Image from www.kut.orgBefore you get too bogged down with finals, papers, end-of-the-semester projects, etc., you might consider this for next semester: KUT is currently taking applications for their Spring Break/SxSW Intern Program. Interns in this program will undergo an intensive week-long audio journalism training program under guidance from KUT and NPR staff. KUT is looking for two student journalists to cover Film and three to cover Music during the SxSW Festival. You must be at......

Tribeza's Fashion Show was the ultimate mixer, attracting well over 300 people last Friday night at the Blanton Museum. During the hour leading up to the show, crafty DIY designers chatted up boutique owners and journalists in the VIP section, while impossibly slim women, wearing everything from vintage hats to shorts and sandals, sipped cocktails under the museum terrace. We arrived early to sample complimentary hors d'oeurves of the raw-fish variety, prepared by Truluck's, Starlite,......

In recent weeks, news out of Austin City Hall hasn't been too great. In fact, as more and more stories of "improper" or, shall we say, "uncomfortable" relationships between our elected officials and businesses float to the surface, it looks as though one of the nation's most admired muncipal governments may, in fact, be a tad more crooked than we all thought. Of course, only time will tell, but things are not looking so good......

Those who grew up with NPR as auxiliary parent will doubtless recognize the names Maria Hinojosa and Ray Suarez, the honored guests at Spark: KLRU's Engaging Speaker Series this Wednesday. (So, do their pictures match your mental conception of how they'd look? 'Cuz the first time we saw a pic of Terry Gross, we flipped out.) Hinojosa, the anchor of NPR's Latino USA, is also most recently the author of a memoir of Mexican-American......

We've been fans of Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche ever since happening upon his spectacular 2004 release, Two Way Monologue. Lerche (that's “Lurk-uh”, not “Lurch,” or "Lur-chey") credits his heartfelt, folksy pop stylings to a veritable goulash of decades-spanning influences, from Brazilian psych-rockers Os Mutantes and Elvis Costello (whom he recently toured with) to XTC and Fleetwood Mac. His latest album, Phantom Punch, was released a few weeks ago, and brims with the same youthful......

Spark, KLRU's annual Engaging Speaker Series, brings to Austin some of our nation's foremost authorities in politics, science, literature, and more for lively discussions at the Paramount Theatre. All events, running from January to May, feature a 45-minute presentation given by the visiting speakers followed by a 30-minute Q&A session with the audience. For 2007, Spark turns its eye to issues with a "global impact, social significance and community relevance." Hence, they're kicking off......

Emo's has made it onto Playboy.com's A-List of America's Ten Best Rock Clubs, chosen from among thousands of venues by musicians, music journalists and industry insiders. "One of the main venues for the annual South By Southwest booze-and-music bacchanal in the spring, Emo's remains at the center of this bohemian college town's vibrant music scene all year round," reads the gushing post, further clarifying that "the club's name is no indication of the genre......

With so much on the line in next month’s Texas gubernatorial election, you'd expect the Texas media would be doing as much as possible to cover the various candidates, for the purpose of properly informing We, the voters. Not so: This year, for the first time in Texas history, one corporate entity will have total ownership over the public discourse. Live debates have always the been the best possible way – outside of actually......

Whilst attending any gallery reception, you might start to feel wings of social fabulousness budding just beneath your shoulder blades. Don't panic -- they look so cute. Besides, can you help it if art lifts you up where you belong? This Friday, aim to get a rise out of a number of art openings around town. Those who like lacquer (and who among ye doesn't?) should visit the Fielding Lecht Gallery. A new exhibit,......

In her more than 60 years as Washington reporter---covering every president since JFK---Helen Thomas has earned respect, admiration, and a front-row seat in the press room. She’s also earned a reputation for her no-holds-barred questions---a reputation that got her booted to the back of the room and virtually ignored by the current administration. Now Thomas is directing her questions---and her barbs---at her fellow journalists. In her latest book, Watchdogs of Democracy?: The Waning Washington Press......

M O N D A Y [ 1 4 ] music · Dios (Malos), Pilotdrift and Steeltrain at Stubb's music · The Lemurs and Tarantula A.D. at the Parish Room film · Spiderhouse Cafe screens "Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price" (RSVP, Free, 10pm) (Thanks, Kate!) shopping · Austin Museum of Art's Tax-Free Day music · Piebald, Hot Rod Circuit, Hit the Light and Valient Thorr at Emo's music · Nic Armstrong and the......

Not long ago we sat down at Progress Coffee and shot the shit with one of Austin’s most respected DJ Institutions: DJ Mel. For almost ten years Mel has been plying his trade, developing his craft, and honing his skills here in Austin. Sure, we could focus this interview on his nine years DJing at the fabled (and debaucherous-by-reputation) Monday Night at Nasty’s. Or his Friday gigs at Tambaleo. We could ask him philosophic......

In January of 2003, Austin American-Statesman reporter Kevin Carmody published a startling exposé, revealing to an unbeknownst public that Barton Springs, Austin's natural landmark synonymous with summertime idyll, contained dangerously high levels of toxins and pollutants - of such magnitude so as to potentially cause various cancers and debilitating neurological afflictions. The media frenzy ignited by these scathing articles was swift and ferocious: the City quickly engaged in damage-control, hiring 'expert' toxicologists to dispute......

The Peels are a rock band out of San Francisco, now under indie DIY darlings Dim Mak Records. Their debut LP "S/T", produced by the legendary John Goodmanson, was released back in February this year. Now on tour with The Raveonettes and Autolux, The Peels took time after their show last week at the Parish Room to sit down for a chat with Austinist. We spoke with lead singer Robyn Miller and bassist Joshua......

Beginning today, a new soccer-only radio show will be taking to the air. From 6:00-6:30PM each Thursday, “Soccer Mad,” hosted by Austinites Wade Quackenbush and Ben Gardner, will provide a forum for Austin soccer fans to hear and discuss the latest news from professional soccer leagues around the world. Featuring compelling interviews with pro and college players, as well as other soccer journalists, the hosts hope to reach more than just soccer enthusiasts, in......

We hear rumors that The Austin Chronicle is going to launch a new supplement to its weekly that will be geared towards a younger, hipper audience. "... Apparently it's being put out by younger members of the staff who can only take so much Flatlanders and Linklater..." said our source. We know that we're sick to death of hearing about most of what the Chronicle has to say, but we're not sure if slapping a......

Through a series of shady dealings and lucky circumstances, Austinist and its posse ended up in the private Napster party last night. As we stood at the bar, we noticed that people were being given little bags as they left. "What could be in those bags?" we wondered. Having seen the freebies given out by the parties at the Interactive festival, we figured it was probably a teeshirt, possibly a sticker, and maybe a......