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Archives for February 2020

Lock It!

KUTX, the City of Austin Music & Entertainment Division and the Austin Music Foundation are here to remind you that Love Austin Music Month serves as reminder to support local music artists. You have another fantastic opportunity to do so tonight with the Love Lockdown, a massive show presented by KUTX’s The Breaks at Stubb’s indoor venue, 801 Red River. Confucious and Fresh are hosting a badass line-up that includes Jake Lloyd, KUTX February Artist of the Month Eimaral Sol, Jay Wile, and Arya.

All of this in one night? That’s right. Don’t miss out on another excellent evening of musical discovery. Doors open at 8 p.m. Very recommended.

-Photo of Eimaral Sol by Julia Reihs for KUTX.

Rich Harney

How does the sudden loss of a central figure change the local music community? How does the community deal with that loss?

In this installment of Liner Notes with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, we learn about the life and career of Austin jazz pianist Rich Harney who passed away on Jan. 5, 2020.

 

 

Texas Standard: February 13, 2020

After almost two years, an inspector’s report on safety makes a hard landing at the offices of the FAA and Dallas based Southwest airlines. We’ll explore. Also, we’ll look at how a Texas senator seems to be leading a new trend of politicians getting into podcasting and in a big way. Plus, Texas is a major player in the streaming wars. But who’s winning? And who isn’t? We’ll take a look. And a death in the musical family of Willie Nelson. Biographer Joe Nick Patoski on the passing of Paul English. All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

The Human Circuit: “Right Now” [PREMIERE]

Though the prevalence of large pop-rock ensemble groups isn’t exactly what it was in the early mid-aughts, the undeniable energy of seeing a stage-filling act is still going strong in the new ’20s.

Case in point: Austin’s The Human Circuit, whose upbeat orchestral arrangements and dance-inducing grooves have already earned the outfit opening spots for The Zombies in addition to their own Mayor Adler-proclaimed day in early August. THC’s got an ongoing case of tour fever after spending a good portion of 2018 on the road, and they’re hoping to cover some more of the country following the release of their upcoming EP Tar Nation.

The Human Circuit enlisted Yeah Yeah Yeahs & Of Montreal engineer Charles Godfrey as well as Alex Saltz, who’s mastered the likes of Vampire Weekend, David Bowie, R.E.M., and Tom Petty, to round out the five new songs on Tar Nation, so you know it’s gonna sound great. The Human Circuit plays tonight at the Mohawk for the Mosaic Sound Collective Pop-Up, where they’ll undoubtedly help push you through the rest of that work week sludge. Fingers crossed that they perform this brand new one to keep us warm out in the cold: “Right Now”!

Your Valentines

The swoon started over Bedroom Demos (2018). Now, with the release of their EP Green, there’s more gorgeousness to swoon over.

The Love Austin Music Month celebrations continue at KUTX with the Austin Music Minute giving extra love to all-local artists, and that includes today’s AMM featured band, dreamy surf-psych, synth-pop outfit Sasha and The Valentines. Mind you, there’s no actual Sasha in the band, but an impressive collective talent (Sarah Addi, John Bergin, Billy Hickey, Alex Whitelaw, and Tim Zoidis) weaving a unique texture and depth for their sound.

Hearts in your AMM host’s eyes. Sasha and The Valentines plays tonight at Hotel Vegas, 1501 E. 6th St., sharing the bill with Austin-based pop duo Emme and psych/garage-pop band Brother Sports. The music kicks off just after 10 p.m. Very recommended.

-Photo courtesy of the artist.

Love Letter to Scarlett

Two years ago I introduced you to my then 3-year-old daughter, Scarlett. My Valentine.

She was a late arrival in my life and particularly special because I grew up with all boys and had only boys, until she came along. She’s introduced me, for the first time, to the wonderful world of little girls.

Scarlett’s now 5 and I’m 65. She likes the symmetry of that. She tells perfect strangers, at random, “I’m five and he’s 65.”

I’ve taken to telling her that she’s my favorite 5-year-old daughter. She caught on recently and said, “You’re my favorite 65-year-old father.” The tables have turned.

As with all five-year-olds, her humor is maturing. She tells me jokes: “What do you call a fly with no wings? A walk.” She was tutored by Alexa, no doubt.

She’s accidentally funny, too. She asked, “Dada, you go to the university and they just give you money for talking all the time?” Yes. Fairly accurate, actually.

She also asks those Einsteinian questions: “Dada, what would happen if there was no friction in the whole world?” We’d have a happier planet?

Here’s another tough one about grammar: “If mouses are mice how come rats aren’t rice?” “I don’t know,” I tell her. “Go ask your mother.”

That’s my default response for her toughest questions. When she got in the back of our closet and asked, “How do you have Santa’s wrapping paper in your closet?” I said, again, “Ask your mother.”

Sometimes she surprises me with her spontaneous observations. She says, “Did you know that if I put gobs of your shaving cream into slime it makes it slimier?” No, but that’s handy information.

She surprised me also when she asked if I got a splinter when I fell down the steps and broke my leg. I said “no.” She said, “That’s good because those splinters really hurt.”

Like all children her age, she has beautiful daydreams: “Dada, why don’t you get a bicycle with two seats? You can pedal up front and I’ll sit in the back and rest and listen to the birds.”

In her room she has an imaginary restaurant that often has imaginary shortages. I’ll order ice cream and she’ll say, “Oh, sorry, the ice cream machine is broken right now.” Just like real world restaurants.

She’s not so good at keeping secrets. Her mother returned home from Christmas shopping and Scarlett said, immediately, “I helped dada wrap your present. It’s a purple sweater from Dillard’s.”

It reminded me of when she said: “I’m going to give you a surprise birthday party, but don’t tell mama.” I think she forgot who she was not supposed to tell.

It’s been a great year watching her grow up. I told her when she turns 6 we could have her birthday party at Chucky Cheese and she said no. “Chucky Cheese is for little kids. Peter Piper is for big kids.” She already has a keen understanding of demographics.

She’s sadly had to grow in other ways, too. I told her to put her bike away because someone might steal it. “What is steal?” she asked. I hated to bring that concept into her idyllic world.

Mail came for her for the first time. She had never received mail, ever. I asked people to send her letters. She got 15 in one day and this is how she responded. She grabbed all the letters, and with a delightful scream, she ran from the mailbox to the front door saying, “I CAN’T BELIEVE ITTTTTT!!!!” I think she was happy.

Scarlett has been in a romantic mood these last months. She wants her mama and me to get married again so she can be a flower girl in a violet dress. She’s been drawing pictures of how she sees the ceremony with her front and center, directing things. I like that she even gives us advice for a good marriage. She says, “Mama, dada is your husband, and dada, mama is your life.” My life – liked that advice a lot. You’re right Scarlett, mama is my life. And so are you, darlin.’ Happy Valentine’s Day.

Texas Standard: February 12, 2020

Iowa? Check. New Hampshire? Check. Brace yourself for Super Tuesday where Texas is sure to shine, we’ll have all the details. Also Food safety, food labels, small producers and big producers. A roundtable with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And what’s the meaning of a warrant forgiveness? We’ll explore. Plus how artificial intelligence is inspiring new music. And have you started thinking about your Valentine? Ours will melt your heart. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Poly Action: “Self Destruction” [PREMIERE]

Already an integral part of both MaryAnn and Lola Tried, guitarist-vocalist Ray Garza’s role as frontman in Poly Action is decidedly not Baby’s First Rock N’ Roll.

After wooing the local scene, East Coast, and Midwest with the infectious power-pop-rock on their first album, the quartet’s officially entered their fifth year together. With their half-decade badge proudly displayed, Poly Action’s gearing up for yet another tour in early April but not before making their vinyl debut with the upcoming sophomore record Human Behavior. You can expect some of the same lighthearted, toe-tapping indie-infused energy off Baby’s First Rock N’ Roll on Human Behavior, albeit with a few extra marks of maturity and refinement, and you can catch Poly Action for their single release show this Saturday at Hole in the Wall with Teddy Glass and The Hermits.

“What single?” you ask? Crank the knob up to 11 for some good ole fashioned fuzz and distortion on “Self Destruction”!

Photo: Erik Gatling

For the Radio

KUTX’s celebration of Love Austin Music Month continues with show picks on the Austin Music Minute featuring all-local artists – so many to choose from, in fact, that one can barely keep up!

Today’s AMM calls your attention to an extraordinary presence in the local scene, Pocket Sounds, led by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael St. Clair. An awesome FYI: St. Clair is a member of this year’s Project ATX6 group, which travels to festivals round the world to show off all this impressive Austin-based musical talent. And, having recently returned from Thailand with Project ATX6, St. Clair is ready to bring Pocket Sounds in for a performance tonight at Hotel Vegas, 1501 E. 6th St. Fort Worth-based band Watering and Blair Robbins share the bill.

The music starts just after 10 p.m. Recommended.

-Photography by Julia Reihs for KUTX.

Texas Standard: February 11, 2020

What’s in the President’s proposed budget and what are the many ways in which it affects Texans? Maintenance for the wall in the years to come. Who’ll be paying for that? We’ll take a look. And did you know California banned state-funded travel to Texas? Well, Texas is fighting back. We’ll take a look at what that means for children in state care. Plus, machines that discriminate. Can algorithms be less biased? Also, how well do you know your Civil War History? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:

Har Mar Superstar: “Don’t You Go Forgetting About Me Now”

You’ve heard the on-air promos. You’ve seen the impressive, but admittedly quasi-sacrilegious artwork. So what’s stopping you from subscribing to KUTX’s new podcast Song Confessional?

Having just launched in late 2019 and hosted by Walker Lukens and Zac Catanzaro, Song Confessional brings you an anonymous story, a previously unheard original tune inspired by the anecdote, and an interview with the songwriter themself all in one neat, easily digestible MP3. There’s a new episode every two weeks, so check the latest one today from Har Mar Superstar for a discussion on strippers and hook ups just in time for Valentine’s Day weekend, “Don’t You Go Forgetting About Me Now”!

Kobe

This week on The Breaks:

  • Confucius and Fresh discuss the internet’s reaction to CBS reporter Gayle King asking WNBA star Lisa Leslie about the sexual assault accusation against her friend and mentor Kobe Bryant.
  • Both hosts lament the downfall of Nicki Minaj in the wake of her latest social media battle with her ex-boyfriend Meek Mill.
  • They express their thoughts on Billie Eilish’s recent comments about rappers “lying” in their music.

Listen to this episode of The Breaks

Get your tickets to Love Lockdown, February 13th at Stubbs Indoors featuring Eimaral Sol, Jake Lloyd, Jay Wile and arya

Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher

The Breaks are on every Saturday 10pm-1am on KUTX 98.9.
You can hear the latest full broadcast of The Breaks Saturday night show.

Texas Standard: February 10, 2020

The Democrat most likely to become Texas toast on Super Tuesday? We’ll look at how tomorrow’s primary vote sets the stage for a delegate fight close to home. Plus ABC News analyst Matthew Dowd joins us to talk about the latest in the race among democrats trying to topple President Trump. And the Telecom rollout that’s got 57 Texas cities roiled up. We’ll hear about their lawsuit. Plus the author reviving the story of a south Texas equal rights activist often overlooked by historians. All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Local Music Love

You don’t need Valentine’s Day to be feeling the love for all this music! In partnership with the City of Austin Music & Entertainment Division and the Austin Music Foundation, KUTX is celebrating Love Austin Music Month.

You may have heard your Austin Music Minute maven declare “mad love for the local artists” throughout the year, but February does serve as a lovely reminder to step up and support our local music artists.

Today, the AMM shines the spotlight on two rising stars in the realm of blues, R&B, soul and funk, The Peterson Brothers. Their recent Studio 1A performance was outstanding, so surely you know what’s in store at their Monday night residency show tonight at The Continental Club, 1315 S. Congress Ave. Go for it! The music starts early at 6:30 p.m., followed by esteemed classic country crooner Jason James at 10 p.m.

All good. Recommended.

-Photograph by Gabriel C. Pérez for KUTX.

Wake Party: “Awful Good”

After just two short years of playing together as a trio, the sole three studio singles from Austin’s Wake Party are still plenty to keep us close to the casket. Wake Party’s bold take on the rock n roll genre puts their sound right up there with The Black Keys, alt-J, Alabama Shakes, Arctic Monkeys and more, while retaining the humility that makes them a must-see local act.

Late last year Wake Party put their debut EP Awful Good on display, and alongside hints of a bigger release in the near future, they’ll be joining Favor and Ain’t Nothins this Thursday at Hole in the Wall. So before Thursday, take ten minutes to burn through the raw power chords and high octane energy on the record, whose quality definitely stays true to its title track, “Awful Good”!

Lena Horne (Ep. 10, 2020)

On this week’s In Black America program, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents a 1983 interview with the legendary singer, dancer, actress and Civil Rights activist, who died in 2010 after a film, television and theater career that spanned 70 years.

All the Shows!

KUTX has teamed up with In the City of Austin Music & Entertainment Division and the Austin Music Foundation to represent with Love Austin Music Month. ‘Tis true that KUTX shows that love to local artists all year round, but this month serves as an important reminder for all in the community to support them.

Today’s Austin Music Minute provides one small example of any given night in the Live Music Capital. So many shows to choose from, and that’s what makes the ATX a unique experience. Tonight, take your pick:

–The Deer and Sydney Wright performing at The ABGB, 1305 W. Oltorf.

–Moving Panoramas, Blushing and Dossey at Stubb’s indoor venue, 801 Red River.

–Bridge Farmers at The Lost Well, 2421 Webberville Rd.

–Body Rock’s 10th Anniversary celebration at Empire Control Room, 606 E. 7th St., presented by Riders Against the Storm.

–Trouble In the Streets (featured on today’s AMM), Urban Heat Island Effect and Lady Fang at Swan Dive, 615 Red River.

–Red On Yellow at Oskar Blues Brewery, 10420 Metric Blvd., Ste. 150.

–A Giant Dog, Blood and PR Newman and  at Barracuda, 611 E. 7th St.

–Oscar Ornelas at Skylark Lounge, 2039 Airport Blvd.

As if all of this weren’t enough, your AMM will throw in a few Sunday shows for you, including Shakey Graves at Hogg Auditorium; Daisy O’Connor at Cosmic Coffee, 121 Pickle Rd.; and a gigantic Aussie Bushfire Benefit show starting at 4 p.m. at Cheer Up Charlie’s, 901 Red River, with (takes a deep breath) Sweet Spirit, Sir Woman, Matthew Logan Vasquez, American Sharks, Kalu James, Croy and The Boys, Go Fever, Zettajoule, Nevil, and Sasha & The Valentines.

Buy the music. Buy the merch. See the shows. Let’s show these fantastic Austin artists all the love.

-Trouble In the Streets photo courtesy of the artist.

To The Beautiful Fools

Your Austin Music Minute host has it on good authority that Sara Houser is one of the hardest working individuals in the local music community. The songwriter and front woman for ATX band Löwin can also count music instructor on her CV, in addition to badass-musician-for-hire and in-demand vocalist when outfits like Golden Dawn Arkestra come calling for additional layers of awesome. But Löwin takes precedence, and the band’s delivered a glimmering track with those sweet, sweet Houser vocals to follow you into your dreams.

The super-synthed “A Fool For Thinking” is the first of a collection of tracks Houser has on the ready for future Löwin single releases throughout the year, and tonight the band celebrates with a big show at Cheer Up Charlie’s, 901 Red River. The entire bill is on fire –  Slomo Drags, Yukon Gold and Urban Heat Island Effect. The music kicks off at 9 p.m.

So very recommended.

-Photography by Kate Blaising.

KUT Weekend – February 7, 2020

The Austin City Council hires a new consultant to help with homelessness. Plus, Austin firefighters look to California to address the city’s wildfire risks. And the unique role of sports medicine at Texas rodeos. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org

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