Listen: Julieta Venegas on Tiny Desk Concert Podcast

NPR's music coverage  was starting to get stale on me for a little bit there. Today, they totally redeemed themselves on their Tiny Desk Concert Podcast series by featuring Julieta Venegas. Arguably Mexico's biggest female pop star, Venegas striped down her normal live show arrangement to just an accordion, her voice and one other musician joining her.

Listen: "Muerta" EP by The Boxing Lesson

The Boxing Lesson are Austin's self-proclaimed "space rockers" that have been flooding my inbox for the past few years thanks to a relentless work ethic and a nose to the grind publicist. They are more of a psychedelic rock band than anything, but they do incorporate electronic elements into their music. They also do a good job incorporating progressive rock breakdowns. Lastly, lead singer Paul Waclawsky looks like he's the lost older brother of actor Ryan Reynolds.

Vote for Zlam Dunk to win The Recording Conservatory of Austin's 5th Annual Unsigned Artist Competition.

photo by Sara Strick

Zlam Dunk are one of my favorite bands. I've followed them avidly since their early days. It still baffles me that they aren't bigger than they are or kicking everyone's ass on Warped Tour. Only youth, talent and a shit ton of energy drinks can birth such a high energy group of dance punks like these dudes.

Best soundtrack I've heard in a while: "Californication: Season 4"

I was sent this a while back and I am kicking myself for not getting into it sooner. I normally don't care much for soundtracks of shows or movies I don't care for. That combined with my lack of time these days let things slip by sometimes. Don't let this one slip by you.

Joe Sib's performs "California Calling: A Story Of Growing Up Punk Rock"

Joe Sib is one of my favorite music personalities. He is co-owner of record label Side One Dummy Records, Wax frontman, and host of punk rock radio show "Complete Control" which airs in seven cities across the country including Austin alternative station 101X on Sunday nights.

Listen: "69 Gunz" by Rival Schools (Ad-Rock remix)

Rival Schools have enlisted Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys to do a remix of their song “69 Guns.” What more do you need to know?

Owl City on cover of June edition of Alt Press

I didn't see this one coming. There must be a lot of young, snotty scene kids pissed off about this one. Oh well, AP will make up for it in July's Warped Tour issue.

New album from Weird Al

YES! I love Weird Al and just wanted to share this news with you all.

Social Distortion "Machine Gun Blues" trailer

This is the trailer for the new short film from Social Distortion for "Machine Gun Blues." I'm told to go to http://www.voxbloc.com/share/machine-gun-blues to demand the movie premiere and free show in Austin. The city with the most votes will win a free Social D performance and premiere of the short film "Machine Gun Blues." Whatever I have to do to get Social D back in Austin, I'll do. Mike Ness is my generation's Johnny Cash with ink.

Watch: "All My Friends Are Junkies" by The Young Things

The Young Things are a New York City  based band who first met in London. They have this sort of throw back garage-pop sound that I can see a lot of people liking. Bloggers will buzz about this band if they aren't already.