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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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,…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Day One Recap with Yelle, Run the Jewels, and Dana Falconberry
We’ve been looking forward to this weekend for months. Fun Fun Fun Fest outdid themselves this year with a no-filler lineup that featured stellar artists across genres. There were some strange bumps and…
Six Bands You Can’t Miss at FFF + All Our Festival Previews Linked in This Post
We’re killing all the birds with one stone. Today, the fest is upon us. To celebrate and send you off with the knowledge you need, we’re bringing you a list of six bands you…
Signal to Noise: Immune Recordings
Signal to Noise is a new column penned by Neil Lord. It will run periodically on Pop Press International. This feature column will spotlight and discuss artists, labels, and trends within the noise…
Tennis & Pure Bathing Culture at Red 7: Live Review
I’ve always liked Tennis, but their show at Red 7 on Saturday night convinced me that they’re receiving significantly less credit than they deserve. Built around the creative forces of husband and wife…
FFF Fest Preview: Courtney Barnett Talks Ghost Gum & Fish Tacos
Some of the artists we’re most excited to see at this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest are the up-and-coming acts that will take the stage in the early or mid-afternoon hours. You’d serve…
Nightblooms Celebrate Album Inside Inflatable Planetarium
Cosmic consciousness expanding, I am transcending physical existence. Last Thursday night at Museum of Human Achievement, Karla Manzur celebrated the release of Star-Taker, the first album from her project Nightblooms, which also includes help…
Eight Reasons You’re Lucky the Nites are Free: FFF Fest Preview
You owe Fun Fun Fun Fest a solid, because these dudes have totally hooked you up. In addition to their killer lineup, they’ve brought in a slew of artists to play shows only…
Seven You Might Miss at Fun Fun Fun Fest
One of the benefits of music festivals is getting to see a bunch of bands you’ve never seen in such a short time frame. Which is why I’m always shocked by the fact…
The Ultimate Fun Fun Fun Fest “Can’t Miss ‘Em” List
Ok. Let’s give it a shot and try to narrow it down to the absolutely-can’t-miss acts at Fun Fun Fun Fest (from this point on referred to as “FFFFest” and the “Can’t Miss ‘Em” List)….
Photo Gallery: Sinkane with Helado Negro at Empire
Electro-jazz band Sinkane and the ambient, moody Helado Negro, both Brooklyn-based, played Empire Control Room Sunday night, as part of the Beyond the Valley of the Dolls party presented by Heard Entertainment and Vulcan Video, while 1970s-themed costume…
Molybden and Co. at the Sahara Lounge: Live Review
“I saw a UFO in San Francisco. It didn’t scare me as much as I thought it would. I guess I’m stronger than I imagined,” were the words Tess Seipp, better known as…
Track Premiere: Smokey Brights – “Monster House”
We heard about Smokey Brights ages ago now from our good friends who share with them the city of Seattle. However, we first saw the band for ourselves this summer at Timber Fest,…
101X Homegrown Live at the Historic Scoot Inn: Live Review
This past Saturday, local radio station 101X hosted their Homegrown Live series with a solid bill of mostly local acts at East Austin’s Historic Scoot Inn. Despite the particularly high door charge ($18!) for a local…
RF Shannon & Feverbones Return from Tour
Austin gave RF Shannon and Feverbones to the American West, and the West graciously returned them to us unharmed and road-sharpened for their triumphant arrival back in our fair city. The double bill…
Early to the Party: Austin Finally Becomes One Giant Festival
Austin Finally Becomes One Giant Festival On November 4th, citizens of Austin will vote on Proposition 58. If Proposition 58 passes, Austin will legally be recognized as a festival and no longer as…
of Montreal’s Never-ending Dance Party at Mohawk: Live Review
Of Montreal has the right to make the claim that they’re Mohawk’s house band, having played the venue three times in the last year. What’s more amazing is that their frequent trips to…
The Debut of Dark West
There’s something indescribably miraculous about seeing a band perform their first show. Most of our days are filled with jobs and trips to the grocery store, car rides in traffic and “to do”…
Mutual Benefit’s Gorgeous Set at Red 7: Live Review
Last night, Mutual Benefit, the project of musician Jordan Lee, made a stop in Austin for a set at Red 7. Lee’s music consists of dreamy soundscapes that wander from loose structures teeming…
Live Review: Pompeii Releases New Album “Loom”
Local post-rock arena-gazers Pompeii released their third album Loom at Holy Mountain Friday night. A long time coming for the band, this is their first album in five years and you can buy it…
Run the Jewels Runs the Crowd at Red 7: Live Review
Last night, tastemakers and purveyors of music of all varieties Red Bull Sound Select (in conjunction with Fun Fun Fun Fest) brought hip-hop heavyweights Killer Mike and El-P, known collectively as Run the…
ACL Music Festival: Past, Present, and Future
With the past two weekends in the books, we can now reflect on the 13th annual Austin City Limits Music Festival and see what all us thousands experienced. There were reunions and first-timers, Chvrches…
Literature Schools Hometown Crowd at Hotel Vegas: Live Review
Sunday night at Hotel Vegas was a homecoming for the revered pop punkers Literature, now residing in their northeast haven of Philadelphia PA. Kicking the show off late with blistered guitars and flailing…
Photo Gallery: Raw Paw Hosts Ditch The Fest 7
Adorned with radiant tulle and opalescent bubbles, Ditch The Fest Fest 7 shone this past Saturday, wrapping up its series for the year. Just like last weekend’s Ditch The Fest 6, 25 Austin-based bands joined together…
Walter TV’s Mohawk Pizza Party: Live Review
Walter TV has been coined “Mac Demarco’s touring band,” “Mac Demarco’s friend’s band,” and “Mac Demarco’s side project.” These pseudonyms aren’t a far cry from the truth, but only if you’re comparing the…
Spoon Digs Out Old Material at Stubb’s: Live Review
I wasn’t surprised when Spoon’s set for their 4th ACL taping centered on their newest effort They Want My Soul. After all, they’ve recorded many of their old songs during past appearances on…
Childish Gambino Brings Deep Web Tour to ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Although the wait for Childish Gambino to emerge for his late night ACL show seemed interminable, the crowd had plenty to keep them occupied. As part of the Deep Web Tour, Childish Gambino had…
Interview: Meet the Members of Walter TV, Mac DeMarco’s Backing Band
On Sunday night Walter TV, the band that operates as Mac DeMarco’s band will play a show at Austin venue Mohawk. Prior to the show, Pop Press INTL. contributor Laney Feeser was able to…
Live Review: Raw Paw’s Ditch the Fest 6 at Empire
Many of us Austinites who decisively chose to steer clear of ACL for one reason or another gathered at Empire Control Room Saturday for Raw Paw’s Ditch The Fest Fest 6. There, 25 local bands…
Full Photo Gallery: Three Days of ACL 2014
You didn’t ask for it, but we’re giving it to you anyway. Our full photo gallery from all three days of ACL 2014 featuring over 100 photos, including quite a few previously unpublished…
Everyone’s Invited: Day Three of ACL 2014
ACL is not the coolest festival on the planet. It’s not even the coolest festival in Austin. And it doesn’t need to be. After all, coolness often requires a certain element of exclusion….
Ladies On Top: Day Two of ACL 2014
I believe in my heart that every human being possesses the same intrinsic value and should have the same rights, access, and visibility as any other member of the human race. It’s why I was…
Photo Gallery: Jenny Lewis and The Belle Brigade Spanning the Spectrum at Stubb’s
Jenny Lewis brightened up Stubb’s this past Saturday for her second show of four in Austin during this year’s ACL Festival, bringing along long-time pals The Belle Brigade, a harmonious LA brother-sister pop…
Worshiping at the Fest: Day One of ACL 2014
No one can be perfect all the time, but with repentance, we might be lucky enough to find forgiveness. After working hard on some final previews for the first of two busy ACL…
Photo Gallery: Marfa’s Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love at El Cosmico
This past weekend, I took a brief hiatus from writing reviews and allowed my co-corespondent Lukas the verbal spotlight to tell the tales of our magical Marfan weekend at the Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love, while…
Jenny Lewis Brings Rainbow Brightness to Her ACL Taping
Last night’s Austin City Limits Taping kicks off Jenny Lewis’s tour of Texas. In addition to her ACL Live show, you can find her at Stubb’s on Friday at her official Austin City…
An Interview with ACL 2014 Artist The Districts
We were impressed with the Districts when we saw them a few months back at Stubb’s. Their live set is aching and raw, full of sustained tension and cathartic explosions of emotion. The…
We Were Marfans at El Cosmico: The Final Chapter
Saturday morning starts with a sweaty rise from inside my tent. The high desert sun shines on the faded yellow east side of my tent, turning the inside into a greenhouse and my…
Eleven Bands You Shouldn’t Miss at Weekend One of ACL
Do you really need to be told to see Outkast? Do we have to explain that Scotland’s Belle and Sebastian don’t make the trip across the pond much? Have you heard of Eminem?…
Why You Can’t Miss These Ten Bands at ACL’s First Weekend
So 2014’s ACL is right around the Thursday corner. Lucky for you, I’m here with Bryan to show you the way to a successful outing this first weekend. While he and I are…
We Were Marfans at El Cosmico: Part II
At the Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love, music starts at seven and goes till midnight (1am on Saturday night), giving the guests plenty opportunity to rest up during the day and focus…
Phosphorescent Plays Two-Hour Set at C Boy’s Heart and Soul
Before kicking off a string of tour dates, Brooklyn-by-way-of-Athens band Phosphorescent booked a last minute show at the tiny C Boy’s Heart and Soul venue on South Congress. It seems that kicking off…
The War On Drugs, Psyched Out Americana at Stubb’s: Live Review
Although The War on Drugs’ show at Stubb’s in Austin was not sold out when the doors opened at 7:00 on Sunday night, an enormous line soon snaked around the block to purchase…
We Were Marfans For A Weekend at El Cosmico
As I navigate Route 67 south towards Marfa, TX, en route to the 8th annual Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love, the mountains grow more jagged, the plains reach further to the horizon, and the…
Alex Napping’s Album Release at Cheer Up Charlie’s: Live Review
To celebrate the release of their debut LP This Is Not A Bedroom, Alex Napping recruited a standout lineup of Austin bands–Big Bill, Soft Swells, and Löwin–to play alongside them on Friday night at…
Future Islands Leave It All on the Floor at ACL Taping
After an ingratiating and soft-spoken greeting in which Future Islands frontman Samuel T. Herring tells a packed Moody Theater about how in North Carolina, where he’s from, sometimes the only way to see music…
Oddball Comedy Fest at Austin 360 Amphitheater: Recap & Photo Gallery
This Sunday marked the final show of the Oddball Comedy Festival. After twenty shows in sixteen different states with guest comedians including Demetri Martin, Kristen Schaal, Flight of the Concords, Dave Chappelle, and…
Reflections on Conor Oberst’s Show at Stubb’s
In July, when news broke that Joan Faircloth, the woman who had accused Conor Oberst of rape, had retracted her claims and admitted that 100% of the story was fabricated, I was relieved…
Yonatan Gat’s Incredible Cheer Up Charlie’s Show: Live Review
Watching Yonatan Gat and his band perform will blow your mind. The former Monotonix member’s live show leans heavily on improvisation and borders on performance art, incorporating signature lighting and expelling an incredible…
Ramesh at The Belmont: Live Review
Sometimes unexpected and less than desirable elements make for a more magical evening of music. Former Voxtrot member Ramesh, who recently released his first solo full-length The King, was supposed to play Belmont’s outside…
Live Review: Daybender at Empire Control Room
Empire Control Room hosted the Daybender party this past Saturday, taking on a dual role as part of Weekender Austin and as the release celebration for Punctum Records‘ Taft and Little Lo‘s split 7-inch vinyl, as if the bill…
Sebadoh at Red 7: Live Review
For indie rock purists, Sebadoh resides unquestioningly in the hall of fame. While the Sebadoh project has been largely inactive in the new millennium, the members have all been pursuing other collaborations and solo projects….
You’re Here! Fall Kick-Off at Cheer Up Charlies
Last SXSW, Pop Press International joined forces with local label Punctum Records, non-profit organization Attendance Records, recording studio Estuary, and tape label Accrue Cassettes, along with a few other entities and sponsors, to…
Live Review: Monofonus Press & Spray Paint Take Over Hotel Vegas 9/19
A light sweat covering his face, John Wesley Coleman strummed through a couple of his best C-major compositions kicking off the Monofonus showcase at Hotel Vegas Friday night. With a lighter amount of…
Live Review: Shabazz Palaces Get Otherworldly at Red 7
Hip-hop can be a difficult genre to perform. In terms of actually “performing,” the result can be more karaoke than art exhibition. The easiest route for large scale stage productions usually revolves around…
