Liam Finn has seen a lot of the world lately, albeit from the stages of pubs, clubs, and arenas. The 24-year-old New Zealander has 126,000 frequent flyer miles at the moment, thanks to a year spent touring both as a guitarist for Crowded House and promoting his new Yep Roc album I'll Be Lightning. The self-produced and performed record finds Finn in a reflective mood, and alternates between indie chamber-pop and much more rocking material. Currently on tour with Pela, Finn will drop in for a handful of SXSW gigs before heading back on the road to open on Eddie Vedder's solo tour. We spoke to Liam Finn this week about Neil Young, loop pedals, and London. We encourage you to attend the Austinist-Gothamist day show on March 12th to see him!...

I'm not sure if today would be the day to go shopping at Waterloo or not, but if you do go, check out today's new releases: Bloc Party A Weekend In the City (Vice) The story of bands like Bloc Party is familiar, but still depends upon a sort of mystery to come to fruition. Whereas the huge fame and irrepressible buzz seemed to propel them into official stardom, the stress and anguish that......

The holidays are over, there's an all you can eat grackle buffet downtown, and it's January 9, the first proper release week of 2007. How fitting: the damned Canadians are dominating it. Neko Case Live From Austin, TX (New West Records) Though Case's recording from Austin City Limits is four years old (recorded originally in 2003), it stands as a testament to the unequivocal talent those not in the audience that night were privy......

Double Wide and Live is the latest release from the venerable champions of rock-a-hillbilly, Southern Culture on the Skids (SCOTS). This one-disc captures the raucous, sister-kissin' vibe that SCOTS shows are known for, sans the tossed fried chicken and/or flung banana pudding. Double Wide showcases the guitar virtuosity of Rick Miller, while bassist Mary Huff and never-seated drummer Dave Hartman keep the rhythm tight. Tracks like "Meximelt" prove that Rick Miller is Dick Dale......

Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit Sunny hooks, exuberant melodies and Stuart Murdoch’s sneaky/clever lyrics make this latest LP from our favorite Scottish tweesters eminently enjoyable. Be sure to check out the special edition version, which includes a bonus disc featuring the band's live BBC recordings. She Wants Revenge - She Wants Revenge It was only mere months ago that this sharp LA quartet first played Austin, dazzling the crowd at Stubb's who's arrived......

The Kingsbury Manx have had a hard row the past few years. While touring in support of 2003’s Aztec Discipline, a psych-pop romp that shared sonic territory with fans and contemporaries the Shins, the band got in a car accident that left the majority of their gear destroyed. Shortly thereafter, singer/guitarist Kenneth Thompson parted with the band on friendly terms. Two years later, the Manx have returned in phoenixlike fashion with The Fast Rise......