If you're not heading over to the Parish tomorrow night after our party at Birds Barbershop, here are two excellent alternatives: The IV Thieves -- that's "4," mind you -- formerly known as Nic Armstrong and the Thieves, returned to Austin a mere week ago after a whirlwind stateside tour supporting The Pretenders. Originally hailing from the tiny village in England of Nottingham, this lovable foursome now (mostly) call Central Texas their home. They'll be... more ›

Starting this week, FactoryPeople is holding their semi-annual clearance sale with select items at 25% off. On Friday, they're teaming up with Birds Barbershop and Beauty Bar for the monthly Beauty Bar Blowout (at FactoryPeople), with complimentary 'dos provided by the Birds crew and make-up artists on hand to glam up both the ladies and the less-inhibited lads among you. Also look forward to retro-rock and hip-hop tunes spun by Prince Klassen, delectable mixed... more ›

Tomorrow night, The Streets take to the stage at La Zona Rosa. Mike Skinner's third album, The Hardest Way to Make An Easy Living, has drawn many favorable reviews ("twice as good as any album about the price of celebrity has a right to be" -- Guardian UK). Be sure to arrive in time to check out opener Lady Sovereign, easily one of the most entertaining acts we caught at SXSW. If you haven't... more ›

For the second time in our ongoing monthly series, Austinist is teaming up with Car Stereo (Wars) and Sparrowhead to host this week's episode of We Explode!, the Saturday evening dance party at Beauty Bar. We'll be giving away a pair of tickets to the upcoming Streets show (6/17) at some point during the evening -- additionally, we'll have some Austinist tees and pins to hand out if you come say hi while we're spinning/fumbling around on the turntables. more ›

We realize we've been all over this since we first found out about it, but we live right next to these guys and we're thrilled about Birds Barbershop joining our neighborhood. They're throwing their mega opening all weekend long, starting with Mayor Will Wynn getting his hair did on Saturday morning. This will be followed up with a Grand Opening Hangover Party on Sunday night (because Monday's a holiday, obvs). DJs megaGATES and Chill Collins from We Explode! are doing turntable duty, and Tito's Vodka and Independence Brewery have generously supplied dionysian quantities of free booze. more ›

When The Streets' third album, The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living, came out last month, Austinist sponsored a listening party with the We Explode! kids at Beauty Bar. By now, most of you've probably had a chance to check out the new record by the feisty UK rapper; The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living (VICE) follows up the adorably adroit Mike Skinner's hugely successful first two albums, Original Pirate Material and... more ›

Tomorrow night over at the Beauty Bar, Austinist has teamed up with our friends over at Car Stereo (Wars) and Learning Secrets to bring you the official Listening Party for the new record by superstar UK rapper The Streets. The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living (VICE) follows up the adorably adroit Mike Skinner's hugely successful first two albums, Original Pirate Material and A Grand Don't Come for Free, both which shocked us with their disarmingly honest glimpses into the rather mundane life of a gritty, "street-level" Londoner. more ›

FRIDAY [14] [music] The Arm CD Release, with Single Frame, Faceless Werewolves and Lomita at Emo's (link) [music] Sound Tribe Sector Nine with Govinda at Stubb's Austin (link) [music] Matt Nathanson at Waterloo Records (Free, 5pm) (link) [music] Til We're Blue or Destroy at Beerland (link) [music] The Weary Boys Release Show at Continental Club (12:15am) (link) [party] Car Stereo (Wars) at Plush (10pm-2am, $2 Lone Stars) (link) [music] Loxsly and The Lemurs at Blue... more ›