When I graduated from college, there's weren't a lot of gay characters in movies and TV. This was the mid-90's so when there was a gay character, he was usually dying of AIDS. I saw every one of these movies, but I was desperate to see characters more like myself....

Xiu Xiu are what many would call a success story. After all, they’ve evolved from an experimental freakshow of a duo who appealed only to the outer edge of musical snobs and depressed hipsters, to a full-on, four member, MySpace friendly, blog-writing, book-producing, ceaselessly collaborating, networking whirlwind with legions of fans and the respect of critics. Not only that, but unlike some rise-to-glory stories, Xiu Xiu’s transformation has been nice to see, mostly because founding members Jamie Stewart and Caralee McElroy always seem to be having a lot of fun, connecting well with their fans and managing to maintain their sense of humor and their honesty....

Photo courtesy Sunyong ChungWorld-class porcelain artist Sunyong Chung will be participating in this weekend's E.A.S.T.. Enamored with her work, we conducted an interview with her last fall, but, er, neglected to publish it. (Journalism, shmurnalism.) Now, however, bear witness to all she reveals about the intricate nerikome technique used to ornament her plates and bowls. Also: some call/response regarding Sunyong's beliefs about continuity of form, and her experiences connecting with artists from other eras! Testify!......

We received several great responses to last week's Overheard in Austin. Did you hear something that tops our quotes from this week? Send them to overheard@austinist.com and we'll publish the best ones. Girl talking to her friend downtown:I mean, he has a nice body. He’s big but he’s not fat. He just has some atoms around his stomach that are farther apart. A 10-year-old, perched atop the jungle gym, holding forth about Halloween:Halloween? Nowadays it's......

We always bitch about the small things. Probably because real and heavy oppression either leaves you dead or makes you flee, or imprisons you, or makes you reach for the martini shaker right after breakfast as you shrug and sheepishly tell your children, “Hey, it’s five o’clock somewhere.”...

ACL Previews Interview: Ghostland Observatory Previews: The Broken West, Big Sam’s Funky Nation & Rose Hill Drive Previews: Billy Joe Shaver and Fionn Regan Previews: Brandon Rhyder and Ocote Soul Sounds Interview: The Broken West Previews: Sylvia St. James, Jeffrey Steele, and Amy Cook Interview: Bloc Party ACL Fest Updates: Google Mashup, Contests, Eco-Chic Previews: Augustana, Amos Lee Interview: Peter, Bjorn, and John ACL Band Clash, Round 3: Wilco Vs My Morning Jacket Travis......

We recently had the opportunity to talk to the men behind the upcoming Out of Bounds Fest (and miniature golf tournament!), Jeremy Lamb and Shannon McCormick. The fest, which kicks off next Wednesday and runs for a week, is in its sixth year, and is quickly becoming one of the biggest, must-do comedy events in Austin. Can you give me a little bit of background on the festival and when it started? Jeremy Lamb: Sure.......

Now that Spoon have a Top 10 album on the Billboard charts, if there's a new king of the Austin indie-rock scene, it's Ghostland Observatory. If you've not heard them yet, we'll classify them as a dance and electronic rock duo who utilize synths, drum machines, and guitars to create a fairly unique sonic space for themselves which never fails to get a crowd moving. The duo of Thomas Turner and Aaron Behrens have......

Radical Nautical, which opens this Thursday at Gallery Lombardi, introduces the question of whether more than one octopus in a room spells a troop of octupuses, or just a bunch of octopi. (You might prefer to dodge the issue altogether by referring to them as cephalopods). The show's general nautical theme sprang forth from the collective consciousness of its jurors, all big machers on the Austin art scene: Ian Schultz, Michael Schliefke, Kevin Peake,......

*The views expressed in Foodie Friday are those of the author and do not represent Austinist (and quite often our readership) as a whole. Ahh, the subjective nature of tastebuds.* -The Editors (Playing the part of Foodie Column-IST this week is one of our newest food writers, Veronica Meewes, freshly returned from the greater Tri-state Metropolitan whatsit.) When I return to the Tri-state Area I called home for so many years, there are several......

It's the your favorite bartender at Sao Paulo, or the girl in the cutoffs at El Chilito. It's the smokin' UPS guy, or one of the Lone Star Rollergirls. It's your local secret crush. It's hard to believe that it's been over sixteen years since Linklater's Slacker edified the collective and individual characters that make Austin, well, Austin. Although Liberty Lunch is long gone, the people that make our city great remain. And what......

“I’ve loved vintage all my life,” says Sarah Evans, co-owner of La Luz, a new vintage housewares and clothing store on South 1st Street. “When I was seven I was sifting through thrift stores. I never thought I’d have my own store.” Last year, Sarah was working a desk job she hated, and eventually quit after her “80th nervous breakdown.” While telling us this, her boyfriend, Ace San Miguel, says, “I told her, ‘You......

Austinist recently had the opportunity to speak with Rue McClanahan in anticipation of tonight's book-signing at Book People and her Sunday afternoon appearance at Zach Scott Theatre. For the latter, in a format much like Inside the Actors Studio, Ms. McClanahan will be dishing with Zach’s Dave Steakly about her new book, her upcoming projects, and all-things-Rue. Tickets are selling fast…so fast that the appearance up and moved to the Kelberg Stage to accommodate a......

It seems that this past week was filled with extremes, from the most tragic news to the most bizarre crimes. Not knowing how to digest said information, we decided to drink. For a cause, of course! Although we must admit that is a fairly standard solution around these parts. That leaves us with only one way to start off the week; well, two actually. But we don't have a bloody mary, and this is......

Paula Disbrowe has been a food and travel writer in Manhattan and the cowgirl chef at Hart & Hind Fitness Ranch in Rio Frio, Texas. Her work has been featured in publications including the New York Times, Food & Wine, Cooking Light, and Saveur. She recently launched one of our favorite websites, Dishola, and her new book, Cowgirl Cuisine: Rustic Recipes and Cowgirl Adventures from a Texas Ranch, showcases her love for Texas food. Catch......

We've been fans of Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche ever since happening upon his spectacular 2004 release, Two Way Monologue. Lerche (that's “Lurk-uh”, not “Lurch,” or "Lur-chey") credits his heartfelt, folksy pop stylings to a veritable goulash of decades-spanning influences, from Brazilian psych-rockers Os Mutantes and Elvis Costello (whom he recently toured with) to XTC and Fleetwood Mac. His latest album, Phantom Punch, was released a few weeks ago, and brims with the same youthful......

So that’s my plan for 2007: to sweat like a motherfucker. Laughing, fist-pumping. In bedtime comfort. Dancing with you. ...

It is with heavy hearts that we come to you with news that we have lost a dear member of the Ist family. Phillyist co-editor Star Foster passed away Sunday morning. She had been complaining of a pain in her foot, which she thought had to do with some bad moves she'd made at dance class, but it turns out there was a tumor in her leg which metastasized and went to her heart. She......

Believe it or not, Love Travels At Illegal Speeds is former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon’s sixth solo record. His third since leaving the band, LTAIS boasts crunching guitar hooks and sparkling pop-rock along with a plethora of downtrodden, forlorn ballads. As the title of the album suggests, Coxon tackles the fluctuating fortunes of love and the struggles of being smitten. Lyrics like "When I saw you / my life turned so beautiful / I......

HBO Films' newest documentary project, When I Knew, asks America's GLBT community: When did you know you were gay? When I Knew is based on Robert Trachtenberg's book of the same name, which alternates between hilarious and heart-rending tales. The documentary crew is currently crisscrossing the country, hoping to capture as many interesting and diverse anecdotes as possible. Next Wednesday, they'll be stationed at the Radisson Hotel on Cesar Chavez for an entire day's......

From stage performances to her role as Jerri Blank on Strangers with Candy to her guest column, "Sedaratives," in The Believer, Amy Sedaris has made a career out of making people laugh with her absurd brand of wit and charm. With I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence, Sedaris has extended her talents to the world of cookbooks. In the informative and entertaining book, she shares some of her favorite recipes along with special tips......

BackstageDrama, Dir. Emmanuelle Bercot, 2005 Screens: Monday, October 2nd at 7pm "In a world relentlessly tuned in to “American Idol” and the daily lives of the TomKats and Bennifers, the universal obsession with celebrity can cross the line into fanaticism. In keeping with the times, Emmanuelle Bercot’s stunning feature directorial debut explores the psyches of both the star and her adoring fan to reveal a troubling view on the world of celebrity worship and......

*The views expressed in Bun in the Oven are those of the author and do not represent Austinist as a whole.* -The Editors I've heard, many times, that "a girl knows exactly what her dream wedding will be" long before the event actually occurs. This has always struck me as silly. Until you meet the person you're to wed, isn't it a waste of time -- not to mention inconsiderate -- to completely dismiss......

Well I've kicked around a lot since high school I've worked a lot of nowhere gigs From keyboard man in a rock'n ska band To haulin' boss crude in the big rigs Now I've come back home to plan my next move From the comfort of my Aunt Faye's couch When I see my little cousin Janine walk in All I could say was ow-ow-ouch CHORUS: Honey how you've grown Like a rose Well we......

Gilbert and Sullivan: the names may not sound familiar to you, but their music has been referenced very often in pop culture. If you haven't seen any of their works, you may have heard bits and pieces on an episode of the Simpsons or Family Guy. Maybe you saw the Mike Leigh film, Topsy-Turvy (if you didn't, you aren't missing much). Those of you unfamiliar with the British operetta-writing pair: it's time to get schooled.......

Every single Monday night, music fanatics converge upon the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown to attend Music Mondays, a brilliant series of engaging, informative and sometimes peculiar films about music. It’s an awfully cool series, and while we’ve always assumed that these sort of things magically organize themselves, that turns out not to be the case at all. Music Mondays is actually the invention of writer / music lover / dedicated film junkie Kier-La Janisse. Recently,......

John Lennon still gives Jesus a run for his money. According to a volunteer at the University Baptist Church last Friday, only one or two religious services have similarly packed the pews. By the time Austinist arrived, music worshippers were lined up around the block to catch a live performance of the Beatles' White Album of 1968, whose songs around 30 local vocalists and musicians had been invited to cover. The seating was shoulder-to-shoulder, with......

The following downloads are by artists playing various shows around town this week -- check the IST List for details. [mp3] Mono - Halcyon [mp3] Mono - The Flames Beyond the Cold Mountain [mp3] Mono - The Remains of the Day [mp3] Elefant - Lolita [mp3] Sound Team - Movie Monster [mp3] Pretty Girls Make Graves - The Nocturnal House [mp3] The Joggers - Since You're Already Up [mp3] Aberdeen City - Another Seven......

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......

*The views expressed in Truesday are those of the author and do not represent Austinist as a whole. Thank heavens.* -The Editors It wasn’t that long ago that I had a nice, air-conditioned ride with some sort of tinting, a working CD player, and windshield wipers that actually touched the windshield. Oh yes. It was quite functional. Not only was it functional, it was respectable. When I drove it around, with its all-black paint......