The memories of Fun Fun Fun Fest remain vivid and fresh, and after that amazing yet exhausting weekend, surely we could be excused for a taking a deserved break to recharge our bodies. No such luck in our beloved city which refuses to rest on its laurels. Yes, just a week after that immense gathering of music, comedy, and arts, Massive Beacon, Reversal Films, and The Dark Agency present the second annual ATX Converge at The Mohawk. more ›

After the break-up of influential alt-country act Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar and Mike Heidorn formed Son Volt in 1994. Their debut record Trace was released in 1995 and featured the radio hit "Drown". After putting out two more albums in the late-'90s, the band faded away somewhat; Farrar worked on solo material for a few years before rejuvenating the Son Volt moniker with new members in 2005. This new look outfit dropped The Search in 2007 on Legacy Records while they also found time to cover The Beatles’ “Hello Goodbye” last July for a commercial on ESPN advertising David Beckham’s addition to the MLS roster. To some Son Volt will always play second fiddle to Wilco, a bit like Spectrum did to Spiritualized, or Kelly Rowland to Beyoncé even. However, Jay Farrar more than holds his own with his work; his lyricism is astute and his John Fogerty-esque vocals are a perfect fit for the band’s classic Americana concoctions. more ›

The week after SXSW is tough. Everyone is behind on their work and buried in email and errands, all of the out-of-town visitors have headed back to cold climes, and nobody has it in them to head out for a show just yet. To combat the post-SX gloom, we've compiled a list of major concerts coming to Austin in the next 90 days. This is by no means comprehensive (check Showlist Austin for that), but merely a warning about great upcoming events that will likely sell out - indeed, two already have. So peruse the list, hit the appropriate ticket outlet (or Craigslist for Feist or The Cure), and get ready to continue to rock. more ›

FRIDAY [4] party/bikes • Yellow Bike Project's Second Annual Bike Art Show with music by DJ Orion, DJ Katherine at Gallery 1906 (Free, 7pm-Midnight) art • Opening Reception: memoria/memoir: Carol Flax at Volitant Gallery, 320 Congress Ave., Ste 100 (6-9pm) art • B Scene at the Blanton Museum of Art 1st Anniversary Celebration at Blanton Museum of Art, MLK at Congress ($5 members, $10 non-members, 6-11pm) art • Opening Reception: Tunnel Vision: Parading Down the... more ›

There are times when it is difficult to look at a band without thinking of what might have been, and Son Volt is undoubtedly one of them. When the wildly influential alt.country group Uncle Tupelo disbanded into two camps, Son Volt was one resulting act. The other was Wilco. In 1995, the Jay Farrar-led Son Volt released their debut album Trace, one of the best albums of the 1990's bar none. At the time, it seemed that Farrar had trumped Jeff Tweedy's Wilco, whose debut A.M. is probably the weakest offering in their catalog. In the decade since, Tweedy has proven far more musically adventurous, while Farrar has essentially churned out diluted and inferior versions of the wonderful Trace. more ›

FRIDAY [3] party/music • Misprint magazine's latest issue release party, with The Jungle Rockers, Mr. Lewis and the Funeral Five, Chalk Outlines, and the Cave Dwellers at Flamingo Cantina (Doors at 9pm, $5/7, Free beer while it lasts!) art • Aaron Reynolds art opening reception with Music by Peter Wagner of The Mercers & free beer at End of an Ear (6pm) art • Warhol Reception and Lectures at ART on 5th (6-9pm) art... more ›

Well shut our mouths and call us Uncle Tupelo! Austin roughnecks San Saba County have released a stellar new LP proving that Alt-Country is not only alive and well, it's rummaging through your liquor cabinets and throwing up on your cat. It's Not The Fall That Hurts is an ambitious bounty, bursting at the seams with great tracks. Released on India Records, the San Saba boys (and girl?) have crafted what is a worthy addition to the lexicon of subverted twang. more ›

Didn’t want to spend your hard-earned cash for ACL ducats this year? Or maybe you have to work, and can’t get away from that computer to which you’re chained. Whatever the case may be, if you aren’t heading down to Zilker Park this weekend, you can still catch several of the ACL performances broadcast live over the intranets. AT&T will be airing exclusive content at their Blue Room portal beginning tomorrow with the first... more ›

Elsewhere in the Ist-averse [08.05 in Special] Out the Other's ACL Previews: Son Volt, Willie Nelson, The Long Winters and More [08.05 in ACL] Keep Keith Away From The Trees: Stones Confirm Zilker Details [08.04 in Music] Political Tidbits & Outlawing Cleavage [08.04 in Politics] It's Not What You Think! [08.04 in News] Walker, Hungarian Ranger [08.04 in News] Extremely Rare: Free Concert Worth Attending [08.04 in Music] Project Runway #1 In Our Hearts... more ›

Another week, another batch of ACL bands from my Austin City Limits Festival Artist Previews Page. Here's the latest: Son Volt - After seven years and four solo albums, Jay Farrar returned to the studio with Son Volt and emerged last year with Okemah and the Melody of Riot, and proof that his group is still one of the best country-influenced rock bands out there. (full preview) The Long Winters - After about four... more ›

We just read a leaked report of the ACL Fest Lineup, to be officially announced on Thursday. The report comes from Dallas Observer entertainment guru Robert Wilonsky. As we said, this is just a leaked report and therefore considered a rumor, but this source is about as good as they get. Of course, we hope there are a few more of our favorites coming but won't hold our breath. Have a look for yourself... more ›

Like most attendees, our biggest frustration with last year's Austin City Limits Festival was the wretched dust cloud blanketing Zilker Park after the first day. With tens of thousands of people milling about and the daytime highs between 98-107 degrees, everything was worsened by the fact that the park was already suffering from drought-like conditions. But not anymore, if Capital Sports and Entertainment (CSE) and its massive coffers have anything to say about it. Perhaps... more ›

So word on the street's that John Mayer is coming to Austin City Limits this Fall, at least according to gig repository Pollstar, who, as far as we can tell. are paid to traffic around such information. Make of it what you wish. Meanwhile, Tier I ($90) and Tier 2 ($100) passes are sold out, and they're now going for about $140 a pop, after service fees and shipping's included. Already confirmed, according to aclfest2006rumors.blogspot.com:... more ›

Last week, we posted a major concert update for May and June. If you missed it, just click the Expand-O-Tron for the recap. You're welcome. This week has already brought a flurry of updates including two new shows at The Backyard. Here they are (Austinist looks out): 5/28 - Eagles Of Death Metal @ The Parish Room 6/03 - Film School + Margot & The Nuclear So-And-Sos @ Emo's 6/10 - Radio 4 +... more ›

Update: THE SHINS are playing ACL! South by Southwest ended a mere month ago, but there's already an online frenzy building up for this fall's ACLFest -- which, dudes, is still five months away! Early-bird tickets came and went (in less than an hour, much to the chagrin of most people who received their notification emails later that evening), and the regular lot of full-price passes are selling at a healthy clip. So you've... more ›

(Ed. Note) *Unverified rumor update: Austinist reader Nathan tipped us off to this curious post on the ACL Concierge site (the site for high-rolling package-buyers - insert crass package joke here). But if you are to believe the graphic on the right, Coldplay will be coming back. No wonder the fest is not being held during OU-Texas weekend, how would all the college girls get to see that dreamy Chris Martin?* Although the Austin... more ›

Summer is coming, and the post-SX lull appears to be ending for Austin gigs. Many SX bands are scheduling return appearances, and our outdoor venues are beginning to release May and June schedules. The following list offers some highlights (for comprehensive listings, check Pollstar or Showlist Austin): 4/15 - Calexico (free early show) @ Emo's 4/15 - Deathray Davies + The M's @ Emo's 4/24 - TV on the Radio + Celebration @ Emo's... more ›

Come on, we've told you about these bands before. If you're still in town, we suggest you enjoy your final night at Emo's before having to field questions from distant relatives about why you're not married and don't have health insurance. more ›

: : FRIDAY : : [music] The Zippo Hot Tour Semi-Finals featuring Fractious, 9pm @ The Backroom - FREE! [film] A Bunch of New Movies Open! @ your local theater [film] QT6, 7pm & 9:30pm @ Drafthouse Downtown: Grindhouse Triple Feature also Saturday [music] Mike Graff, 8pm @ End of an Ear [dance] Refraction Arts presents "Shish-ka-bob! An Inventory of Works by Amy Cone," 8pm @ The Blue Theatre [music] Palaxy Tracks, The Glass... more ›

We know the past couple of weeks have been slow, but there have been a number of quality releases that we feel you need to know about. The Arcade Fire – The Arcade Fire (EP) A must have for any fan, It was previously only available at their live shows, but now has been reissued by Merge. Adrian Belew – Side Two Belew incorporates electronic sounds into his art rock landscape to provide an... more ›