With SXSW fading into a distant memory (good or bad, depending on your week), it's high time to check out some local music again. You won't find any better than the lineup at Emo's this Saturday night. The Great Nostalgic celebrates the release of their second album, entitled Hope We Lived Like We Promised, supported by three other local bands. Interested in winning tickets or a copy of the vinyl album? DM us on twitter and let us know why you're so special. more ›

Halloween is just around the corner and it’s natural to gravitate towards all things dreary and sinister leading up to October 31st. Especially in light of the gloomy weather in Central Texas lately. But if you’re in the mood for irresistible melodies garnished with glistening synthesizer and drum machine beats, head down to The Mohawk tonight for a hearty helping of Islands’ shiny pop songs. Although the Canadian band’s lyrics have been known to contain some dark subject matter, their forte is undeniable hooks and hum-along choruses, the kind that bounce around in your head all day. The duo of Nick Thorburn and Jamie Thompson formed Islands in 2005 following the demise of The Unicorns and released their debut album Return To The Sea in April of 2006. Thompson left the band shortly after, leaving Thorburn to spearhead 2008’s Arm’s Way but rejoined the ranks prior to Vapours. The new album (released last month) finds Thorburn, Thompson, and company in good form, fine-tuning an accessible collection of atmospheric synth-pop soundscapes to perfection. more ›

After leaving The Laughing to pursue his own project, Abram Shook took his music in a different direction but kept his original intentions while switching focus. more ›

This New Year's was tough. Believe it or not, we were still hungover from NYE '07, coasting along in a Tomahawk haze, when-all of a sudden-we arrived at '09. Everything in between was merely expository filler. Suffice it to say, even with that momentous occasion behind us, we're still a bit disoriented, wandering around, nursing micheladas, looking for something to soothe our over-partied nerves. Then, along came a show that we knew we could trust. A show that wouldn't jangle us too hard, letting us down gently onto the downy breast of this fresh annum. more ›