Tom Brosseau at the Stateside Theater: Live Review
Tom Brosseau is an authentic folk troubadour. Austin’s Stateside Theater was something of a time machine on Wednesday night, and if you were inside, Brosseau served as your captain, transporting you to an…
Album Review: Sharon Van Etten – Are We There (Pop Press Pick)
An ethereal haunting. A beautiful ache. Broken love and scars that smile. Life is no black and white analysis, but is made up of a complex series of contradictory feelings all competing to…
10 Must See Bands at FPSF 2014
I love FPSF. Every year, I get a little flack from my friends who insist it’s just gotta be too hot for a Houston festival in June. With the air-conditioned tents, I always…
True Sincerity Release Party: Thoughts & Photos
I’ve been careful not to slather Pop Press International with plugs for True Sincerity, even though both are my creations. However, one of the reasons I started Pop Press International was to be…
Bishop Allen Announces New Album, Shares “Start Again”
It has been too long since we heard from Bishop Allen. Or more accurately, we’ve been hearing from them, but perhaps you didn’t know it. The band has been interacting with various artistic…
Morrissey at Austin Music Hall: Review & Photos
Full disclosure right up front: granted with only a photo pass and not a review ticket, I saw Morrissey perform exactly three songs between 9:01 PM and 9:14 PM Saturday night at Austin Music Hall….
Photos and Thoughts on Raw Paw’s Dreamz Release Party
On Saturday, music and arts collective Raw Paw flooded Empire Control Room with a mass of devotees in celebration of the release of their fifth literary publication, this installment entitled Dreamz. The title…
Dear Someone: Sex, Cats, and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Walker Lukens is a musician living and working in Austin, Texas. His latest album is called Devoted. His advice column Dear Someone runs semimonthly on Pop Press International. You can send in your own inquiries…
Raw Paw Celebrates Dreamz Zine Release Saturday at Empire Control Room
Local arts and music collective Raw Paw will celebrate the release of their new Dreamz zine at Empire Control Room Saturday night, May 24th. The collective calls the zine a “true time capsule of…
Living Room Live at W Hotel Features Royal Forest and Orthy This Sunday
We’ll send you off into the weekend by recommending a plan for your Sunday night. With a Memorial Day holiday the following day, you’ll be able to party Sunday night and still sleep in…
Jail Weddings Release New Video “Summer Fades”
Jail Weddings released their most recent album Meltdown — A Declaration of Unpopular Emotion on vinyl via Neurotic Yell and on cassette through Burger Records last year. Now, to accompany their upcoming tour, the band has shared a new video…
Loamlands Share “Another Reason” Ahead of New EP
June 10th will bring the release of Loamlands new EP Some Kind of Light via Trekky Records. Today, the band shared “Another Reason,” a track from that forthcoming effort. Gently distorted guitar rings…
Bryan C. Parker to Pen 33 1/3 Volume on Beat Happening’s Debut Album
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be writing a volume for the 33 1/3 series on Beat Happening’s eponymous debut album on K Records. For now, there’s not a ton more to say…
Indie Pop Band Tangerine Releases “Nothing Better” Video
Following the release of new song “Nothing Better” and b-side “Northern Line” via Fin Records, indie pop band Tangerine has shared a video. Directed by Jade Justad, the video for “Nothing Better” features…
Morrissey Plays Austin Music Hall Saturday
Some of your Morrissey fans have been waiting for this day for a long time, seeing as Morrissey’s original appearance at Austin Music Hall was postponed many months ago. Now, the crooner returns…
Watch Amazing Snakeheads’ Raw New Video “Nighttime”
Elements of the occult must be swimming in the deep pools of our collective consciousness. Lately, they’re bubbling to the top. Similar to the motifs in HBO’s triumphant series True Detective, The Amazing Snakeheads’…
Hear Hiss Golden Messenger’s “Brother, Do You Know the Road?”
Although this track dropped last week, I haven’t seen it posted on nearly enough outlets. Hiss Golden Messenger’s “Brother, Do You Know the Road?” is a stand-alone single out now and available on…
Shivery Shakes Tour Kickoff Show Tonight at Mohawk
I raved about Shivery Shakes the last time I saw them live. And that’s saying something, since I’ve seen the band more than a few times. Shivery Shakes are one of Austin’s best…
Harvest Records Announces Killer Lineup for 10th Anniversary
Harvest Records, the Ashville, NC based record store as opposed to the label home of Morrissey and Glass Animals, will celebrate 10 years of existence this summer. For a record store in an off-the-beaten-path…
Hear a Track from Marcus Rubio’s New Album Out Now
Marcus Rubio is a guy who’s been around Texas over the years and is currently wrapping up a stint in L.A., soon heading back to Austin. Yesterday, Rubio released Land of Disenfranchisement, out digitally…
Dana Falconberry, RF Shannon, & Devon Sproule at Stubb’s: Live Review
I’ve seen Dana Falconberry dozens of times, and sung her praises just as many. However, I never get tired of watching her perform her haunting and gorgeous, forward-thinking folk music live. She and her band…
101X Sponsors A. Sinclair & Otis the Destroyer Dual Release Show at Mohawk
This show promises to be as epic as the headline. Both A. Sinclair (formerly Frank Smith) and Otis the Destroyer can kick out muscular indie rock jams, and both bands will celebrate the…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Releases Outstanding 2014 Lineup
Fun Fun Fun Fest always restores my faith in humanity. Friends are constantly telling me that in today’s culture, organizations have two linked goals: to become as large as possible and to rake…
Mutual Benefit Shares New Video, Announces Tour Dates
Mutual Benefit has debuted a new video for their song “‘Let’s Play’ / Statue of a Man” to accompany the announcement of a slew of new dates being added to their current tour. The video…
Stunt Rock Screening & Fun Fun Fun Fest Announcement Tonight
Tonight, Fun Fun Fun Fest will host a screening of 1980 cult film Stunt Rock at Austin’s Starlite Drive-In Theater that will be accompanied by a special announcement. Last year, FFF Fest leaked much…
Help Palaxy Tracks Release Their New Album
Brandon Durham has been a part of the independent music community for more than a decade, playing with his band Palaxy Tracks and serving as a member of celebrated band The Octopus Project….
New Track: Balue – “Charming Flow”
Fleeting Youth Records is a young label from Austin, TX working with some exciting new garage and indie rock acts. On June 24th, the label will release Quiet Dreamer, a cassette by New Mexico…
Album Review: Popstrangers – Fortuna
New Zealand band Popstrangers’ new album, Fortuna, the band’s sophomore follow up to Antipodes is out now on Carpark Records. Because of or despite a certain degree of chaos that can be found…
Japanese Psych Rock Band Boris Shares Video for “Vanilla”
Good news for all you psych-metal fans, Japanese band Boris has released a new video for the track “Vanilla” ahead of their new album Noise, due out June 17th in the U.S. via Sargeant…
Album Review: Bobby Bare, Jr. – Undefeated
Undefeated, Bobby Bare Jr.’s fourth album with his Young Criminals’ Starvation League, anchors him ever deeper into the soil of American music. Channeling decades of influence from his own father to the hollows…
Walker Lukens to Pen Advice Column for Pop Press International
Thinking about a career change? Relationship woes? Can’t decide whether to do forks and spoons or just go with sporks for your dinner party? Worry no longer. We’re excited to announce that songwriter…
Austin Cassette Fest Happens Tomorrow
As independent music’s interest in tangible products and analog formats has grown, so has the number of tape labels. Once relegated to the late eighties and early nineties, tape labels have sprung up…
Album Review: Protomartyr – Under Color of Official Right
Moving between new wave and post punk, Protomartyr’s newest effort Under Color of Official Right consists of propulsive percussion, catchy guitars, and detached coolness. The group has managed to take all the best tendencies of New Order and Gang…
Album Review: Sylvan Esso – Sylvan Esso
Over the last year or so albums like Taken By Trees’ Other Worlds and Wild Belle’s Isles have bridged the gap between electronic sounds and traditional rhythmic sensibilities by emphasizing beats and vocals while employing contemporary production. Duo…
FYF Fest Releases Schedule featuring The Strokes & Phoenix
It feels increasingly like the appeal of the mega festival is waning and the popularity of the medium to micro-fest is on the rise. Festivals like Fun Fun Fun Fest, Riot Fest, and…
Hear A Lo-Fi Country Ballad from Austin Leonard Jones
Los Angeles-based songwriter Austin Leonard Jones hails from Texas, and his music serves as evidence that his heart never really left. The songs recall mellow Byrds material as they drift by like some…
Punctum Records to Release Jess Williamson, RF Shannon Split 7″
I’m not sure a week can go by without us writing about Punctum Records. The label continues to be Austin’s most active label despite their youth. With some insider knowledge of their upcoming…
Hear a New Track from Poliça’s Upcoming Deluxe Edition of Shulamith
Low, buzzing synths stutter across the sonic landscape of Poliça’s new song “Raw Exit,” a track that will be featured on an upcoming deluxe edition of the band’s most recent album Shulamith. In total,…
Talking Heavy with Pink Mountaintops’ Stephen McBean at Austin Psych Fest
– Stephen McBean is the central force behind pscyh rock outfits Black Mountain and Pink Mountaintops. These bands, which have released records on stalwart indie label Jagjaguwar, have become a household name among…
Show Preview: Dana Falconberry’s Homecoming with RF Shannon & Devon Sproule
In two days, Dana Falconberry returns from Austin and will celebrate with a show at Stubb’s on their indoor stage. The bill also features dark folk act RF Shannon and esteemed songwriter Devon…
MARYANN Shares New Video for “Coming Home to Newt”
Austin folk-pop band MARYANN has returned from a recent tour in support of their newest album Wylie and have shared a video for their song “Coming Home to Newt.” The track features upbeat rhythms…
Kishi Bashi Builds a Beautiful Blanket Fort at Mohawk: Live Review
Despite little familiarity with Kishi Bashi, a few songs and a highly enthusiastic recommendation from a fellow music aficionado were more than enough to coax me out last Friday night to check out…
Live Review: …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead at Red 7
A singer-songwriter, a noisecore trio, and an alt-rock quartet walk into a bar. There they meet a punk-prog-psych outfit about twenty years their elder. Shots are ordered. Equipment is trashed. The stage crew…
Jordan Moser Signs to Punctum Records, Plans Album Release Show
Punctum Records has been a busy label since its inception. We’ve written about the young Austin/Brooklyn based imprint several times in relationship to their releasing of material by Shivery Shakes, RF Shannon, and…
Win Tickets to Kairos’ EP Release Show at The Crocodile + Vinyl and a T-Shirt
We’ve been completely taken with Lena Simon’s project Kairos. If her face looks familiar to you, it may be because she plays in rising surf-rock band La Luz. She’s an excellent bassist, but…
Album Review: Tiny Ruins – Brightly Painted One
Delicate lyrics, soft vocals and powerful instrumentation combine to form a standout sophomore record from New Zealand natives Tiny Ruins. Brightly Painted One, out this week on Bella Union, took three years to…
The Golden Dawn Arkestra Arrives at Cheer Up Charlies
You were warned. Or at least, the patrons of Cheer Up Charlies were warned. Before taking the stage on Friday night, The Golden Dawn Arkestra paraded the perimeter of Cheer Up Charlies blaring…
Sweet Spirit Headlined Spoon’s Tour Kickoff Show
Last week, Spoon played a surprise tour kickoff show at small East Austin club Hotel Vegas. The headliner for the night was Sweet Spirit. I wrote about Spoon’s show last week and have been…
Psych Fest Superlatives: Our 7 Favorite Moments at Austin Psych Fest
– Austin Psych Fest 2014 completely lived up to all of our expectations. We’ve been pumped about this lineup since last year, and the diverse roster of bands made the weekend unforgettable. Psych…
Tontons Share New Song “Lush” from Shaking Through Session
The newest installment of Shaking Through, a series produced by creative nonprofit organization Weathervane Music, features Houston band The Tontons. If you frequent this site, you undoubtedly know how smitten we are with…
Show Preview: Say Hi, Big Scary, & Borrisokane at Mohawk
If you’re a fan of shadow, buzzing indie pop, Saturday night at Mohawk has several treats in store for you. Somber indie pop project Say Hi, who are out on tour in advance…
Stream: “Around the Town Sounds” Radio Show Featuring Local Austin Bands
A few weeks ago, local lady about town Deidre Gott was kind enough to invite me onto her KOOP radio show to discuss local music, Pop Press International, and True Sincerity. I pretty…
Q&A: Water Liars Talk Breakfast & Books Ahed of Their Beerland Show
Water Liars play Beerland on Saturday, May 10. This hard-working Mississippi band is touring behind their third album in three years. They effortlessly mix airy folk-country with gritty blues-rock. They recently appeared on a…
Gallery: Our Best Photos from Austin Psych Fest 2014
All photos © Bryan Parker & Pop Press International; all rights reserved.. Click any image to open in slideshow viewer.
Austin Psych Fest Day 3: Mikal Cronin, The War on Drugs, & Panda Bear
The format for yesterday’s coverage of the 2nd day of Austin Psych Fest went over well. We enjoyed writing it, and it seemed like you enjoyed reading it. Rather than drone on, here’s…
Attendance Records Plans Art Auction, Seeks Sponsors
We’ve partnered with Attendance Records in the past on events and are always moved by their dedication to inspiring young people to pursue their creative voice. The program works in high schools to…
True Sincerity Hosts First Issue Release Show at Cheer Up Charlies
I started Pop Press International to document, support, and dialogue about music in Austin and around the world. In March, I launched True Sincerity for similar reasons, but the project also serves to…
Show Preview: …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead at Mohawk (Moved to Red 7)
…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is many things. A shifting and enduring entity. An indie band from a time before indie bands were a thing. A name equal…
Single Lash Shares Noisy Post Punk Track “No Reaction,” Plays Beerland Friday
Austin-based band Single Lash has shared a track from their forthcoming LP Soft as Glass, just out as of yesterday on Pour Le Corps Records. The song, “No Reaction,” draws from both new wave and…
Austra Shares Title-track From Upcoming EP
Austra has shared the title-track from their forthcoming four-song EP, due out June 17th on Domino Records. Although “Habitat,” like other Austra songs, is built around frontwoman Katie Stelmanis’ dynamic and impressive voice,…
Austin Psych Fest 2014 Day 2: Mirror Travel, Temples, and of Montreal
Saturday was the clear heavyweight in terms of the number of quality bands that played this year’s Austin Psych Fest. Every moment was packed with someone excellent playing. We hustled nonstop to cover…
Spoon’s Surprise Tour Kickoff Show in Austin
Last night felt quintessentially Austin. Last night Spoon played their first show in two years–a surprise event announced a few hours before set time and held at Hotel Vegas, a small club that accommodates only…
Kairos Shares New Distorted Pop Track Aptly Titled “Dirt & Grit”
Although the first cut from Kairos’ eponymous debut EP represented somber, minimal, vocally oriented songwriting, the second single from that release showcases a grittier side of suddenly buzzed-about Seattle musician Lena Simon, who…
Watch: Roger Sellers Performs “Consequential Ending” at Austin Psych Fest
Although his primary set at Austin Psych Fest consisted of a electronic-pop soundscapes and loops, multi-talented musician Roger Sellers hung out with local station KUTX to record an acoustic rendition of his song…
Album Review: Papercuts – Life Among the Savages
When a band takes a three year hiatus in between albums, it’s usually a fair assumption that they’ve been working not only on new music, but a reinvention or transformation from what they…
Mirror Travel Might Do A Record with Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Anton Newcombe
At Austin Psych Fest last weekend, at least one other person became as smitten by Mirror Travel’s talent as we’ve been for the past couple of years. That person was Brian Jonestown Massacre’s…
Album Review: PAWS – Youth Culture Forever
It’s hard to imagine that an album full of passionately fuming lyrics could be so fun to listen to, but the sophomore record from the male trio PAWS proves that it’s possible. Youth…
Austin Psych Fest Day 1: Black Lips, Woods, & The Zombies
As in years past, Austin Psych Fest delivered a solid lineup of cohesive music over an ambitious three-day event. While the genre of “psychedelic” music gets stretched somewhat at the festival, incorporating garage…
Show Preview: Water Liars at Beerland Saturday, May 10th
Water Liars play Beerland on Saturday, May 10. This hard-working Mississippi band is touring behind their third album in three years. They effortlessly mix airy folk-country with gritty blues-rock. They recently appeared on a…
Five Reasons to Get to Psych Fest Early Today
We hereby decree that Austin, as the Live Music Capital of the World, must uphold the sacredness of the festival by allowing any employee to leave work two to three hours early on any…
Jon Hopkins Shares Stunning New Track “We Disappear”
It seems like Jon Hopkins is always releasing great new music on a Friday, sending us off into our weekends with a healthy dose of beautiful electronic pop. Last time, the song featured…
Album Review: Pink Mountaintops – Get Back
As we approach Austin’s 7th annual Psych Fest hosted by Austin psych-heads The Black Angels, we find a lineup up that stays true to its cosmic breadth. From electronic button-smashing to four-piece outfits…
Album Review: Wyrd Visions – Half-Eaten Guitar
Visions is true folk-metal. There’s repetition for the sake of repetition, casting off expectations for a big build. On the opening track “Sigill,” fragile vocals come in after 2:30 of the same acoustic guitar riff….
Donovan Blanc Shares Shimmering Pop Track “Hungry A Long Time”
Earlier in the year, Donovan Blanc signed to esteemed label Captured Tracks. Now, the label has announced that Blanc will release an eponymous full-length album on June 24th and has shared a new…
Psych Fest Preview: Q&A with Roger Sellers
Austin’s own Roger Sellers is one of a few local bands that will perform this year’s annual Austin Psych Fest. I’m always inspired by how Psych Fest reaches out to local artists as…
Watch First Trailer for Elliott Smith Documentary
The music of Elliott Smith has touched the lives of so many people that it only makes sense that we would continue to remember his legacy long after his life ended. The past few…
Mother Falcon to Release First-Ever Vinyl Through Punctum Records
Two weeks ago, Punctum Records announced that they would soon reveal the details for a forthcoming release from celebrated chamber pop ensemble Mother Falcon. Well, that day has come, and audio purists can…
Chance the Rapper Releases Mellow New Track “I Am Very Very Lonely”
Since the release of his excellent and acclaimed album Acid Rap, rising hip-hop hero Chance the Rapper has slowly released a few tracks, the latest of which, “I Am Very Very Lonely,” dropped yesterday….
Austin Psych Fest Preview: Interview with Medicine
Noise rock band Medicine served as an important force in the American independent rock scene in the 90s, creating austere, imposing rock music akin to lauded band My Bloody Valentine. The group returned…
Tele Novella Shares “Coat-Tail Rider” Video
We wrote previously about this new track from Austin indie pop band Tele Novella, and now the group has released a Jack Fleischer directed video for the song. “Coat-Tail Rider” stars band members…
