 Zein Al-Jundi
Born and raised in Damascus (that’s Syria), Zein Al-Jundi has called Austin home since entering UT in 1982. The former Syrian radio and television singing star has contributed a new song to Acoustic Arabia, due to be released on September 2 on the wildly popular Putumayo world music record label. The enchanting collection includes a roster of artists from all over the world, and showcases the introspective beauty of Arabic music. Al-Jundi also provided the descriptive, informative liner notes for the disc. Locally, Al-Jundi is a bit of an Arabic culture ambassador, putting on the popular Arabian Nights at Red Fez, teaching belly dance, and singing Arabic Haflehs to sold-out crowds (the next one 9/12 at La Zona Rosa). She is in the process of recording a new CD in Beirut, Lebanon.
 The National
Fun Fun Fun Fest lineup announced; tix on sale this Friday
Thee stages turn to four as Fun Fun Fun Fest turns three this year at Waterloo Park, November 8-9. The full lineup, curated by Austin-based Transmission Entertainment, ncludes Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The National, Deerhoof, Bad Brains, Dead Milkmen, and 60+ more. The festival showcases the best in current indie rock, punk, and hip-hop, with an eye for cutting edge buzz-makers on the rise. Among local notables are Trail of Dead, Shearwater, Grupo Fantasma, Ugly Beats, and Til We're Blue or Destroy. Performers also include comedy acts. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 22 at $60 for a two-day pass. There will be discounts for all students; children under 10 are free. The lineup is not yet available at the festival website, but austin.com has you covered with the full lineup below.
 Photo: Guy Aceto
Alejandro and the Boss get a Harley
Well, they get a gig at the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary Celebration anyway. Springsteen asked Escovedo to join him in performing at the big show this Labor Day Weekend (August 30 to be exact). This will be the second time Escovedo has joined Springsteen and his band on stage. If you haven’t seen footage of the first, check out the video here .
Battle of the Corporate Bands to benefit HAAM
It’s been said that if you walk down any Austin street, you’ll pass by a dozen guitarists. Apparently, you can’t walk in an Austin office building without doing the same, albeit a less professional-quality musician…
 Honeypot: day jobs at GSD&M
 Photo: Rachel Warner
Austin’s thematic, bonecrushing indie rockers …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead were added to New York’s version of the surprisingly still underground (somewhat) All Tomorrow’s Parties festival, performing the final night, Sunday, September 21. Trail of Dead was invited by headliners and event curators My Bloody Valentine. ATP started in the U.K. with the unique model of inviting an influential artist or two to curate the lineup by assembling it as they would want to. My Bloody Valentine’s New York version will include Thurston Moore, Meat Puppets, Built to Spill, Dinosaur Jr., Mercury Rev, Mogwai and many more. Between now and then, Trail of Dead will be in NYC to put the finishing touches on a new album due for release in early 2009.
KUT assembling Austin unsigned band mixtape.
KUT's Texas Music Matters is calling on the deep pool of talent that makes up Austin's independent music scene to send in songs for an ongoing Austin compilation. Independent, by the way, in its true meaning—bands/musicians working without a label. So any genre goes; as it should with a good mixtape, right? Though called (according to KUT's website) the Texas Muisc Mixtape, submissions must be from Austin. There's enough great Austin acts out there to make a library of killer mixtapes, so send 'em in here .
 Jon Dee Graham
Jon Dee Graham injured, but OK.
Gravelly-voiced, gritty Americana hero Jon Dee Graham was involved in a single-car auto accident after driving home from a Dallas gig on July 25. He suffered internal injuries, broken ribs, and other injuries and was intensive care. Though released from ICU, Graham will remain in the hospital for several more days. He is recovering, but certainly needs rest and quiet. Graham was working on material for a new recording; no word yet on when he can return to the project or his active concert schedule. Check back for updates.
The Sound and the Jury contest winner will earn slot on ACL lineup.
In what could be the ultimate battle of the bands, Austin City Limits Music Festival is once again offering a spot on the lineup as grand prize for a nationwide contest. Round 1 is underway now, and bands can still register for participation. Fans, start voting. Fan vote will narrow the field to 100 on August 22. Celebrity judges will then narrow it to 20. Round 3 goes back to fans to narrow it to the top five, who will all be flown to Austin for a rock-out finale at Antone’s on September 24. The winner of that night gets a gig on the stage. Check the official rules, but essentially as long as it is 100% your original material, you can enter your music. Three of the top five in 2007 were from Austin (nelo, Quiet Company, Golden Bear), but the winner was Abilene’s Homer Hiccolm & The Rocketboys.
 Dan Dyer
Soulful piano man with a Stevie Wonder vibe, Dan Dyer—whose weekly Momo’s residency started with sparse attendance and has grown to be all the rage—is bound for much bigger stages. As of this July, Dyer is represented by ICM (International Creative Management). ICM is a powerhouse booking agency, among their clients: Mary J. Blige and Patti LaBelle. For their part, Momo’s has proven again to be a goldmine of an incubator for blossoming talent. So the next time you bemoan paying a Lincoln for cover of some band you never heard of, keep in mind that in time, they could be playing for a Jackson…in Jacksonville.
 Suzanna Choffel selected to represent Texas music.
Granted, that may be an impossible task. But the genre-crossing, preconception defying Suzanna Choffel will make a good go at it. The state’s official tourism body (Texas Tourism) is taking the Lone Star State on the road with “Texas on Tour,” a mobile marketing experience promoting Texas nationwide. No surprise, music is a big component. Even less of a surprise, Austin provided the talent pool. Choffel (Austin born and raised) will quickly dispel the thought that all Texas music is twang. Her urban-indie-soul medley seduces with grooves and exciting instrumentation (vibes, synth, sax, accordion join the guitar-bass-drum standard). The first leg of “Texas on Tour” featured Latin rock from Austin’s Vitera. After Choffel’s 5-stop stint, local blues/R&B slinger Mike Cross will round out the final leg.
Austin City Limits Producer Terry Lickona to receive AMA Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Americana Music Association is bestowing another honor upon the much deserving Terry Lickona, who has steered the pioneering "Austin City Limits" music television program since 1978. He has produced more than 800 shows for the program, which began as a Texas music showcase and grew into an iconic, culture-shaping program that boasts the National Medal of Arts in its trophy case. The AMA will present the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium September 18 to conclude the Americana Festival and Conference.
The Backyard to go out with a Willie bang; early bird tickets on sale July 19.
The venerable Austin outdoor concert nirvana, The Backyard, has just announced a special “Final Celebration” concert with Willie Nelson and many special guests in late October. The announcement creates a more fitting closure to the beloved venue, which until now had The Gipsy Kings slated as the final act. Though no specifics on the “many special guests” are available yet, The Skinny will keep you posted as news unfolds. We can tell you tickets for the October 26th event will range from $80 all the way up to $350 Golden Circle tickets. Discounted early bird tickets of $60 will be available to the first 400 ticket buyers. So get online early on Saturday, July 19. Part of the proceeds from all tickets will benefit charities. The Backyard announced its closure after 16 seasons due to the loss of atmosphere due to recent retail development surrounding the venue. The Backyard is looking for a new location in Bee Cave.
 Photo: Carl Dunn
Reckless Kelly hits Billboard charts; finds elusive success beyond Texas.
After its first week of sales, Bulletproof (Yep Roc Records, June 24) seems to be giving local roots rockers the breakout success they’ve been seeking beyond their Texas base. With a total of 6500 units sold in one week, Bulletproof amassed enough momentum to reach #2 on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart, #22 on its Country Chart and #117 on its Top 200 Chart. Another boost could come this fall when Reckless Kelly goes on a national tour with labelmates Reverend Horton Heat.
 Shearwater
Shearwater opening for Coldplay
Now doesn't it make you kick yourself for skipping Shearwater's CD release at The Parish last month? Seeing how that ticket was, oh, something like $10. And now, they're opening for Coldplay. Not only does the crowd increase, but that ticket price will come with at least one extra zero. Thus far, Shearwater is on the bill for just the first four dates in L.A., San Jose, and Las Vegas, July 14-19. They also share the bill with Coldplay at the Pemberton Festival in British Columbia a week later. By then they'll be good buds.
Trail of Dead signs with Justice Records; new album slated for January ’09.
The swirling, bombastic rock of the anthemic …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead has found a new home. The iconic band announced June 24 they have signed with Justice Records, and simultaneously launched their own label imprint, Richter Scale Records. The material for a new full-length has already been recorded in Austin with Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Sound Team, Patty Griffin) and Chris “Frenchie” Smith (Sixteen Deluxe, Smog) producing. Trail of Dead parted ways with Interscope last fall, and took their time finding a new label. Justice Records is committed to giving bands support, without interfering with creative. Sounds like a match. The band’s sixth (yet to be titled) record will be released in January ’09 on Justice/Richter Scale Records.  Roky Erickson
Scots post-rockers Mogwai tap Roky Erickson for guest vocals.
Glasgow’s influential, instrumental ambassadors release a new full-length, The Hawk is Howling, stateside September 23rd. To whet fans’ appetite, a three-song EP (with two tracks that won’t be on the full-length) is being released September 9th. Psychedelic pioneer Roky Erickson makes a vocal cameo on the song “Devil Rides” from the EP. “Devil Rides” follows the other non-album track, “Stupid Prick Gets Chased By The Police and Loses His Slut Girlfriend.” Sounds personal.
 Los Lonely Boys drop new record; join Brotherhood Tour.
Austin’s Los Lonely Boys (OK, San Angelo’s really) are joining the legendary East L.A. rock/blues/traditional Mexican music pioneers Los Lobos for a co-headlining tour hitting 19 cities throughout the U.S. The Brotherhood Tour will explode from mid-July to mid-August, as both Grammy-winning Latin rock acts are renowned for their live sets. Rolling Stone said of Los Lobos: “With the exception of U2, no other band has stayed on top of their game as Los Lobos.” Nice quote, but Los Lobos was bending genres back in 1973, long before Bono and Co. did anything of significance. Los Lonely Boys will be touring behind their third release, Forgiven, to be released July 1st on Epic. The title might be in reference to some run-ins with the law since 2006’ Sacred. Fine and dandy, but our question is: No Austin dates for the Brotherhood Tour? Really? That might not be forgiven so quickly.
Still in full swing, Hot Club of Cowtown has an upcoming greatest hits.
 Hot Club of Cowtown The University of Texas Press will publish No Depression.
While the current issue of No Depression magazine was to be its last – a fact that had roots rock and Americana music fans staring aimlessly into the abyss – the magazine’s founders/editors, Grand Alden and Peter Blackstock, have found a way to keep ‘er alive. UT Press will resume publishing No Dep, but not as the bi-monthly magazine that helped shape a genre. The second coming of the “alt-country bible” will be a meaty 144 pages, printed twice a year. No Dep first contacted UT to explore a similar partnership Living Blues Magazine enjoys with the University of Mississippi. According to Blaystock: “From there, they came up with the more specific notion of a bookazine that would be marketed more like a book, but still have a magazine-like content and feel.” The first of those bookazines, No Depression #76, will be printed by UT Press in October.  James McMurtry
Nominations for the 2008 Americana Music Awards were made in Nashville on June 11, and Austin's point-blank, grunge-folk poet James McMurtry was nominated in three categories: "Artist of the Year," "Album of the Year," and "Song of the Year." Hayes Carll was nominated for two, best album and best song. Rounding out the Austin nominees were Gurf Morlix for "Instrumentalist of the Year" and Ryan Bingham, "Best New Emerging Artist." McMurtry's album, Just Us Kids , was released in April to rave reviews from Rolling Stone to the Washington Post to austin.com . The nominated single, "Cheney's Toy," makes no bones about McMurtry's disdain for current American politics. The awards ceremony could be a deja vu for McMurtry who took home two awards in 2006 for "Best Album" (Childish Things) and "Best Song" ("We Can't Make It Hear Anymore"). Not one to rest on his lyrics, McMurtry wrings every note out of his guitar with as much piercing intensity. Carll was nominated for Trouble in Mind and its single, "She Left Me for Jesus." Winners will be announced in September at the Nashville ceremony.
 June Public Forums, Austin Live Music Task Force
The city of Austin created the Live Music Task Force this January to analyze ways to strenghten the music community in Austin. While highly regarded and intensley creative, certain challenges face the music community and Austin at large. Issues being explored are noise ordinaces, effects of development, and the low wages most musicians face. The June 11th public forum at City Hall, in the Council Chambers, will be focused on music venues and the ramifications of continued redevelopment throughout the city. There will be another public forum the following day, focusing on program assistance for musicians. Generally speaking, wages for musicians haven't increased in decades. Of course, the cost of living has. While the music scene generates over $600 million for the local economy, it hasn't necessarily been trickling down to the performers who make it happen. Task Force members include city officials, club owners, musicians, and association representatives. These public forums are an opportunity for all to let their voices be heard for the sake of the future of Austin's music scene.
 Photo: Cambria Harkey
The grids are coming! The grids are coming!
Actually, they're here. The Austin City Limits Music Festival stage-by-stage schedules are now available over at the ACL website . Start mapping your music bonanza strategy now. If you're paying attention, you'll notice a few new additions to the already insanely packed, increasingly diverse lineup, including Blues Traveler, Old 97's, Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet (featuring Bela Fleck), Dan Dyer, The Black & White Years, and more. Three-day passes are still available at $170 a pop and single day tickets go on sale starting today for $80 each. The countdown is beginning. Stay tuned to austin.com for in-depth coverage and band profiles starting the last week in June.  The Mother Truckers Little Steven taps The Mother Truckers for "Coolest Song in the World"
The Mother Truckers release Let's All Go To Bed (6.3.08) to continued press and peer approval. Little Steven van Zandt of bandana and Bruce Springsteen fame has identified The Mother Truckers' "Streets of Atlanta" as one of the coolest songs in the world. The designation goes with heavy rotaton on his Sirius syndicated radio show, Little Steven's Underground Garage. A recurring feature on the program, when the muse strikes, van Zandt labels a new tune the "coolest song in the world." The popular feature has spawned coolest songs in the world compilations. In a post-record release party, Mother Truckers guitarist/songwriter/singer Josh Zee was found hoisting a beer in approval. On the prostitute-following single "Streets of Atlanta," Zee commented, "Sting and Jagger laid the groundwork for us. I'm not gonna deny that."  nelo (lowercase n, thank you very much)
nelo first week CD sales near 2000; hit Billboard charts
nelo's self-titled debut album has sold 1881 units in its first week of sales. The total put the album, released April 22nd on Pedernales/Justice Records, at #21 on Billboard's New Artist Album Chart and #65 on Billboard's Indie Album Chart. The album was the #1 seller in Austin for the week. nelo (rhymes with hello) has struck a chord with acoustic-based, soul-drenched pop a la the Dave Matthews Band. The band released the eponymous debut with an in-store set at Waterloo Records, which sold 576 copies of the CD. The band has scheduled a slew of release parties throughout Texas.
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