Laurie Gallardo

If you know, you know. Interestingly, it took a friend originally from Alabama/Tennessee to explain it to your Austin Music Minute host. In addition to any shows presented by Eastside Kings Festival at various locations, Skylark Lounge is the spot to witness incredible blues shows. And it’s the spot where the Austin Blues Society Gathering presents performances by local and regional blues artists for musicians and fans alike to celebrate everything they love about the music. It’s the intimate atmosphere of the Skylark Lounge that also makes the experience an exceptional one every time.

The tradition continues with another Austin Blues Society Gathering tonight, Thursday Sept. 21, at the Skylark, 2039 Airport Blvd., starting at 9 p.m. This evening’s jam will be led by musicians Xavier Shannon (pictured above) and Kendall Harrison, with backing band The Brand. Get there early for a set featuring drummer Ernie Durawa with guitarist Murali Coryell at 7 p.m.

Overwhelming. ACL Fest 2023 is literally only a few weeks – really, days – away. How the hell does the time fly by so quickly? But today’s AMM has details about a special ACL Fest retrospective, from the eye of a wonderful Austin photographer.

Perhaps your AMM host’s opinion is slightly skewered for various reasons, but Dave Creaney truly has an instinct for capturing the essence of an attitude, pretty much with all of his subjects, but most especially with the music artists he’s worked with. Creaney pulled together a few of his favorite ACL artist portraits from two years’ worth of shooting at the festival for the Austin American Statesman, blew each photo up to an impressive size, and collaborated with Central Machine Works to create an exhibit at their East Austin space. Dave Creaney Presents: Faces of ACL features a mix of local and touring artists caught in the wild, taking a moment to pose before diving back into the madness.

Get up close to these spectacular portraits at the Faces of ACL opening party at 8 p.m. tomorrow night, Thursday Sept. 21, at Central Machine Works, 4824 E. Cesar Chavez. And see live performances by Flora and Fawna, Jake Lloyd, and…a secret special guest. No idea who the special guest is. No, they would not share that info with the AMM. You have to be there to find out. Go for it.

-All photos in this post courtesy of Dave Creaney. Pictured above: David Ramirez. On the KUTX homepage: THEBROSFRESH.

Your AMM host hears a lot of stories from local musicians about HAAM. These are praises shouted from the rooftops. “If it wasn’t for HAAM, I wouldn’t have been able to see a doctor…” “Without HAAM, I wouldn’t have been able to get this dental work I needed…” “If HAAM wasn’t here to help me, I would not have been able to get my surgery…”

The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians provides access to affordable health care for the population that makes this city the Live Music Capital. Since 2005, HAAM has helped thousands of musicians across seven counties with everything from eye exams, to out-patient procedures, to referrals, to basic health needs. Even a musician working several gigs a week or working multiple side jobs may not be able to afford insurance, let alone rent or groceries. With community support, HAAM has essentially saved lives.

Today is HAAM Day 2023, a citywide celebration featuring live music performances at venues and other spots around town, while participating businesses and restaurants donate a portion of today’s sales to HAAM. Check HAAM’s website for a full schedule of today’s shows, which include Live at Geraldine’s with Chief Cleopatra; a huge Paul Simon tribute show at Sagebrush with Akina Adderley, Bonnie Whitmore, Dossey, Graham Wilkinson, Dawn and Hawkes and more; the Ephraim Owens Experience at The Continental Club Gallery; Tameca Jones and Money Chicha at Antone’s; HAAM Day Live at Volstead with A. Sinclair, Thor and Friends, Danny Golden, and Tearjerk; Zach Person at Still Austin; and a show at The ABGB on W. Oltorf, where KUTX’s Susan Castle will host performances by Shinyribs, Selena tribute band Bidi Bidi Banda, and Primo the Alien, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Whether accompanying the marvel and wonder of ‘The Red Balloon,’ complimenting the stunning imagery of Enchanted Rock, or adding an extra jolt of irreverence to a hilarious revised edition of ‘The Return of Draw Egan’, Montopolis delivers a unique storytelling experience with incredible scores by composer Justin Sherburn.

This week, the ensemble presents a special preview of an arrangement for the 1911 Italian silent film L’Inferno, Italy’s very first feature-length film, based on the first canticle of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Montopolis takes this work on the road next month along the West Coast, but you can experience the preview tonight, Monday Sept. 18, at Me Mer Mo Monday at Dada Lab, 2008 Alexander Ave. The event starts at 7 p.m., with a line-up that includes Sunray Project, R. Lee Dockery, and DJ sets by Chris Polcyn, with visual art by Drip/Cuts.

It’s a common thing to see a lot of bars and businesses bringing the party on Cinco de Mayo every May. It’s also a bit odd, considering it’s not the biggest celebrated Mexican holiday.

May 5 commemorates an 1862 victory against the French in the Battle of Puebla, but a day of much greater importance is 16 de Septiembre, Mexican Independence Day, when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gathered his parishioners at Dolores Guanajuato to urge them to fight for independence from Spain. Mexicans honor the day with Hidalgo’s address to the people, El Grito.

Following this CliffNotes version of a specific chapter in Mexico’s history, the AMM brings you details about a grand Diez Y Seis celebration tonight at the Far Out Lounge and Stage. Es un Sabado gigante con música y baile de Adriana Rosso, Easy Compadre (“Besos de Menta” is featured on today’s AMM), Grupo Frackaso, Chico Selfie, y La Fermata. Doors at 5 p.m.

Track by singular track, Alain Paradis edges closer to the 2024 release of a new Holy Wire album. Paradis’ dark synth electro-pop creation from Brooklyn, now a full band in Austin, unveils another sonic piece coursing in an ’80s darkwave/post-punk vein, “Worse For Wear,” an irresistibly upbeat melody drawing you into melancholic brooding over a past paramour. “I wanted you to know / I don’t hold anything against you / and maybe I should / but I try not to…” So danceable, and yet so devastating. Perfect combo.

Hear the new single at Holy Wave’s show tonight, Friday Sept. 15, at Mohawk on the indoor stage, with sets by Austin noisegaze shredders Witches Exist, and the mad avant-electronic scientist that is Body Tape. Doors at 9 p.m. Holy hell, this is awesome.

Bedroom pop project Skateland is the creation of songwriter Dorian Williams II. Earlier this year, KUTX’s February 2023 Artist of the Month released the EP New Wave Revival, as haunted in its melodies and vocals as it is lyrically. It’s not necessarily sadness that dominates the overall arch, but Williams has described creating music as a cathartic experience, which may be why this collection has a touch of melancholy in its beauty. Still, Skateland’s sound is always evolving, and there’s more to come.

Tonight is a special night. On the same night that legendary electronic music wizards Tangerine Dream are gracing Mohawk‘s outdoor stage with composer/multi-instrumentalist Mari Maurice‘s More Eaze opening the show, Skateland brings New Wave Revival and much more to Mohawk’s indoor stage. Doors for Skateland at 8 p.m., and the line-up includes Die Mart, Chicago garage rock duo North By North, and Sweet Regime.

It’s understood that certain platforms are commonly utilized for a significant amount of musical exploration, but your AMM host prefers Bandcamp, which is where your aforementioned host had a field day with a bunch of Gus Baldwin releases. Full volume, full throttle, starting in all caps with “LOAN SHARK” and “KILLER OF THE MAN II,” rattling the skull with Thriller II in its entirety because it reminded me a bit of Machine Gun Etiquette-era Damned, and kinda wishing I’d been a fly on the wall at the live-to-cassette recording of Live Bugs at Indian Roller. Damn. Plus “More War,” “Silk Sonic Blue” and today’s AMM featured track “Burglar For You” – every last mutilating riff. Generally speaking, it’s the sensation of feeling like it’s all about to careen out of control with this manic staccato speed, but then you swerve sharply round the corner and peel out into pop/garage punk power hooks. The shreds are ridiculous.

Remember to pick your jaw up from the floor as you check out Gus Baldwin and The Sketch tonight, Wednesday Sept. 13, at Hotel Vegas on E. 6th. Doors at 9 p.m., and the show starts out with a set by garage/shoegaze outfit Party Van. Stick around for a special treat afterward: Just before playing tomorrow night at the Parish, LA psych-punk quartet Frankie and the Witch Fingers will be at Vegas for a late night DJ set, starting at 11 p.m.

All the heart emojis go here. The word that may best describe Brooklyn-based duo Matt and Kim is euphoric. Two decades together and six albums, one EP and a collection of remixes later, they remain one of the most joyful and joyous musical duos to connect with live audiences. They’ve navigated an independent career of highs and lows with this contagious elation they bring to every show, every interview, something that Matt Johnson once described in a 2019 chat with Paste as a “hell yeah vibe – Kim (Schifino) comes in with more of a f%ck yeah vibe!” And it’s genuine.

The vibe is yours at Matt and Kim’s show tonight, Tuesday Sept. 12, at Mohawk on Red River on the outdoor stage. LA-based musician Vinny Earley‘s jolting garage/power punk project Vaguess (pronounced “Vegas”) starts out the night. Doors at 7 p.m. And also from LA, the electrifying Stuntdriver performs on Mohawk’s indoor stage. Badass line-up.

Home Is Where captures the frustration, the mindlessness, the disassociation of existing – or, attempting to exist – in an increasingly apathetic world on The Whaler, with the exhilaration of punk, hardcore, and a nod to emo. It’s a sonic transmission of one overwhelmed with repulsion, not just bursting but tearing out of the societal fabric’s suffocating expectation with an unhinged scream. Lyricist/vocalist Brandon MacDonald writes from her own experiences of anxiety and dread pervading her life as she navigates a world that doesn’t want her to exist. Or worse – a world that doesn’t give a damn.

This is the show. See Home Is Where tonight, Monday Sept. 11, at the Far Out Lounge and Stage in South Austin. The line-up includes Denton bands Homewrecker and the Bedwetters and Upsetting, and Austin outfit Lola Tried. Doors at 7 p.m.

East Austin is the place to be this weekend, specifically along E. 12th St. Not only are there a lot of great shows to catch during the Eastside Kings Festival, but creative collective PietchHouse is offering a sneak peak of the Future Front House for Future Front Texas.

The new Future Front HQ, 1900 E. 12th St., houses a community space and exhibition series for local artists, with women and LGBTQ+ creatives at the helm. As a special preview of the new location, everyone’s invited to An Eastside Evening with Magna Carda, featuring a photo exhibit, a conversation with the East Side Riders bike club, and a performance by Magna Carda. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Future Front House. Tickets are available at the PietschHouse website.

Not only is this event an annual tradition, it’s actively keeping alive a vital part of Austin’s musical history and culture that many still are unaware of. The 11th Annual Eastside Kings Festival, presented by the Eastside Kings Foundation, kicks off tonight in grand style with a party at Antone’s, featuring Terry Harmonica Bean and the Boo Boo Davis Band. The live music continues through the weekend, Monday and Tuesday, with blues, jazz and gospel artists performing at Skylark Lounge on Airport Blvd., Justine’s Brasserie on E. 5th, and venues along E. 12th St., an area that was a hotbed of blues and R&B during the post-war era.

Eastside Kings Foundation came into being in 1999 with Eastside Kings, an album recorded by Dialtone Records producer and EKF founder Eddie Stout, featuring several of Austin’s largely unknown African American blues artists. But one LP wasn’t going to cover it. An entire series of Eastside Kings albums followed, and eventually the festival was born.

This year’s festival includes Sean “Mack” McDonald and Stan Mosley (pictured above), Orange Jefferson (featured on today’s AMM), Glenda Dotson with Harry Bodine, the Jones Family Gospel Singers, Pamala Allen & Co., the Gospel Starz, Keith Dunn, and many more, including a few familiar faces in the backup bands – Je’Texas, Dylan Bishop, Hash Brown, and the Moeller Brothers with Nick Connolly.

Check the EKF website for the full schedule with set times and locations. Tickets are available at Antone’s Record Shop.

-Special thanks to Eddie Stout for his assistance with today’s AMM.

One word that may come to mind when describing Magic Rockers of Texas: Irreverent. And irresistibly so, like someone grinning smugly at your discomfort while asking, “What’s your problem?” With the kind of bangers Magic Rockers puts out, it works like a friggin’ charm. Excellent stuff from the mind of songwriter/vocalist Jim Campo, with the temperature fluctuating between punk, garage rock, and an almost sickening pop sweetness that buckles your knees.

Then a most awesome curve ball is delivered in the form of Life’s A Bowl Of Cherries…And All I Got Was Stems! Wanna commiserate over a couple of Lone Star tall boys? The new album’s stories come from not so much a pity party, but as a kind of…declaration of independence, maybe? As in, “Look, I’m tryin’ here,” or “It’s not you, it’s me.” Check out the video for the album closer, “Words in a Bin,” and feel crushed as it slowly peels your heart into shreds. “Me / I’m a bottom feeder boy / and it’s all I can do to keep moving forward / I write my thoughts down / they’re only words in a bin…” It burns so good.

Why don’t more people know about Magic Rockers of Texas? Why?? Treat yourself to their album release show tomorrow night, Friday Sept. 8, at Hotel Vegas. Doors at 9 p.m. Gummy Fang starts out the night, followed by Gold Leather, then Magic Rockers, and closing out the night is Otis Wilkins.

Don’t be thrown by the words “music industry social.” Though at times it denotes an exclusive (and a bit stuffy) South-By soiree, this time around it’s a party for everybody. Austin-based label Spaceflight Records is kicking off a new residency this week at Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Skylab: A Music Industry Social is a happy hour gathering for those in the industry and the music lovers as well. Everyone from the musicians to the tour managers, bookers to label reps, bands and the fans, all are welcome to get in some great schmoozing and check out some fantastic live music.

The new series starts with Spaceflight artist Otis Wilkins taking over Scholz’ patio stage early tomorrow evening, Thursday Sept. 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Catch a different artist from the Spaceflight roster same time each week, including Nemegata, S.L. Houser, Chris Catalena, Trouble in the Streets, special guest Anastasia Hera, and Croy and the Boys, through Oct. 19.

A slight change of plans for tonight’s Little Mazarn residency kick off show at Chess Club. Kindly stepping in for songwriter Sarah Lee this evening is Little Mazarn friend and Wizard Rodeo collaborator, Garrett T. Capps, always delivering killer sets with his band NASA Country, whether it’s at East Austin honky-tonk White Horse or owning the room (literally and figuratively) at the Lonesome Rose in San Antonio.

Capps starts out tonight at 9 p.m., followed by the quiet grace and wonder of Little Mazarn at 10 p.m. Rounding out the night is a badass outfit serving up a healthy dose of Chicken Fried Snake from some distant lonesome highway, Rattlesnake Milk, at 11 p.m.

On the other side of this month’s Chess Club residency coin is Precious Gems, featuring Nicole Hale and Little Mazarn’s Lindsey Verrill, taking up the reins next Tuesday, Sept. 12. The bill includes magnificent post punk madness by Ferret Noise and, bringing the light with Until I’m Light, dynamic duo Felt Out.

It’s a perfect start to the week, whether you’ve had Labor Day off or you’re wrapping up the day after punching the clock. Howdy Gals, the Austin-based inclusive live music booking collective, presents Howdy Gals On A Monday at Hole In the Wall tonight. This week’s showcase features Terrence Kiser’s musical project Soul Sipper; Austin artist, by way of Houston, Will Derden’s project Wednesday Kid; and folk/rock outfit Hanover. The music starts at 8 p.m.

El sonido, tan rico. Las melodías, tan hermosas. And let us not forget those badass beats. To think it all emerged from the depths of a soul-crushing pandemic…

Adrian Quesada spent those isolated days on long bike rides, followed by late nights in the studio experimenting with practically any sounds that came to mind, from hip-hop beats to snippets he recorded from the natural world. Eventually, this sonic journal capturing a specific moment in time evolved into twelve tracks of alluring, cinematic instrumental brilliance and a (virtual) gathering of epic talent that became Jaguar Sound. Such a superb follow-up to the sultry Boleros Psicod​é​licos, Quesada’s enamored homage to the Cuban bolero, with those signature soul and psychedelic touches.

Tonight is the night to experience the magic live with Adrian Quesada’s Jaguar Sound, taking over Dell Hall at The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr. Once again, it’s an all-star band including special guests Mireya Ramos, Angélica Garcia and Clemente Castillo. ¡Qué magnífico! The show begins at 8 p.m. And word is, tickets are disappearing. Jump on it.

This weekend marks the return of Kids At the Border, benefitting El Centro, CA-based nonprofit Border Kindness Bondad Frontera, founded in 2018. Though the organization is based in California, its work is making a broader, more universal impact upon vulnerable populations from Central American countries. This includes providing humanitarian aid, education services, legal services and day laborer outreach to migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers.

Leave it to creative collective The Artlands and Austin musicians to represent in a major way. Kids At The Border happens tomorrow night, Saturday Sept. 2, at Hotel Vegas, on the patio stage and inside the venue. Doors at 8 p.m., with the sickest line-up taking over – Urban Heat, Sailor Poon, Lord Friday the 13th, Norman Ba$e, and Gus Baldwin & The Sketch. The event includes a silent art auction, exclusive merch and more.

*Special thanks to Sandy Martinez for her assistance with today’s AMM.

Welcome to a double dose of Mamahawk on KUTX – not that you’ll mind in the least. Today’s AMM puts the spotlight on their single “Walk In the Fire,” as cool and invitingly pop/yacht rocky as the vibe off 2019’s Brain Invaderz!. And there’s today’s KUTX Song of the Day with their newest track “Fighter Jet,” more down tempo but plenty of rocket fuel in this jazz-prog burner. Both tunes will be on Mamahawk’s forthcoming LP, and chances are pretty good you’ll hear the new music and even get your Brain Invaderz! fix at Mamahawk’s show tomorrow night, Friday Sept. 1, at Sagebrush. An excellent bill starring magnificence personified, Aubrey Hays, and purveyor of powerfolk, good ol’ Sammy G. The line-up rules, the music is gorgeous, and it all starts at 10 p.m. Go for it.

A tip o’ the hat to Lonesome Heroes‘ songwriter/vocalist Rich Russell for describe the recording of his band’s new single “Summertime Breeze” as a heartfelt Traveling Wilburys moment, creating some golden magic with an end-of-summer song, despite feelings of dread over a seemingly endless summer.

The new single is from the forthcoming album Seasons Change, out in November, and it’s far more cool and sublime than the fiery hell temps roasting Austin as of late. “Summertime Breeze” is officially out tomorrow on all platforms, and you can treat yourself to a live performance of it when you see Lonesome Heroes tonight, Wednesday Aug. 30, at Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville Rd. It’s part of the Lonesome Nights country showcase series presented by our colleagues at KOOP Radio. Doors at 7 p.m., and the line-up features Armadillo Road and South Texas Tweek.