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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Live Review: Balmorhea Returns to Austin with Jess Williamson at the Parish
It’s been over a year since Balmorhea played in their hometown of Austin, Texas. Over a year has the fan base been out of touch with one of the most precise post-rock bands…
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…
Mineral Plays First Show in 17 Years
Although I was lucky enough to catch a couple of sets from Mineral spinoff projects after moving to Austin in 2001, I was several years too late to see the quintessential emo band….
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″…
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…
Punctum Records to Release Jess Williamson, RF Shannon Split 7″
I’m not sure a week can go by without us writing about Punctum Records. The label continues to be Austin’s most active label despite their youth. With some insider knowledge of their upcoming…
Stream: “Around the Town Sounds” Radio Show Featuring Local Austin Bands
A few weeks ago, local lady about town Deidre Gott was kind enough to invite me onto her KOOP radio show to discuss local music, Pop Press International, and True Sincerity. I pretty…
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…
Jess Williamson Shares Video for “Spin the Wheel”
Jess Williamson is having a great week. She’s just returned from a West Coast tour, and yeseterday, the songwriter not only released a new video for her song “Spin the Wheel” from her…
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…
Jess Williamson Album Release Party Tonight at Hotel Vegas
Yesterday, I published my review of Jess Williamson’s stark and arresting new album Native State. Tonight, Williamson will celebrate the release with a show at Hotel Vegas that also features performances by outstanding acts…
Album Review: Jess Williamson – Native State (Pop Press Pick)
Austin songstress Jess Williamson has been saving up Native State for a while, and the results are rewarding. Be assured: this is not a record of pop gems; this is not an attempt…
Show Preview: Brazos at Holy Mountain on Wednesday, December 11th
We just included Brazos in our post of the most played tracks and albums of 2013. We’ve seen them play a number of times and even hosted them at our SXSW day party…
Balmorhea, Mirror Travel, and Jess Williamson at Mohawk Live Review
Friday’s bill at the Mohawk featured a somewhat unlikely assortment of bands, but within that offered a diverse range of talent from sparse and oddly beautiful to noisily forceful to quiet and serene….
Mohawk Hosts Balmorhea, Mirror Travel, and Jess Williamson Tonight!
If you frequent Pop Press International, you know we’re big fans of Mirror Travel. We interviewed them here, and we even got to host them at the New Year’s Eve party we co-hosted…
Show Preview: Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk with The Villettes and Jess Williamson
Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk will bring their folk pop to the Mohawk for a mid-week show, Tuesday May 21st, with Austin folk songstresses The Villettes and Jess Williamson. We decided…
The Endless Sour: Sour Notes Tour Kickoff at Red 7
After bringing you several stories leading up to the Sour Notes epic tour kickoff at Red 7, today we have follow-up coverage of the event. As expected, the 14 band show resulted in…
