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Archives for March 2019

SMiiLE: “The Way You Remind Me”

If you don’t remember the band Dreamboat, all you need to know is that it was essentially phase one for what is now one of Austin’s most prominent indie pop rock groups, SMiiLE. Singer-guitarist-producer Jake Miles fronts SMiiLE, joined by vocalists Mary Bryce and Annie Long and further rounded out with bassist Harrison Anderson and drummer Greg Clifford. These best friends-turned-bandmates and their flipped frown sound have consistently led to packed shows with a lot of emotions in the air. SMiiLE has been teasing their upcoming sophomore album with a series of staggered double side releases, and we’re officially four tunes in!

Join the positivity 7AM next Friday when SMiiLE kicks off Day 3 of KUTX Live at the Four Seasons and check out the dimple-inducing music video for one of this quintet’s latest songs, “The Way You Remind Me“!

Sound Design

Join KUT’s Rebecca McInroy along with KUT’s senior producer Michael Lee, Composer Sam Lipman, and sound designer Carolina Perez, to talk about editing sound for picture or podcast, the ethics of production, and how to build on powerful stories using sound.

Pink Chalk

Do what you will, but consider this protip from your Austin Music Minute: Make time to check out a lot of the great shows happening before the chaos of SXSW ensues. Naturally, that includes some awesome upcoming shows with Austin bands. It may seem obvious, but you’ll thank the AMM later…

Here’s one for you: Songwriter Chris Simpson, known for his ’90s-era indie band Mineral, (eagerly awaiting the arrival of the One Day When We Are Young book by Mischa Pearlman) is now sharing his latest work as Mountain Time, the moniker of his project since previously recording as Zookeeper. Don’t miss Mountain Time tonight at Cheer Up Charlie’s, 901 Red River, along with another AMM favorite, The Naked Tungs, and Massachusetts surfer blues outfit Calico Blue.

The music starts at 9 p.m. So recommended.

-Photography by Courtney Chavanell.

Texas Standard: March 5, 2019

Will Texans vote to return Donald Trump to the White House? The 2020 contest might be closer than you think. We’ll hear from the head of the Texas Politics Project about the finding of a new poll of 12 hundred Texans and what they’re telling us about the early state of the 2020 presidential contest. Also: hemp. Illegal to grow in Texas, but the times are a changin and the republican ag commissioner is pushing the change. Plus how a forgotten story of hispanic North America tells us something about our politics and our American identity. All those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Dehd: “Lucky”

Chicago’s DIY scene has become more and more prevalent thanks in no small part to groups like NE-HI and Lala Lala, not to mention solo projects like Accessory and Vail. So naturally when Jason Balla of NE-HI and Accessory met up with Emily Kempf of Lala Lala and Vail, sparks flew, and with the addition of first-timer Eric McGrady on drums, their project Dehd had emerged. All three personalities ring through reverb-heavy surf-infused alternative rock and on their upcoming debut album, Water, Balla and Kempf had to reckon between breaking up romantically and maintaining Dehd’s musical integrity.

Turns out their songwriting chemistry is too good to pass up, and we’ll see the trio perform in Austin well before the May 10th release date for Water. You have eight opportunities to catch Dehd next week during SXSW, where you’ll undoubtedly hear some (if not all) of the baker’s dozen of new tunes appearing on Water. No wristband? No worries! Dehd just put out the music video for Water‘s lead single, available today for free download: “Lucky”!

Dehd’s SXSW Performances

Tue. March 12 – Austin, TX @ The Parish – Get A Grip (SXSW)
Wed. March 13 – Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas – Desert Daze (SXSW
Wed. March 13 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda – Ground Control Touring (SXSW)
Thu. March 14 – Austin, TX @ Pearl Street – Pond Mag (SXSW)
Thu. March 14 – Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas – Levitation (SXSW)
Fri. March 15 – Austin, TX @ Container Bar – Dr Martens / Collide (SXSW)
Fri. March 15 – Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas Annex – Romancing the Wax / Fire Talk (SXSW)
Sat. March 16 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda – Do512’s The Big One (SXSW)

Pat Martino

Through his innovative post-bop, fusion and soul jazz, guitarist Pat Martino overcame a memory crisis and focused on the present to rediscover his technique. In this edition of Liner Notes, jazz historian and Rabbi Neil Blumofe recollects Pat Martino, his struggle with amnesia, and how he re-learned his iconic technique.

“Hot Lips” Page

Rhythm and blue architect and Birdland opening night band member Oran Thaddeus “Hot Lips” Page was never well known, but undeniably an influential journeyman. On the most recent edition of KUTX’s Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe guides us through the career of trumpeter and vocalist “Hot Lips” Page.

Texas Standard: March 4, 2019

Texas has 44 billion dollars set aside for education: the biggest such endowment in the U.S. So why is the state spending less on schools? We’ll have the latest. Plus, in Texas’ biggest city, concerns growing over recent shootings involving children. Police are focusing on gangs, but heath workers want to look at something different. Also, millennials now more than a trillion dollars in debt thanks to college. How the price of higher ed is shaping up to be a factor in the forthcoming political season. Plus an iconic oasis in West Texas reopens, are you ready to take the plunge? All that and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

The Hermits: “Teeth of the Mountain”

For years singer and guitarist Miles Kelley was the leading voice for Austin outfit Milezo. Not too long ago Milezo disbanded, but Kelley and his faithful drummer Sam Jordan stuck together, eventually linking up with Chase Weinacht of Marmalakes to form The Hermits.

The Hermits’ off-kilter brand of psychedelic garage rock first hit the web in 2017 with Tour Tape and just last weekend The Hermits came out of the cave with their self-titled debut full-length. The ten tracks on The Hermits will weird you out, get you riled up, and make you grin all in one sitting. And in case you don’t want to be a recluse for The Hermits, you can see them at their release show this Thursday at Cheer Up Charlie’s.

The Hermits joined us in Studio 1A last week and today you can get a download of the gnashing album opener from The Hermits, “Teeth of the Mountain”!

Monday Discoveries

Chilly weather be damned. Bundle up in your favorite layers of what little winter wear you have (we’re in Texas, as difficult as that is to believe at the moment), and head over to The Volstead on E. 6th to cozy up with Me Mer Mo Monday.

The weekly music series of wonderful weirdness, spearheaded by Self Sabotage Records, highlights an eclectic array experimental artists, avant-garde projects, and bands venturing into an unexpected performance realm they’re not typically known for.

Doors open tonight at 6 p.m., and the music starts at 7 p.m. with Gregory Wildes‘ Buster Futzer, followed by Flowertops, San Diego artist Modesty, Left Limbs, and an experimental set by AMM fave Suspirians. DJs Loma Editions and Jacob Green spin between sets, and Vision System creates the perfect atmosphere for the entire experience. Recommended.

-Photo of Suspirians courtesy of the artist.

 

Higher Ed: The Issues Brought Up By Safe Spaces, Trigger Warnings And Controversial Campus Speakers

Safe spaces. Trigger warnings. Disinvited speakers. These campus issues got the attention of a “Higher Ed” podcast listener who wrote in asking about what he has observed to be the proliferation of them. In this episode of KUT’s podcast “Higher Ed,” Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger and KUT’s Jennifer Stayton address a listener’s question about campus controversies.

A “Higher Ed” listener wrote in asking for Ed’s take on what the listener described as “the proliferation of so-called trigger warnings, safe spaces, and demonstrations that aim to force administrators to cancel an invitation to a speaker because their ideas are controversial.”

First of all, a few definitions.

“Trigger warning” is definied by Merriam-Webster as “a statement cautioning that content (as in a text, video, or class) may be disturbing or upsetting.”

“Safe space” is definied by Merriam-Webster as “a place (as on a college campus) intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations.”

In answering the listener, Ed acknowledges that these are complicated issues and a generic response does not suffice to cover all of them. But he does explain some factors that can come into play surrounding these and other occurances such as whether a certain speaker is invited to campus or not:

*Public vs. private institutions: Public institutions may have to adhere to certain rules about allowing anyone to speak on campus. Private institutions may have more freedom to exercise discretion about inviting or disinviting speakers.

* Class vs. event: Compelling a student to experience a certain speaker in a required classroom setting differs from a campus event which students, faculty, staff and others can choose to attend or not.

* Taking sides: Ed says he believes we are living in an “age of extremism” when people are less likely to engage thoughtfully with those who have differing views. He believes we are quick to label others without at least trying to understand their thoughts. (Ed notes he is not referring to hate speech and other obviously extreme, offensive examples).

Listen to the full episode to hear more of the discussion. What happens when a speaker is invited to a campus and then distressing news emerges about that speaker on social media? Listen on for thoughts on that as well as the solution to the latest puzzler. The best way to get the solution? Slow down and listen very carefully – which Ed suggests might serve us well in many arenas outside the puzzler!

This episode was recorded on Jan. 25, 2019.

Nathan Araya (Ep. 13, 2019)

This week, In Black America producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Nathan Araya, African Movie Academy Award – nominated documentary filmmaker, community leader and public speaker whose current project is the travel documentary series “Growing Up in America.”

 

This Song: Allison Moorer

Allison Moorer just released a new book and record, both titled “Blood.” Both works explore the legacy of her childhood in an abusive, addicted household and examine the impact that her parent’s murder suicide had on her life. In this episode, Moorer describes how “Every Breath You Take”  by the Police gave her a window into an entire other world of music, and helped her define herself apart from her family.

Check out Allison Moorer’s tour dates

Buy Blood

Listen to Songs from this episode of This Song

Heavy As the Sun

Sara Houser approached the task at hand with…some trepidation. She wasn’t quite yet comfortable writing music on guitar, but the creative spirit will not be stifled. Hesitations be damned. Houser just went for it. And that determination was how, five years ago, she and her band Löwin recorded their first single for their debut EP, Royal Jelly.

Race ahead to five years later. Löwin’s second LP, Heavy As the Sun, shows front woman Houser inspired by a slight shift away from more fuzzed-out blitzes toward a pop direction, without leaving behind Löwin’s natural knack for rocking out. And Houser owns it.

Hear what the fuss is about as Löwin celebrates the release of Heavy As the Sun tonight at Cheer Up Charlie’s, with an equally badass line-up that includes Blushing, Fanclub, and All Eyes. Doors open at 8 p.m.

It’s the lion’s roar. So recommended.

-Photography by Tristan Ipock for KUTX.

This Song: Meredith Goldstein

Meredith Goldstein is host of the Love Letters podcast, the love advice columnist and entertainment writer for the Boston Globe and one of host Elizabeth McQueen’s oldest and dearest friends.  In this episode she explores all the reasons she loves the sexy, pleading desperation of “Father Figure” by George Michael.

Listen to this episode of This Song

Read the Love Letters Column

Listen to the Love Letters podcast

And now, for Meredith Goldstein’s “Pleading Playlist!”

George Michael was particularly incredible at writing songs about pleading for physical (or emotional) intimacy. On some tracks, he begs for it, usually while building to a great crescendo. “Father Figure” is my favorite (for many complicated reasons discussed on the podcast), but there are others that make their way onto my playlists. These are some of my favorite songs that feature George Michael asking, begging, and pleading to get love of some kind.

I Want Your Sex (Part 2)

The first installment of this very literal (and wonderful) pop song is all about lobbying for sex. But Part 2 adds new hooks, more begging, and my favorite lines: “I’m not your brother. I’m not your father.” I mean, he’s not technically a father … just a father figure.

Fastlove

I always thought it was weird that Adele chose to cover this song to honor George Michael on the Grammys (I figured she’d opt for “One More Try,” which seems very much in her wheelhouse). But this song is quintessentially George. It’s another hit that lyrically is one big request for intimacy, although in this case it’s more about distraction. It’s not so much about fast love, but more about seeking intimacy for a break from emptiness. “In the absence of security, I made my way into the night. …So why don’t we make a little room in my BMW …  searchin’ for some peace of mind.”

Fantasy

I love the lyrics: “When you know what to do, I’ll be in the next room.” What an invitation.

Freeek!

This is the most overtly sexual George Michael song there is, and in it, he’s still pleading. Aggressively. “Can I come on in, my sweet baby? Can I move on in? Can I come on in, my sweet baby? Can I move on in?” I highly recommend revisiting this music video.

A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Pt. 3)

Yes! There was a Part 3! George is shooting his shot one last time. “My cards are on your table, my dreams are in your bed. If I was able, I’d be there instead.” He ends it with a last plea: “Sleep with me tonight.”

Listen to Songs from this episode of This Song

KUT Weekend – March 1, 2019

In Austin, feral hogs may be closer than you think! Plus, El Paso’s reputation pays a price as violence keeps rising in Juárez. And why a community of young nuns is growing in Georgetown. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org

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