Proof that subtlety and ambiance can have a place in popular music, The Album Leaf's slow build to fame over ten years began inauspiciously enough - lead man Jimmy LaValle began the band as a side project while in the group Tristeza - but over the years they've hit high water marks including tours with Sigur Rós and the chance to sign with the massive Sub Pop Records. The band's newest release is A Chorus of Storytellers, which saw LaVelle recording with a full band instead of all on his lonesome. 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 ›

James LaValle is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist who has been circling the globe and projecting songs into the void as The Album Leaf since the late 90's, when his former project, Tristeza, disbanded. His songs are warm, earthy, and simultaneously intricate, ambient and modern. His albums are private moments of yearning, loss, hope, and simple pleasures translated for public intimacy. Simply put ... LaValle is one of the most original and confident songwriters of... 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 ›

Like the wandering ghosts of some long-lost pirate ship, San Diego’s Black Heart Procession will invade The Parish tonight with their moaning, clanking brand of spooky country. Though the BHP lineup is constantly shifting (and has included members of RFTC, Hot Snakes and Blonde Redhead) the current band includes Pall Jenkins and Tobias Nathaniel (both of Three Mile Pilot), Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse, Magic Magicians), Jimmy LaValle (The Album Leaf), Scot Mercado (Manuok/Via Satellite)... more ›