Election day draws near, perhaps nearer than most Texans think. We’ll take a closer look at what Texas voters are being asked to decide this November. Also, it’s a Texas border more dangerous than the one that gets the lion’s share of attention. How a boom in the Permian has made for perilous times along the line with New Mexico. And missing notes rediscovered: a long forgotten manuscript recounting the story of how the blues came to Texas, revived after decades in limbo. Also the effort to clamp down on the dangerous storage of firearms. All that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Archives for October 2019
Denzel Curry: “Wish” (feat. Kiddo Marv)
The phrase “SoundCloud rapper” has attracted several negative connotations over the years, but for folks who’ve broken out of the streaming sphere like Denzel Curry, that label no longer has any weight. Curry’s already proven himself as one of Florida’s fiercest emcees thanks to his vicious lyricism and breakneck delivery, and he made a lot of jaws drop with his recent full-length ZUU.
Denzel Curry plays 2PM this Saturday at the Honda stage and although he’s probably not going to have all his guests in tow, you can’t overlook the ferocity on this Kiddo Marv feature: “Wish”!
Higher Ed: I’m Content. And Comfortable. And Don’t Want To Change. Learn How To Do It Anyway.
“The only thing constant is change.”
That saying, or some derivation of it, is attributed to the ancience Greek philosopher Heraclitus around 500 BC. But it certainly rings as true now as it did then.
In this episode of KUT’s podcast “Higher Ed,” Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger and KUT’s Jennifer Stayton discuss preparing students to handle life’s big changes.
Earlier this fall, Ed announced that in January of 2020 he will leave his position as President of Southwestern and become President and Chief Executive Officer of the St. David’s Foundation in Austin, Texas. After spending decades in academia, this move represents a big change for Ed.
So, why did he do it?
Ed says his long career in academia was actually one of the factors that propelled him to step into a different arena.
“We should not let our gifts and talents confine us to how we define ourselves and our future,” Ed believes. “If there is something more that we want to do, I don’t think we should use the fact that we are successful at something we’re currently doing as an impediment to not go off; trail blaze; take the risk; effectively fail; and do something else.”
Ed says much of what he has learned going through this process is applicable to students or anyone in a process of learning and discerning.
“How do you open your mind to looking at a future version of yourself that is a dramatic departure from where you are?”
Ed believes that question lies at the heart of launching into a big change. He says several steps are necessary to take a major, new step:
* “Your first have to overcome that inertia that says ‘things are okay now, … or things are great now, so let’s not mess up the apple cart.'”
* “[Don’t] be afraid of the emotional responses you will have to even consider such a move or such a change because they are real. And you have to balance all of that.”
* “One needs to create the space in one’s psyche to embrace this notion of change.”
* “There’s a mourning process. We need to give ourselves the space for us to mourn the loss of the bonds, the friendships, the community that we will be leaving. And then begin to imagine and be excited by a future community and a future life that will come next.”
Listen to the entire episode to hear more about contemplating, navigating and executing a big life change.
Ed promised the newest puzzler would be tougher than recent ones. He did not change his mind about that; be ready for a tough one this week.
This episode was recorded on Sept. 25, 2019.
Robert Townsend (Ep. 44, 2019)
This week on In Black America, John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Robert Townsend, actor, film director and producer, writer, and former cable network programming executive with more than three decades in the entertainment industry, whose credits include Hollywood Shuffle and The Five Heartbeats.
ACL Fest: Sat. Oct. 5
Here are a few more Austin Music Minute picks for ACL Fest 2019 for tonight, as well as a few alternative selections off the beaten path. Stay hydrated, freak:
-ACL Fest picks tonight include Billie Eilish, James Blake, Metric, Childish Gambino (rather easy looking around and about the festival grounds, thinking, “…this is America…”), and holy hell, The Cure. Triple YES.
-Tonight also marks the second night of Austin Corn Lovers Fiesta at The Lost Well, including sets by PONG, DiNOLA, Pocket FishRmen, The Swishbucklers and more.
-Don’t forget that tonight, Golden Dawn Arkestra has an official ACL Fest Late Night show at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, their album release show, with Nilufer Yanya.
-And speaking of release shows tonight, AMM fave The Ghost Wolves are having their EP vinyl release party at The ABGB, 1305 W. Oltorf.
—Photo of The Cure courtesy of the artist.
KUT Weekend – October 4, 2019
Governor Abbott threatens state action over Austin’s homelessness policies. Plus, the latest on Austin ISD’s efforts to sell parents on plans that include closing and consolidating 12 schools. And what’s the best way to get into the chilly waters of Barton Springs Pool? Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!
Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org
Texas Standard: October 4, 2019
He’s been one of the longest-serving members of President Trump’s cabinet, but sources say Rick Perry will soon step down, we’ll explore. Also, did you get a census in the mail? No, not that census. We’ll explore some confusing fundraising tactics to keep an eye out of for. Plus, it was a personal moment between the brother of a victim and his brother’s killer. But it’s sparked intense debate. We’ll explore. And a new documentary brings to light a long overlooked piece of Texas history. Those stories and then some today on the Friday edition of the Texas Standard:
The Thieves of Delight
The last crops of the season are being plucked from gardens across Texas — at least if human gardeners can get to them before the other creatures! That’s the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
ACL Fest 2019: Fri. Oct. 4
It’s overwhelming, but you’ve gotta start somewhere! These are but a handful of selections for your ACL Fest 2019 adventures today from your Austin Music Minute, as well as picks for fest alternatives:
-Start the ACL Fest day off at Zilker Park with Asleep At the Wheel (12:45 p.m.), Alesia Lani (1:15 p.m.), Cherry Glazerr (2:45 p.m.), and Black Pistol Fire (3 p.m.). The heavy hitters tonight include include Jenny Lewis, The Raconteurs, Thom Yorke, RL Grime, and Tame Impala.
-Also tonight, it’s the first night of Austin Corn Lovers Fiesta at The Continental Club, 1315 S. Congress Ave, with The Sloths, Pat Todd and The Rankoutsiders, Fiesta founders Hickoids featuring Frontier Dan, and Zofo, a major glam/garage outfit featuring Javier Escovedo, Glenn Benavides, David Fairchild and Thierry Lecoz. Daaaamn.
-Looking ahead to tomorrow afternoon at ACL Fest, catch early sets by Diamante Eléctrico, The Aquadolls, Sigrid, and bigtime AMM fave Brittany Howard.
—Photography by David James Swanson.
Otis the Destroyer: “Sour Tsunami” (Live in Studio 1A)
ACL’s always a great showcase for national and international artists, but come on…it’s called, “Austin City Limits”…you gotta toss some local love in there. Thankfully for us Austin audiophiles, Otis the Destroyer will be kicking ass onstage for their hometown’s eponymous festival. You’ve heard OtD on KUTX a fair amount over the years, especially after frontman Otis Wilkins recent solo endeavors.
Otis the Destroyer opens the fest up this Sunday only at the Vrbo stage and to quench your thirst through that notorious Zilker heat, listen back to the group’s Studio 1A session, where they showed off one of two new singles this year: “Sour Tsunami”!
The Psychology of Art and Museums
Why can experiencing art in a museum be significant? It turns out there’s much more to it than just the pictures on the walls.
In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of museums and art.
Here We Go: ACL Fest 2019
And so…it begins. Your Austin Music Minute is kicking off coverage of ACL Fest 2019, which will feature festival picks, and unofficial shows off the beaten path.
-Starting things out with some badass official ACL Fest Late Night shows tonight, including Gary Clark, Jr. (featured on today’s AMM) and Jackie Venson at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, 801 Red River, with an aftershow by Magna Carda on Stubb’s indoor stage.
-And check out another official late night show tonight with FIDLAR and Xetas at the Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St.
-Looking ahead to tomorrow at the festival at Zilker Park, catch early sets by Alesia Lani, Cherry Glazerr, Black Pistol Fire, and Jai Wolf.
—Photo courtesy of the artist.
Texas Standard: October 3, 2019
One sentence handed down. Many different reactions to it. We’ll look at the fallout from the trial of a former Dallas police officer convicted of murder. Also, court proceedings for the El Paso shooter will soon begin. So how should media outlets provide news without feeding into a narrative that could spark copycats? We’ll have two perspectives. Plus, evidence in University of Texas at Austin archives that the school was purposefully slow to move towards racial integration. And the mayor of the Texas Capital City joins us to react to a letter he just got from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Cherry Glazerr: “Call Me” (feat. Portugal. The Man)
If there’s one person to welcome more sweat to Zilker Park, it’s Clementine Creevy. Her L.A. punk rock trio Cherry Glazerr has been steadily oozing into the mainstream with their tongue-in-cheek lyrics, chuckle-worthy song titles, and oh yeah…some intense distorted guitar and near-screaming vocals. Cherry Glazerr’s still riding high off the release of Stuffed & Ready earlier this year, and just this past week they released a new collaborative single.
Cherry Glazerr plays both Fridays on the Vrbo stage and this Saturday at Scoot Inn along with Jenny Lewis. Right now you can dig into the new track, featuring ACL veterans Portugal. The Man, “Call Me”!
What’s The Best Way To Get Into The Chilly Waters Of Barton Springs?
There are many ways. But what’s the best way? Can medical science tell us?
Wicked
Thunderous. Mighty. Loud. And in your face. As it should be.
Longtime AMM fave Bridge Farmers is part of an all-around badass bill you won’t want to miss tonight at the Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville Rd. The line-up features Butthole Surfers bassist JD Pinkus, as well as guitar icon Danny B. Harvey with bassist Casino Frap. The music starts at 8 p.m.
And for cryin’ out loud, don’t leave the earplugs at home. Very recommended.
-Photo by Michael Minasi for KUTX.
Wit And Wisdom From T. Boone Pickens
By W.F. Strong
Even before I knew much about T. Boone Pickens, I loved his name. Has there ever been a better name for an oil man than T. Boone Pickens? It’s just right as rain. And the man behind the name was so perfect for it that it disproved Shakespeare’s claim that any other name would work as well. I loved to hear him talk because his Southwestern dialect so perfectly underscored and certified his folk wisdom and humor. He was a chairman of the board with true blue-collar cred. The title of his last book showed he was beautifully grounded in both worlds: “The First Billion is the Hardest.”
Boone, as many called him, was an Oklahoman and a Texan. When asked which he was, he said, “both.” He straddled both states like a giant derrick – raised in both, drilled in both – and both benefited from the hundreds of millions he gave through his philanthropy, from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, to UT Southwestern Medical Center, and to Oklahoma State University, among others.
Boone Pickens would have certainly died a multi-billionaire had he not given away the majority of his fortune, and he loved giving it away. He said, “Giving away money wasn’t as fun as making it, but it was a close second.”
When he died, he left behind a poignant letter for his social media followers. It contains his humor, his wisdom and inspiring advice for life. I’ll share some of it. He said:
If you are reading this, I have passed on from this world — not as big a deal for you as it was for me.
In my final months, I came to the sad reality that my life really did have a fourth quarter and the clock really would run out on me. I took the time to convey some thoughts that reflect back on my rich and full life.
I was able to amass 1.9 million Linkedin followers. On Twitter, more than 145,000 (thanks, Drake). This is my goodbye to each of you.
You can find more of T. Boone Pickens’ parting words on his web site.
I’ll end with Boone’s most famous bit of advice, not included in his letter:
“Every day you should work eight hours and sleep eight hours. Make sure they’re not the same eight hours.” Now let’s do what Boone would do – get on back to work.
Texas Standard: October 2, 2019
Guilty. A jury has convicted a former Dallas Police officer of murdering her neighbor in his own apartment. We’ll have reaction and a look ahead to sentencing. Also, Texas State University under scrutiny for under-reporting sexual assaults on campus. We’ll take a look at what happened and why. Meanwhile, the state’s first black city is at risk of being overtaken by developers. A look at the history we’re about to lose. And California is going to let college athletes profit off their images despite NCAA rules. Why Texas should care. All of that and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Julia Jacklin: “Good Guy” (Live in Studio 1A)
If you’re in the mood for some soothing, emotional indie out at ACL, look no further than Julia Jacklin. The Sydney singer put out her highly-acclaimed and deeply personal sophomore album Crushing earlier this year, and brought her narratives of heartbreak to Studio 1A not long after that.
Jacklin plays both Sundays on the Honda stage, and next Saturday at The Parish, so after you brave the Billie Eilish crowd for “Bad Guy”, stop by the same stage the next day for “Good Guy”.
Outta Controller
Getting Memory Bleach out to the masses, Wurve heads out for an October West Coast tour that includes a string of dates in Texas and California. But before they hit the road, catch Wurve when they play tonight at the Mohawk, 912 Red River, on the inside stage. Dream pop/shoegaze bands Blushing and Single Lash share the bill, which follows the show featuring RIDE, Spirit of the Beehive and Ringo Deathstarr outside.
Doors for the inside set at 10 p.m. Do it. You know you’ll love it.
-Photography by by Belicia Luevano.