time to shift quaint notions of selling out. This wasn’t a bad thing, especially since the internet had depleted one of the primary revenue streams for musicians, making such strident morality financially inconveniencing. The part of the Lana Del Rey debate that revolves around the a variation of reviving these tired authenticity arguments skewers her for having an orchestrated image, as if everyone from Prince to Elvis Presley didn’t morph into pop stars by angling themselves into our fantasies. more ›

After hosting Saturday Night Live in December, James Franco returned to his classes at NYU Film School with SNL Creator/Executive Producer Lorne Michaels and sketch comedy on the brain. When he received a five-minute documentary assignment, he decided to chronicle one of the hellishly hectic and creative weeks of SNL production. Armed with more behind-the-scenes access than Michaels had ever granted before, the short doc project turned into the 94-minute film SATURDAY NIGHT, which has its world premiere as part of SXSW's Spotlight Premieres category on Sunday at Alamo Lamar. more ›

Honestly, it's a bit like being ten and waiting for Christmas without quite knowing if your parents paid attention to your clear wishlist hints. While as a man he seems possibly to be lacking the courage of his convictions, his last name does sound oddly delicious. Oops. In the South, we sometimes like to begin sentences with the phrase, "Bless her heart." How can one not smile with such fashionable specs? Ooh la la! Circuit? Blown. Saturday? Check. Night? Check. Live? Mmm, not so much. Locals appear upset at mention of Tech. more ›

C. Po backs Barack. "Looking for bottom." Sarah Palin. Hil-AR-ious. (Read with sarcasm). ACORN squash. Turnabout. Fair play? Speaking of controversial choices. Maybe she had her learner's permit? more ›

Image from SpyYard Texas Book FestivalSaturday November 3 - Sunday, November 4Downtown Austin [map]Free[info]We didn't think ten tips for the Texas Book Festival were enough, so here are ten more to help complicate things and confuse you you navigate the throngs of bibliophiles stalking the Austin streets this weekend. Keep in mind that seating and space is limited at most of these events. Arrive early and often! Saturday 10:00 - 10:45 Kristin Gore (Senate Chamber)... more ›

Usually, street closures around the Capitol hail the arrival of one of Austin's many street festivals, where you can listen to a wishy-washy blues-rocker do his best to channel Stevie Ray Vaughn while you eat a turkey leg amongst a sea of fanny-packed families and homemade jewelry vendors. But once a year it means it's Texas Book Festival time. As literary events go in this town, it is the big one. For two days... more ›

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There’s a way to fundraise, that is. Established painter, photographer, and filmmaker William Wegman has a series of short works that will screen this Thursday, September 6th at The Design Center of Austin to benefit EmanciPET. It’s a collaboration made in doggy heaven, given that Wegman’s subjects are most often his own Weimaraners – a German breed of dogs known for their beautiful coats and haunting, gray eyes. On the subject of his medium-crossing... more ›

Let's look back at a week in which no site in the -ist network adopted anyone from Africa... -Austinist reveled in the dumb antics of some U.T. law students and posted some great audio from former New Orleans natives who've decided to stay in Austin. But the best news for Austinist? They were voted Best Local Entertainment Web Site by the local Austin alt-weekly. Congrats, Austinist. -DCist gloried in being told their musical tastes made... more ›

Just call him Detective Dirty Daddy
Nothing like child porn to sully the reputation of the Austin police department. Ex-detective Lance McConnell plead guilty to seven counts of child pornography, more specifically, he had some nasty pictures of naked under-aged kids (boys and girls), some engaging in sex. more ›