SXSW Music kicks off on Wednesday the 12th, as always with the Annual Austin Music Awards at Austin Music Hall, but it has become clear over the last few years that the music really starts the night before. Just thinking back to last year, we remember walking up and down Red River, watching bands like Golden Bear, White Denim and Broken Teeth at venues such as Beauty Bar, Emo’s and Red 7, and congratulating ourselves for getting started early....

SXSW has announced the schedule of events for this year’s official showcases -- start here! Also, check out Greg Hewgill's site for (unofficial) Torrents featuring the various artists playing SXSW 2008 (as well as past years)....

The Lonely H swept Seattle off her feet in 2004 when they placed second at EMP’s Annual Sound Off! competition as teenagers. The youngsters have since released two full-lengths, combining pop melodies and classic rock riffs while also displaying their maturity via perfectly developed arrangements and the odd poignant ballad. We caught up with the band recently to assess their lives, their inspirations, and fake IDs....

Photograph of Michael Strahan, coach Tom Coughin (holding the Vince Lombardi trophy) and quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning by Tien Mao Gothamist was amazed after the Giants won the Super Bowl, the city went wild, and it witnessed a ticker-tape parade.Barack Obama drew 20,000+ ahead of Seattle’s Saturday caucus.Londonist had Super Tuesday too.Elusive guerrilla street artist Banksy revisits Los Angeles.After the Patriots lost the Super Bowl and came this close to making......

ImageAfter Art Last Wednesday, a Francis Bacon triptych sold at a Christie's auction for about $51 million. This is the highest price ever paid at a European auction for a post-war work. The sale, according to Christie's, demonstrates "the underlying, continued strength of the market" for art across the world. /// Actor Randy Quaid has been "banned for life" from the Actors' Equity Association, the labor union for American stage actors, for "physically and verbally"......

"Barista Babe" From Unrelated Source, Found on Seattle MetblogsA new coffee trailer in South Austin is hoping to capitalize on the recent "sexpresso" fad that's taken over Seattle. Latte Dolls offers a selection of coffees and espresso drinks served by scantily-clad female baristas with stripper fascinating names like Kyana, Alysha, and Reyna. Touting itself as a "highly-personalized, memorable and convenient coffee alternative to morning commuters and the mobile labor force of Austin," the stand plans......

Photo by brookenovak on flickrThe Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) scientifically analyzed 100 metro areas for ranking in their "Most Challenging Places to Live with Fall Allergies" list. We're number 1! Before we pass out the foam fingers, let's discuss what went into this #1 ranking: pollen scores (airborne grass/tree/weed pollen and mold spores), the number of allergy medications used per patient, and the number of allergy specialists per patient all went into......

Image from Wild Sweet Orange’s MySpace, by Jason Wallis The Whigs & Wild Sweet OrangeThursday, November 15Stubbs (801 Red River)$10 | Doors 10:30 p.m. | Inside[info] | [tickets] | [The Whigs MySpace] | [Wild Sweet Orange MySpace]Wild Sweet Orange are in town this Thursday at Stubb’s to offer introspective dream-pop from their recently released The Whale EP, as well as their upcoming full-length for Canvasback Music. The Birmingham, Alabama act’s “Ten Dead Dogs” was featured......

Photo by swanksalot on flickr After losing a chunk of the AT&T account, this week local ad firm GSD&M could layoff up to 15% of their staff. Today's standoff at Webberville and 12th ended with the suspect in custody. Austin Police Association is filing a grievance against the city and requesting an independent review, saying that private information regarding the officer who shot Kevin Brown shouldn't have been released. Austin Cantina in Seattle plays Austin......

Photo of White Denim courtesy City on Fire The Blakes w/ White Denim, Golden Boys, The HugsTuesday, Nov. 13The Mohawk (912 Red River)Free Show[info]If by some chance you have not yet experienced the thrill that is a White Denim show, there's no excuse after tonight. They'll be playing a free show at the Mohawk, alongside The Blakes, Golden Boys and The Hugs. The Blakes are a three piece outfit from Seattle, touring in support of......

As farmer's markets gain popularity nationwide, Austinites can stand proud as the Austin Farmer's Market does its part to support local farmers. Greenlight Magazine highlights the top 10 markets in the nation in its most recent edition, and Austin hits the list. According to the magazine: This growers-only market is limited to local (within 150 miles) farms, and boasts a distinct Southwestern flavor. Pick up Creole pralines, pecans, as well as heirloom zipper, cream, black-eyed,......

Austinites are at the forefront of the blogging community, according to a new report published by a leading market research firm. Scarborough Research's new survey found that Austin tops other tech-heavy cities—Portland, San Francisco and Seattle rounded out the top four—when it comes to folks who either read or contribute to a blog. Fully fifteen percent of adults in Austin interact with blogs in some fashion; the research firm attributes this to both the tech......

While the West Coast leads the pack, it's no surprise that Austin has ranked 7th in a national survey ranking organic food consumption. In fact, the study looked at local organic juggernaut Whole Foods Market, finding "Organics consumers are 272% more likely than the average consumer to have shopped Whole Foods during the past week." According to the survey, the top local markets for organics consumers are: 1. San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, CA 2. Seattle/Tacoma, WA......

Minus The Bear’s third full-length, Planet Of Ice was released this past August on Seattle based Suicide Squeeze Records. The album was produced by (former keyboardist) Matt Bayles and Chris Common. Minus The Bear formed in 2001 and has since developed a knack for churning out experimental indie-rock enhanced by complex time signatures and abrupt rhythm changes, as well as occasional employment of jazz standards. Add to this Dave Knudson’s distinct two-handed tapping style......

No one whips up a tear-jerking, emotionally-stirring acoustic song quite like Rocky Votolato. Whether he’s grieving in a melodic whisper or belting out a gruff, Americana chorus, Votolato always shoots his arrows swift and straight, landing with a ‘thud’ just to the left of your sternum. So, make sure and wear your armor to Stubb's Saturday night. It’s a skill the Seattle-based musician developed through his decade-long stint as frontman for the indie group Waxwing......

Think male/female indie harmonies, and what comes to mind? Mates of State? Well, try letting your lips get comfortable with Arthur & Yu. They are the childhood nicknames of Seattle multi-instrumentalists Grant Olsen (Arthur) and Sonya Westcott (Yu), and their debut, In Camera, is an organic, acoustic folk delight. Flute sounds, wood blocks, glockenspiel and plenty of tambourine along with conventional rock elements create a sound that’s minimal yet layered. In Camera is not only......

In the mid-'80s, a movement of Los Angeles denizens later described as the Paisley Underground rebelled against new wave and hair metal by getting psychedelic and pretending that it was 1967 all over again, replete with Rickenbackers and sunshine pop. The bands involved in the Paisley Underground included the Three O’Clock, Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, and even The Bangles before they walked away like Egyptians all the way to the bank. While all this was......

Seattlest watches as a S.L.U.T. is born and Seattle Flickr users go nuts over a local art installation. A restaurant critic demands a Diner's Bill of Rights over a gnat next to her drink, and, in lieu of a Portlandist, Seattlest debates with itself over the identity of the Northwest's crown jewel. Seattlest also joins the guys from Fantagraphics for an ill-fated gun party in the woods. Bostonist got a crash course in what not......

Ian Moore made the move from Austin to Seattle a couple of years ago, and his development from an exciting blues guitarist to equally stirring singer-songwriter has been an intriguing journey for his fans. His latest release, To Be Loved, out now on Justice Records, is a wonderful collection of pop tunes with just a touch of blues, suitable for any city. Besides his many albums, Moore has opened in the past for The......

In less than two days, we'll be hosting our big annual pre-ACL party, Local Music is Sexy IV, Thursday night's soiree will feature Austinites The Lemurs, The Corto Maltese, and Brazos on the outside main stage, with DJs Car Stereo (Wars), Ceeplus Bad Knives*, and Markus with a K supplying dance-party jams inside alongside Magic Surprise. We're also thrilled to be bringing in Seattle indie rockers Say Hi To Your Mom* as our headliners. What's......

On the eve of ACL Fest, we're gonna turn off our laptops, put on our drinking shoes, and head over to the Mohawk, because Austinist is hosting Local Music is Sexy IV. An annual tradition since its inception in 2005 (back when the 'hawk was the Velvet Spade, and folks were still arguing over the smoking ban), Local Music is Sexy showcases a bunch of promising young Austin bands and DJs that we're most excited......

What a difference a year makes—certainly in the case of this fledgling music festival. Last December's inaugural Fun Fun Fun Fest featured over two dozen bands and DJs, and showcased a good variety of indie rock, punk, and electronic music. This year, they've grown even bigger, better, and bolder: the second annual installment will span two days and has been pushed ahead by a month, to November 3rd and 4th. Staying true to their......

Rilo Kiley Under the Blacklight (Warner) Whereas their last few releases were more Omaha or Seattle and Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis’ solo record last year, Rabbit Fur Coat, was pretty Nashville, this latest effort is totally L.A. With its ensnaring pop choruses, undeniable disco feel and lyrical nods to the porn industry, it is perfectly suited for the extravagant metropolis where people go to give up everything to become a star. With Under The......

Could there be a better emblem of corporate "zaniness" than the Segway? You know, the two-wheeled "personal transporter" device that, while marketed as a solution to traffic congestion, is in fact a really annoying adult toy that gets in everyone's way? To filmmakers Hunter Weeks and Josh Caldwell, however, the Segway scooter embodies the American Dream. Or something like that, because they decided, after purchasing a Segway "on impulse" (note: the things cost 5 grand......

Now that Spoon have a Top 10 album on the Billboard charts, if there's a new king of the Austin indie-rock scene, it's Ghostland Observatory. If you've not heard them yet, we'll classify them as a dance and electronic rock duo who utilize synths, drum machines, and guitars to create a fairly unique sonic space for themselves which never fails to get a crowd moving. The duo of Thomas Turner and Aaron Behrens have......

Saturday night at Stubb's will likely be awfully warm (the forecast shows around 90 degrees), but it's worth braving the August heat for this strong of a bill. For reasons unknown to us, Rufus Wainwright and Neko Case are both playing at Stubb's, a venue that either performer could likely play on their own. Rufus Wainwright is the moody, theatrical brother in the musical Wainwright clan, which includes father Loudon Wainwright III, sister Martha,......

If your Saturday night is still up in the air, may we direct your attention to the Continental Club where Li'l Cap'n Travis will be unveiling their new album, Twilight on Sometimes Island, out on Seattle's Glurp Records. Unlike the Waterloo in-store the band is doing tonight at 5 p.m., the Saturday show will also feature Brothers and Sisters and Gary Newcomb. Li'l Cap'n Travis will be serving up their homebrewed Americana starting at......

Here comes the story of the hurricane that wasn't really a hurricane and didn't even affect the fireworks last night ... but you should still be skeert. Golden gloves indeed: 20-year-old man charged with manslaughter for his part in the murder of a man on June 19. Giving new meaning to booze in the blender. We are totally awesome at throwing block parties. When it's not raining, at least. Wonder if you could afford......

The Supersuckers specialize in no holds barred rock n’ roll that features humorous lyrics and melodious hooks. Hailing from Seattle, the band has been around since the late '80s and has released numerous albums on various labels such as Sub Pop and (their own recording company) Mid-Fi. In 2006, the Supersuckers put out two albums -- Live at Bart’s CD Cellar and Record Shop and the Paid EP. Buy ‘em here, or tonight at Emo’s......

Emo’s has built a reputation as one of the city’s most identifiable and prolific venues over the last decade or so. In fact, it has been fifteen years since the infamous live music spot opened its doors. This weekend, the club kicks off a celebration with events spanning eight hot and sweaty summer evenings. In between opening night festivities featuring The Riverboat Gamblers and 2nd weekend reunions like Glorium comes a Saturday night line-up fit......