Random Play

It's good thing OTR didn't march down to City Council today in support of the creation of a music department. In what seems to have become a game of bait and switch, the effort was postponed until the August 9 session, due to some budgetary concerns.

Number One with a Bullet: Country troubadour George Strait headlines the first official concert at the Cedar Park Center, a new multi-use facility in north Austin off of Toll Road 183A, on Friday, September 25. The $55 million, 8,700-capacity stadium, which broke ground last June, boasts 24 suites and 545 club seats. The venue will also host home hockey home games from the Texas Stars, a development squad for the Dallas Stars.

As part of Spin magazine’s July tribute to Prince, the Riverboat Gamblers, who are currently on tour with Rise Against and Rancid, nail a cover of “Let’s Go Crazy” for the accompanying sampler, Purplish Rain, on newsstands now.

Austin's own Harlem, who hits Beerland on Friday, has inked a deal with Matador Records, the esteemed home to Sonic Youth, Cat Power, and Shearwater. The label is digitally releasing the trio's debut, Free Drugs, and a new full-length is in the works for next year. Expect to hear more about the whole thing when OTR returns from a much needed vacation to the Bay Area next week. In the meantime, here's the latest installment of Harlem's Cover of the Month Club, the Dixie Cups' “No True Love” and its Chopped and Screwed companion. Cheers!