You would think that in 2010 blues music would be dead. For God’s sake, it’s been around since at least the 19th century, and it’s been picked over by countless musicians the world over. Yet here in Austin, the band White Dress is bringing the blues into the 21st century. more ›

What’s the Deal: This Welsh trio just released their debut 8-song album, A Balloon Called Moaning, in the US May 4th on Black Bell Records. They are the first band to be signed to the label, which was founded by Passion Pit’s Ayad Al Adhamy. The Joy Formidable played their first American tours as the headlining act earlier this year, but they’ve been building a buzz in the UK with a string of successful singles. more ›

What has made Adi’s visage so recognizable in the Austin underground music landscape? Is it his unpretentious smile and jersey-clad frame? Perhaps it’s because he’s involved in one capacity or another in nearly every major music event this town has to offer? Either way, he’s not in it for the inevitable fame or name recognition. He’s just bringing important, fun local music to your eyes and ears because he genuinely cares, and he wants you to participate. more ›

If Saturday was The Day It Rained At ACL, Sunday will surely be remembered for the mud. And the stench—upon arriving it was noted by more than a few fans that the park bore an overwhelming olfactory resemblance to an ill-kept petting zoo. The origin of the odor seems to have been the unholy combination of Dillo Dirt and straw used by festival organizers in a futile attempt to sop up some of the mud slop. Though the mud was deeper and more treacherous in some parts of the park than others, it pervaded; the distress suffered by the $2.5 million Great Lawn was heartbreaking, and it simply stood no chance against the cumulative total of 180,000 sets of feet stamping through it over the three-day festival. In the end, surely to the dismay of C3 and the City of Austin, it looked more like a giant half-melted tub of dark chocolate gelato than a carpet-tight fairway. Nevertheless, the condition underfoot didn’t deter most from cramming in as much value for their entertainment dollar as possible on Sunday. more ›

Most people are aware of the work of Dan Auerbach, even if they don't know his name: his much-loved bluesy two-piece, The Black Keys, has played a couple ACLs and been a force in supreme guitar god awesomeness for almost the entirety of this decade. But now, for the first time, Auerbach has recorded an excellent minus-drummer-Patrick-Carney homage to old style rock and soul with Keep It Hid, and though the goin' by his own name thing may imply a solo endeavor, he packs with him the punch of a five-piece outfit, The Fast Five. Truth be told, they are sure to rock out with a seriousness. more ›