Japanese Breakfast and Snail Mail Play Scoot Inn Tuesday, April 10
Atmospheric, indie-pop band Japanese Breakfast, the project of Michelle Zauner, stops in Austin tonight for a show at Scoot Inn — just one date on an extensive tour that will ultimately traverse the…
Broken Social Scene Brings Anthemic Pop to Stubb’s Friday, March 23
I couldn’t be more thrilled that Broken Social Scene is having a quiet resurgence as one of indie-rock’s most respected outfits. The years between each of the band’s albums has grown successively. First…
The Weather Station Plays Antone’s Saturday Feb. 17
The deluge of quality music to experience seems continually increase. But the number of albums I come back to again and again, those that live on the turntable for weeks still hovers around…
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…
Sylvan Esso Brings Dance Party to Stubb’s Tomorrow Night
Based on the beats of Nick Sanborn and the airy vocals of Amelia Meath, Sylvan Esso has evolved from the smooth jingle of breakout single “Coffee” to full on dance party tracks like…
The Districts Bring Incredible Live Show to Sidewinder Tuesday 6/27
Back in March of 2014, The Districts performed to a fairly full indoor room at Stubb’s, touring ahead of their quietly powerful breakout album, A Flourish and a Spoil. The band has continued to rise in…
BOOHER Celebrates Vinyl Release at Cheer Up Charlies Saturday
Mixing vulnerable lyricism with big rock musicianship and careful flourishes, BOOHER makes songs that are immediately likable and yield greater nuance with repeat listens. Behind the music is Michael Booher, who’s been making…
Wimps Play Cheer Up Charlies Sunday 6/18
Masters of awkward pop. Purveyors of no-frills punk. Ambassadors of lo-fi rock. However you want to describe Seattle band Wimps, there’s a lot to love about this trio. Carrying the torch of the style…
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…
Conor Oberst Gives Old Songs New Life at ACL Live This Friday
With his newest album, Salutations, Conor Oberst finished what he started. The songs on last year’s Ruminations, written and recorded solo, were always intended to be fully arranged works played with a band, a goal finally…
Alex Napping Releases Mise En Place Friday May 5 at Cheer Up Charlies
With three members based in Austin and songwriter Alex Cohen spending much of her time in NYC, Alex Napping playing in Austin is sadly lesson common than it once was. But Cohen is back in town to…
Songwriters Sallie Ford and Molly Burch Share Stubb’s Stage Sunday
Molly Burch has emerged as one of Austin’s most promising new talents. Her debut album, Please Be Mine, combined the traditional vocal pop sensibilities of Dusty Springfield with the slinky guitars and minimalist aesthetic…
Hear Moses Nesh’s Folky “Bound to Ride” From Album Due Friday
Bouncing, finger-picked guitar with a steady downbeat provides the backbone for Moses Nesh’s “Bound to Ride,” a track from the songwriter’s new album, No Labor-Saving Machine, set for release Friday on Keeled Scales Records. Nesh’s…
Slack Capital Release Show at Barracuda Tonight
From the mind of Big Bill frontman Eric Braden and Austin Town Hall Records’ owner Nathan Lankford, the second installation of Slack Capital, a compilation of 27 songs from Austin bands, arrives tonight at Barracuda…
Molly Burch Celebrates “Downhearted” Wednesday, October 5th at Barracuda
Though the mood of Molly Burch’s slinky, somber new single may be a bit downhearted, we’re anything but. On the contrary, we’re ecstatic about the upcoming release of Burch’s 7-inch single, “Downhearted,” via Captured…
Joanna Newsom Plays ACL Live Wednesday, September 7
Touring behind her most recent album Divers, the latest addition to a masterful oeuvre, Joanna Newsom stops in Austin at ACL Live next Wednesday, September 7. From the early days of harp-pop songs on Milk-Eyed Mender to…
Okkervil River, Shovels & Rope Co-Headline Lone Star Fest at Stubb’s
Sponsored by Lone Star Beer and billed as the Texas Heritage Festival, Thursday June 30’s show at Stubb’s will feature co-headliners Okkervil River and Shovels & Rope, as well as opening acts Girl…
Kevin Morby, Big Thief Play Sidewinder Wednesday 7/29: Show Preview (ATX)
An indie rock veteran and a young, up-and-coming band will share a bill at The Sidewinder this Wednesday night. Kevin Morby was once the bassist for Woods and a founding member of garage rock…
Caitlin Kraus Torres Celebrates New 7-inch with Release Party at Salvage Vanguard Theater
Like catching a glimpse of some glimmering object in the distance of a dim, dusky forest, Caitlin Kraus Torres’ songs hinge on dark melody but offer surprising flashes of lilting lightness. Kraus Torres…
Damien Jurado Brings Impeccable Song Craft to The Parish Monday 5/23 (ATX)
Damien Jurado’s recent recorded work, such as his newest record Visions of Us on the Land, has showcased elaborate, textured arrangements, a result, in part, of his collaborations with producer Richard Swift. However, at…
Cross Record’s Homecoming Show at 3Ten ACL Live Friday Night 5/20 (ATX)
After an extensive tour supporting Sheawater in myriad European and North American cities, Cross Record is coming home. The project of Emily Cross and Dan Duszynski, Cross Record creates ethereal pop that accesses tones…
Ought Performs at The Sidewinder May 20th (ATX)
A friend once argued that all bands ultimately despise being compared to other artists. But I think if someone’s calling you a punk rock Talking Heads there’s just not much room to feel slighted….
Brass Bed Celebrates New Album at Scoot Inn Tonight
Lafayette, Louisiana based band Brass Bed has long been a darling here at Pop Press International. So, it shouldn’t be taken lightly when we say that the band’s new album In the Yellow Leaf, out…
Show Preview: Psych Folk Hero Kurt Vile Plays Stubb’s Friday 4/15 (ATX)
Onstage, psych folk songwriter Kurt Vile hides behind his hair, quietly delivering impressively nuanced and sprawling songs over introspective, hazy arrangements. Similarly quietly, Vile has released some of the best and most revered…
Pageantry Celebrates Influence Album Release Tonight at Cheer Up Charlies
A few weeks ago, we were privileged to premiere “Teenage Crime Wave,” an excellent track from Dallas band Pageantry’s outstanding new collection of dream pop songs. The group’s new album, Influence, officially drops today, and…
Show Preview: Stacked Bill of Local Acts at Cheer Up Charlies Tonight (ATX)
Our privileged Austin experience means that a stacked bill of outstanding local acts constitutes almost every weekend at Cheer Up Charlies, or any number of our Red River district live music venues. Still,…
Upcoming: Protomartyr Brings Post-Punk to Sidewinder (ATX)
This Friday, post punk outfit Protomartyr brings their live show to The Sidewinder, touring behind their newest effort, The Agent Intellect, out now on Hardly Art. While the band has the ability to dissolve…
Radiation City Plays Sidewinder Tomorrow, Touring Behind Synesthetica
The Pacific Northwest continues to produce noteworthy and compelling music. Portland-based band Radiation City’s newest effort, Synesthetica, out now on Polyvinyl, offers another prime example in support of that assertion. The band’s last album, Animals in the…
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…
Show Preview: Unknown Mortal Orchestra Plays Emo’s Sunday February 7th
Touring behind a new LP, Multi-Love, psych rock outfit Unknown Mortal Orchestra has just gotten underway on a massive North American jaunt that will traverse the U.S. and make stops at festivals like Coachella, Shakey…
Shearwater Launches World Tour at North Door Wednesday February 3rd
For more than a decade now, Shearwater has been a band dear to my heart. I moved to Austin near their origin and had the privilege of watching them evolve into one of the…
Show Preview: Garage Pop Band Bully Plays Parish Thursday Feb. 4th
More than six months after the release of their debut Feels Like, Nashville based band Bully are still riding the wave of success generated by their premier LP. With Alicia Bognanno, who not only writes…
Lomelda Celebrates Forever Tonight at Cheer Up Charlies
Warm and intimate, Waco-based band Lomelda’s debut album Forever feels familiar on the first listen. Rest assured, the arrangements are fresh: dexterous, syncopated rhythms and multi-tracked vocals meander through mellow grooves and build to…
Five Shows to See in June
The summer is upon us, and we have a list of five shows in June that you should not miss. Incredibly, none of these shows are sold out, but they should be, and there’s a…
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…
The New Movement Hosts Epic Night with Comedy Underground
The popularity of comedy seems to have risen in tandem with independent music. It’s odd to think about something so broad as music or comedy as “popular” or “unpopular,” but it does make…
Gold Beach Plays New Material at Studium Tonight
I started Pop Press International in early 2012. Years before that, in 2005, I started a blog called Urban Pollution, back when few blogs were online at all. One of the first albums…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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: 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…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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….
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Damien Jurado Brings His Beautiful Sounds to Red 7 Tomorrow
I love Damien Jurado’s new album. This week is packed with great shows. Perhaps you already know about The National, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Orchestra, Phantogram, and Vampire Weekend, and we’ll definitely be…
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…
Show Preview: Mac DeMarco Brings Laid-Back Psych Pop to Mohawk
I’m pumped about this Mac DeMarco show. The last two times I’ve seen the lackadaisical psych pop guitarist have been at a SXSW event and at Fun Fun Fun Fest. Don’t get me…
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…
Equals Celebrates Album Release April 11th at Empire Control Room, Hear “Glistener” Now
Instrumental rock band Equals will celebrate the release of their new album Tracts with a show on April 11th at Empire Control Room. The album is full of multi-layered, finely textured instrumental pop tunes…
Arcade Fire Plays Austin 360 Circuit of the Americas This Thursday
With the bands we cover on Pop Press International, it’s rare that we have any incentive to make a trip to Austin’s enormous new amphitheater venue at the Circuit of the Americas racetrack….
Local Natives Cover Johnny Cash, Play Stubb’s in Austin Tomorrow Night
The last time I saw Local Natives was at the Moody Theater for their Austin City Limits taping. It was the fourth time I had seen the band, and easily the best. The…
Show Preview: S. Carey, White Hinterland, & Dana Falconberry at Holy Mountain April 7th
Listen, you’re going to need a nap Monday after work, because on Monday night, you’re going to have to be at Holy Mountain. The bill is simply too damned good. Headlining the evening…
Show Preview: White Denim and Cass McCombs at Stubb’s
Writing about Cass McCombs is always hard for me. I feel like I can’t ever contain in a post or even in words how much I love McCombs’ contribution to music over the…
Show Preview: The Tontons Headline 101X Homegrown Live Saturday 3/29 at Scoot Inn
We’ve done everything we can to display our love for the Tontons over the last couple of years as the band has risen steadily in popularity and matured musically. However, that’s not going…
Show Preview: ODESZA at Stubb’s Saturday 3/29
Increasingly, the world of EDM merges with the world of independent rock as festivals readily welcome both genres of musicians and electronic producers remix songs by respected indie artists. A fine line exists…