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)….
Stream Our Fun Fun Fun Fest Playlist Featuring Must-see Artists
Fun Fun Fun Fest starts a week from today! Rest assured, we’ll have plenty of previews for you in the coming days spotlighting the aspects of the festival we’re most looking forward to. Until…
Show Preview: Tennis Comes to Red 7 on Saturday Nov. 1st Behind New Album
Little known fact: an interview with indie pop duo Tennis is one of the first posts we ever did here at Pop Press International. The 10th in fact. 10th out of what is,…
A. Sinclair Celebrates New Vinyl Release Tomorrow at Mohawk
Before there was A. Sinclair, there was Frank Smith. Under the leadership of Aaron Sinclair, the band Frank Smith released a slew of quality albums and rallied a steady following of live-music loving…
Nightblooms Plot Theatrical Album Release Show
Nightblooms is the project of Karla Manzur. You may know Manzur as the keys player and backup vocalist for Dana Falconberry, or you may have recognized her lending her incredible talents to Alejandro…
Lo-Fi Pop Purveyors Memory Boys & Electrician at Cheer Up Charlie’s Wednesday, Oct 29th
If you frequent the pages of Pop Press International, you know we have the deepest love for two of the nation’s music communities. One is of course Austin, where we live and see…
Austin Artists Dominate Initial Wave of SXSW Announcements
SXSW’s first announcement always comes as a huge shock to me. It’s hard to believe that almost a year has passed since the last installment of the ever-growing festival. This year, the initial…
Show Preview: Molybden Homecoming Show at Sahara Lounge
Austin-by-way-of-Marfa singer-songwriter Molybden will celebrate with a homecoming show at Sahara Lounge this Sunday, October 26, following a string of Western tour dates. Molybden is the nom de plume of Tess Seipp who has been…
Show Preview: Of Montreal and Pillar Point Play Mohawk Thursday, Oct. 23rd
Do we really need to explain why you should be at this show? It really doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen of Montreal (and it’s probably a lot since they come to…
Mutual Benefit Plays Red 7 Tonight
Mutual Benefit, the multi-textured, dreamy pop project of Jordan Lee, will play Red 7 tonight. Mutual Benefit draws comparisons to artists like Sufjan Stevens by virtue of his sprawling, lush, crystalline song structures…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Shares Full Set Times and Nites Schedule
If you’re a fan of independent label music or punk rock or weirdo pop or metal or parties or just dancing your ass off, it’s likely your favorite time of the year–the advent of…
KLRU Arts In Context Hosts Premiere Party for New Episode Featuring Les Rav
Although KLRU’s Austin City Limits series is undoubtedly their most well known contribution to music television, their Arts In Context program has brought us stories about some incredible artists, including The Octopus Project, Shakey…
Show Preview: Sharon Van Etten at Mohawk this Saturday
Sharon Van Etten returns to Austin Saturday night (October 18) when she plays Mohawk to what will most likely be a packed house. A favorite amongst Austin residents, Van Etten released Are We…
Midnight Masses, BLXPLTN Play Cheer Up Charlie’s Tomorrow
The music never stops. Forget the fact that you’re tired after two weekends of ACL. Tomorrow night brings you a must-see show. Midnight Masses, the project of …And You Will Know Us by…
Between the Weekends: Borrisokane, Moonsicles, Van Allen Belt at Cheer Up Tomorrow
When the ACL weekends come along, it’s interesting to see how many coworkers are sluggish throughout the next week. But for some true believers, this is a constant way of life. We can’t get enough…
Five Shows to See If You’re Skipping ACL
So you’re skipping ACL? We don’t blame you. Sure we’ll be out there, and we like supporting this hometown festival, even if it has grown to epic, almost repulsive proportions. There’s still something…
Raw Paw Hosts Epic ACL Alternative Ditch the Fest at Empire Control Room
Local arts and music collective Raw Paw does things right. We hold a deep admiration for the collective’s commitment to up-and-coming, interesting artists and bands as well as their ability to throw a…
Lia Ices Plays Holy Mountain Monday, October 6th
After just releasing a new record on indie stalwart Jagjaguwar, Lia Ices has set out on a national tour that hits Austin Monday night at Holy Mountain. Lia Ices’ songs incorporate skittering synths, bombastic percussion,…
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?…
Phosphorescent Plays Last Minute Show at C Boy’s Heart and Soul Tonight
The last time Austin had a visit from Phosphorescent was the 2013 installment of ACL Fest. Almost exactly a year later, the Brooklyn by way of Athens based project of primary creative force…
Alex Napping Celebrates Album Release at Cheer Up Charlies Friday, September 26th
With namesake Alex Cohen at the helm, indie-pop four-piece Alex Napping will celebrate the release of their debut LP tomorrow night, September 25th at Cheer Up Charlies. This is Not a Bedroom dropped earlier…
Show Preview: The War on Drugs at Stubb’s w/ Genuine Leather After Show
The War on Drugs’ newest effort Lost in the Dream, is one of the year’s most lauded records. Full of Americana points of reference slathered in introspective, garage rock sensibilities, the songs are somewhere…
Yonatan Gat Brings Killer Live Show to Cheer Up Charlies Tonight
This summer, I stumbled into catching a set by ex-Monotonix member Yonatan Gat. Floored doesn’t quite cover how taken I was with the performance, which had me sputtering incomprehensible praises of the show for…
Upcoming: Spray Paint at Hotel Vegas 9/19
Friday the 19th welcomes Austin’s premier scum-rockers back to Hotel Vegas. The no-wave trio will be celebrating the release of their new LP Clean Blood, Regular Acid. A set of their noisiest, dark-humored…
Indie Rock Legends Sebadoh Play Red 7 Tomorrow, September 19th
This is indie rock royalty. It seems crazy that this show isn’t yet sold out, but I’d call it a solid bet that Red 7 will be at capacity come tomorrow night when…
Spotlight: Voxtrot Member Ramesh’s Royal Ambitions with New LP The King
“Yeah, whatever happened to that band?” A common lament among music aficionados, especially those tuned into alternative label bands that might only make an album or two before succumbing to the enormous difficulty…
Show Preview: Barcelona with The Young Wild at Holy Mountain, September 15th
Tonight, following their release of The Melodrama, a three-part EP investigating the nature of love, Seattle trio Barcelona is swinging into Holy Mountain at 8 PM. The show promises to douse the audience with a…
Inaugural Stargayzer Fest This Weekend in Austin
This weekend begins the first ever Stargayzer Festival, held at the east sides infamous Pine Street Station. A spectacular line-up of a 100+ artists representing the LGBTQIA community will fill out the weekend…
Show Preview: Delta Spirit with EDJ at Emo’s Thursday, September 11th
Touring in support of their newly released album, Into the Wide, Delta Spirit will bring their famed, energetic live show to Emo’s tomorrow night. With four albums under their proverbial belt, the band has…
Upcoming: Shabazz Palaces September 16th
Tuesday the 16th welcomes back Seattle’s hip-hop wunderkind Shabazz Palaces. On the tail of their most recent, excellent release, Lese Majesty, the duo of Ishmael Butler and Tendai Maraire will perform on the…
Show Preview: EARTH at Red 7 Sept. 16
Ever-cosmic and always-droning, Seattle band Earth pulls into Austin’s live music orbit this coming Tuesday (a week from today) at Red 7, where they will be joined by seriously psychobilly singer-songwriter King Dude…
Contest: Win Tickets to Slow Magic at Mohawk September 17th
Mysterious, masked DJ Slow Magic, who blends electronic beats with live drum performance will play the Mohawk a week from tomorrow on September 17th. Slow Magic is yet another DJ in the rising…
Raw Paw Hosts Stellar Bill Tonight with Hikes, Milezo, Chipper Jones
Tonight at Scoot Inn, arts and music collective Raw Paw will host an awesome bill of bands and reveal the theme to their new zine. If you’ve been to one of the collective’s…
Show Preview: Whirr at Red 7 Saturday, September 6th
Supporting their new album Sway (out September 23rd on Graveface Records), the bay area’s Whirr will be playing at Red 7 this Saturday September 6th. A sound equal parts atmospheric and heavy, Whirr…
Show Preview: Balmorhea at the Parish Sunday
Balmorhea is the kind of band that can take hugely expansive ideas and wrestle them into musical form, creating a cinematic experience for the ears. Strings, synthesizers, vocal harmonies, fingerpicked guitar and various tuned…
Show Preview: Bishop Allen at Holy Mountain Saturday Night
I’ve been a fan ever since a friend put a Bishop Allen song from Charm School, their first album, on a mix CD for me. I listened to all of the songs from their EP…
Cinema East Screens Final Summer Film, The Heart Machine
Cinema East’s summer series has included a run of phenomenal films, viewed on French Legation’s lush lawn beneath the Texas night sky. If you’ve attended any of them, I probably don’t need to…
Austin Music People’s United We Jam 2014 Dominates Downtown this Weekend
– We were proud to partner with Austin Music People last year for the first annual Austin Music Blogger Awards. Austin is lucky to have an organization of people devoted to handling the…
If You Like Mineral, You’ll Love The Parking Lot
Yesterday, The Austin Chronicle published an article about Mineral reuniting. It’s fair to say that people are pretty stoked about Mineral’s reunion and upcoming performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest. Tonight, there’s a must-see…
Suspirians Celebrate Album Release at The Lost Well
We’re not the only ones who think Suspirians are great; we were happy to se the band show up on Do 512’s list of five bands you should be listening to right now….
Cool Off At Float Fest This Sunday
I love new ideas. The creators of Float Fest are giving you an opportunity to experience music in tandem with cooling off while floating the river. If you’re going to have a music…
Show Preview: Christian Lee Hutson at Holy Mountain Tonight
Solid sonic textures, a dash of grit, and embellishments such as faraway whistles and multi-tracked vocals make Christian Lee Hutson’s song “Ghost to Coast” convincing and endearing. The song feels like Wilco at…
Show Preview: Jamie XX at Mohawk Tonight
If you xx die-hard fans are looking for a way to tide yourselves over during the long stretches of time between the band’s trips to Texas, you should be at Jamie xx’s Mohawk…
Tinnarose Preps LP; Plays Stubb’s Saturday
Austin folk pop band Tinnarose will release their new eponymous LP next Tuesdeay via Nine Mile Records. The band creates layered folk pop that employs both sunny riffs and crunchy guitar tones while…
Utopiafest Releases Schedule, Hosts Pre-Party Tonight
We’ve already told you about what a magical experience Utopiafest can be, as well as that the lineup this year is stellar. If you, like us, already have plans to attend, you’ll be…
The Versus Project feat. Borrisokane, Young Tongue, & Knifight Live at Scoot Inn on Saturday
We couldn’t be more excited about seeing a live incarnation of the bands who participated in The Versus Project. We’ve written about it time and time again, even premiered a track or two,…
Vagabond Collective Hosts Summer Series Finale with Marmalakes & More
Vagabond is doing it big, y’all. The local art and music collective has already thrown several epic summer parties, some of which we wrote about. This final installment of their summer series boasts…
Sylvan Esso Bring Their Beats to Emo’s Sunday, August 17th
In case you missed our review, we are into Sylvan Esso’s debut record, which dropped earlier this year. We were also pretty enamored with the duo’s FPSF performance earlier in the summer. The pair employ buzzing,…
Letting Up Despite Great Faults Celebrates Neon Release Saturday at Holy Mountain
We already wrote a bit about the new, beautiful, pristine, and shimmering synth pop tracks from Austin band Letting Up Despite Great Faults. Over the years, the group has continued to expand an incredibly…
Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Collaboration The Both Comes to Mohawk on Wednesday
Although we live in an era of the revitalized music legend, where an extensive list of performers we never thought we’d see take the stage have relaunched careers, Ted Leo is one legend…
Show Preview: Alex Napping with iji at Cheer Up Charlies Tonight
The Stereogum premiere of Alex Napping‘s debut single “Weak Knees” made such a splash, we hardly need to tell you about it, but in case you somehow missed it, we’re sharing it with…
Roger Sellers Hosts Fundraiser for Debut Album
What I love most about Roger Sellers is his complex approach to making music. When I first saw his “Roger Sellers is not a DJ” tag line, I thought it was a wry…
Utopiafest Returns with Great Lineup, Provides Rare Festival Opporunity
I first attended Utopiafest three years ago for their third annual event. I had such a great experience that Pop Press International ponied up to be a sponsor the next year for a…
Show Preview: Boris at Mohawk Tonight!
Boris is about discovery for me. When a new album is announced, I love waiting to hear what it will sound like. They are constantly evolving their sound: Sludge, Drone, Punk, Dream Pop….
Vagabond Collective Shares Summer Series Mix: Streaming Now
Always active arts and music promoters and organizers Vagabond Collective has shared a mix of songs from artists they’re working with on their summer music series. The series still has several more shows…
Epic Two Stage Local Bill with Black Books & Young Tongue Dominates Mohawk Saturday Night
Sometimes it’s amazing what you can get for eight bucks. You get a sandwich, or you could see eight incredible bands play at Mohawk on Saturday night. You could get two lattes, or you could see eight…
Dallas Band Chambers Plays Austin Show with Borrisokane, RF Shannon, Dollie Barnes
As local bands grow within their communities, it’s eventual that they’ll become curious about carving out some recognition in nearby cities. Dallas indie rock outfit Chambers have received quite a bit of love from…
Haunting Songstress Marissa Nadler Plays Holy Mountain Sunday: Show Preview
Marissa Nadler’s voice captivates upon first listen with its ethereal ghostliness and rich timbre. The Massachusetts-based musician writes songs that recall Leonard Cohen’s aching and melancholic sensibilities. Often, her arrangements have the ability…
Show Preview: The Polyphonic Spree at Central Presbyterian Church
After a period of inactivity from 2007 to 2012, beloved, cult-like collective The Polyphonic Spree released two albums in 2012 and 2013 and have been increasingly active in playing shows and festivals. Tomorrow,…
SPEAK Celebrates Album Release at Empire Control Room Saturday July 5th
Tomorrow night, Saturday, July 5th, local art and music promoters Vagabond Collective will present an epic bill of outstanding Austin bands in celebration of SPEAK’s new album Pedals. The evening will include a performance by…
George Lucas’ THX 1138 Tonight at Drafthouse with Live Score by Conveyor
Tonight, revered filmmaker George Lucas’ first film THX 1138 will screen at Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Austin with a live score provided by Conveyor. The film’s director’s cut release summarizes it as: “A chilling exploration…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Announces Comedy Lineup feat. Fred Armisen & John Waters
Fun Fun Fun Fest always does it right. This morning, the Austin festival announced their comedy lineup, which takes place annually on the Yellow Stage. The roster includes Portlandia and SNL star Fred Armisen and…
Swans & Xiu Xiu Play Mohawk Tonight
Swans is one of those bands that is still quietly under-appreciated while having a still fruitful second life. The band took a hiatus while central creative force Michael Gira wrote and performed music…
Show Preview: Tele Novella, Real Live Tigers, & Sick/Sea at Lambert’s
Tomorrow night, three solid Texas bands will take the stage at Lambert’s BBQ. The upstairs venue has been recruiting more diverse live music acts in recent months. Friday’s show includes psych pop group Tele…
Cinema East Screens Documentary Approaching the Elephant on Sunday
Cinema East kicked off their summer film series this past Sunday with a screening of narrative feature I Believe in Unicorns. The series continues this Sunday, June 29th with a screening of documentary feature Approaching the…
Thus Owls Nominated for Polaris Prize, Support Antlers in Austin
Montreal’s Thus Owls are having quite a summer. The band has received praise from an array of press outlets surrounding their new album Turning Rocks, available now on Secret City Records, and recent performances at…
Electric Six & Yip Deceiver at Stubb’s Tonight
Austin is one of the rare cities in America where any given night has too many great options for live music. We love it, and we hate it. If you aren’t going to the…
Voxtrot’s Ramesh Album Release Show Tonight at Holy Mountain
Thanks to our friends at Austin Town Hall Records, Ramesh’s first solo album The King, is being released on vinyl. A celebration of that occasion, sponsored by blog buddies Austin Town Hall and Side…
Hikes Celebrates New EP with Epic Cheer Up Charlies Show
Hikes is one of Austin’s most exciting young bands. Their distinct blend of folk, math rock, and whimsical joy places them in a category of their own in this city’s robust music scene. As…
RF Shannon / Jess Williamson Split Out Today, Release Show Saturday at Cheer Up Charlies
We’ve already told you how excited we are for RF Shannon & Jess Williamson’s split 7″, out today on Punctum Records. Both artists will celebrate the release with a show on Saturday at…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Reveals Daily Lineups, 1-Day Passes On Sale Now
I have no idea what human powers of decision would allow an individual to choose between these three days of fest. The lineup is so killer for every day. I suppose I could…
Mutual Benefit Announces Cowboy’s Prayer EP Reissue, Extensive Tour
Mutual Benefit’s exquisite, multi-textured pop has impressed me as much or more than anyone in the past couple of years with 2013’s Love’s Crushing Diamond. Today the group announced that Other Music will re-release their 2011…
Pillar Point on Tour Now, Will Support of Montreal on Fall Dates
Come October, labelmates Pillar Point and of Montreal will head out on a North American tour together. Preceding that fall engagement, many cities across the country will have an opportunity to see Pillar Point…
El Campo Celebrates New 7″ Tonight at Cheer Up Charlies
Rollicking folk has increased in popularity drastically over the last decade. Many bands do it, but El Campo is among the best. The group channels the energy of early Okkervil River and the melodies…
Annie Street Arts Collective Plans July Residency at Spiderhouse
Devoted fans of Austin’s DIY and folk communities recently lamented the end of Annie Street Arts collective, who had to make the move from the space where they’ve hosted countless DIY shows due…
Cinema East Set for Summer Film Series
With Austin tastemaker Maggie Lea in the curatorial role, Cinema East is set for an amazing summer film series. Now in its fourth year of existence, the program continues to increase its reach…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 Kick-off Your Summer with FPSF
– 1. The Lineup Year after year, I’m impressed by FPSF’s lineup. This festival, along with Austin Psych Fest and Fun Fun Fun Fest, possess some of the remaining shreds of authenticity in…
11 Bands You Should See At Austin Psych Fest
This baby goes to 11. I think we’ve made that joke before, but with a festival as high-energy as Austin Psych Fest is sure to be, the reference seems apt. Austin Psych Fest…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Launches Guess the Fest!
Fun Fun Fun Fest is our favorite festival, hands down. These guys always do it right, and we’re already pumped for what they have in store for 2014. This year’s fest will take place…
Wild Cub Opens for Vampire Weekend Tonight & Tomorrow at Stubb’s
Upbeat indie pop outfit Wild Cub will open for Vampire Weekend for two nights at Stubb’s tonight and tomorrow. The group shares some sensibilities with the headliners but their music also possess an…
Löwin & A. Sinclair to Play After Show Following Future Islands Tonight
We’ve been meaning to write about both Löwin and A. Sinclair for a while now, so what better occasion than a bill featuring both of these new acts? The show will take place…
Show Preview: Future Islands at Mohawk Wednesday, April 23rd
Future Islands have exploded in the last few months. The buzz surrounding the band permeated the week of SXSW, and the band made their network television debut with David Letterman last month. The…
Enter to Win Passes to the ACL Taping for Beck
Beck is one of those artists that flies under the radar for a period of time, but he always emerges, and when he does, he usually completely takes over the current conversation in…
