Mega Bog Opens for Destroyer at Mohawk
Touring behind their second LP, Happy Together, Seattle-based band Mega Bog opened for indie rock stalwart Destroyer for a knockout billing of music this past Monday at Mohawk. Historically, Seattle brought crunchy, discordant rock…
Big Thief Ready to Steal Your Spine Tomorrow Night at Mohawk
In Lectures on Literature, Vladmir Nabokov constructs an extended metaphor for a method of reading that elicits the most value from a text. He says, essentially, that we should read with a reserved judgement…
Show Review: Aldous Harding’s Transfixing Set at Mohawk
Aldous Harding is the kind of artist you just can’t brush aside. Her songs are haunting and penetrating. They hang around like a low, gray cloud cover, blanketing everything in a soft, diffuse…
Aldous Harding Brings Powerful, Austere Pop to Mohawk Monday 6/19
Last month, rising artist Aldous Harding released her sophomore album, Party, which has already garnered high praise from a variety of outlets. Emphasizing an austere, hushed vocal style and restrained, minimal arrangements, Harding’s gothic pop…
Mitski Broke All Our Hearts and We Sang Along at Mohawk
I would pay $20 just to see Mitski play “Your Best American Girl” one time, so the rest of the set is basically bonus. And that bonus is incredible. Mitski has made several appearances…
Show Review: Julia Lucille Celebrates Release of Chthonic
Last Friday, songwriter Julia Lucille celebrated the release of her excellent new album Chthonic at Mohawk, supported by a solid bill of openers, Jordan Moser and Lomelda. Navigating song structures and lyrics evocative of…
Jens Lekman Has the Cure for What Ails You at Mohawk Friday, February 24
Swedish crooner Jens Lekman just released his fourth studio album, Life Will See You Now, last week via indie stalwart Secretly Canadian. Lekman will make an appearance at Austin’s Mohawk tomorrow, Friday night, February…
Jens Lekman Reflects on Fragrances on New Single
Always balancing tones poignantly nostalgic and whimsically absurd, Sweden’s Jens Lekman has consistently generated playful pop that makes listeners laugh and cry simultaneously. He’s the kind of songwriter who can make a single…
SXSW 2016’s Most Exciting Acts
Tomorrow, the monster that is SXSW descends upon a sleepy river town in central Texas. Hundreds of local bands will rub shoulders with thousands more traveling from all over the world. Every parking lot…
Ty Segall Emotionally Mugs Mohawk: Live Review
I can’t tell you who said it first, but articles comparing Ty Segall’s latest artistic development to the combined influence of David Bowie and Iggy Pop abound as of late. When everyone’s saying the same…
Ty Segall & The Muggers Make Plans to Wreck Mohawk Friday, February 19th
You either have your tickets or you don’t. And if you have your tickets for Ty Segall’s sold out show at the Mohawk this Friday, there’s no doubt you’re already planning to be…
Cross Record, Adam Torres, Nadia Play Spellbinding Sets at Mohawk
Cross Record’s album release event at Mohawk on Saturday night emerged as a transfixing and indelible moment in music. Years after musicians have become legends, people muse about what it might have been…
Track Premiere: SUPERMOON “Emily (Knot My Nets)” and B-side “Hitchhiker”
You may recognize SUPERMOON front man Paul Banks’ name from his work with his backing band The Carousels. Together, Paul Banks and The Carousels created folk rock songs with occasionally theatrical flairs. Following…
Daniel Johnston Represents Everything Great About Austin
Saturday night, mainstay Austin venue The Mohawk hosted one of the city’s most legendary musicians, Daniel Johnston. Johnston sounded better than I’ve heard him sound in years–more present and less flustered. Undoubtedly, the songwriter…
Juan Wauters’ Quirky Party Vibes at Mohawk: Live Review
Juan Wauters is a special kind of performer and songwriter. “Outsider music” a friend called his sound as we discussed Wauters’ set between songs Saturday night at the Mohawk. I’m buying it, but…
Other Lives Bring Brooding Pop to Mohawk Tomorrow Night
Stillwater, Oklahoma band Other Lives arrive in Austin tomorrow night for a show at Mohawk. The group’s sound shatters any stereotypes you might hold about a band from a place called Stillwater in Oklahoma,…
Abram Shook Welcomes Us to his Landscape Dream
Abram Shook’s last album, Sun Marquee, released last January, succeeded as one of the year’s best, in Austin or otherwise. The record employed bright, major-key guitar noodling, brilliantly syncopated rhythms, and Shook’s smooth croon….
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Live Review: A. Sinclair Celebrates New Vinyl at Mohawk
A. Sinclair rocks. And by that I mean that Aaron Sinclair has always rocked. He rocked when his band was called Frank Smith, and he rocks now. It helps that Sinclair is backed…
Yuma Celebrates Day of the Dead at Mohawk
The Mohawk celebrated Day of the Dead this Sunday with four superb Austin bands: Brother Bear, The Please Please Me, Magia Negra, and Yuma. A real diverse curation of unique bands who all seem to…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Mother Falcon at Mohawk for United We Jam: Live Review
Last weekend, on both Friday and Saturday nights, Austin Music People’s fundraiser United We Jam hosted bills of local bands at myriad venues across the city. Our own Lukas Read wrote yesterday about…
Jamie xx at Mohawk: Live Review
I’m glad there’s a market for Jamie xx. There’s certainly risk in the work of the esteemed DJ behind The xx’s electronic soundscapes and beats. It doesn’t offer the emotive depth and traditional instrumentation that…
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….
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…
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…
The Both (Aimee Mann & Ted Leo) at Mohawk: Live Review
The Both, a collaborative project between accomplished songwriter Aimee Mann and alt-rock hero Ted Leo, brought not only their music but also their A-game stage banter to Mohawk’s outdoor stage last Wednesday night….
Boris at Mohawk: Live Review
Like any guy with a new baby, I found myself walking down Red River just as Boris strummed the first chords of their set. Late for the show. Which meant I’d missed Ceremony,…
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….
Little Radar, Young Tongue, Black Books at Mohawk: Live Review
Rock and roll is alive in Austin, Texas. Mohawk is the place to catch it. The club offered performances on both indoor and outdoor stages with slightly alternating set times between the two. The…
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…
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…
Caribou Shares Extended Mix of “Can’t Do Without,” On Tour in the Fall
Composer and producer Daniel Victor Snaith, aka Caribou, is set to release his new album Our Love, which drops October 7th on Merge. Anticipation is high for fans, as Snaith has proved he can continually…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Wand Shares Noisy Psych Track “Flying Golem”
On August 27th, Wand will release of Ganglion Reef on Drag City’s sister imprint GOD?, joining bands such as Jack Name and White Fence. This week, Wand shared “Flying Golem,” the first single from the upcoming…
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…
Loamlands Share “Another Reason” Ahead of New EP
June 10th will bring the release of Loamlands new EP Some Kind of Light via Trekky Records. Today, the band shared “Another Reason,” a track from that forthcoming effort. Gently distorted guitar rings…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Show Preview: Ume, Megafauna, Black Books, & Young Tongue 101X Homegrown at Mohawk
Tomorrow night is going to rock. 101X Homegrown Live, under the direction of tastemaker Deidre Gott, has been putting together some amazing bills as of late. We had a blast at their recent…
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…
Contest: Win Tickets to Cloud Nothings and The Men at Mohawk April 26th
Cloud Nothings and The Men on the same stage. Who says wishes don’t come true. And I’ll be many of you are feeling the same way. Both bands create powerful and gritty punk-leaning…
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…
Show Preview: The Oblivians with Spray Paint & Hex Dispensers at Mohawk
In the 90s, the gritty, powerful garage rock created by The Oblivians pouring out of Memphis made them one of the foremost groups in the scene. The band’s sound drew on 60’s groups…
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…
Show Preview: Superchunk with Waxahatchee at Mohawk Thursday, February 6th
Superchunk and Waxahatchee make something of an unexpected touring combination, but that only means you’ll get to see two great yet divergent bands on Thursday night at the Mohawk. 90’s power pop legends…
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…
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…
Show Preview: Mutual Benefit Plays The Mohawk Friday with Poppy Red
Mutual Benefit’s Love’s Crushing Diamond came out late last year, and despite the categorical praise, I never even heard it until early in 2014. As such, it got left off of my year-end, best-of…
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…
The Octopus Project, Tele Novella, & Borrisokane at Mohawk: Live Review
Friday night was freezing cold, and it still didn’t stop Austin from coming out to the Mohawk to see three bands that excel among the city’s bevy of performing artists. The crowd was…
Show Preview: Octopus Project, Tele Novella, and Borrisokane play Mohawk Friday December 7th
You need more reasons? I just gave you five excellent ones in the headline! The epic dance party that will undoubtedly ensue anytime Austin faves The Octopus Project plays is a damn good…
Show Peview: Nightlands at Mohawk Tonight, December 3rd
Nightlands is the recording project of Dave Hartley, who creates serene and understated, glowing pop tracks. Tonight, Nightlands will bring all of that carefully constructed pop beauty to Austin for a show at…
of Montreal at Mohawk: Live Review
Seeing bands perform live music can be rewarding–the subtle differences in arrangement, the inability to dub over and redo, the immediacy, the intimacy. However, more often than not, live performances consist of a…
Show Preview: Tristen at Mohawk Wednesday, Feb 6th
Is total honesty a winning quality? No one asked me to write this show preview–no publicist reached out, no promoter (no offense intended!). I hasn’t necessarily planned to write it. I knew that…
The Breeders to Play Only Texas Show at Mohawk on New Year’s Eve
The Mohawk dropped a splash of announcement today regarding their plans for New Year’s Eve. Okay, so the pun is terrible, but the news was great! The reunited Breeders will play the final…
Crystal Antlers at the Mohawk with The Zoltars and Hundred Visions Live Review
Saturday night’s perfect, crisp fall weather was just an added bonus for an evening out seeing live music at the Mohawk, where three solid acts performed on the indoor stage. I arrived just…
Crystal Antlers Play Mohawk Saturday 10/19 w/ The Zoltars & Hundred Visions
We told you in our Weekly Rundown to make plans for this, so did you? Well, if not, there’s still time to rectify your mistake and buy tickets to Crystal Antlers at Mohawk…
Austra and DIANA at Mohawk: Live Review
It must necessarily be considered kind that the bands started more than half an hour late on the outside stage at Mohawk last Friday night. Because if they had begun on time, I…
Chelsea Wolfe at the Mohawk: Live Review
Friday night, darkness descended on the Mohawk, although it was tempered with an unmistakable glimmer of beauty. Chelsea Wolfe’s live set is even more foreboding than her recorded work. Live, the songs emphasize…
Dana Falconberry, Brass Bed, and Reservations at Mohawk: Live Review
You’d think that being a brilliant lyricist and accomplished musician would be the thing that sets an artist apart. And to a point, you’d be right. Dana Falconberry’s distinct voice always stirs something…
Ty Segall at Mohawk with Holy Wave and Hidden Ritual Live Review
Ty Segall performed at the Mohawk at the beginning of the summer, and last night he returned for a show in these closing weeks of the season. Despite Segall having played Austin several…
Chelsea Wolf Shares New Track, Plays Mohawk September 6th
Chelsea Wolfe’s Pain is Beauty is less than two weeks from being released by Sargent House. Even so, this week we were given another new song from the forthcoming LP. “The Waves Have…
Kurt Vile and the Violators with Sonny and the Sunsets at Mohawk Live Review
I had been looking forward to this show for months. I’m at shows several times a week usually and see a tremendous amount of live music. And I love it. But this show…
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…
Don’t Miss Kurt Vile with Sonny and the Sunsets at Mohawk Tuesday August 20th
Sometimes, when you go to write a show preview, there are just so many good things you can say, it’s hard to know where to start. This one’s like that, but for you…
Why You Should Be at The Mohawk Tonight with Attendance Records and Belaire
In a book called Break Point and Beyond by George Land and Beth Jarman, they cite a study conducted by land in which he tested a group of students for their aptitude at divergent…
Borrisokane, Pageantry, and The Calm Blue Sea at Mohawk Live Review
Borrisokane is a band gaining credibility quickly as they’ve played some great shows and solid bills in recent months. We loved their album release show, which pulled out all the stops. Opening the…
Mikal Cronin with Shannon and the Clams and A Giant Dog Live Review
After falling in love with Mikal Cronin’s newest album MCII a couple months ago, I had been looking forward to his show at the Mohawk since its announcement. When openers Shannon and the…
Win Tickets to Mikal Cronin at Mohawk in Austin Tomorrow
Mikal Cronin has released one of the year’s best records with MCII. We’re seriously in love with it and we told you all about it right here. We also shared with you his…
Show Preview: Baths with Houses and D33J at Mohawk Tomorrow
Tomorrow night, the Mohawk will be filled with the hard hitting beats of electronic DJ Baths, who will be supported by electronic pop group Houses and the DJ act appropriately christened D33J. What’s…
Radiation City with Feverbones and Hello Caller at Mohawk Live Review
When I reviewed Radiation City’s newest effort Animals in the Median, I really liked it. So, it’s a true testament to the excellence of their live show that these songs sound even better…
Black Moth Super Rainbow at The Mohawk
We know, we know, this show was so last week, but we wanted to share some photos and reminisce about Black Moth Super Rainbow’s recent show at the Mohawk in Austin. BMSR creates…
Photo Gallery: !!! (Chk Chk Chk) Dance Party at Mohawk
As expected, !!!’s show at Mohawk Austin a week or so back was an epic dance party with plenty of bumpin’ and grindin’. Check out the photo gallery below for photographic evidence of…
