20 billion dollars in debt: a Texas-based giant in the entertainment industry files for bankruptcy, we’ll explain. Also, big pushback against Putin a day after the UK announces sanctions against Russia, the US issues sanctions of its own over election interference. We’ll have the latest. And Texans getting sandbagged by callers claiming to be from the IRS. How a Texas company is fighting back. And from a magazine known for its progressive politics: a call to drop the turn Texas blue narrative. We’ll hear the thinking behind it. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Archives for March 2018
Joey Dosik: “Game Winner”
All this week, Song of the Day exclusively brings you artists playing SXSW 2018 (official and unofficial)
Let’s face it. SXSW is certifiably not known as “Soul By Soul West”, and justifiably so – but fortunately for those who scour the sounds of soul, Joey Dosik is set to dote on local audiences tonight and tomorrow. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Dosik seamlessly navigates multiple musical duties as singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, having already collaborated with the likes of Vulfpeck and Miguel Atwood Ferguson. The debut EP Game Winner highlights Dosik’s affinity for surreal and smooth retro-soul vocals that not only hearken back to the likes of Marvin Gaye and others but indeed inspire a sound of its own. Joey Dosik performs tonight at the Barracuda Backyard for Secretly Showcase and tomorrow afternoon – 2pm at Scoot Inn for the the Relix Brooklyn Bowl Showcase. Don’t tease yourself any longer – take a listen to the title track from Dosik’s latest offering – “Game Winner” and you’ll hear just how much soul lies nary dormant in this West Coast common day crooner.
Joey Dosik SXSW Dates
Thursday, 3/15 || Secretly Showcase @ Barracuda **
Friday, 3/16 || Relix Brooklyn Bowl Showcase @ Scoot Inn
-Jack Anderson (Host Monday-Wednesday 8-11pm, Saturday 6-10am)
Texas Standard: March 14, 2018
One of the most controversial laws to pass the Texas legislature in years: being upheld by a 5th circuit panel. What’s next for so-called sanctuary cities? We’ll explore. Also, Texas counties racing to join lawsuits challenging pharmaceutical companies over the opioid crisis. Why the race to the courthouse? And how Texas could make motherhood safer, and why the need is especially urgent. Plus, along the Harvey hit Gulf Coast this spring break, how’s business? We’ll check in with some bar, restaurants and other hot spots to hear whether the crowds are back and what’s changed. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Caroline Rose: “Bikini”
All this week, Song of the Day exclusively brings you artists playing SXSW 2018 (official and unofficial)
Caroline’s back! And this time she’s got a loaded bag of tricks exploding with different sounds and moods to match any and all of yours. Track-to track her sophomore album Loner shifts between smoother indie pop gems and shorter, edgier dance anthems. “Bikini” lands squarely on the latter, and as Caroline herself puts it, “it’s my riot grrl feminist surf punk anthem.” A venom-tongued song about the suffocating standards the entertainment industry puts on the female-identifying and the toxic quid pro quo they’re expected to not only accept, but be grateful for, Rose cleverly pens these riot grrl lines to surf-rock-meets-rockabilly sounds that slap your ear hairs with Wanda Jackson flair in a 2018 head space.
Caroline Rose SXSW Dates
Wednesday, 3/14 || Austin Festival Express Day Party
Wednesday, 3/14 || Stubhub Next Stage **
Thursday, 3/15 || Vinyl Me Please: Rising SXSW Showcase **
Friday, 3/16 || Antone’s **
Saturday, 3/17 || Brooklyn Country Cantina
** indicates SXSW official showcase
-Taylor Wallace// Host, Thursdays 8p-11p & Saturdays 2p-6p; Producer, Eklektikos with John Aielli
Texas Standard: March 13, 2018
The Texan in charge of US diplomacy, isn’t anymore. After traveling the world, secretary of state Rex Tillerson is coming home, we’ll explore. Also, exploding parcels in the Texas capitol city. Police are trying to connect the dots, warning Austinites not to touch boxes left at front doors. And in Dallas explosions of another sort, these connected to gas mains. Lots of folks in big D asking questions, but not getting many answers. And what was the cause of the civil war? And how is it taught in Texas schools? Those stories and lots more today on the Texas Standard:
Common Holly: “Nothing”
All this week, Song of the Day exclusively brings you artists playing SXSW 2018 (official and unofficial)
If folk noir is a genre, Montreal’s Common Holly — real name Brigitte Naggar — has got it wrapped around her capo. Making use of the white space between layers and breaths, Naggar’s album Playing House is the product of introspection and experience, a meditation on taking what life gives you in stride and using the experience to better arm yourself for the future. “Nothing” specifically takes on the emotional fallout of romantic love and having to make the mature, though difficult, decision to leave someone be in order for them to heal, even if it kills you. Her writing is that of a young sage, coming from a personal and contemplative place that is unparalleled wisdom without pontification. The song’s theme and sonic landscape are reminiscent of Margaret Glaspy’s Emotions and Math EP — dark, emotional, and complicated– but Naggar’s softer perspective allows her to maintain a sound and voice all her own, highlighted by her minimalist use of her guitar and full use of her voice, harmonizing with herself in a way that at the same time feels haunting and beautiful. Her music might make you a bit sad and pluck at some of those heartstrings you worked so hard to silence, but one thing you won’t feel is alone.
Common Holly SXSW Dates
3/14 || Sports Day Records
3/15 || After the Gold Rush VI
3/15 || Brooklyn Vegan
3/16 || Music For Listeners
3/16 || Pop Montreal
3/17 || Biker Gang Booking
-Taylor Wallace// Host, Thursdays 8p-11p & Saturdays 2p-6p; Producer, Eklektikos with John Aielli
Texas Standard: March 12, 2018
The president’s gamble over tariffs: why Texas may be in the crosshairs if Europe decides to go tit-for-tat. We’ll have a conversation with the EU ambassador. Plus, full speed ahead for the general election? For dozens of Texas candidates, the brakes are still on for the runoffs. We’ll lift the curtain on what it takes to get past the next political hurdle. And is a historic part of downtown El Paso ready for the bulldozer? Some residents say no one prepared them, and they’re pushing back. Also evangelical women in the era of Trump and me too. After allegations from a porn star and more, can Trump still count on support from the religious right? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Understanding Violence Today (Part 2)
How is violence perpetuated through economic sanctions, the media, and political decisions and what real peace might look like? Join KUT’s Rebecca McInroy along with writer and the Executive Director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Yousef Munayyer, and economist James K. Galbraith to talk about understanding violence today.
Understanding Violence Today (Part 1)
How is violence perpetuated through economic sanctions, the media, and political decisions and what real peace might look like? Join KUT’s Rebecca McInroy along with writer and the Executive Director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Yousef Munayyer, and economist James K. Galbraith to talk about understanding violence today.
TØMA: “Book of Yesterday”
All this week, Song of the Day exclusively brings you artists playing SXSW 2018 (official and unofficial)
Photo by Félix De Portu
Pulling you off the wall, through a time warp, and onto an 80s dancefloor are local indie heartthrobs TØMA. Imbibing heavily from the fountain of British new wave and noshing a bit on the sounds of contemporary groups like Phoenix , co-frontdudes Waldo Wittenmyer and Henry Johnson share a songwriting soul, juxtaposing charming harmonies and high-energy melodies with deeply emotional lyrics, usually concerning affairs of the heart. Now with a couple releases under their belt, the quartet (filled out by bassist Dillon Randolph and drummer Stijn Dobbelaere) is moving towards capturing their fun-if-not-anachronistic energy with a series of singles and music video releases. Their newest single wastes no time getting to the core of their sound, hitting you full-on in the face with poppy synth bloops and a bass line that grooves. Everything that comes after is classic, danceable, tasty TØMA.
Check out TØMA’s 2017 Studio 1A
TOMA SXSW Dates
Tuesday, 3/13 || Hole in the Wall Day Party
Tuesday, 3/13 || Empire Control Room
Thursday, 3/15 || Ginger Man
Thursday, 3/15 || Hole in the Wall
Thursday, 3/15 || 21st Street Co-op
(all shows are unofficial)
-Taylor Wallace// Host, Thursdays 8p-11p & Saturdays 2p-6p; Producer, Eklektikos with John Aielli
Amy Hill Hearth (Ep. 14, 2018)
In Black America producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Amy Hill Hearth, journalist and author of Streetcar To Justice: How Elizabeth Jennings Won The Right To Ride In New York, about a 19th Century African American woman’s fight for justice.
This is Just to Say: Trailer
Poet and novelist Carrie Fountain talks with poets about the poem they make and the poems they love. We hope you like the show. Please leave us a review and tell us what you think.
Thank you, Rebecca McInroy-producer
Best of “Higher Ed:” Solo Learning Vs. Group Projects
This episode was originally posted on Oct. 1, 2017.
Sometimes school can feel like a really solitary endeavor. Writing papers and reading are usually done solo. But teachers at all levels of formal education also assign group projects or presentations. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about the pros and cons of learning solo and of working with a group – both in school and beyond. Ed acknowledges that yes, teachers are assigning more and more group projects these days than before. Ed and Jennifer discuss the good that can come out of having students work together (they actually have to talk to each other, right?!) as well as some of the pitfalls of team work (what do you do about the one person in the group who just won’t work as much as the rest of the team?). Listen on for their discussion (listen solo or with a group) and for that “classic” puzzler about why manhole covers are round.
This episode was recorded Aug. 10, 2017.
KUT Weekend – March 9, 2018
How Austin public schools teach kids about slavery. Plus, an Austin law requires job seekers with criminal pasts get a fair shot, but it’s not being enforced. And we’ll meet the voice behind Austin’s crosswalk signals. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
What If Phones, But Too Much?
When’s the last time you were without your phone? It seems they’re always with us. In fact, maybe you’re reading Typewriter Rodeo on your phone…right now.
Texas Standard: March 9, 2018
For the first time in history a US president will meet with the leader of North Korea. Vindication of a strategy or something else? We’ll explore. Also, an accused pedophile has his conviction thrown out because a judge used electric shock to coerce testimony. What happens to the judge? Nothing, so far. So who’s policing the bench? And a new vision for computing as apple reaches out to visually impaired coders in Texas. Plus fangs for the memories: 60 years of the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup.That and the week in politics from the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Ama: “Love Demons”
For the next two weeks, Song of the Day exclusively brings you artists playing SXSW 2018 (official and unofficial)
Amassed around the offerings of Austin-based songwriter and visual artist Blair Robbins, local four-piece Ama hasn’t faced much difficulty winning over listeners with their brand of distorted, noise-heavy rock. Though three of Ama’s four hail from the original Milezo lineup, Ama’s aural landscape provides something much different. Complementing the work of legends like Neil Young, Courtney Barnett and Elliott Smith, Ama’s sound wanders from stark ambience to country swing to soulful grooves and pop melodies all in the same session.
Ama dropped their debut EP Losing Less late last year, and today they unveil their sophomore EP, Trilogy – three songs each with an accompanying painting created by Robbins. Ama celebrates the release of Trilogy tonight for free at the Electric Church alongside Batty Jr., Daphne Tunes, Why Bonnie, and The Stacks. Ama also gets unofficial with it next Saturday at The Fest For Last – another free show at Hole in the Wall featuring a solo performance from Ama’s Blair Robbins as well as Sphynx and Chakra Khan. Get a glimpse of Ama’s sound right now with the centerpiece of Trilogy – a tune about overcoming reservations and embracing romance – “Love Demons”.
Ama SXSW Dates
Friday 3/9 || EP Release & Art Show – Electric Church
Saturday 3/17 || The Fest For Last – Hole in the Wall
– Jack Anderson (Host Monday-Wednesday 8-11pm, Saturday 6-10am)
Why Is The Map On The Floor Of The Austin Airport Full Of Misspellings?
It looks like Austin…but the streets are all spelled wrong. Why?
Accountability
We might think that in order to keep order in our households, workplaces, or classrooms, that it’s important to hold people accountable for their negative behavior. However, what that can lead to is a playing field that allows for either nothing to happen or punishment. It is more important to focus on the behaviors we want to see continue, as opposed to giving energy to avoiding the negative.
Still a little confused? In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of accountability.
Texas Standard: March 8, 2018
A culture of cover up? Claims of abuse against juvenile offenders are swept under the carpet according to a whistleblower, we’ll have the latest. Also, after Harvey, many homeowners and businesses wondered how the flooding could have happened, given the flood maps. A new study says that’s the problem: the maps are wrong. And a symbol of Texas honky tonk music packing bags for Memphis. What the move means for the live music capitol. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: