It's March in Austin, Texas, and that can only mean one thing: the biggest, baddest music festival this side of the Atlantic. The South by Southwest Music Festival has returned to the live music capital of the world, brining with it hundreds of bands from countries far and wide.

Every year, Austin Monthly dedicates its March issue to music, and this year's issue is packed with great stories.


Check out Nine Bands to Watch in '09, or the music groups we think are poised for a big breakout this year. The Austin Music Awards folks agreed with us on a few of our picks, naming The Black and White Years as Best New Band and gave the mustached fellows the Song of the Year Award for "Power to Change." Suzanna Choffel also made the top 10 among Best New Bands and Musician of the Year.

The magazine also includes a story on Austin music studios, a guide to the city's best comfort foods and a beautiful photo essay featuring the guitars of some of Austin's six-string legends.