Feature Articles

Spotlight: Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights

When they hit the tiny BMI stage for their Austin City Limits Festival debut, Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights had some of the toughest competition possible: Rain. Not just a misty drizzle. A heavy-duty down- pour.

Spotlight: Casey Donahew Band

Casey Donahew knows getting ahead is all about standing out.

Q&A: Slaid Cleaves

Austin's favorite New England transplant talks about grave inspirations, the merits of a good mentor and adopting to Texas.

Spotlight: Amanda Shires

The Texas Return of Prodigal Son Ben Kweller

BEN KWELLER walks up to a picnic table behind Flipnotics looking, for the most part, just like any South Austin hipster. He’s wearing a Levi’s corduroy jacket — you know, the kind with the sherpa fur collar — and a trucker hat, his wavy mane of hair flowing out from beneath. 

Q&A: Jimmie Dale Gilmore

The Flatlanders’ resident cosmic hippie songbird reflects on the legendary Lubbock trio’s epic run, their new album and the bonding power of laughter.

BY RICHARD SKANSE

The Texas Music Reader Appreciation Party was a huge success. Held once again at Scholz Beer Garten in Austin during South By Southwest, the day featured performances by Gurf Morlix, Future Clouds and Radar, Slaid Cleaves, Micky and the Motorcars, Shawn Sahm and Augie Meyers, Voices of a Grateful Nation and Jon Dee Graham.  Video of the festivities can be found at texasmusiccafe.com.

HOW A SKINNY KID FROM LUBBOCK BROKE — AND REMADE — THE TEMPLATE FOR ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

Our annual look back at the biggest names and stories of the last 12 months — from Alejandro Escovedo's rock 'n' roll roar to Jessica Simpson's country crossover, and a little bit of everything else in between.

Alejandro’s Rock 'n' Roll Dream
With Real Animal — and a little push from the Boss — a True Believer finally gets his due.

BY LYNNE MARGOLIS

Photo: Ross Halfin