I can’t tell you how excited I am that this day has come. Not just because of the lineup, but for the fact that out of the 5 festivals that I attended last year, Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest was….the most fun. The name speaks for itself. It’s not a lineup chocked full of heavies, but It’s pretty friggin cool regardless. Some standouts for me: The National, St. Vincent, Minus the Bear, Kool Keith, Islands, Frightened Rabbit, Magnetic Morning, Bad Brains, Flipper, Dan Deacon, and a few others... Read Full Story

We all love reading interviews with our favorite bands, and the interviews usually cover a lot of the same stuff, how the band got started, new album details, etc., etc., etc. Coming into contact with quite a few artists on a regular basis, I figured I could prepare a short set of short answer questions that I could deliver without having to go into a lengthy sit session of talking and editing. This is the third in what I hope to be a long series of “Get To Know In 7″ and any suggestions or... Read Full Story

David Byrne has reunited with his old Talking Heads co-producer Brian Eno for a new album called Everything That Happens Will Happen Today. Luckily for all of us, hearing that album happens today. The album is streaming in the below player, and is also available for purchase in various formats here. After just a quick listen to all 11 songs, it’s easily the best thing from David Byrne in years and is probably one of the better albums released this year. Also make sure to check out the short... Read Full Story

The first round of artists have been announced for this year’s CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival. Included in this first round are A Place to Bury Strangers, Dungen, Deerhoof, Lykke Li, Minus the Bear, Monotonix (I’ve heard these guys are insane live), Octopus Project, The Dears, The Rosebuds, and many more. Click the pic for the full list and watch for updates. Read Full Story

I posted this YouTube video awhile back while discussing a rumor that And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead might be a yet to be announced artist for this year’s Fx3 Fest. I knew that the band was scheduled to record their upcoming release with Mike McCarthy and was surprised to hear that they had begun sessions with “Frenchie” Smith over at The Bubble. What I didn’t know at the time, was the switch was made because the band was, should I say…unhappy with McCarthy? I found this posted on... Read Full Story

photo : valerie@fremin.net By this point most Austin blogs have posted the ACL Afterparties list, so this news probably isn’t new to you, but should be of interest for 2 reasons. 1. Dead Confederate 2. Heartless Bastards. Best bill on Friday night if you ask me. Here’s the schedule: Thursday September 25, 2008 -An evening with Manu Chao @ Stubb’s -David Byrne - Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno @ Paramount Theatre Friday, September 26, 2008 -Gnarls Barkley w/ CSS @ Stubb’s -Jamie... Read Full Story

photos : valerie@fremin.net I’ll be the first to admit that I’m getting to that point of being an old, jaded music snob. I’ve been fighting it for years, and will do my best to remain as partial as I can, but the reality is… I’ve got a few years of experience under my belt, and I’ve seen and heard a few bands in my lifetime. It’s like anything in life. The more that you experience as time passes, the more your palette changes, and matures. The point of this intro is to lay down the... Read Full Story

NYC’s The Walkmen have just released a smattering of tour dates that brings them to our fine city sometime in October. One band I have yet to see live, and the Parish should be a fine setting for our first encounter. The band has the most recent recordingYou and Me slated for “official” release next week, but you can purchase the album for $5 now @ Amie Street with all sales collected there going to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in honor of Luca Vasallo. That’s pretty awesome. MP3... Read Full Story

I wrote this post the day my grandmother, Leda Doolan, was laid to rest. Why I didn’t publish it then, is as much a mystery to me as life itself. That’s me, my sister, my grandfather Michael Doolan, and my grandmother Leda in the photo. I started this blog because music inhabits my soul. Music is as much a part of me as family, music is the soundtrack to my life, my thoughts, and an outward extension of my emotions and feelings. I didn’t seek it out, it found me, and we have been friends... Read Full Story

art by: sean lew The Austin City Limits Festival has made an amazing addition to it’s 2008 lineup: Fleet Foxes. Off the schedule is Ingrid Michaelson, as she’s now opening for Jason Mraz in Europe. Fleet Foxes join the festival at 12:30 spot on Saturday at the AMD stage, a spot once held by MGMT, who move to the AT&T Blue room stage at 5:30 (Michaelson’s old spot). Fleet Foxes are a definite must see and their amazing Letterman performance alone should guarantee them a rather nice sized... Read Full Story