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Archives for June 2019

The Individualist

Your Austin Music Minute host decided it was best to feature a Todd Rundgren go-to for today’s AMM, one that strikes an inner chord so deeply when you hear those first opening chords on the track. Can you even read it in a sentence without thinking of Rundgren’s swoon-worthy greeting? “Hello, it’s me…” 

Naturally, the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee (fans are rightly fuming over that oversight, but Rundgren still makes jokes about it and has other, more important things to think of) is doing something very cool at the moment – a tour supporting not a new recording, but his recent book, The Individualist: Digressions, Dreams and Dissertations, chronicling details of his incredible 50-year career with a bit of insight into his personal life. And that tour brings him to the ATX for a performance tonight at Emo’s, 2015 E. Riverside Dr. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the music starts at 8 p.m.

Very recommended. Think of me…

-Photography by Lynn Goldsmith.

Texas Standard: June 24, 2019

Up to 1000 more Texas National Guard troops could soon deploy to the border. But will they be effective? We’ll take a closer look. Also, rebuilding smaller after Harvey. For some it might not be a choice. We’ll explore. Plus, thanks to the Permian Oil boom the U.S. is in a different position as tensions with Iran escalate. But does it really make a difference? We’ll take a closer look. And we’ll hear from the former Ambassador to the Dominican Republic about problems on the Island, and whether you should delay your trip. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

MaryAnn: “Don’t Forget Yourself”

Sure, you can have too many cooks in a kitchen, but if those cooks were all certified Iron Chefs able to keep off each others’ toes while still adding their finest spices to the pot, you’d have Austin quintet MaryAnn. Since 2013 this rock-Americana outfit has brought out some of the best from Mother Falcon (Evan Kaspar), Lola Tried (Ray Garza, Greg Spencer), and Ama (Matt Hudson), as well as PolyAction, Space Tan and Frozen Orange…and that’s just from four of MaryAnn’s five.

With no designated frontman and Erik Gatling holding down the drums, MaryAnn’s songwriting process is refreshingly organic, giving each song its own unique character while keeping within a controlled range of sounds. MaryAnn takes another defining step with this year with their upcoming self-titled full-length, due out in late August. But before you catch MaryAnn at the August 23rd release show or July 26th at Dozen Street, enjoy a just-released single that teases the new stuff, “Don’t Forget Yourself”!

The Summit on Race in America, pt. 1 (Ep. 29, 2019)

On this week’s program, In Black America producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents a conversation with James “Jimmy Jam” Harris, Shemekiah Copeland, and Wyclef Jean at The Summit on Race in America: Liberty and Justice for All, held this Spring at the LBJ Presidential Library, on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin.

KUT Weekend – June 21, 2019

The Austin City Council approves $8.6 million for a new homeless shelter on Ben White Boulevard. Plus, why is Austin’s “official” LGBT Pride celebration in August instead of June? And who is the motorcycle rider who does wheelies around Austin in pool floaties? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org

Rising

All it took was “Black Moon Rising.” It felt and sounded like a classic, but it’s clearly here and now. Very now. After that, fans were craving an entire album, and the wait was pure torture. One track wasn’t enough.

In the relatively short time they’ve been a band, Black Pumas, featuring powerhouse vocalist Eric Burton and Grammy Award-winning guitarist and producer Adrian Quesada, has generated an overwhelming amount of excitement and anticipation over their self-titled debut LP. No surprise there. From its much-loved opening single to the very last “Sweet Conversations,” it’s outstanding, well-crafted soulfulness in its entirety, heavily influenced by R&B and hip-hop.

This is not a throwback. This is the real deal.

Don’t miss Black Pumas at their album release show tonight at Antone’s, 305 E. 5th St. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. So recommended it hurts.

-Eric Burton of Black Pumas. Image by Jimmy Bruch Photography.

Scone Cash Players: “Canned Champagne”

If you’re a die-hard Daptone admirer, the Scone Cash Players already have a place in your wheelhouse. Modern day Booker T contemporary Adam Scone and his Hammond-backing band have been riding the heat wave of  2018’s Blast Furnace for awhile, and today they tighten up their funk-soul sockets even more with As The Screw Turns.

A record this impressive doesn’t need much more of an intro, so let’s celebrate New Music Friday with a pop, courtesy of  “Canned Champagne”!

Texas Standard: June 21, 2019

A mass migration from California to Texas. Is it all about the Benjamins? Or could it say something about the future of the U.S.? Two visions for the future of America, and according to the Economist Magazine, one is better suited for the future, we’ll hear why. Also, is Texas big enough for a second vet school? The Governor says yes, approving 17 million to green light a challenger to Texas A&M. We’ll hear from the new dean. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Falling

Summer storms can be quick and devastating. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Immerse Yourself

Perhaps it’s the aura of mystique and the spectrum of different energies emanating from the distinctive sounds of traditional Eastern music that draw one in. Nagavalli takes it a step further, bringing East and West together with her own unique musical repertoire that continuously leaves audiences breathless.

The Austin-based songwriter creates Eastern soul on her album Immersion, which is what the experience is all about. It’s the opportunity to immerse oneself in the trancelike waves of Nagavalli’s extraordinary style combined with small touches of pop, rock and Eastern melodies.

The live experience cannot be denied. See Nagavalli perform tomorrow night at the Cactus Cafe, 2247 Guadalupe. Doors open at 8 p.m., and Barbara Nesbitt starts the show at 8:30 p.m. Remember to get your tickets early; the room fills up very quickly. Recommended.

-Photo courtesy of the artist.

Texas Standard: June 20, 2019

The reddest of red states? No more! Texas’ senior Senator John Cornyn ponders his reelection prospects and issues a warning to the GOP. Abby Livingston of the Texas Tribune on her conversation with the Senate’s 2nd highest ranking Republican and what it means for Texas politics. Also, summers here, but so is a teacher shortage in West Texas. So what happens come September? And Facebook bets on a Bitcoin competitor, should you? Tech expert Omar Gallaga weighs in. That and whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

The Sanco Loop: “Fort Phantom”

He may have spent some years in respite and his sound has certainly had a couple facelifts, but there’s no real point in doubting Peter Wagner’s nook in Austin, going back to the late ’90s. You’d never guess that the guy who cut his teeth on 6th Street playing Sonic Youth covers would be killing it in Americana these days but lo and behold, Wagner’s solo project-turned-five-piece The Sanco Loop is here to stay and as real as it gets.

The Sanco Loop’s 2017 self-titled album made a big impression on us here at KUTX and on their new single, the group worked with Grammy Winner Stuart Sullivan, who’s engineered everyone from Meat Puppets and Sublime to 13th Floor Elevators and Ian MacLagan. Catch The Sanco Loop this Saturday at Whip In and hunker down with “Fort Phantom”!

Beautiful Joy

You give pause to hear the soft, warm tones of Lindsey Verrill‘s disarming voice. It just happens. It’s an invitation to see the world as the Austin-based songwriter experiences it, through her musical project Little Mazarn. Jeff Johnston accompanies Verrill with his trusty saw, making the songs all the more ethereal with its ghostly tones.

Little Mazarn has spent quite a bit of time on the road, which makes the return all the sweeter. Little Mazarn performs tonight at Hard Luck Lounge, 3526 E. 7th St., along with Tony Kamel of Wood & Wire, doing a solo set.

Seriously, two Austin Music Minute faves right here. The music starts at 8 p.m. As Kamel himself recently said, it’s transcendental. Very recommended.

-Lindsey Verrill of Little Mazarn. Photography by Austin Price for KUTX.

Texas Standard: June 19, 2019

The President launches his re-election bid. How strong is his support in Texas? Who do Texas Democrats favor in 2020? A new UT-Texas Tribune poll offers an updated snapshot of where Texans stand on a variety of political matters as we head into the next election cycle. We’ll break down the findings. Also some claim that the cycle of boom and bust in oil country is a relic of the past. Is it? We’ll take a closer look. And claims about high maternal mortality rates in Texas: The governor says they’re lying. But what does Politifact say? Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:

Calliope Musicals: “Color/Sweat”

If you’re on the hunt for some hard-partying glammed-out motherfunkers, then Calliope Musicals is the group for you. And though Austin’s reputation for being weird certainly precedes the Calliope crew, these wackos will continue to blow you away with their caliber of electric eccentricity and onstage antics. But that’s not to say Calliope Musicals isn’t without sincerity or candor, especially considering their latest album was born from frontwoman Carrie Fussell’s post-2016 election commentaries and observations.

The funnest bits of Calliope’s favorite genres have a home on the palette of Color/Sweat, the vibrant, feminine full-length released last Friday. Keep on the lookout for plenty of local shows from Calliope Musicals, embrace the summer humidity, and unleash some pigment in your pores with Color/Sweat‘s title track!

 

Ghost Coast

It was a whirlwind, as it should be – San Francisco, L.A., Seattle, Portland, to name a few hot spots. Megafauna, led by vocalist and master shredder Dani Neff, recently returned from their tour promoting their fifth studio album, Ghost Coast, a joyride of multiple prog, pop, psych and rock riffs making the brain explode. It’s the shredding your AMM host has been raving about this whole time…!

You can experience it live at Megafauna’s homecoming show tonight at the Mohawk, 912 Red River, on the inside stage. They’re part of the line-up at Belcurve’s residency this evening, which includes piano-driven rock outfit Wrongbird. 8 p.m. So recommended.

-Photography by by Aaron Rimbey.

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