The release of Beirut's fourth LP The Rip Tide has unveiled a new touring trend for the Brooklyn quintet. After a nearly four year absence, Saturday's show at Stubb's was their second stop in Austin this year (earlier this summer they played at ACL Live). As snow fell in the band’s northeast hometown, Beirut performed a special show under clear skies at Stubb’s. more ›

After leaking a solid teaser/catchy ode to his hometown with "Santa Fe" at the beginning of the summer, this week Zach Condon's bedroom-project-turned-seasoned-orchestration known simply as Beirut released The Rip Tide to break a four year "hiatus" (sorta - he somewhat quietly released 2009's experimental split EP March of the Zapotec/Realpeople Holland). At first listen, the album is a solid reinforcement exemplifying his carefully cultivated sound. Condon continues to embrace the elements for which we know him best - an invigorating blend of ukulele, crooning vocals, and horn-driven, Balkan-esque instrumentation - only this time he's not as focused on the whimsical dramatics as on the music itself. more ›

Before hitting the road for their current tour, which brings Beirut to ACL Live this Wednesday, Zach Condon took a few minutes to chat with Austinist about living in Brooklyn, being a bit of a homebody, a sometimes addition to video games, his love for restaurants, and getting back to work. Just in case you missed it, [here's part one of the interview.] You've traveled a lot and have picked up a lot of cultural qualities to your music, but what specific cities are the most inspiring to you? more ›

Since debuting in 2006, Beirut has maintained an extraordinary following for a band that has only released two LPs and a double EP. A lot of that reflects frontman Zach Condon's selectivity and innate musicality. But rest assured, the hiatus is over and things are happening! The band is currently embarking on an extensive world tour in preparation of their forthcoming album (rumored to drop this summer). Next week, that tour brings their magical orchestration to ACL Live. In part one of our exclusive interview with frontman Zach Condon, the multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter spoke with Austinist about the difference between his electronic bedroom project RealPeople versus Beirut, the Brazilian phenomenon of Beirutando--a series of street performances covering Beirut that spawned after the band was featured in a local mini-series, Capitu--and his dream-like collaborations with director Alma Har’el. more ›

Beirut The Flying Club Cup (4AD) Beirut is Zach Condon, and Zach Condon is right on time. His international folk through every instrument imaginable (except guitar) is rich with cultural consciousness and adventure and is just the reinvigoration the folk, indie, rock and whatever-music scenes need to get over their musical malaise. The resplendent and occasionally haunting sounds of the cello, accordion, violin, mandolin, piano, sax, clarinet, glockenspiel, flugelhorn, trumpet and more ukelele than you... more ›

Please excuse the abbreviated NRT this week: we'll see you next week with a biggie size. Naturally, the indie world is buzzing with talk about Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!'s latest, Some Loud Thunder, and all we can think of is how those poor kids have a lose-lose situation on their hands. They enjoyed a couple years worth of undeniable popularity and interest surrounding an album that, as it was sold by the thousands... more ›

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.... more ›