The Latest News from SXSW Music

Everyone's favorite source of awesomeness, American Apparel, is bringing their Factory Flea Market back to Austin, with tens of thousands of pieces --from classic AA favourites to sweet vintage scores--all at up to 85% off! Prices start at $1, so get there early, and get ready for deals! The inventory will be replenished all weekend, so be sure to keep checking in.

I've been following Linus of Hollywood on Twitter for a while and he's a genuinely funny dude. His drunk tweeting is generally amusing rather than annoying and I even won one of his cds once for being the first to reply something really embarrassing... I've repressed the memory of what it was exactly.

The Day Stage Café presented by SESAC is back again this year with a thick slate of great acts. SESAC is a performing rights organization whose stated goal is to ensure proper compensation for songwriters and publishers. As a champion of the music makers, there is no better partner to present the Day Stage Café.

The Whigs are really poised to just, you know, take over. Their highly anticipated follow up to Mission Control is titled In the Dark and is due out tomorrow.

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth... okay, two years ago... singer/guitarist Parker Gispert subjected himself to The LPQ.

By its very nature, soul music is a changeable thing. The form emerged from the streets of Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Memphis, and found worldwide acclaim in the early '60s. It grew more funky and psychedelic as times changed, and even transformed into disco for a while. Much like jazz that came before it, this African-American art form is challenged to maintain its identity and its audience in this 21st century era.

There will be a plethora of exciting instruments in Gear Alley this year. From pedals and programs to saxophones that fit in your pocket, you can find just about anything you want in the Alley. Ovation and Taylor are two great guitar companies helping anchor the exhibit this year.