We're at SXSW, so this week's column is a day late and a dollar short. more ›

Every Asian-American music listener has that list of Asian-American stars they whip out at a moment's notice: Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park, the half-Japanese violinist (of course he's a violinist) from Yellowcard, Karen O, Jay-Z, and Amerie .... but how nice to have the option to find others. The Asian American Film Festival's Directions In Sound show tomorrow night features four local Asian-American indie rock bands to get to know: From Monuments to Masses (post-punk), Whysall Lane (intricately crafted), Love Like Fire (dreamy Britpop), and solo singer Mike Park (no description, but probably singer-songwritery, you know?). The show starts at 9 (doors at 8) at Cafe Du Nord tomorrow night. Tickets $10 -- but act fast, the show's selling out. more ›

We headed out to the Noise Pop Mission of Burma show all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 9:00 p.m., standard concert time, only to turn up at Bimbo's and find out that the concert started at 7:30! Not doors at 7:30, started at 7:30! We're very sorry we missed Seattle's The Ruby Doe and the ex-Versus Asian-American band Whysall Lane (hey, nice logo!) -- but, shamefacedly, we should also admit that we felt a huge surge of relief that we'd probably be getting home before midnight. God, SFist is old. Speaking of old, Boston-based Mission of Burma recorded a number of hugely-influential punk rock records from 1979 to 1983 (including the two big hits "Academy Fight Song" and "That's When I Reach For My Revolver") and then broke up when guitarist Roger Miller's tinnitus became unbearable. After taking around 18 years off, the band reunited in 2001, much to the joy and delight of the older half of Generation X, and began recording together again. This is the tour in support of their new album, ONoffON. So, you ask, how was the show? WHAT? WE CAN'T HEAR YOU? HOW WAS THE SHOW? Click through the haze of concert ear and find out. more ›