Jon Langford remains an Austin regular, his paintings long a staple at the Yard Dog on South Congress. He’s also a founding member of first wave UK roots-punks the Mekons. While an acute and ingenious musician and artist, Langford's a resplendent storyteller from the seaport town of Newport, Wales, the subject of many of his lyrics.

You wouldn't call Austin a tourist capital since we don’t have any obvious attractions. We’re a city of lifestyles; an idyllic background to study, to make art, to open a business. My parents touched down from San Diego last weekend to visit, vibe, and fix the cracks in my lovably unmaintained condo. As for as being a local guide, I didn’t know where to start.

I spoke with singer Robin Zander of nearly 40-year-old rock legends Cheap Trick, who open for Aerosmith tonight at the Frank Erwin Center.

How does a music festival encore netting Bruce Springsteen as its keynote speaker as South by Southwest did in March? They score an equally everyman rocker beloved for both Nirvana and the Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl's confirmed as the Master of Ceremonies for March madness 2013, doing the keynote honors Thursday, Mar. 14, at the Austin Convention Center.

Joe Perry I'd interviewed before and Steven Tyler seemed like a longshot, so Tom Hamilton became the next logical choice for an Aerosmith chat tied to the band's show Friday at the Frank Erwin Center. Days before the election, politics made for an obvious topic, as did songwriting given the bassist's name on both “Sweet Emotion” and “Janie's Got a Gun.”

After three albums, Pegi Young remains a relative newcomer. Mention that she’s Neil Young's wife and the light bulbs go on. She sang backup in her husband’s band before releasing a self-titled disc in 2007. Young’s Bracing For Impact, out last winter, finds her confident, inventive, and at times comical. She plays tonight, Wednesday, at Lamberts.

Looks like Austin Psych Fest 2013 may as well be called "none more black." The gathering of all distorted and scuzzy has just unleashed the lineup for its sixth annual gathering of the clans, with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Black Angels heading up the interest list. Plus (and super-psyched for this) the re-return of Man or Astroman?

The club calendar from local booker David Cotton had a quick note attached: “For those of you who don't know, Poodie’s went nonsmoking as of July.” That’s akin to suggesting Willie Nelson cut off his braids and let his hair go gray. Whoops, that’s already happened, too! Call it a neon sign of the times.