Photo by Daniel Perlaky The Black and White Years Wednesday, November 28Emos (603 Red River St)$5, 10 pm[info] Locals The Black and White Years have had their genre-blurring, squiggly synth rock compared to The Talking Heads so many times it should come as no surprise that Jerry Harrison of that band (not to mention a one-time member of The Modern Lovers) produced their self-titled debut album. As a producer, Harrison’s work can be seen all......

Local favorites Okkervil River released their new full-length today. It's called The Stage Names, and we'll be running a feature length review of it on Thursday. Art in Manila Set the Woods on Fire (Saddle Creek) Orenda Fink, ne half of the now-defunct Azure Ray, has been writing and recording solo work for a while now, but her most recent project is a collaboration between Fink and a group of folks that used to......

Back during SXSW, we booked an opening DJ for Local Music is Sexy III on a total whim, encouraged by the recommendation of our fashion editor. We were so impressed with DJ Markus ("with a K") that we asked him back to spin at our day party, which he managed with aplomb. We dug it. Former Denton/DFW residents might recognize Markus from his gigs with popular DJ trio The Flashlight Party, which enjoyed residencies at......

The Faint might be erection-inducing dance hall baddasses, but we're looking forward to seeing Ratatat again. Their last show at Emo's was incredible, full of Malmsteen-ish guitar solos, sweaty hair flips and unapologetic shout-outs to everything from 80's hair metal to the cream of the hip-hop crop. Though tonight's show is sold out, you might have luck finding tickets elsewhere, and we highly recommend it. The only complaint we had with their show at......

TUESDAY [12] fashion/shopping • South Lamar shops host a big whoppin' holiday party/shopping soiree with catering by Sazon and Le Marseillaise, complimentary wine, martinis, and cofee, and various discounts from 10-25% at Birds Barbershop, Roost, Downstairs Apparel, 365 Ways - 365 Days and Legendary Beads (6-9pm) music • The Faint, Ratatat at La Zona Rosa music • Mayor Will Wynn introduces Guy Clark at Cactus Cafe (8pm) music • Zom Does Jazz Night at......

Well, it certainly feels like winter. This marks a usually slow time on the roadshow scene, as bands head home for the holidays and clubs close up shop. Not so fast, though: December is still unusually active this year on the Austin music calendar, so have a look below and see which acts you should bundle up and head out to. December: 12/01 FunFunFun: Spoon, Peaches, Prefuse 73 + more (Waterloo Park) 12/01 Dressy......

It was probably inevitable. When Franz Ferdinand and the Killers whetted the kids’ appetites for catchy, electro-dance pop, we should have known that a slew of imitators armed with keyboards and laptops would follow. It hasn’t been all bad, but sometimes we just have to ask oursevlves, “Why?” Such is the case with We Are Pilots, the new release from Shiny Toy Guns. The would-be buzz band of the season shows some potential on......

So A Flock of Seagulls won't be playing Elysium tonight, but there are a few great shows happening around town that are bound to tickle your fancy...pants. IF YOU LIKE ... The Rapture, The Faint, or tight pink jeans: Rock out with electroclash wizards Ghostland Observatory at Karma Lounge @ 10pm. They're fresh off a hugely successful East Coast tour, so come and give 'em a warm Austin welcome back! Jack Johnson: Nashville singer-songwriter......

Two great shows coming to town this weekend: Check out Bright Eyes, The Faint, and openers Airborn Audio on Saturday night at Stubb's. We were there for the start of Bright Eyes' Digital Ash in a Digital Urn tour at Coachella last month, which featured a pretty nifty multimedia setup synchronized to the synthesized beats. Our friend was mildly dismayed by Conor Oberst's attempt to assemble a massive ensemble - from the far end......