So the now famous free week is finally upon us and you want to know what’s going on.  For you inquiring minds, we decided to give you a night by night guide on what venues you should head out to.  Obviously more than one show is going on each night, but we’re picking the best show on each night.  Follow the jump for our free week guide.

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So tomorrow is the big day.  You don’t think that $100 NYE party sounds worth it.  Downtown scares you.  Maybe you don’t even really care about a midnight makeout session and just want to party.  Here are 3 parties that combine good music, cheap covers, and swanky locals.  Have a happy new year and we’ll catch up with you on Friday with our free week guide.

Beauty Bar - Your favorite old hipster kid hangout features DJ Mel inside along with The Strange Boys, Dans La Lune, The Ugly Beats, The Boxing Lesson, and Petals outside.  Not sure on a cover charge, but drink prices should be the same as always.  Beauty Bar tends to get overly crowded on nights like these so don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Mohawk - The Transmission run venue features indie karaoke and DJ sets by Car Stereo(Wars) all night long.  Cover is only $5 with drink specials and a midnight champagne toast.

Spider House - Not usually known as a live music venue, Spider House brings you music from The Strange Attractors, Wine & Revolution, and a few other local acts.  Cover is only $10 with champagne all night for the same price.

These are only a few options and I’m sure you’ve got some crazy party going on and your mom’s house.  Drop us a line if you’ve got a hot tip.

Austin band Whitman would like to wish you & yours a Merry Christmas!  As a token of their appreciation, here’s a demo of a little ditty they’ve been working on called “Hangover Holiday”.  The track is sure to spice up any holiday party or cure that too much eggnog hangover.  Not just for Christmas, it promises to be the gift that keeps on giving the whole year round.  You can also catch the band and their new holiday hit on January 3rd during free week at Mohawk.  They’ll be playing along with Riverboat Gamblers, Harlem, and some other yet to be named bands. We’ll give you more details about free week in Austin soon.  Have a safe and happy holiday.

Download: Whitman - Hangover Holiday [MP3]

Not too long ago, we gave you a new demo by The Applessed Cast entitled “Road West”.  Today we found another new song by the band over on Stereogum going by the name of “Raise the Sails”.  Both of these songs are set to appear on the band’s latest album Sagarmatha which is due out on 2/17 via The Militia Group.  The Lawrence boys are also embarking on their first tour in quite some time with a planned stop at Austin’s own Mohawk.  Check the dates on their myspace page.  ATH couldn’t be happier that you guys didn’t call it quits.

Download: The Appleseed Cast - Raise the Sails [MP3]

Another good local band show is going down Friday night at The Mohawk with The Midgetmen and The Calm Blue Sea teaming up for a sure to be rockin’ show.  Music should start around 10pm for this one.  Preview the show with a track from The Calm Blue Sea entitled “We Happy Few”.

Download: The Calm Blue Sea - We Happy Few [MP3]

Friends of ATH, Whitman, will be returning to the stage at The Mohawk in Austin after a 4 month break from touring.  Whitman are joined by other fine local acts The Sideshow Tragedy, Bankrupt and the Borrowers, and The Couch.  Doors for the show are set to open at 9pm with first band going on around 9:30.  Tickets will be sold only at the door for $6 21+ and $8 for the kiddies.  You can read more info about the show on the fancy flyer made by The Versatile Syndicate.  While you can expect some new tunes from Whitman during the evening’s show, nod your head to “The Drifter” in the mean time.  ATH will be on hand snappin’ some photos so try to look presentable.

The Rosebuds will be bringing their brand of indie rock to Mohawk on Saturday night.  Doors open at 8pm with tickets only being sold at the door.  Check out our review of the bands latest album Life Like and listen to the title track of that album elsewhere on our site.

Contenders for record of the year, Blitzen Trapper, will be playing a Thanksgiving Eve show at Mohawk on Wednesday night.  The bill is actually pretty impressive with Pink Nasty and Parson Redheads opening things up for the Portland based band.  Even more impressive, New York band O’Death will be playing on the inside stage in between the main acts outside.  Tickets can be bought now for $8.  Here’s one of my favorite pop songs to come out in several years “Punctual as Usual” by the Parson Redheads.

Download: Parson Redheads - Punctual as Usual [MP3]

Marnie Stern, the current master of finger-tapping guitar play, will be playing a couple times in Austin this week.  First show comes this evening(11/18) at the Mohawk in Austin with tickets available now for only $8.  Marnie is accompanied by local Austin band’s Ume and The Sour Notes.  The following day, Mrs. Stern will be playing one of Waterloo Records weekly in stores at 5pm.  Do I need to mention the free keg beer?  If you haven’t heard any of Marnie’s insane guitar work, here’s a dandy called “Transformer”.

Download: Marnie Stern - Transformer [MP3]

Danielson will be playing at Mohawk on Tuesday evening and you better go!  Tickets for the show are only $8 and can be bought now from the transmission ticket website.  Don’t forget you can still download the band’s new live album Danielson Alive from the emusic website.