SXSW Music kicks off on Wednesday the 12th, as always with the Annual Austin Music Awards at Austin Music Hall, but it has become clear over the last few years that the music really starts the night before. Just thinking back to last year, we remember walking up and down Red River, watching bands like Golden Bear, White Denim and Broken Teeth at venues such as Beauty Bar, Emo’s and Red 7, and congratulating ourselves for getting started early....

If you’re a fan of Okkervil River, the news keeps getting better. First there was an online release of an exclusive mix-tape titled Golden Opportunities last December. Then, the smaller matter of the recently announced SXSW gig with Roky Erikson at the Annual Austin Music Awards. Finally, we get to enjoy a live webcast of their show in Amsterdam tomorrow at the Paradiso -- hold your horses if you’re logging onto Orbitz already, it is sold out!...

Chris Rose, or Car Stereo (Wars), will ensure 2008 kicks off right, with a barrage of dance floor ready material that includes a fair share of samples and mash-ups, no doubt. Happy New Year!...

Spider House and the United States Art Authority, along with yours truly, want to keep you away from downtown this New Year’s Eve. Sure the shenanigans on 6th St. is always stirring but keeping within the cozy confines of the campus area is arguably safer and largely less expensive. Spider House hosts a solid line-up of DJ’s with a couple of live acts thrown in for good measure. Doors are at 8 p.m. and the $12 tickets can be purchased in advance via Front Gate Tickets....

As you might recall, a homeless man inadvertently started a fire on the outdoor patio of Mother's Cafe earlier this month, causing an estimated $500,000 in damage. No charges were filed against the man, John Evans, who was merely trying to stay warm; Mother's co-owner Cameron Alexander demonstrated an extraordinary degree of compassion in agreeing with fire investigators that Mr. Evans should not be punished. While no one was injured by the blaze, much......

Emo’s might be the talk of the town during the first week of the year with its three-stage-pronged free show attack, but this Saturday, Stubb’s does its best to bite into the monopoly with a substantial triple bill. Just Guns kick off the evening with a dose of quality alt-country pop. Their debut full-length, Secrets/Spotlights, is laden with lyrical wisdom set to twangy hooks and pedal steel malaise, and their talent is prevalent every......