Austin woke up to the new year with tragic news. The murder of Esme Barrera has shaken every corner of this town, and that’s a testament to her character. She was a bright light in the scene, and a number of locals are looking to honor her memory in the best way possible: through music. Tonight at the Scoot Inn, Follow That Bird headlines a packed bill for a benefit show with all proceeds going to Barrera’s family. more ›

Given how nebulous the music world has become, it’s no wonder Matador Records honcho Gerard Cosloy attempted to provide a snapshot of the Red River scene before it got gobbled up by high-rises and noise ordinances. 2010 saw the release of Casual Victim Pile, a mixtape of notable noisy acts that practically live in those downtown bars. Besides inspiring a sequel, the CVP alums continue to make waves, and they’re celebrating Sunday night at Beerland with a show for Mr. Cosloy himself—packaged together as a hybrid Christmas/birthday bash for the label head, and it’s also a nice gift for the rest of us. more ›

Last year, Matador Records co-chief Gerard Cosloy curated the Austin rock and punk compilation Casual Victim Pile, bringing to vinyl and digital formats music that, for the most part, you could only experience on booze-filled nights on Red River (OK, at Beerland). Though he stated at the time that the document was "very arbitrary" and in no way a definitive portrait of any "scene," it did bring heightened local exposure to a strain of blistering, D.I.Y.-style rock. Some of the bands on the first comp (Follow That Bird, Harlem, Woven Bones) now seem like indispensable parts of the Austin music scene writ large; other bands have broken up, and still more are punching holes in the walls of Beerland to replace the patched-over ones they punched in last year. Most of all, the first CVP is just fun to listen to. It's good to know these bands. more ›

We've got a big bill tonight at the Mohawk full of bands with nada in the way of a cover charge. Hot dog! more ›