As we prepare for a tropical storm, we thought it’d be perfect timing to give you some new music to listen to on your MP3 player (you do have enough batteries, right?) – the August edition of the Houstonist iMix. This month, not only do we have fresh music from favorites Beck and My Morning Jacket, but we also bring you a cut from Houston rockers The Tontons EP Sea and Stars. Other new music... [continue]

After almost two months of 90+ degree weather, we thought it was time to share some of our favorite summer songs on the July edition of the Houstonist iMix. For some reason, summer and the 1980’s go hand-in-hand for Houstonist. Maybe it’s because we were wee ones at the time without a worry in the world, or maybe 80’s music was just more fun in general. Either way, we have our share of summer songs... [continue]

Love makes you happy. Happiness fuels good pop songs. This is probably why the husband and wife team, the core of Mates of State, seem to pull off the fun pop sound and great harmonies so naturally. The couple met over a decade ago, and their indie-pop fan base has grown with each album they’ve released. Securing opening slots for Death Cab for Cutie and Spoon a couple of years ago didn’t hamper their success,... [continue]

We’ve been getting into some good new music lately, and enjoying some old favorites. Like we do every month, we’re sharing those favorites with you on June’s edition of the Houstonist iMix. Nada Surf has come a long way since their 90’s high school ode “Popular.” We start off the iMix with a track from their latest pop masterpiece Lucky. Another track from The Raconteurs sophomore album that we love is the more somber “Old... [continue]

The two biggest shows this week are up north in The Woodlands. Radiohead returns with their sold out show, supporting the fantastic In Rainbows album. The Police also come back to Houston (with Elvis Costello), as they wrap up a tour that many will say will be their last. Other shows not to miss: Old 97’s will perform in-store at Cactus Thursday after work, warming up for their full concert later this month. The... [continue]

The Wainwright family isn’t lacking in talent. Singer/songwriter Loudon Wainwright III’s father was an editor and columnist for Life magazine, while two of his children, Rufus and Martha, are singer/songwriters themselves. (Loudon wrote a few songs about his kids, including the ironic breastfeeding song "Rufus Is a Tit Man".) Loudon Wainwright III is best known for his 70’s novelty hit “Dead Skunk,” but, novelty songs aside, his artistic abilities were more in-line with Bob Dylan... [continue]

Our iMix leads off with a track from the second Raconteurs album – the project is so good it makes us think that anything Jack White touches turns to gold. Local favorite Hayes Carll’s tongue-in-cheek “She Left Me for Jesus” is included, followed by two newer bands that are getting a lot of press these days: NYC’s indie-pop band Vampire Weekend and L.A.’s psychedelic rock Dengue Fever. Folk punk band Against Me! Got some airtime... [continue]

Not many bands take 38 years to release an album, but Mudcrutch has. When they first attempted to break into the music scene in the 70’s, they didn’t have much luck. However, one of their band members, Tom Petty, ended up fairing much better several years later. Petty has reunited with his old band mates, recorded some new songs, and threw in some others to create the first official Mudcrutch album. - Watch a mini-documentary... [continue]

Sure, this video is from Marc Broussard's first full-length album from a few years back, but it's still one of our favorite songs. The song is a testament to Broussard's soulful, bluesy voice while the video offers a glimpse of the singer -- who's much younger, and whiter, than he sounds. The Louisianian native is headlining at Warehouse Live tomorrow night, but you can also catch a short set from him for free tomorrow... [continue]

Did we tell you how excited we were when we first learned that Cactus Music was re-opening last year? If not, we should have. Houston never had a record store that new Texas like Cactus. Their collection of local and regional music is superb, and they’ve even dedicated a whole room to their vinyl collection this time around (and almost 20 years after that format was considered “dead,” it, The Record Ranch, is making a... [continue]

Houstonist is excited about the variety of local and national acts playing this week. Tonight, you have two choices: Rock fans should check out The Monocles – the Houston band is celebrating the release of their new CD tonight at The Mink; and, over at The Duck, folk legend (20 years makes you a legend, right?) Michelle Shocked makes a long-overdue appearance. This weekend, in addition to the music line-up at iFest, we recommend... [continue]

The little indie pop band Tokyo Police Club, from Canada has made quite a buzz in the past year or so with its singles, EP’s, and tours. Today, they finally release their first full-length album, Elephant Shells. -Watch a video for "Nature of the Experiment" on YouTube -Read an album review in Rolling Stone -Buy Elephant Shells New Zealnd's "fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo," Flight of the Conchords, also finally release their... [continue]

In 1992, Ministry released their heaviest CD (in sound, not weight ... we're sure the CD weighed just as much as their other CD's) to date. Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs sold almost a million copies and gave the band bona fide college radio hits in "Jesus Built My Hotrod," "N.W.O.," and this video, "Just One Fix." It's the only music video that we know of that... [continue]

Two festivals to check out this weekend: International Festival (or iFest, for those who want to sound geeky) kicks off its first weekend with a varied line-up. Also, many miles away down on Crystal Beach off Bolivar Peninsula, Hayes Carll is hosting the second annual Stingaree Festival, featuring local and national Americana/alt.country acts. Son Volt will play for a packed crowd tonight at the Continental Club. Grammy-winner Shelby Lynn visits Warehouse Live on Friday... [continue]

The past couple of years, the folks who organize the Westheimer Block Party haven’t always had Mother Nature on their side. This weekend, that will not be the case. There’s no reason to miss this year’s showcase, which begins at noon on various stages near Westheimer and Taft (check out the line-up). Also, KTRU is hosting its Annual Outdoor Showcase on Sunday, with another stellar line-up. So, is there a local band that’s not... [continue]

We know how busy things can get this time of year – whether it’s work, school, or whatever, we just seem to be running around like crazy. That’s why lately, we’ve been craving some downtime, listening to some of our laidback favorites. Some of those favorites include French actress (and sometimes musician) Julie Delpy, recent big Grammy winner Herbie Hancock’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s “River” (with Corinne Bailey Rae on vocals), new music from Chicago’s... [continue]

Just about everyone that owns an electric bass guitar loves Les Claypool. The former front man for Primus created a distinguishable sound of his own a couple of decades ago, churning out huge 90's college radio hits like "Jerry Was A Race Car Driver" and "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver" (which isn't about Winona Ryder, but her image still pops in our head when we hear the song). These days, Les' biggest paycheck probably comes from... [continue]

Did we miss something? Let us know. Here’s the full week line-up. Local bands are noted by an asterisk (*): Wednesday • Billy Martin – experimental/jazz | 7:30 p.m. at Heinen Theatre (HCC Central campus) • Unseen/A Wilhelm Scream/The Krum Bums/Blackstar – punk/rock | 8 p.m.at Warehouse Live Thursday • A Show for Mike "Horace" Bly (feat: *The Octanes/*Opie Hendrix/*Les Means, more) – rockabilly/alt.country | 9 p.m.at Continental Club • Fu Manchu/Burning Brides/Max Cady... [continue]

::L’elisir d’amore:: If you’re one of those jerks that didn’t do anything special for your honey on V-day last month, you have one more chance tonight to make up for it (although, we can’t promise that you’ll be totally forgiven for being six weeks late). Rice University’s Shepherd of Music are holding their last performance of L’elisir d’amore tonight (translated to “The Elixir of Love,” for those of us who made a D in... [continue]

We think we've finally recovered from SXSW. So, we're ready for another round of concerts! This is the last week of the rodeo, so if you feel like your year would be incomplete without watching a 45 minute set from miles away in a place with horrible acoustics, then go for it. On to the rest of the shows for the week... Did we miss something? Let us know. Here’s the full week line-up.... [continue]