The Tontons Live at Sunset Tavern in Seattle: Review & Photos
I swear, seeing the Tontons live isn’t the only thing I do when I travel. But my trip happened to coincide with their tour in both Denver and Seattle, and who would pass…
Sordidly Saved: Nick Cave’s ACL Taping
If you’ve read any reviews of Nick Cave’s performance at a taping for the 40th season of PBS series Austin City Limits this past weekend, you’ll know critics are describing Cave as the Devil incarnate; I…
Iska Dhaff at Mohawk: Live Review
Buzzing synths and a curtain of feedback introduced Seattle Washington’s Iska Dhaff at Mohawk on Thursday night. The duo, comprised of singer/guitarist Nathan Quiroga and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Verdoes, launched into a set stuffed…
Nicole Atkins at the Belmont: Live Review
Nicole Atkins’ voice is a study in the positive effects of harnessing great natural power. Her small frame (can’t be more than 5′ 2″) belies the volume and grace that streams directly from…
Wye Oak at Neumos in Seattle: Live Review
As a huge fan of music from our nation’s Pacific Northwest, I’ve lamented not being to see bands when I’ve noticed them listed as playing Seattle venues Neumos, The Crocodile, or Showbox on…
The Tontons at Larimer Lounge in Denver: Live Review
Pop Press International is on vacation. Well, while some of the newest team members are holding down the Austin scene, while I am in Denver and Seattle on a trip to gather information for my upcoming…
Marissa Nadler Climbs the Holy Mountain: Live Review
Marissa Nadler sailed into Austin Sunday evening at Holy Mountain atop a mystical ship of reverb and fingerpicked 12-string guitars. She was accompanied only by a single cellist, Janel Leppin, who masterfully complimented…
Big Bill’s Tour Kickoff with Daniel Francis Doyle and Mirror Travel at Holy Mountain
Thursday night at Holy Mountain was a night of paradoxes. Playful yet aggressive, bizarre yet familiar. As I type this, listening to Daniel Franics Doyle’s solo 7-inch vinyl, I find myself at somewhat of…
Polyphonic Spree at Central Presbyterian: Live Review
For Tim DeLaughter’s Polyphonic Spree, a church seemed an appropriate venue for the ensemble’s grandiose live show that was first hidden by a large white sheet in front of the stage as the group set up….
Lukas Read Expands Lineup for Lambert’s Show: Live Review
The first time I saw Lukas Read, he was doing a stripped down, seated, solo performance of world-weary guitar tunes, channeling the old-world folk of the kind of troubadours who played NYC’s Gaslight…
Dub Thompson with Ought at Holy Mountain: Live Review
I’ve spent the last week completely in awe of Montreal-based post punk band Ought. The post-punk outfit channels Joy Division and Television with angular guitar riffs, but retains their own voice with ambling,…
The Donkeys at Mohawk: Live Review
The Donkeys rolled into Austin supporting their new album, Ride the Black Wave, perhaps having ridden it too long and not sure what day it was, to a packed audience indoors at Mohawk…
Moonsicles at Cheer Up Charlies: Review & Photos
Austin band Moonsicles is something of an early 2000s dream team. The band consists of Carolyn Cunningham of Pillow Queens, Aaron Russell and Lindsey Verrill of Weird Weeds, and Sheila Scoville of Ichi Ni San Shi…
Speak Album Release at Empire Control Room: Live Review & Photos
Local music and art purveyors Vagabond Collective continued their Summer Nights series by helping SPEAK celebrate the release of their new album Pedals. In addition to SPEAK, the night featured a powerhouse bill…
Amen Dunes with Axxa/Abraxas & Hidden Ritual at Hotel Vegas: Live Review
“This next song is an old one. It’s about taking drugs in New York,” Damon McMahon, aka Amen Dunes, informed the crowd, smirking and jumping into a breezy rendition of “Christopher” from 2011’s…
Devo Plays for Hardcore Fans at ACL Live’s Moody Theater
Wednesday night, quirky post-punk pioneers Devo ended their “Hardcore Devo” tour in Austin at the Moody Theater. The tour nomenclature serves as an apt descriptor for the fans in attendance—those clad in plastic…
Swans Got Heavy at Mohawk Friday Night
After taking a break from the project and recording and touring as Angels of Light, Michael Gira’s Swans are back in full force. The group reassembled around 2010 after more than a decade…
The Mountain Goats’ Anthemic Evening at Mohawk
Everyone sings along when frontman John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats belts out, “I hope the people who did you wrong/ have trouble sleeping at night/ People were mean to you but I always thought you were…
Cut Copy with Classixx at Stubb’s: Live Review
Sometimes I think I don’t like fun enough. I’d rather watch a provocative, transfixing, and artistically challenging musical performance than hit up a dance party any day of the week. My tendencies often put…
Jess Williamson & RF Shannon Celebrate Split 7″ at Cheer Up Charlies
We’ve been singing the praises of these players for months now. Punctum Records managed to get two of Austin’s best artists on a record together. Last week, the label released a split 7″…
Ramesh Album Release at Holy Mountain
Friday night, former Voxtrot member Ramesh celebrated the Austin Town Hall Records-issued vinyl release of his album The King with a show at Holy Mountain. In addition to Ramesh, the bill included garage pop trio…
Hikes EP Release at Cheer Up Charlies: Live Review
After seeing Hikes perform a few times, I’m convinced they’re one of Austin’s most exciting bands. The young outfit of math rock musicians are closely affiliated with rising DIY collective Raw Paw, who sponsored the…
Tweedy at ACL Taping: Live Review
Last Friday and Saturday, Jeff Tweedy came to Austin for two nights, including the ACL taping for the PBS shows 40th season we witnessed, where he treated the studio audience to a marked night…
Cleanup & Chipper Jones at Cheer Up Charlie’s: Review & Photos
Earlier this week, instrumentally-focused math rock bands Chipper Jones and Cleanup played at Cheer Up Charlie’s. Both bands are part of a current trend that’s seeing a revival of styles of indie rock…
Kanye West, Flaming Lips, & Extreme Sports at X-Games Austin
In its 20th year of existence and first of four years in Austin, the summer X-Games, hosted last weekend at Circuit of the Americas, triumphed as a diverse and rare weekend of entertainment….
FPSF Highlights from a Former Houstonian
Editor’s note: this year, Austin-based music blog Pop Press International is so lucky to showcase not one but two different articles from the perspective of native Houstonians. Read on for these highlights from…
Photo Gallery: Our Best Photos from FPSF 2014
We’re proud to present a gallery of our best photographs from this year’s FPSF 2014. All photos below © Bryan Parker & Pop Press International except photos of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic…
FPSF Day 2 Recap Featuring Sylvan Esso, Tune-Yards, and Lauryn Hill
The second day of FPSF 2014 dawned with less chance of rain but warmer temperatures. Often, I find the most rewarding festival experiences happen early in the day. The crowds are thinner, the…
A Summer Staple: FPSF 2014 Photo Essay
As an Austin-based blog, we’ve always viewed FPSF with outstiders’ eyes. This year, we’re excited to publish this photo essay by our new contributor and Houston native Madeline Harvey. Here’s her take on…
Photo Gallery: Shots from the Crowd at FPSF 2014
Rain or shine, Free Press Summer Fest will prevail. We might just have to take a short evacuation. Regardless, FPSF 2014 did not disappoint, and how could it? Each year it houses such a wide…
Walker Lukens Album Release Show at Stubb’s: Live Review
While Walker Lukens develops his amazing potential and obvious talents as songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, pianist and producer, we are fortunate to witness the test runs. I missed the first opening act, Hello Wheels,…
FPSF Day 1 Recap Featuring Childish Gambino, Vampire Weekend, and Rain
Considering that all of Eleanor Tinsley Park was evacuated around 2:00 PM preceding some heavy rain in Houston’s downtown area, the first day of FPSF 2014 still proved enjoyable, boasting many outstanding performances….
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Wild Moccasins Bring Energetic Pop to Holy Mountain
Other than each band consisting of four men and one woman, Wild Moccasins and Lost in the Trees couldn’t be any more different from each other. On tour for their second album, 88…
Beck ACL Taping: Live Review
Since an Austin City Limits Taping becomes a permanent document as a television episode that eventually will be released on a DVD, I assumed that Beck’s set last night would be a greatest…
Cloud Nothings and The Men Destroy Mohawk: Live Review
Pop Press International talked about this show quite a bit leading up to it, and have been proclaiming the greatness of both Cloud Nothings and The Men for a good while. The Men’s…
Vampire Weekend with Wild Cub at Stubb’s: Live Review
Perhaps more so than any band currently making music, Vampire Weekend has found universal acclaim, both winning the hearts of indie bloggers everywhere and beginning to reach newfound mainstream success by bagging a…
Beat Heavy for the Uninitiated: Phantogram & TEEN Live at Stubb’s
In the spirit of transparency, let me start by saying that I wrote Phantogram off last March after listening to their music exactly zero times. It was the height of the Fader Fort-fueled,…
Future Islands’ Unforgettable Show at Mohawk: Live Review
When I left Future Islands’ sold out show at Mohawk on Wednesday night, I knew that the possibilities of my life were limitless. In the last couple of years, I’ve been to some…
Knifight and Ed Schreader’s Music Beat Opened for Future Islands at Mohawk
I was so floored by Future Islands performance on Wednesday that I dedicated a post exclusively to the show rather than doing a recap and discussing openers. However, I was also thoroughly impressed…
Damien Jurado Performs Intimate Solo Set at Red 7: Live Review
Although Damien Jurado’s newest record features layers of lush, dense instrumentation, his set at Red 7 last night treated long-time fans to an incredibly intimate solo set. Jurado played alone with an acoustic…
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Orchestra Gets Metaphysically Philosophical at Mohawk
You should have been there, and there’s a good chance you weren’t. I’ve written before about just how many shows occur each night in Austin, but this week may take the cake. Last…
The National’s First Night at ACL Live
I’ve been looking forward to this show for a long time; it has been on my radar since the second and third nights were announced. The National’s High Violet is a masterpiece, but I’m in…
101X Homegrown Live with Ume, Megafauna, Black Books, Young Tongue: Live Review
101X continues to celebrate local live music by assembling stellar bills with some of the city’s best bands. Last month was a bill featuring The Tontons, Good Field, Speak, and Slomo Drags. This…
Instrumental Pop Band Chipper Jones at Cheer Up Charlies: Live Review & Photos
After we caught the Attendance Records benefit show at Holy Mountain, we were able to swing by Cheer Up Charlies to catch the tail end of a set by instrumental pop act Chipper…
Hello Wheels, El Campo, and RF Shannon Play Attendance Records Benefit: Live Review
Austin nonprofit organization Attendance Records does the important work of teaching high school students about music, its industry and its creation. This includes everything from album artwork to songwriting to recording. With ever…
Flume at Emo’s: The Burgeoning Genre of EDM
Electronic Dance Music continues to increase In popularity as electronic producers garner headlining spots at festivals and hold top slots on radio charts. The world of indie rock still remains a little aloof,…
Growl, Mole People, Party Girl, & Those Howlings at Cheer Up Charlies: Live Review
We adored the old Cheer Up Charlies. And while the east side locale will always hold a special place in our hearts, there’s no denying how completely awesome the new space is. In…
Mac DeMarco at Mohawk with Juan Wauters & Que Pasa: Live Review
As Mac DeMarco’s show grew nearer, my amazement increased at just how many people wanted to attend the sold out event. DeMarco’s records, including his most recent, Salad Days, have been well received and…
Speak’s Joey Delahoussaye & Battle Bend Share Stage at Cheer Up Charlies: Live Review
My Saturday was full of all kinds of quiet, introspective music. Before seeing Reservations and Sarah Neufeld, I stopped by Cheer Up Charlies to see a set by Speak’s Joey Delahoussaye & Battle Bend,…
Sarah Neufeld (of Arcade Fire) with Reservations at Lambert’s: Live Review
Arcade Fire practically took over Austin last week. After the band performed two shows, one official show and one as cover band Phi Slamma Jamma, last Thursday night, another member of the band,…
Arcade Fire Members Played Continental Club as Phi Slamma Jamma Last Night
Last night, following Arcade Fire’s outstanding show at Austin 360 Amphitheater, core members of the band headed over to Continental Club for an intimate show. Frontman Win Butler got the night started by…
Arcade Fire at Austin 360 Amphitheater: Live Review
Arcade Fire have become one of rock music’s most celebrated and well-known bands. A feat they’ve accomplished while remaining relatively obscure (as far as world-renowned bands go) and, more importantly, remaining true to…
Local Natives at Stubb’s: Live Review
I’ve seen Local Natives live several times now, and I’ve enjoyed each show so much that they’ve attained a status as one of my favorite acts to see live. Their performances reflect their…
Arcade Fire’s Sarah Neufeld Plays Lambert’s Friday April 11th
If you’re even slightly a fan of music, you’re probably aware that Arcade Fire will pass through Austin for a show this Thursday April 10th. However, you may not know that one of…
S. Carey, White Hinterland, & Dana Falconberry at Holy Mountain: Review & Photos
Monday night at Holy Mountain featured a Secretly Canadian double header with SC artist and Bon Iver member S. Carey headlining, and SC sister label Dead Oceans artist White Hinterland offering support. In…
Tele Novella at Cheer Up Charlies: Live Review
Saturday night, Tele Novella celebrated the release of their new single, “Trouble in Paradise.” Over the last two weeks, we already brought you coverage of the A-side and the B-side, so you already…
White Denim & Cass McCombs at Stubb’s: Live Review
When I first saw that Cass McCombs would be opening for White Denim in Austin, I thought the bill was a bit strange. Last night, although both artists played solid sets, my initial…
Alex Napping at Cheer Up Charlies: Live Review
We’ve seen Alex Cohen perform a solo set before, but her set on Monday night at Cheer Up Charlies with her full band showcased a wholly different project. Onstage, all four member of…
Live Review: The Tontons, Speak, Good Field, & Slomo Drags 101X Homegrown Show
101x’s Homegrown Live program, under the management of Deidre Gott, does a great job bringing together a bill of strong local acts ranging in notoriety. Due in part to its radio connections, the…
Our Best Live Photos from Buku 2014
We had a blast in New Orleans at Buku Music + Art Project, a young festival that has begun to transcend its roots as an EDM festival and branch out to include a…
The 5 Best Moments at Buku 2014
If our two articles recapping Buku 2014 were simply too much to sort through, we’re bringing you an abbreviated list of our five favorite moments from the young New Orleans festival. 1) The…
Live Review: The Districts with Young Tongue at Stubb’s
Fat Possum, one of independent music’s most stalwart labels, has a roster full of distinct artists. When I heard The Districts, I was a little perplexed. The band sounded good enough–gritty folk rock…
Show Review: Mother Falcon Performs Ok Computer at Spiderhouse Ballroom
A cover is one thing, but orchestral arrangements for the entirety of one of rock music’s most beloved albums is a separate feat altogether. Orchestral, chamber rock band Mother Falcon set out to…
Buku Music + Art Project Day 2 Recap
After an excellent first day of music that proved Buku has transcended a one-dimensional identity as an EDM festival, I was even more excited about the second day, especially the impending performance by…
Buku Music + Art Project Day 1 Recap
When Buku announced their initial lineup featuring The Flaming Lips, Nas, Sleigh Bells, Generationals, Chance the Rapper, and Dan Deacon, I was immediately on board. The festival has taken further steps to fuse…
SXSW Coverage: Secretly Canadian Label Group Showcase
Sometimes I wonder about other people’s SXSW planning habits . I usually sort the showcases by venue. It gives me an idea of how far I’ll need to walk if I’m bouncing around…
Live Review: RF Shannon Album Release Show With David Longoria, Canvas People at Mohawk
Whether a result of a recent tour, the many shows played in SXSW’s single week, or just the excitement of celebrating the release of their new album, the fact remains that RF Shannon…
Our Best Photos from SXSW 2014
Here’s a gallery of our favorite photos from 2014. All images © Bryan Parker & Pop Press International. Click any image to open in slideshow viewer.
SPIN Stubb’s Party at SXSW 2014
For the past half decade or so, I’ve made a conscious effort to get ahold of one of the coveted SPIN laminates to attend their annual SXSW party held at Austin institution Stubb’s….
The Five Best Things I Saw at SXSW
Between planning an epic two day party and launching a quarterly print journal, True Sincerity, my SXSW was less packed with bands than it has been in almost a decade. That said, we…
The Pixies at Austin Music Hall with Best Coast: Live Review
The Pixies played “Cactus” third. “Bone Machine,” “Wave of Mutilation,” and then “Cactus.” If that fact means nothing to you, it’s likely you were never as completely obsessed and dedicated to the music…
Winners of Austin Music Blogger Awards Announced + Event Photos
The Austin Music Blogger Awards in conjunction with Austin Music People’s music industry awards took place last night at Spiderhouse Ballroom, and we were incredibly proud to be part of the event. We’ll…
Cheer Up Charlies’ Triumphant Reopening
As I walk up to Cheer Up Charlie’s on Friday night, I’m at once astounded by the line, which snakes back from the venue’s gate and down Red River. For the past couple…
Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Paramount Theater: Live Review
If you’ve never had the privilege of visiting Preservation Hall in New Orleans, here’s what happens. As early as an hour and a half before doors, patrons begin lining up down St. Peter,…
Photos and Live Review: The Naked and Famous
There’s no way around the fact that this review is essentially an internal dialogue I’m having regarding my feelings on The Naked and Famous as a band. I’m always fascinated by which artists…
These Songs Belong to Everyone: Reflecting on Seeing Neutral Milk Hotel Live
Although during Netural Milk Hotel’s hiatus Jeff Mangum began appearing in public, at shows, more frequently, contributing parts to friends’ records, and even releasing material, it was hard to see a reunion tour…
Lord Huron at Emo’s with Superhumanoids: Live Review & Photos
A clear upward trend can be observed in Lord Huron’s trajectory. In 2012 they headlined Stubb’s indoor stage. Last year the returned and performed on the much larger outdoor stage, opening for Alt-J….
Photo Set: Little Lo at Holy Mountain
Last Saturday night, Austin’s Little Lo performed a set of their layered indie-rock to a crowded Holy Mountain. The band is in the process of finishing up the recording process for their new…
Superchunk with Waxahatchee at Mohawk: Live Review
It’s below freezing in Austin, Texas on a mid-week night. Tomorrow morning, public schools, colleges, even the city’s official offices will be closed. But you don’t care, because you’re indie-rock giants Superchunk. A…
Mutual Benefit at The Mohawk with Poppy Red: Live Review
I’m still in a stage of shock regarding Mutual Benefit. At the band show on Friday night at the Mohawk I could do little more than smile as watched transfixed. The show took…
Jess Williamson Album Release Show at Hotel Vegas: Live Review
Last week, Austin songwriter Jess Williamson released her new LP Native State and celebrated the occasion with a show at Hotel Vegas on Thursday night. The album, which you can read about here, is released on…
Live Review: Cate Le Bon with Kevin Morby & Love Inks at Mohawk
Cate Le Bon’s music fills me with an excited restlessness–perhaps because the ears process it as initially off kilter, slightly foreign but the heart and brain process it as brilliant, perfect, and definitively…
La Luz & Pure Bathing Culture at Red 7: Live Review
With a significant hip-hop bill slated outside and two indie darling bands ready to warm up the indoor stage, Red 7 drew a sizable crowd, especially considering the sub-zero temperatures bearing down on…
Abram Shook Album Release with Good Field & Royal Forest at Mohawk
Friday night at the Mohawk served as a local music extravaganza with a bill that featured two of Austin’s best bands supporting a rising Austin musician as he celebrated the release of his…
Dent May with Tiger Waves & Gang Sign at Holy Mountain: Live Review
Somehow, I’ve managed to miss Dent May’s live show time and time again. Even after I worked an all day photo shoot before the show, the stars finally aligned and I made it…
Live Review: Red Bull Sound Select Showcase with Octopus Project, Night Drive, & The Black and White Years
These Red Bull Sound Select Shows have begun to take things to the next level. We had a great time at the last show, which featured fast-rising stars The Tontons. This past Wednesday…
