September is a big month for locals The Black and White Years, starting with the much-anticipated release of their self-titled debut and continuing with their noon set at ACL on Saturday. The group’s funk-addled rock and roll makes for energetic sets and possibly dancing, so come prepared. ...

Electric Touch, former IV Thieves member Shane Lawlor's new band, played at Stubb's last night. Locals the Steps opened. Photos courtesy Gregory Cooper. ...

Austin's Electric Touch are something of an overnight sensation. They turned up on the local scene in late 2007, the product of former IV Thieves member Shane Lawlor (who moved here from Nottingham, England with his ex-band) and former Bojones members Christopher and Louis Messina. After playing a few gigs, the band quickly landed a record deal with Houston's Justice label along with gigs at SXSW, Lollapalooza, and ACL Fest. The band will also be touring for a month with Scotland's The Fratellis this fall....

Every once in a while a band manages to completely surpass the local initiation, breaking out into the national or international scene seemingly out of the blue. Though it's often the case that these bands -- despite well-educated marketing teams by their side -- fling themselves out into the wilds of pop fancy only to be thrown back home to local audiences who have never heard of them, it's not necessarily the rule. ...