Christian

Thao makes the "folk/rock" moniker look good, claiming the best of both genres, with tightly written songs, and fast rhythms that you can actually dance to. Just when I thought I was getting bored with music, I heard her, and have played it over and over again.

CocoRosie vocals on Andrew Bird instrumentation. This is a total winner.

Ralph is the rare politician who will actually tell you what he thinks about an issue. Most of his politics are way far left, but he's worth seeing if for no other reason than that he'll actually make you think. Well, that and the crew that generally shows up for him. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Calexico's music is like an old western: expansive and relaxed, while at the same time capturing that underlying tension. Spanish horns play over the top of acoustic guitars, and songs spill out like old ballads. In your minds eye you can see the gunslingers eying each other. This is one of my favorite bands, hands down.

They dream of being Stubb's.

An outdoor venue in the middle of a city with fabulous year-round weather. A steady stream of A-list bands, and fantastic acoustics. Stubb's has it all. Whenever I'm going to Austin, this is the first place I check to see if I should go to a show.