Why Levitation (Née Psych Fest) Deserves Your Attention
This weekend, Levitation (originally dubbed Austin Psych Fest) will take over Carson Creek Ranch for a three-day festival of some of psych rock’s most lauded bands from up-and-coming must-see acts like Fat White…
Photo Gallery: Levitation Presents Whirr, Holy Wave, Moving Panoramas, and More
Peruse these photos taken April 18th at Mohawk for this Levitation-sponsored bill featuring Whirr, Holy Wave, Moving Panoramas, Pollen, Tele Novella, and more. All photos © Pop Press International & Bryan C. Parker…
Unlocking the Spirit: Father John Misty Live at Stubb’s
Who knew the wonders of the human spirit that would be unleashed by a months-long psychedelics binge outside of L.A.? After Josh Tillman left behind a lengthy series of somber, experimental folk songs…
Adam Torres Gives Old Songs New Life at Cactus Café
For his show last Thursday at the Cactus Café on the University of Texas campus, songwriter Adam Torres revived a number of older tunes to celebrate the re-release of his underground gem Nostra…
Watch Austin Psych Rockers Tamarron’s New Video “68”
Successive waves of swelling reverb wash across the aural plane of Tamarron’s new track “68,” which is taken from a live studio session. Undulating guitar chords build to buzzing guitar solos and plodding…
Girls to the Stage: Sleater-Kinney Live at Stubb’s
Sleater-Kinney’s incredible performance at ACL’s Moody Theater proved to be only a warmup for the energy they brought to Stubbs’ outdoor stage last Friday night. Rain nor hail nor gloom of night (seriously, it…
Jon and Josiah of Head and the Heart Tonight at Radio Coffee
A quiet buzz has surrounded the fact that lauded folk rock band The Head and the Heart’s members Jonathan Russell and Josiah Johnson will make an appearance tonight at South Austin hangout Radio…
Epic Bill with Whirr, Christian Bland, Moving Panoramas, and Cross Record Saturday at Mohawk
On several recent occasions, Mohawk has made good use of their indoor and outdoor spaces with cohesive bills of like-minded bands occupying both stages throughout the evening. Promoter Marcus Lawyer teamed up with…
Sleater-Kinney’s ACL Taping Melted My Face and Warmed My Heart
Sleaker-Kinney’s performance for their ACL taping (and live stream) last night was unlike any other I’ve seen in the history of the revered television program. One of music’s most appealing qualities lies in…
Pop Press International Sponsors Austin Sketch Smash Thursday Night
Music may be our first love, but we’ve been proud to run several satire posts via our contributor Karen Early’s recurring column Early to the Party, right here on Pop Press International. Dipping our…
Sleater-Kinney Brings Riot Grrrl Legacy to Austin for Two Shows This Week
As proud as I feel that Carrie Brownstein pursued (another) one of her passions and, along with Fred Armisen, created a hit comedy show, I have to force myself not to cringe every time I…
The War on Drugs Mesmerizes at ACL Taping
In recent seasons, Austin City Limits has continued to widen the appeal of their programming by reaching out to a variety of audiences. While roots and folk music still seem to dominate the…
A Pilgrimage West to Marfa Myths
Bent against the flow of the entire universe descending upon Texas’ capital for the inception of the nation’s largest film and music festival, I drove my car head-on into the sun with two…
Viva El Campo
Arriving in Austin a few years ago, I anticipated diving headfirst into the Austin music experience, determined to mine the healthy reserves of musical minerals. One of those first offerings came on a cool…
Video Premiere: Young Tongue – “Heavy Metal Thunder”
Skateboarders can only land tricks during the choruses of Young Tongue’s “Heavy Metal Thunder,” or so their new video for the song would have you believe. The black-and-white video features footage of each…
Chill Phases of the Heart
This year marked the second iteration of a March gathering dubbed Chill Phases that occurs at the end of SXSW on a Sunday, the only day of the week appropriate for the mellow,…
Hotel Vegas Dominates SXSW with Impeccable Lineups
Despite the unmistakable sign of large budgets behind events at the Fader Fort, Hype Hotel, Pitchfork day parties, SPIN party, and Flood Fest (who all threw appropriately outstanding events with those budgets), underground hero…
Sea Change at South By
Having completed my third SXSW in as many years as living in Austin, I feel seasoned in my authority on the subject. Perhaps not quite marinated enough and certainly not smoked to the…
Partying with Fader, SPIN, and Hype Machine at SXSW
SXSW has garnered a reputation as the largest music industry party in the country. Of the innumerable shows, events, and gatherings that happen over the course of the festival’s ten days, the annual parties…
Swoon-Worthy Aisha Burns Plays the ATX 6 SXSW Showcase
As part of a project called the ATX 6, six musicians were hand-picked from the abundance of Austin artists and fully financed by the city to play 2014’s NXNE. This original attempt to infuse the…
The Ceremonial Torch of SXSW’s Inaugural Night of Music
Last week, a scan of a SXSW ad from 1989 (the festival’s third year in existence) popped up on my Facebook timeline. The ad boasted over two dozen venues and more than a hundred…
TV On The Radio Headlines NPR SXSW Showcase at Stubb’s
Wednesday night at Stubb’s saw a solid lineup of acts with a variety of origins for NPR’s SXSW Showcase. The night began with Long Beach rapper Boogie, followed by Shamir Bailey of Las Vegas…
Converse Rubber Tracks Studio Hosts Local Musicians at SXSW
In 2003, two years after I moved to Austin, when SXSW was a much smaller affair and Emo’s still occupied real estate on Red River, a Seattle based indie label called Barsuk held…
In the Studio with Must-see SXSW Artist Yonatan Gat
If you could see only one band at SXSW, Yonatan Gat should be a strong candidate. You don’t have to take our word for it; the New York Times, Vice, and many others agree, even…
Finding That Sweet Spirit
Throughout Marvin Gaye’s young life, even into his adulthood, he endured constant physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father. The encouragement of his mother kept him going and pushed him…
Velo Releases First of Four EPs
Last Saturday, we here at Pop Press International teamed up with He^rd Entertainment to throw a blowout party at Empire Control Room and Garage, celebrating the release of Velo’s first EP, Winter. The Control…
Velo Shares Atmospheric Pop Show Ahead of EP Release Show Saturday
Saturday night at Empire Control Room, Velo celebrates the release of their first EP. While little information exists about the young Austin band, we’ve been treated today to a listen of a track…
Marfa Myths Festival Plans Legendary Weekend March 13-15
As adventurous Texans, we’ve been Marfa fans for some time, from personal vacations to clear our cluttered minds and experience one of modern art’s precious treasures to valuing the town’s burgeoning contributions to…
Claire Morales Finds an Amaranthine Perspective
The Historic Scoot Inn played host Friday night to a great selection of bands spanning a north-south channel from Oklahoma through Texas. Celebrating was Claire Morales as she released her debut full-length LP…
Attendance Records In Flying Colors
I sit here listening to Attendance Records’ brand new 10″ vinyl release, The World, Differently, featuring local musicians Walker Lukens and the Eastern Sea, two of our favorites. But what makes this record extra special is the…
iji Preps Whatever Will Happen for Release on Team Love
Seattle indie pop band iji has announced that their new album Whatever Will Happen will see release via Team Love Records on June 2nd. Few details have emerged, but the band’s past endeavors and the…
Attendance Records Teaches Students to See The World, Differently
Non-profit organization Attendance Records is prepared to release their new album–The World, Differently–composed of material culled from a collaboration with high school students and some accomplished Austin musicians. They will celebrate the release with a…
Towers of Youth: Celebrating Life with Raw Paw
When Raw Paw takes over a venue, they take over a venue. The upstart arts collective utilizes every inch of available space, filling it with vibrant art installations and playful games. Last time it was…
Watch Colleen Green’s New Video for “TV”
In her wry new video for “TV,” Seattle garage pop purveyor Colleen Green gives us several DIY versions of television’s most time-honored show formats. Who could forget 2 Girls and a Doug, The Accumulators, or…
Claire Morales Record Release at the Historic Scoot Inn
Claire Morales will be bringing her Denton-based outfit to the Historic Scoot Inn this Friday and we really can’t wait. Supporting her will be local americana all-stars the Deer, KUTX’s artist of the month for…
Otis the Destroyer Tour Kickoff at Red 7
It would not be unusual to find me sardined against the stage of some crepuscular downtown club, assuming the photographer’s position and whittling away at a Moleskin with a (very particular) black pen,…
Grooves Galore at Cheer Up Charlie’s with Taft & Sweet Spirit
I liked Taft before Thursday night, but the group’s performance at Cheer Up Cahrlie’s last week exhibited new levels of vitality. From the first time I saw Taft, I always felt the band, guided by…
Five Tracks We’re Digging Right Now: Rose Windows, Joanna Gruesome, and more
It’s been a while since we’ve let you know what new tracks we’re digging as of late, so here’s five that range from rockin’ to soulful to downright delicate. Listen on, dear reader….
Pop Press INTL. & Heˆrd Present: Velo EP Release Party at Empire Control Room
We admit that we may not know what we’re getting into. But, hey, isn’t exploring the unexplored what underground music is all about? Velo is a brand new band from Austin creating art work…
Sufjan Stevens Shares “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross” from new LP
I’m always a little impressed when the internet so rapidly comments upon a song that has just been released. Of course, many of us know what we like when we hear it, but I…
Jump In The Fire with Salesman
Just over a week ago, we debuted two new tracks from local dark-folks Salesman in anticipation of the release show at Holy Mountain. I hope you were there to witness the magical evening…
I Made Love To My Girlfriend While Listening To Father John Misty’s Baby-Makin’ Record I Love You, Honeybear: A Critique and One-sided Dialogue
Included in the packaging for the physical LP of Father John Misty’s sophomore follow up, I Love You, Honeybear, is a thin pamphlet titled, “Exercises for Listening.” It’s an extensive instruction manual for…
Coffee With Daniel Francis Doyle
I was first exposed to Daniel Francis Doyle on YouTube, seeing a guy in a sweaty gray heather tee shirt playing a natural-finished Fender Stratocaster with a dry overdriven sound in a room…
Taft Celebrates Groove Redundant Tonight at Cheer Up Charlie’s
On Tuesday, Austin upstart Punctum Records furthered their incredible and expansive catalog by releasing the debut LP from glam rock revivalist band Taft. The show tonight promises enjoyment, with a supporting cast of Sweet…
Knifight Bathed Cheer Up Charlies with Waves of Dark Pop: Live Review
Many of argued the importance and influence of both New Order and Joy Division on contemporary independent music. Friday night at Cheer Up Charlie’s provided some undeniable evidence as the venue showcased two…
Album Review: Mount Eerie – Sauna: Pop Press Pick
Phil Elverum is the James Joyce of Anacortes, Washington. Although any one of his works may not equate to the singular force of Ulysses, his cohesive and monolithic body of work as a…
Premiere: New Salesman Songs Ahead of 7″ Release at Holy Mountain Tomorrow
The new Salesman 7″ comes out tomorrow, cut and distributed by Tuscon, AZ, via Olympia, WA, label PIAPTK aka People In A Position To Know, who specialize in special limited runs. Pop Press International…
Misra Records to Reissue Music from Adam Torres
Misra Records represents just one of the many hard-working, under appreciated independent music labels toiling away to bring outstanding music to a small but attentive fraction of the world. The label has released…
All-Female Fronted Music Fest Takes Over Cheer Up Charlie’s on Saturday
Appropriately dubbed Siren Sound Temple, an all-female fronted day of music will occupy the afternoon, evening, and night at Cheer Up Charlie’s this Saturday. As they continue to book Austin’s exciting up-and-coming acts…
New Scenarios with Yonatan Gat at Hotel Vegas
After being converted by the gospel of Yonatan Gat last summer, I’ve been telling everyone I know that they’re the best band touring. There might be some caveats for bands with huge, entertaining…
True Sincerity Issue #2
Fans of honest Austin talent flocked to Cheer Up Charlie’s this past Friday night to celebrate the release of the second issue of True Sincerity written by Pop Press International’s own Editor-In-Chief, Bryan C….
Reminiscing on Free Week: A Belated Gallery
Not too long ago, a sweet phenomenon going by the name Free Week swept across town for the twelfth consecutive year, and though it has only been one month, it seems as if so much more…
Watch a Short Documentary About Austin Producer Danny Reisch
On Friday night, Austin-based print journal True Sincerity (founded by Pop Press International Editor-in-Chief Bryan C. Parker — me, I admit), released its second issue featuring interviews with Dana Falconberry, Danny Reisch, Thor Harris,…
Dark Pop Band Bouquet Shares “Stacks on Stacks” From Upcoming EP
We’ve followed the career of California band Bouquet since before the existed. After her project The Finches came to a halt, Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs took some time gathering her thoughts and forging a…
Jousting with Death at Young Tongue’s Album Release Show
Saturday night at Cheer Up Charlie’s served as the launchpad for Austin rockers Young Tongue to share their debut full-length with the world. The band recently released Death Rattle through Punctum Records, who…
Young Tongue Celebrates Death Rattle Saturday at Cheer Up Charlie’s
With the help of label Punctum Records and arts collective Raw Paw, Austin band Young Tongue will celebrate the release of their new album Death Rattle Saturday night at Cheer Up Charlie’s. Once known…
Mesmerized by Dana Falconberry & Adam Torres at Cactus Cafe: Live Review
I’ve said it so many times before, I’m running of ways to explain Dana Falconberry’s transcendent shows. Saturday night at the Cactus Cafe yielded yet another phenomenal performance from this experimental folk act….
Song Premiere: The Lonesome Heroes – “Long Time Coming”
Cosmic folk band The Lonesome Heroes are an Austin institution. Though they’ve made plenty of appearances alongside popular indie-rock bands on some of Austin’s most distinguished stages, their real claims to fame have…
Elisa Ambrogio Plays Beerland on Sunday in Support of New Album
You might recognize the name Elisa Ambrogio as a member of the Magik Markers, a prolific Connecticut-based band that toured with Sonic Youth and later released material on Thurston Moore’s label, Ecstatic Peace….
What A Strange Trip: PPI Does Free Week, Again
Saturday night, Pop Press International hosted our second Free Week show at Cheer Up Charlie’s. Their cozy interior was the ideal venue on a cold and rainy weekend evening. Familiar faces spotted the crowd…
Light In the Attic Shares Debut Album from Arthur
Like all of the label’s releases, Light in the Attic’s newest release has an incredible story. Dreams and Images, the debut album from an unassuming artist called Arthur, was released by Lee Hazelwood’s LHI label…
Feelin’ Shivery, Chipper, and Young at Spiderhouse
The third night of this year found me seeking solace between the warm velvet curtains of Spiderhouse Ballroom with Shivery Shakes, Chipper Jones, and Young Tongue. Two other bands, Yuma and Löwin shared the night’s bill, curated by Laurie Gallardo of…
The Day Sufjan Stevens and Mount Eerie Both Shared New Music and We Thought We’d Died
I’ve had an ongoing conversation with a few friends during which I attempt to convince them that some value lies in identifying contemporary music’s (still active) most creative voices. Often, this results in some…
Track Premiere: Francine Thirteen – “Queen Mary”
Skittering percussive clicks, periodic echoing handclap effects, and the occasional pulsing beat comprise the minimalistic soundscape on Francine Thirteen’s newest track, “Queen Mary.” Over these sounds, Francine sings in a high yet brooding…
No Digging Required to Find Local Gold at Empire Control Room
Seriously, no need for digging or camping out in makeshift shanties or hopping a train to a West Coast mining town–we’ve got local gold right here in our own backyard. Raw Paw has…
The Cost of Efficiency: Reflecting on Seeing The Blow
Without a doubt, computers have made our lives easier, more efficient, and more productive. The hours and effort saved by technological advances when quantified and totaled would surely yield staggering numbers. But does…
Ryley Walker’s Primrose Green Promises Vibrant, Blooming Songs
I’ve trusted Dead Oceans’ label owner Phil Waldorf’s music recommendations since he first sold me records in the early aughts from behind the counter at 33 Degrees, a since departed record store in…
12XU’s Punk Rock Values Demand Recognition
As a local music fan, I probably haven’t spent enough time at Beerland. As a music writer, I definitely haven’t spent enough time at Beerland. Luckily, 12XU exists as a shining beacon to…
Thanks for Free Week Partying with Us, Dudes!
Pop Press International alongside the Loyalty Firm presented a Free Week showcase at Austin’s own Holy Mountain this past Friday night. “Five of Austin’s raddest bands” performed, showing the packed venue some of the…
Free Week is Upon Us: Our Recommendations
Free Week in Austin serves to underscore the major problem with loving independent music and living here. If you’re a casual fan of music or a normal person capable of recognizing that one simply…
Live Review: Motopony with Gold Beach and Cross Record at Mohawk
Offering a place to toast up our cold December bodies in their festive, atmospheric indoor space as we ardently digested the sounds executed before us, The Mohawk triumphed once again. Wednesday night’s bill, consisting of Seattle’s Motopony with Austin-based bands Gold Beach…
Andrew Fest at Red 7 Supports Local Musician’s Medical Bills
Transmission Events and friends of Andrew Collins (a member of bands At All Cost, LAX, and Vegatron) have put together a benefit for the Austin musician who was in a motorcycle accident in…
Show Preview: Motopony, Gold Beach, & Cross Record Tonight at Mohawk
Motopony comes from the rich music history of the Pacific Northwest. While the band’s instrumentation and production sensibilities embrace polished tendencies less associated with that region’s sounds, rough edges can be found in the…
Ruby Fray and Indian Jewelry Kickoff Psychedelic Night at Mohawk
Friday night at Mohawk featured an epic six-band bill that occupied both the venue’s indoor and outdoor stages. Sometimes, live music reports feature the headliners and all but ignore opening acts. Since this…
The Spirit Sustained: The Deer, Nightblooms, Devon Sproule at Spiderhouse
This past Friday night, the Spiderhouse Ballroom hosted the record release of The Deer’s new album, “On the Essence of the Indomitable Spirit,” slated to be officially released at the start of the…
Stone Jack Jones Shares “Circumstance” Ahead of New LP
Stone Jack Jone, like his stalwart label Western Vinyl, flies under the radar. He’s a guy who should be getting a lot more talk than he does currently. His newest track “Circumstance,” released in…
Attendance Records Hosts Holiday Party, Plans Membership Program Launch
Last weekend at the Mohawk, non-profit educational program Attendance Records, which works in schools to teach students about the music industry, held their annual holiday party. The night featured a photo booth stocked…
Matthew Squires Takes Us Where the Music Goes to Die
Matthew Squires is a truth-teller. Or he’s trying to be. Telling the truth is hard–next to impossible, really. All we can do is work tirelessly, fearlessly to try to tell the truth, attempting to…
Grapes & Friends Blow Out the Hole in the Wall
Last Saturday night, the sixth annual Grapes & Friends XMAS Extravaganza took place at the Hole in the Wall, filling the joint with enough ugly sweaters, tinsel, and Christmas covers to get you well…
Walker Lukens Seduced Me at the Empire Control Room
Yes, I was seduced by Walker Lukens this past Thursday at the Empire Control Room. And I’m still waiting for Walker’s nude selfie to find its way into my inbox. Belle Adair, who…
Worshiping with Prayher’s Minimalist Experimental Pop at Whip In
Phoebe Rayher was graced not only with an excellent voice but also with a first initial and last name that, when combined, work as a moniker that seems shockingly sensible in the current indie-rock…
Kiss My Grits at the J. Lorraine Ghost Town
The J. Lorraine Ghost Town in Manor is a little bit hokey. A fact apparent at once when we arrived for Kiss My Grits, an evening featuring a slew of folk-centered bands. Even…
Live Review & Photos: 101X Homegrown & Vagabond Collective Showcase at Holy Mountain
Two stalwart entities, 101X Homegrown Live and Vagabond Collective, both of which book great bills that support local acts and get Austin’s music-loving public out to some of the city’s best venues, teamed up for…
Night Drive & Ishi’s Dark Dance Party at Cheer Up Charlie’s
Two outstanding synth-pop bands performed on Cheer Up Charlie’s outdoor stage this weekend. Dallas based Ishi brought jubilant and shimmering pop that demands dancing. John Mudd certainly feels the call to get down,…
Premiere: Grapes & Friends Prepare for X-mas Bash with New Track
If you’re looking to get in the X-mas mood early in December, Grapes & Friends have got the show for you. On December 6th, this band, comprised of members of Genuine Leather, The…
Quarterbacks Share Sincere, Wobbly Punk Tune “Center”
Coming from a guy who’s deeply in love with Beat Happening, that I’m enamored with “Center,” the new track from NY band Quarterbacks should’t be a surprise. When I say NY, I don’t mean…
The Black Keys ACL Taping: Live Review
The Black Keys continue to progress and develop their sound, amassing a global following and critically acclaimed list of albums. They recently released Turn Blue, their fifth release on Nonesuch Records and their…
The New Movement Hosts Epic Night with Comedy Underground
The popularity of comedy seems to have risen in tandem with independent music. It’s odd to think about something so broad as music or comedy as “popular” or “unpopular,” but it does make…
Dear Someone: No ‘Poo For You
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 by emailing…
Why Studium Is Important
Studium, a new record store and retail space for designer and handmade goods, is open now on Austin’s East 5th Street. The space is a collaboration between Byron & Blue boutique and Punctum Records…
Gold Beach Celebrates Single Release at Studium: Live Review
Gold Beach makes sense as a moniker. These songs shine with the glint of gold, but they’re also surprisingly soft and malleable, shifting from one moment to the next. Imagine an entire beach…
The Destination: Fun Fun Fun Fest 2014
“It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey” is a cliché you are likely familiar with, and is most applicable when used in regard to a time frame during which one underwent a variety of occurrences and…
The Allah-Las Transcend at The Parish
Los Angeles band the Allah-Las came to Austin Saturday night with a heavy dose of California surf-inspired garage rock tunes. Opening was fellow L.A. group Tashaki Miyaki whose mid to down-tempo glimmering pop…
Gold Beach Plays New Material at Studium Tonight
I started Pop Press International in early 2012. Years before that, in 2005, I started a blog called Urban Pollution, back when few blogs were online at all. One of the first albums…
Stories of Three Portraits at Fun Fun Fun Fest
After watching Dana Falconberry’s transcendent early afternoon set on the first day of Fun Fun Fun Fest, I found myself hanging around with her and her publicist, both of whom I consider friends,…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Day Three Recap with Angel Olsen, Yo La Tengo, and Flying Lotus
The third day of of Fun Fun Fun Fest dawned cool and bright and just about perfect. Saturday had closed out magnificently and the lineup for the final day would yield some of…
Iceage’s Elias Bender Rønnenfelt Delivers Us
The sun was out, there were few clouds if any, and spirits were high Saturday afternoon at Fun Fun Fun Fest. I had just finished a ride with Gary Numan at the Blue…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Day Two Recap with Courtney Barnett, Gary Numan, and Modest Mouse
With the long lines sorted and better weather than anyone could’ve hoped for, the second day of Fun Fun Fun Fest unfolded beautifully with a lineup of artists that spanned garage rock, punk,…
Courtney Barnett Burns Brightly at the Belmont
Fun Fun Fun Fest is over and as we wind down our festival season, we couldn’t have wished for a better way to go out. Despite the well-covered/belabored issues with admission on Friday,…
