Welcome to yet another double header at Radio Coffee and Beer, 4204 Menchaca Rd., with two must-see ATX bands. Both have mercilessly stolen your Austin Music Minute maven’s heart – which means you can’t miss out on this. Sharing the bill:

-Front woman Jolie Cota Flink burns brightly in mighty power-pop/punk outfit Mean Jolene.

-Oh, ‘Ennui’! Heart palpitations abound with lo-fi pop/rock warriors Van Mary.

The music starts at 8 p.m. Very recommended.

It had been at least two years in the making. Between working on The Cypher, and creating videos for two of the new album’s tracks (“The Objector” and “The Hierophant”), Xetas  bassist/vocalist Kana Harris was counting down the days to the release date. The band was ready for it to come out already.

The Cypher, the band’s third LP – and the second album in their Tarot series following The Tower, is engulfed in the fanned flames of all things badass. There’s no mistaking the hardcore running through its veins full force, punk’s thing of beauty complete with all the rough edges and blistering guitar, but you’ll notice it’s right alongside these undeniable hooks complimenting infectious choruses. There’s something poetic about unbridled punk that simultaneously builds a tune while remaining menacing.

Xetas invite you to their LP release show tonight at Barracuda, 611 E. 7th St. And oh what a party this is, featuring American Sharks, Dregs, Nevil, Lord Friday the 13th and Cold Lunch. Doors at 7 p.m.

Show no mercy. So recommended.

-Photography by Angela P. Betancourt.

You hear those keys. You feel those heart pangs. Step aside. Make way for the Texas Piano Man.

Of course, Texas Piano Man is the title of the fifth studio album by Robert Ellis. Recently, though, Ellis sat himself right down with his guitar and dusted off a few older/pre-TPM Ellis gems to perform on his solo Texas tour in the next few days. Naturally, that includes a performance tonight at Stateside at the Paramount, 719 Congress Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m.

A tip o’ the hat to that gent on the stage. Sing along. Very recommended.

-Photo courtesy of the artist.

If you know, you know. If not, you’re about to find out. Laboratorio is always an extraordinary occasion, thanks to the incredible talent connecting to unleash something quite magical.

The music series, presented by multi-talented songwriter and musician Carrie Rodriguez, was started with the intention of breaking through boundaries of anything considered to be Latin music, always resulting in these jaw-droppingly unique performances by all the participating artists. At its heart, it’s an experiment of collective creativity. To the ears, it’s a natural flow shape-shifting into many forms.

For this month’s performance, Rodriguez, along with band mates Michael Ramos, Greg Gonzalez, Alex Marrero, and David Pulkingham, makes room for special guest Jaime Ospina of Superfónicos to join the party. Experience the magic yourself at Laboriatorio tonight at the Cactus Café, 2247 Guadalupe in the Texas Union. Doors at 8 p.m., music at 8:30 p.m. 

Breathtaking. Recommended.

*Please note – this edition of the Austin Music Minute aired yesterday, promoting a show happening tonight.

Oh, the madness!! Well…your Austin Music Minute host is being overly dramatic (yeah, what’s new here?), but Berkshire Hounds has two resident badasses all up in this business. Jim Campo (Magic Rockers of Texas) and Spencer Garland (PR Newman) put there musical brains together to fuel this rock/pop mega-beast. Take no prisoners, play your butts off. The band broke up, reformed, rebranded, and helped themselves to the stage at C-Boy’s Heart and Soul on S. Congress Ave. for a big fat January residency. BOOM.

Tonight, the Hounds share the bill with cosmic Americana dream team Altamesa. This is a hell of a show for Altamesa front man/songwriter Evan Charles, as he’s just about to head out to Thailand with the rest of the Project ATX6 crew to perform at Jai Thep, so why not send him off with a bang? Hell yeah. Plus – Berkshire Hounds always invites a special guest to join them in the fray. Who on earth will it be this week??

Only one way to find out. Doors at 9:30 p.m., music at 10. Recommended.

-Photography by Sean Mathis.