Little League says Ugandan team denied US visas - The Edwardsville Intelligencer

"A youth baseball team from Uganda that would have been the first squad from Africa to play at the Little League World Series has been denied visas to enter the United States. The U.S. Department of State declined to give a reason for the decision, other than to say that the team's documentation "contained discrepancies," officials at Little League headquarters in South Williamsport, Pa., said Friday in a statement." - Associated Press

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Aussie Update

News from a couple of Down Under DMI bands:

Grand Atlantic will be releasing their new album "Constellations" on September 2. Pre-orders (including some sweet packages with bonus items) are now available on their website.

Drawn From Bees also have a new single on the way, they are being a bit coy about exactly when it will emerge, keep an eye on their facebook page for further announcements.

Tidal Waves available on itunes

Tidal Waves blew us away at their SXSW show at Flamingo Cantina. Since returning back home to South Africa they have been touring extensively, playing from Swaziland to Cape Town. Their current album, Manifesto, is finally available for on itunes and amazon.

They were recently interviewed after a show in South Africa. See what they have to say about their SXSW show and coming back to the states in 2012.

Tickets now available for the 2nd Annual Austin Icon Awards at the historic Austin City Limits Studio: http://ping.fm/BSEyx

Happy Bastille Day, Y'all

By Ulf Kastner

Just as St. Patrick's Day motivates a sizable number of Americans to embrace their Irish roots and/or appreciation of all things Irish, a growing number of folks on this side of the Atlantic flirt with their Francophile tendencies on Bastille Day.In other words, this is quite the opportune weekend to indulge in some good European fun about town.

Tonight, July 14th, starting at 10pm Justine's Brasserie on 4710 East 5th Street will celebrate Bastille Day with a "Red White and Blue Party" featuring "fireworks, cake, kisses, French punk rock, red white and blue cocktails and yes, a guillotine." Sounds like a great party to crash in a Marie Antoinette get-up.

See also http://www.justines1937.com/parties/

And on Saturday, July 16th, starting at 7pm the Alliance Française d'Austin will hold a Bastille Day Party on the grounds of the French Legation Museum on 802 San Marcos Street. Admission is $10 (free for children 12 or younger) and you can expect "live music, dancing, food & drink, silent & live auctions, pétanque and other games." This looks to be the more family-friendly affair of the two events we're recommending.

See also http://www.afaustin.org/bastilleday.html

Vive la France, y'all!

Maren Parusel with The Halfbreed Lovers

Requiemme Records presents Maren Parusel (San Diego, CA) on her eastbound 2011 tour with special guest: The Halfbreed Lovers. Thursday July 7th at The Lowbrow Palace in El Paso, TX. Click the title for details.

In a classic SXSW coincidence, both bands happened to play just blocks from each other on March 29th. We love Maren's dangerously demure style, and the Lover's soulful alt-rock. Now it's time to get these spacey rockers in the same building for once! Between The Halfbreed Lovers & Maren Parusel, this show's got more than enough quirky rhythm to get you dancing sans alcohol. But don't worry, there will be plenty of that too.