Oh lordy how time flies. The Roots, one of the hip-hop world's most successful and influential acts, has been around for...wait for it... over two decades. We just checked our watch and did a double-take. DAY-uhm. ...

If the closest you come to contemporary hip hop is dodging the Spiro's crowd on your way to Emo's, then we have news for you: there IS more out there. No, you need not subject yourself to the abrasive and, dare we say, bastardized sounds of Dirty South hip hop, nor need you dig up your old De La albums (though you should anyway) because tonight Talib Kweli is at Emo's to show you......

TUESDAY [20] books • Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan presents Rollergirl: Totally True Tales From The Track at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • TMNT 2: Secret of the Ooze Pizza Party at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Polyester at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • AFS Essential: Iron Island at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar music • The Roots with Lupe Fiasco at Stubb's (Early, Sold Out) music • Kodo Drummers at The Paramount Theatre music • Hilary York......

Now that we're in mid-January, club bookings for winter and spring shows are beginning to emerge. While much internet browsing has already been done looking for the SXSW 2007 lineup, there are also plenty of great touring shows dropping in outside of those dates (thankfully). New shows from The Roots, Explosions In The Sky, Midlake, and a Willie Nelson/Merle Haggard double bill top the new additions, but there is plenty here for all musical......

I’m not so sure I’m ready to do it. To jump right in with both feet and put down those kind of roots. To make pretend that I have a single clue as to where the end-point, end-game, end-whatever may be. Why do people do this to themselves? More importantly, why am I considering it?...

15. Mogwai - Mr. Beast (Matador) As ever, Mogwai manage to blend unadulterated post-rock weight to their shoegazer tendencies with tracks like "Glasgow Mega Snake" and "Folk Death 95," showcasing their ability to create anthems with no words. This is where Mr. Beast really shines, in between blistering chord progressions and gradual swings into corybantic climaxes. In some ways a throwback to earlier (and heavier) Mogwai material, Mr. Beast isn't merely a rock album.......

Tonight, Alamo Music Mondays presents All Kindsa Girls, a documentary tracing the roots of garage-punk, from the proto-garage bands of the 1960s through to the present day. The film focuses on the career of seminal Boston garage rockers The Real Kids. Led by the charismatic John Felice (a founding member of 70's new wavers Modern Lovers and occasional Ramones roadie), The Real Kids helped define the early American garage-punk scene, playing a raw but......

FRIDAY [2] [food] Flip Happy Crepes is open! (link) [music] Country Teasers, Green Milk From the Planet Orange, Attic Ted, Gorch Fock at Emo's (link) [music] The Roots with Blackalicious and the Incredibuls at Stubb's (link) [music] Nightmare of You at The Parish Room (link) [music] "Country Teasers -- ""Is their new album ""The Empire Strikes Back"" a concept album about race, England, and Star Wars, or did the band just find something unwholesomely amusing......

You can throw a rock this month and hit a good touring show in Austin. After our usual post-SXSW doldrums, everyone seems to be scheduling Austin as an early summer stop. Check out new additions like Pete Yorn, M. Ward, Reverend Horton Heat, and indie-blogger favorite Human Television in the listings below: June: 6/02 The Roots + Blackalicious (Stubb’s) 6/03 Film School + Margot & The Nuclear So-And-Sos (Emo’s) 6/07 Arctic Monkeys + We......

We've just been informed that The Roots have had to cancel their ACL-taping appearance. No word yet on a reschedule but look here for future info. regarding said. So we guess we can cancel that "doctor's appointment" for Friday morning. The favorite sons of Philly will still be performing at Stubb's Friday night with Blackalicious, and you can bet your sweet ass we'll be there. Buy tickets for The Roots w/ Blackalicious at Stubb's......

With new shows on sale from Sonic Youth, INXS, Echo and the Bunnymen, and Rancid, it seems to be college radio nostalgia week for the concert update. There are also a nice batch of new indie shows, including Tapes 'n' Tapes for Pitchfork fans, Dios Malos for the mellow types, The Futureheads for the edgy punky stuff, and even Tilly and the Wall for you tap dancers. On with the shows: May: 5/10 -......

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......