Perhaps best known as co-lead singer of Los Angeles punk legends X, Exene Cervenka has been writing and releasing solo material for decades. Whereas X were brash and loud, Cervenka's solo work is more folky and melody-driven. Cervenka took time out from SXSW preparations to talk to Spinner about her music, her first crush and where she gets her ...

It takes a little something extra to get noticed in Austin, the live music capital of the world, but when three independent hip-hop groups -- Southern Made Click, Fiyah Boi Ent. and Throwed House Click -- came together to form their own label, it was bound to gain some attention. Die Slo Entertainment are focused on promoting innovation and ...

Diana Darby doesn't believe that one needs to make a lot of noise to get a message across. On her new album, 'The Magdalene Laundries,' the singer proves that less is more, weaving ethereal vocals over soft melodies. The Nashville-based songwriter took time out from SXSW preparations to talk about her songwriting, her influences, and much more. ...

Atlanta native Brittany "Diamond" Carpenter cut her teeth in Crime Mob at the tender age of 14. Now an established rapper in her own right, the 21-year-old is taking the hip-hop world by storm, releasing a series of mix CDs and guesting on Ludacris' track 'My Chick Bad' with Trina and Eve. Spinner spoke with Diamond in anticipation of her SXSW ...

Descartes a Kant proudly describe themselves as "bipolar cheerleader hard noise," but that's barely scratching the surface. The Mexican quintet's decidedly schizophrenic songs have been known to include distorted synth stabs, doo-wop melodies, punk rock sing-along choruses and more within the space of barely two minutes. Spinner spoke with ...

Lots of SXSW shows are comprised of smaller, newer bands, but classic punk cover act Demolished Thoughts is made up of plenty of familiar faces. Headed up by Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, Demolished Thoughts' all-star lineup consists of Andrew W.K., Don Fleming, J Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr.) and Awesome Allison (of Awesome Color). Bassist Andrew W.K. ...

Breakestra is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Miles Tackett, Bridging the gap between classic hip-hop and '60s and '70s funk, the ten-piece orchestra has been recording for well over a decade. Fresh off the release of their new record, 'Dusk Till Dawn,' Tackett caught up with Spinner to discuss Breakestra's past, present and future, and the ...