Archives for June 2020

Texas Standard: June 24, 2020

The U.S. city on track to be the hardest hit by COVID-19? A dire warning from one of the nation’s top infectious disease experts. We need to proceed to red alert: so says Dr.Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine who warns face masks may not be enough to prevent the Houston region from rivaling what we’re seeing now in Brazil. Also a downturn like no other: what job losses in the oil industry may tell us about the future of the Texas economy. Plus a broader forecast from Texas economist Angelos Angelou and much more today on the Texas Standard:

Swimming With Bears: “Do It”

A quick glance at the name Swimming With Bears might suggest a rejected BBC documentary, but in reality this indie soul pop group finds themselves in the same aural animal kingdom as Tame Impala and Phoenix. Since 2016 they’ve been sharpening their claws and heading upstream with their own sound, with Joe Perry’s distinct vocals turning this already voracious beast into a full blown audio apex predator. SWB’s toured the world and was once invited to open for Weezer and Panic! At The Disco, but with quarantine still in effect, you can imagine these 2016 Black Fret nominees have been in deep hibernation.

With that in mind, last Friday Swimming With Bears shared a glimpse into their own respective caves with a brand new music video for “Do It”!



-Jack Anderson

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Zuniga Tuesday Night

It’s just damn great songwriting. Whether you’ve followed Fastball through seven studio LPs, hooked right from the start with Make Your Mama Proud (1996), or became a new fan through the solo release These Ghosts Have Bones (2011) and followed his collaborations with Spoon, Kat Edmondson or The Dandy Warhols, you know Miles Zuniga has a penchant for pop mastery.

Settle in with Zuniga’s weekly live stream series, Tuesdays with Miles, starting at 7 p.m. (Central) tonight, Tuesday June 23, on his Facebook page.

-Photo courtesy of the artist.

Texas Standard: June 23, 2020

Return to closing businesses is a last resort in Texas, so declares Governor Abbott even as he expresses concern about what he calls an unacceptable increase in COVID-19 cases, we’ll have the latest. Also some rapidly spreading face masks myths debunked, and the latest in the mystery disappearance of a Fort Hood soldier who’d complained about sexual harassment. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Third Root: “Did I? (Put Enough Work In)” [prod. El Dusty]

Continuing our recap of socially relevant Juneteenth releases, today we’ve got one of the most conscious hip-hop acts the Lone Star State has to offer: Third Root. Composed of San Antonio educator/lyricists Charles “Easy Lee” Peters and Marco “Mexican StepGrandfather” Cervantes as well as internationally-renowned turntablist DJ Chicken George, Third Root may be a bit more academically-leaning than some of their central Texas counterparts, but they’ve never had an issue breaking issues down into a conversational vernacular to get the crowd moving.

Last Friday these Studio 1A veterans and frequent airwave guests shared their fourth full-length Passion of the Poets, marking yet another collaboration with producer Adrian Quesada and featuring guests like Bavu Blakes, Black Pumas, and Grupo Fantasma. The twelve-track album gives a newly refined studio energy to songs we’ve loved for years, especially the live show staple “Mexstep 4 President” (a campaign announcement that we’ll take any day now…). It’s an incredibly well-calculated balance between beats you just want to bang out all day and lyrics that’ll keep you thinking all night, a prime example of which comes from legendary producer El Dusty, “Did I? (Put Enough Work In)”.


-Jack Anderson

KUTX supports Austin music; your support makes KUTX possible. Donate today.

J.Cole vs Noname

This week on The Breaks, Confucius and Fresh

  • Touch on their memories of past Juneteenth celebrations and talk about what this year’s event might look like.
  • Discuss the criticism surrounding J.Cole’s new song ” Snow on Da Bluff” and the way he appears police the tone used by a Black woman activist (presumably Noname).
  • Talk about the Black Austin Matters mural and explain why grand public gestures can not replace policy addressing systemic racism.
  • Explore why Black Austin Artists are no longer willing to stay silent about systemic racism in the Austin Music Scene.
  • In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh argues that fans do appreciate Kendrick Lamar and are ready for his next album.
  • In his Confucius Says, Confucius discusses the integral role of Black women in the struggle for Black liberation.
  • This week’s local song of the week is “RED” by MALIK.

Listen to this week’s episode of The Breaks

Texas Standard: June 22, 2020

As President Trump tries to get his campaign restarted after lockdowns nationwide, what to make of polls suggesting the rise of Joe Biden in Texas. That and more today on the Texas Standard.

Stay at home rules are supposed to promote safety but for many, home is anything but safe, as concerns mount in some communities over rates of domestic violence.

Also, Texas restaurants on the front line of enforcing face mask rules. And, dropping “The Eyes of Texas”. The case being made by athletes and others against the University of Texas at Austin’s official alma mater song.

Those stories and more.

Stream Pick: Tameca Jones

It had been three months since Austin-based songwriter Tameca Jones was able to play a show, and for Jones, that’s three months too long. However, the badass energy of Austin’s empress of soul will not be stifled.

Bud’s Recording Services Live and Direct series presents Tameca Jones in her first live stream performance, starting at 7 p.m. (Central) tonight, Monday June 22, on Bud’s Recording Facebook page, on Jones’ Facebook, and Bud’s YouTube channel. Magnifique!

-Photography by Cal Quinn.

Magna Carda: “Milez”

Last week’s edition of New Music Friday was easily one for the history books. The combination of Bandcamp donating proceeds and artists strategizing for a powerful Juneteenth release culminated in an incredibly fruitful day for Austin music, so we’ll be spending most of this week recapping what you may have missed…starting with the big one!

The forty one-track mega-compilation Slack Capital 3: Slacking From Home Edition covers all genres, but harbors a consistent and passionate energy throughout its extended runtime. Better yet, all proceeds generated from album sales will go directly to Austin Justice Coalition, so find some of your new favorite tracks and dig into your pocket if you can. For starters, check out one of the record’s boldest centerpieces, commanded by the unbeatable hip-hop outfit Magna Carda, “Milez”!


KUTX supports Austin music; your support makes KUTX possible. Donate today.

The Bart Starr Awards (Ep. 29, 2020)

This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents highlights from this year’s Bart Starr Awards, held during Super Bowl 54 Week in south Florida, featuring NFL host James Brown, Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, and this year’s Award winner, retired Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

Black Voices: A Listening Party

The Far Out Lounge and Stage in South Austin and The Werd Company will host an evening of live music and powerful conversation. Black Voices: A Listening Party features performances by, and discussions with, Magna Carda, Kalu James, Torre Blake, Blackillac, Zai Sadler, Christopher Michael and more.

Your esteemed emcee for the evening is Confucius Jones of The Breaks. Everything kicks off at 8 p.m. (Central) tonight at the Far Out Lounge, 8504 South Congress Ave. on the outdoor stage. Please note that this is a live show with table seating only; capacity is limited to 250, and masks are required. A live stream of the event is also available via The Werd Company on The Far Out Lounge’s Facebook page, starting at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Austin Justice Coalition. You can purchase tickets at this link.

-Artwork provided by Far Out Lounge and Stage.

KUT Weekend – June 19, 2020

The city of Austin orders businesses to require face masks. Plus, the racist roots of UT Austin’s school song. And a Texan in her 90s still working to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Those stories and more in this edition of KUT Weekend!

Subscribe at https://weekend.kut.org

Stay Black and Live

Throughout its evolution, the celebrations and remembrances of Juneteenth, marking the end of formal slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865, have provided opportunities for younger generations to keep the stories alive. And every year, new stories are brought to the table. This year’s celebrations in Austin continue online with Stay Black and Live: A Virtual Juneteenth Celebration, featuring live music and poetry performances by local artists; a raffle hosted by Six Square, benefitting the Greater East Austin Youth Association (GEAYA); an online scavenger hunt and much more.

Music performances include artists Nook Turner, Queen Deelah, Anastasia, Eimaral Sol, Alesia Lani (featured on today’s Austin Music Minute), and Riders Against the Storm on the bill. The event is from 6 to 10 p.m. (Central) tonight on the Stay Black and Live Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, the Carver Museum Twitch channel, and on the Stay Black and Live website. The event kicks off with an opening message from District 1 City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison. and is hosted by Jump On It founder Nook Turner.

-Artwork from Stay Black and Live

Texas Standard : June 19, 2020

The meaning of emancipation and the ongoing struggle in the spotlight as millions in Texas and across the nation mark Juneteenth. More today on the Texas Standard.

A Juneteenth that has taken on special prominence amid a rising chorus of demands for racial justice and equality. Voices from across the state on what Juneteenth means to them.

Also, governor’s orders: Texas public schools to reopen in the fall–this announcement as COVID-19 cases continue to spike. We’ll hear how plans currently stand, and when we might get more details. Plus the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and much more.

Waving At Neighbors

There’s unrest. There’s fear. There’s frustration. And there’s still a lot of “normal” life that just isn’t happening right now. But what we can do is go outside, maybe take a walk, and share a friendly gesture. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.

Clarence James: “So Cold”

There are a ton of amazing artists taking advantage of today’s duality as both Juneteenth and New Music Friday, but in the spirit of both the Austin Music Experience and musical discovery, let’s check out young up-and-comer Clarence James. Raised in the bucolic Texas town of Columbus, James’ early exposure to classical music quickly led him to jazz and at age sixteen he picked up the guitar, re-cast the chord progressions he’d grown found of, and even developed his own unique fingerpicking method.

Cut to age twenty, where Clarence James bridges the gap between his formative jazz, lo-fi hip-hop, and airy indie rock in an impressively cohesive manner to speak about his own varied experiences across the two short decades of his life thus far. And on that, today Clarence James has released his debut full-length Fucked Me Up exclusively on Bandcamp with all proceeds to be donated to Black Lives Matter and Austin Justice Coalition for a full week before hitting all digital streaming platforms.

It’s a monumental day and there’s a TON of great new music out, but be sure to give Clarence James some love on one of the boldest live-band offerings on Fucked Me Up, “So Cold”!


KUTX supports Austin music; your support makes KUTX possible. Donate today.

Texas Standard: June 18, 2020

The high court pushes back on a DACA rollback, but leaves open many questions about the future of the program that protects hundreds of thousands of young people from deportation, we’ll take a closer look. Also, understanding Juneteenth: a firsthand reflection on its importance. Plus the first FDA approved video game: a high tech prescription to help young people with attention deficit challenges. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:

Malik: “Red”

Having graduated Leander High School in just 2014, Brian Malik Baptiste didn’t skip a beat in pursuing his dreams of becoming a full-time producer. And after four short years, Baptsite had earned his first Grammy (deservingly so) for writing, arranging, and production contributions on “Better Off” from Ariana Grande’s Best Pop Vocal Album of the Year-winner Sweetener. With a more recent nomination as co-producer on Grande’s Thank U, Next and as an ongoing regular contact in J. Cole’s Dreamville rolodex, this native Austinite has just signed with major Kanye inspiration No I.D. as a solo artist.

Enigmatic briefcase in tow, Baptiste has just shared his solo debut single under the new moniker, strutting out confidently yet delicately over an unconventional 3/4 trap waltz. You’ll find even more vibrance on Malik’s ongoing exploration of color, be it in the abstract, societal, or literal connotation throughout Spectrum, starting with this iridescent single, “Red”


KUTX supports Austin music; your support makes KUTX possible. Donate today.

Cosmic Streams: Angel Olsen

Angel Olsen fans and new fans alike were absolutely blown away by her LP All Mirrors. It was a more massive arrangement compared to previous releases, a production built from an acoustic dream into something with bigger orchestral momentum. It’s magnificent. But any Olsen admirer will tell you that the first track on her first studio album, Half Way Home (2012), also mesmerizes the senses instantaneously. For real. Those vocals on “Acrobat” alone make your knees buckle.

Olsen is the next artist featured on the Cosmic Streams live stream series at Noon Chorus. She’ll perform  tracks from  Half Way Home, as well as her 2010 EP Strange Cacti, among other assorted favorites. See Olsen perform at 8 p.m. (Central) tomorrow, Thursday June 18, at this Noon Chorus link. Proceeds from the show benefit the YWCA in Asheville, North Carolina, which is committed to “eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, and equality for all.”

-Photo courtesy of the artist.

Texas Standard: June 17, 2020

One size fits all does not work for Texas, so say the mayors of nine cities imploring the governor to help them get Texans back to safety guidelines. El Paso mayor Dee Margo, one of the signatories to a letter to governor Abbot tells us why he and his colleagues are asking for the power to get more people to wear face coverings in the fight against COVID-19. Also Texas student athletes leverage their power for social change. A look at how their latest moves fit into the larger picture. And is purple the new orange? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard: