Bishop Allen Shares Second Track from Upcoming Album
As previously reported, Justin Rice’s indie pop project Bishop Allen will return with a brand new album, Lights Out, due out August 19th on Dead Oceans. The group has already shared one single, and…
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…
New Track: Letting Up Despite Great Faults – “Wrapped”
Austin synth pop band Letting Up Despite Great Faults has shared the initial single from their forthcoming album Neon, due out on August 12. The cover for Neon features an array of flowers in a…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The National Comes to Austin for Three Nights at ACL Live
While I highly doubt anyone reading this blog is being informed for the first time that The National will be in Austin for three nights next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at ACL Live,…
Post Rock Band Chipper Jones Video Premiere: “amarillo/headrush”
Although Austin is not a city known for its experimental pop and instrumental post-rock, such as that created by duo Chipper Jones, the genre does have a presence and a precedent in this…
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…
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…
Contest: Win Tickets to Thee Silver Mt. Zion Orchestra at Mohawk April 22nd
When I discovered A Silver Mt. Zion circa 2002, I was immediately hooked. Off kilter orchestral music that simultaneously embraced beauty and sorrow while challenging the paradigm of rock music—the band was definitely…
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…
Show Preview: The Districts Play Stubb’s Tonight
The Districts released their debut EP on Fat Possum in January; the self-titled effort featured rootsy rock that moved from somber to frenetic as evidenced on the track “Funeral Beds.” Steady kick drum…
La Snacks Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary with Album Release Show
Austin band La Snacks are something of a mainstay in the independent music scene. Tomorrow night, they’ll celebrate 10 years of being a band as well as the release of a new record, Le…
Stream New EP From Whiite Walls Now; Release Show Friday
Whiite Walls is 1979. The band’s new EP embodies that musical era when the lines between dance and punk began to blur. There’s a little bit of disco, lots of hi-hat, twinkling guitar…
Show Preview: Young Girls, Reservations, Shivery Shakes at Lambert’s
So you came out of hibernation for Neutral Milk Hotel and realized how great live music is. You love that you live in the “Live Music Capital of the World,” but secretly harbor…
The Tontons Play Stubb’s Tonight, Opening for Bright Light Social Hour
We’ve written about The Tontons quite a bit here at Pop Press International and are huge fans of the band, which has seen increasingly widespread acclaim in recent months. Tonight, the group will…
Show Preview: Lord Huron with Superhumanoids at Emo’s
Next Monday and Tuesday night, Lord Huron and Superhumanoids will take over Emo’s for a two night stint. Monday night is already SOLD OUT, but if you’re going to Neutral Milk Hotel that…
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…
Austin Psych Fest Makes Incredible Lineup Even More Incredible
Remember when we posted Austin Psych Fest’s initial 2014 lineup and were so flabbergasted at its greatness we almost couldn’t communicate it? Remember when Austin Psych Fest announced a second wave of performing…
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…
New Orleans’ Buku Festival Adds Nas, Sleigh Bells, and More to Lineup
We’re pumped about New Orleans’ relatively young music and arts festival, Buku, and told you as much late last year when the incredible lineup was announced, including The Flaming Lips, Explosions in the…
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…
Show Preview: Cate Le Bon with Kevin Morby (of Woods) & Love Inks at Mohawk
We fell in love with Cate Le Bon’s newest album Mug Musuem late last year. The record received widespread acclaim, but in some senses flew under the radar. Tomorrow night Le Bon will play…
Loop to Play Austin Psych Fest Among First US Dates in 24 Years
British band Loop took the psychedelic onset of the 1960s and created their own sound that made them one of the premier UK bands of the 1980s, sharing sensibilities with like-minded psych, shoegaze,…
Show Preview: Pure Bathing Culture & La Luz at Red 7
The last time I saw La Luz, the four girls demanded that the crowd part to create a row down which concertgoers could dance a la Soul Train. Yes. These ladies are awesome….
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…
Austin Psych Fest Announces Killer Lineup
You know how sometimes a festival announces a lineup and there are a couple of good bands and you want to see them and then some of the other bands aren’t as interesting…
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 Preview: Juliana Barwick Brings Gorgeous Sounds to The Parish Thursday, December 5th
Tomorrow night, Juliana Barwick will bring her beautiful music to the Parish, and you should be there. Part of the trouble with trying to describe the transcendently beautiful quality of Juliana Barwick’s music…
Show Preview: Built to Spill and Genders Play Stubb’s Saturday November 23rd
You’d have to be completely out of touch with alternative music to not know indie-rock legends Built to Spill. Doug Martsch and his band seem to be increasingly active these days, and their…
Chvrches Play Sold Out Stubb’s Show Friday November 22nd
This summer, Chvrches sold out the Mohawk, and it took almost no time for them to get back to Austin. This time, the band has sold out the much larger Stubb’s and will…
Show Preview: Moon Honey at Red 7 Thursday November 21st
Recently, we brought you a video from Louisiana based band Moon Honey. The video and song, which is culled from the bands forthcoming album Hand-Painted Dream Photographs, features lush, ambling, psychedelic arrangement. On Thursday…
Show Preview: Cass McCombs Plays The Belmont Friday November 22nd
Cass McCombs is one of independent musics most underrated songwriters. Furthering his catalogue of reflective, somber pop that channels rock and Americana through diverse production styles, McCombs issued the expansive and excellent 22-track…
Show Preview: Destroyer Plays The Belmont Tuesday November 19th
I don’t know why I never realized how influential Television is on the music of Dan Bejar until I saw Television live at Fun Fun Fun Fest. Anyway, if you saw Television at…
Folk Rock Outfit Quiet Life Opens for Head and The Heart in Austin
You may already know that The Head and the Heart will play back to back nights in Austin at Stubb’s this Saturday and Sunday evenings. It’s always nice to see a larger act…
Show Preview: Poliça at Emo’s w/ Marijuana Deathsquads
We’ve brought you a couple posts about Poliça leading up the release of their sophomore album Shulamith, which dropped last month to favorable reviews. The synth-pop group will be in Austin tonight for a show…
Show Preview: Kate Nash, La Sera, and Galpals at Mohawk Saturday November 16th
Saturday night will be popstastic. And perhaps even more importantly, completely fueled by amazingly talented female musicians. British indie-pop songstress Kate Nash will take over the outdoor stage at the Mohawk and will…
Show Preview: of Montreal at The Mohawk Friday November 15th
You really can’t beat an of Montreal show. Kevin Barnes and co. make most other live acts seem like emphatic yawners. From insane costumes of skeletons and creatures to sexually explicit cartoonish enactments…
11 Bands You Should Not Miss at Fun Fun Fun Fest
Okay, so you just couldn’t handle the realness of our exhaustive chronological preview of artists we recommend seeing at Fun Fun Fun Fest. You’re looking for the bottom line. Something a little more…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Preview: Who To See, Where, and When
So you never got around to planning your schedule for Fun Fun Fun Fest. We get it! You’ve got a lot going on. Don’t worry. Just sit back and relax–that’s what we’re here…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Spotlight: Merchandise
See Merchandise. You’re going to see Merchandise. Why are you going to see Merchandise? They absolutely slay. Seriously. We saw them at NXNE this summer at one of the best shows of the festival. Tons of…
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…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Spotlight: Cayucas
You need a reason to go to Fun Fun Fun Fest? You need more than the best weather imaginable? You need more than the beautiful scenery of Auditorium Shores? The lineup itself affords…
The Julie Ruin Gets Remixed by YACHT, Performs Fun Fun Fun Fest
We’ve been stoked about former Bikini Kill member Kathleen Hanna’s project The Julie Ruin since its inception, and we’re especially excited to see the group perform at this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest…
Show Preview: Cults with Mood Rings at Emo’s Monday, Nov. 4th
Often, the mind numbing bore of Monday can put you in a bad mood, but luckily, this Monday Emo’s is providing an easy fix by hosting Cults with openers Mood Rings. Cults create…
Show Preview: CocoRosie at The Belmont Saturday, Nov. 2nd
CocoRosie’s most recent opus, Tales of a GrassWidow, was cinematic, narrative, and imaginative. Their live shows hold the same allure, featuring costumes, extravagant staging, and of course, CocoRosie’s haunting and peculiar songs. The band…
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…
Show Preview: The Blow with Love Inks Plus Those Darlins at Red 7, Saturday Nov. 2nd
Let me tell you how much we like The Blow. I once flew The Blow from Seattle to Austin to perform for a New Year’s Eve party sponsored by my blog in 2007….
Show Preview: Grape St., John Wesley Coleman, Booher, and Twinsmith at Hotel Vegas
If you’re looking for the best local music on Halloween, we already told you about Tele Novella’s show at The Owl tomorrow night. But if you’re in search of a weekend endeavor, we…
Show Preview: Cumulus Plays with Lonely Forest Tonight at Holy Mountain
I can’t put into words all of the personal reasons I have to be excited about this show. Cumulus is from Seattle and recorded their new album in The Unknown–the same venue that…
Show Preview: Tele Novella Follows New Video with Special Halloween Show at The Owl
If you, like us, were a fan of Agent Ribbons, then you’re undoubtedly already a fan of Natalie Ribbons’ new pop outfit Tele Novella that features members of Voxtrot, Jason Chronis and Matt…
Show Preview: Ashley Eriksson at The Owl Thursday Oct 30th
This is the best show you don’t know about in a good while. The Owl is formerly Baby Blue Studios, and while the venue may be slightly off the beaten path, it has…
Fun Fun Fun Fest Spotlight: Q and A with Mark Perro of The Men
The lineup for Fun Fun Fun Fest this year is impeccable. It’s hard to even know which band to be most excited about, but for us, The Men certainly rise to the top…
Top 11 Picks for ACL Weekend Two
So, you bought tickets for the second weekend of ACL in its inaugural year. You suffered through the pictures and excitement of half your friends going to the first weekend. But look on…
Show Preview: Ty Segall’s Fuzz at Red 7 on Friday, October 4th
In the last couple of years, few have been as prolific as celebrated garage rocker Ty Segall. We’ve seen a pair of albums and almost half a dozen shows here in Austin. As…
Show Preview: New Order Bassist Peter Hook and the Light Perform Tonight at The Belmont
Recent touring by both the outfit still retaining the moniker New Order as well as original New Order bassist Peter Hook with his band The Light has sparked some controversy as well as…
Show Preview: Austra and DIANA Play Mohawk Tomorrow Night Sept. 13
Tomorrow night, two great bands will perform outdoors at the Mohawk, offering the opportunity to kick off your weekend with dreamy and powerful pop music. You may have caught Austra opening for The…
Doldrums Announces National Tour, Shares Tour-inspired Mixtape
I’ve always been fascinated by and appreciative of the interactions of musicians with fans in a way that transcends simply creating music. Certainly interviews can serve as one method of “getting to know”…
Show Preview: Broncho Plays Stubb’s Saturday September 14th
This Saturday, Broncho will perform a KUTX sponsored set inside Stubb’s. The band is a good bet for a high energy weekend night with songs that incorporate distorted guitars, uptempo riffs, and quick…
Chelsea Wolfe Plays Mohawk Tonight
Chelsea Wolfe released Pain is Beauty just this past Tuesday to immediate and widespread acclaim. Fittingly, Wolfe’s music embraces both the austere and the sublime. You can see what the hype is all…
Ty Segall Performs New Album Sleeper at Mohawk Tuesday August 27th
Those of you who were at Ty Segall’s last sold out show at Mohawk along with us know what a blistering performance the psychedelic rocker can put on. So, we’re betting you’ll be…
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…
Show Preview: Eleanor Friedberger and TEEN at The Parish Tonight
Eleanor Friedberger of the Fiery Furnaces furthered her solo career by releasing Personal Record last week on Merge Records. Tonight, she will perform at The Parish and will be supported by TEEN, who recently…
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…
Show Preview: Win Tickets to Radiation City at Mohawk Tuesday June 4th
Last week, we reviewed (and greatly liked) Radiation City’s newest album Animals in the Median, which draws from a vast variety of musical influences and packs a ton of sound into songs both airy…
Show Preview: Win Tickets to Quiet Company May 31st at The Belmont
Austin’s Quiet Company has slowly but surely risen to being one of the city’s most lauded bands. Following a rapid expansion of their fanbase, fueled by appearances at festivals and on television, the…
Show Preview: Black Moth Super Rainbow at Mohawk Tuesday May 28th
In October of last year, experimental psych band Black Moth Super Rainbow dropped their fifth studio album Cobra Juicy. The band will bring their experiential live show to Mohawk on Tuesday night for a…
Contest and Show Preview: Best Coast at Mohawk on Sunday May 26th
Could there be a better way to kick off the summer than taking in the beachy sounds of California indie pop group Best Coast. Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno have become households names…
Show Preview: Win Tickets to !!! at Mohawk on Saturday May 25th
!!! (or Chk Chk Chk, if you prefer) has pretty consistently cranked out a danceable and irresistibly fun album every three years, but they remain lodged in my mind as a band that was at…
Show Preview: The Boxing Lesson Record Release Show Tonight at Mohawk
Two days ago, celebrated Austin band The Boxing Lesson dropped their new album, Big Hits! on Frenchie Smith records. Tonight, the band will celebrate the release with a show at Mohawk that includes support…
