Laurie Gallardo

Deepest apologies from your Austin Music Minute host. Today’s AMM contains a most unfortunate (not to mention mortifyingly embarrassing) error, referring to songwriter Willis McClung as “William”…three unsettling times. However, there’s no mistaking the talent, the wit, and the selflessness that friends like Bill Baird loved tremendously.

After McClung’s passing last year, Baird and several others assembled a huge collection of McClung’s tracks, taken from old emails or long forgotten spots on the internet, and put them all on a beautiful tribute album, A Perfect Sun Awaits Us. And tonight, the celebration of McClung’s life continues with a show at Cheer Up Charlie’s, 901 Red River. Baird has come all the way from Oakland to join Sleep Good, Kacey Johansing, Good Field, Thanks Light and others for an evening of performances and loving tributes. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the music starts at 8 p.m. Recommended.

-The photo above is of Willis McClung. Not William. Willis. 

It’s where the trip begins, and the dream never ends. Far out. Flower Graves‘ new LP, Living In Disguise, is a mind meld riding waves of melody and mysticism. Just think garage-psych on the hazier, breathier side of the cosmos. Your humble Austin Music Minute host is all about this enchantment.

Flower Graves is having the party of parties with their album release show tonight at Barracuda, 611 E. 7th, featuring Cosmic Chaos, The Sun Machine, and Blushing. It’s an AMM line-up sent from the heavens. Doors open at 9 p.m. Don’t miss any of these bands. So recommended.

-Photography by Daniel Jackson.

Maybe hearing Los Coast in Studio 1A recently was the first time you got to hear them live. Such a tight set! And now, here’s another opportunity to catch them live – and in person.

KUTX’s June Artist of the Month has a show tonight at Antone’s, 305 E. 5th St. Doors open at 7 p.m., with Kalu and The Electric Joint and Jason Robert Blum sharing the bill.

This one’s on fire. Recommended.

-Photography by Michael Minasi for KUTX.

There’s no question about the rock-solid power pop brilliance of Cotton Mather. Whether you know Kon Tiki front to back, you’re a late bloomer who got your first fix through Death of the Cool or Wild Kingdom, or you’ve been around since the 1992 Crafty Flower Arranger demo made the rounds, you know this is pop at its finest. Songwriter/front man Robert Harrison is a master of perfect guitar-and-vocal-harmony pairings. Distinctive writing. No pretension. The hook is immediate, baby.

Make plans to catch Cotton Mather tomorrow night at Stubb’s indoor venue, 801 Red River. Burgess Meredith starts out the show. Doors open at 8 p.m. However, it’s best to get there as early as possible; the fans will fill up the place like mad. So very recommended.

-Photography by KT Yarbrough.

Your Austin Music Minute maven is chomping at the bit for the next full-length release by pop-rockers Robby, led by the mind behind the songs, Robert Williams. It was easy to get hooked on the band’s beautiful self-titled debut (“Om” is the featured track on today’s AMM, but “Eat A Peach” is one gorgeous heartbreaker…)

Yes, a new album’s on the way. But tonight, catch Robby at Cheer Up Charlie’s, 901 Red River, with Van Mary and Dorio starting out the night. Doors at 9 p.m. Recommended.

-Photography by Mike Manewitz.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your Austin Music Minute maven didn’t mince words when describing the Hole In the Wall on today’s AMM.

That weathered and worn building at 2538 Guadalupe is not just a favorite happy hour spot. It’s a touchstone – historic, iconic, a symbol, and a survivor. Think of any big names associated with the Austin music scene, and chances are, they’ve played some of their very first gigs there. Genuine badasses mingling with up-and-comers building their chops…that connection is a huge part of what it’s about.

This month, the much-beloved dive celebrates its 45^th year in the ATX with a weeklong, gigantic birthday celebration, filled with all manner of bands, starting tonight. This evening’s show includes sets by PR Newman, Mike & The Moonpies (featured on today’s AMM), Mayeux & Broussard, and John Evans. The music kicks off at 8 p.m.

Make sure to check the HITW calendar for this week’s birthday schedule. So many awesome bands that your head will explode.

-Photo of Mike & The Moonpies courtesy of the artist.

If you’ve been to a Calliope Musicals show, you’re richer with the knowledge that it’s not only an awesome, Joseph’s-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat extravaganza of a show, but an exhilarating reaffirmation of the healing and empowerment that music is capable of. Songwriter/front woman Carrie Fussell pens Calliope’s exuberant life embraces directly from the heart and soul – and appreciates unmitigated joy as an act of defiance. Take that, lame-o naysayers. And now you have Color/Sweat to reckon with.

Recorded at The Bubble by producer Frenchie Smith, the band’s new album pulsates with feverishly energetic, multi-rainbowed electro-pop vibes, led by Fussell channeling a kind of Nina Hagen/Kate Bush dance-funk nitro.

One for the books, baby. Catch Calliope Musicals today at Radio Coffee & Beer‘s 5-Year Birthday celebration, 4204 Manchaca Rd. The birthday show line-up is sick, yo: Magna Carda, Kelsey Wilson‘s (Wild Child) new project Sir Woman, and Rattlesnake Milk. The music starts early at 5 p.m.

Dance like no one can stop you. Because they can’t. Recommended.

-Photography by Kate Blaising.

Exquisite. Your Austin Music Minute maven is addicted to the gems you’ll find at Keeled Scales, an Austin-based label formed by musicians Tony Presley and Seth Whaland 2014. Several of these artists, both long-established and up-and-comers, have been featured on KUTX and the AMM.

Tonight, the label celebrates 5 years of fantastic music with a show at The North Door, 502 Brushy St. This is a line-up that you’ll want to catch in its entirety: Sun June (featured on today’s AMM), Julia Lucille, sun riah, Alex Dupree, and Future Museums. Doors open at 8 p.m. This one comes very recommended.

-Photo of Sun June by Bryan Parker.

In case you didn’t make the connection – but you probably did, because you’re cool and listen to the Austin Music Minute, right?! – songwriter Taylor Wilkins splits his time between two music projects that are worth your while. There’s his band Otis the Destroyer, which you can see the on first weekend of ACL Fest this year; and something that was (maybe until recently) regarded as something from the mellower side of the spectrum, Otis Wilkins.

However, as Wilkins recently explained to writer Kevin Curtin in the Austin Chronicle, the days of Otis Wilkins’ more Americana-tinged oeuvre are on the way out. One listen to the newest release, the hook-and-groove charged “Joni Mitchell Was Punk,” and you’ll feel it. Producer Walker Lukens worked with Wilkins on this addictive track about owning up to one’s faults.

Otis Wilkins’ single release show is tonight at Stubb’s indoor venue, 801 Red River. They share the bill with Zettajoule and Jane Ellen Bryant. Doors open at 8 p.m. So recommended.

-Photo courtesy of the artist.

San Angelo native Oscar Ornelas makes Austin his home these days – which, of course, is where he’s been working on his music. And now the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is excited to release his new album, Some Gospel, putting the spotlight on some of his biggest musical influences, including jazz, blues, soul and gospel.

Typically, you might get to see Ornelas tearin’  down the house at Skylark Lounge, but you can check him out at his album release show tomorrow night at the Mohawk, 912 Red River, on the inside stage. Doors open nice and early at 6 p.m., and Ms. Mack and The Daddies and Nané share the bill.

Later on that evening, catch performances by Mountebank, Batty Jr. and Fertility House, also on the Mohawk’s inside stage. All the goods, all in one venue. Recommended.

-Photo courtesy of the artist.

You’ll probably see it as you read through the track list:

“FRIDA.” “EARTHA.” “MILES.” “MUDDY.” “BASQUIAT” alongside “SUN RA.” “OCTAVIA” next to “BALDWIN.”

It’s not simply the names’ familiarity that may strike a chord. These are individuals who have made an impact upon humanity, great minds who forged a path, a different way of thinking to move forward. Chicago-based artist Jamila Woods‘ second LP, LEGACY! LEGACY!, honors the inspirational figures who came before her. Each track is a thoughtfully crafted homage to the activists, the artists, the visionaries and the voices that shaped her own identity.

KUTX presents Jamila Woods tonight at Barracuda, 611 E. 7th St., featuring Queens, NY artist Duendita opening the show. Doors at 7 p.m. Very recommended.

-Photography by Bradley Murray.

Your Austin Music Minute host may have found her new theme song, thanks to this Hill Country gem who knows a thing or two about shaky ground, rattled nerves, and being driven beyond distraction. “Going Crazy” by Kathryn Legendre is the track featured on today’s AMM, from her new EP Making It Up, a perfect collection of straight-up traditional honky-tonk, delivered with Legendre’s own unique swagger, delving into equal parts weep-in-your-whiskey heartbreak (“Sit Here & Cry”), and a delightfully dark wit (“Letters From Prison”).

Take it all in when you see Kathryn Legendre tonight at The White Horse, 500 Comal. Legendre shares the bill with Jean Wranglers and the Texas Tycoons. Mondays done right. The music starts around 8 p.m. Recommended.

-Photography by Katrina Barber.

Behold this dynamic duo to keep your ears out for, combining a beautiful sound with just the right tinge of something slightly dark. Of course your Austin Music Minute maven digs this.

Robin Alice (that’s a duo, not a person) began as a meeting of musical minds on a movie set. Songwriter and actress Kelley Jakle and Jeff Hortillosa (Whiskey Shivers) crossed paths during the filming of Pitch Perfect 3 – and technically where Jakle and Horti played their first songs together. They continued their collaboration via email, and reunited in Austin to get their ideas recorded. With contrasting backgrounds of pop/rock and bluegrass/Americana, respectively, the two artists forged a common thread of melody and harmonies.

Robin Alice celebrates the release of their debut EP, Here and There, with a show tonight at Radio Coffee & Beer, 4204 Manchaca. The magnificent Lex Land’s project of funereal folk-core (your elder-goth AMM host is ECSTATIC), One Big Dark Room, starts out the night.

Say it with me: One. Big. Dark. Room. The music starts at 8 p.m. Recommended.

Back in May, Scholz Garten was set to go with their Summer Sessions music series when…well, weather happened. A downpour of epic proportions led to the show’s cancellation, but a month later, all is lovely and summery! A perfect night for live music. The free series kicks off this evening with a line-up that your Austin Music Minute maven is all about: Fuzzed-up dream pop/shoegaze trio Ringo Deathstarr, electronic pop outfit The Black and White Years, and garage psych-punks OnegoodLung.

Great to see them all on this bill. The music starts at 7 p.m. at Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd. Did I mention this badass baby is free? Very recommended.

-Photo of Ringo Deathstarr courtesy of the artist.

You can totally feel it on a track like “Feel So Much” – those pangs from a romantic flutter commingling with the rush of “…what the HELL are you doing?!” In other words, sensitivity and badassery coexist in (im)perfect poetic fashion as Go Fever songwriter Acey Monaro owns all the feels on the band’s recent release, Daydream Hawker, recorded by Brad Bell at Jim Eno’s Public Hi-Fi Studio.

Here’s your chance to hear the latest awesomeness when Go Fever plays tonight at Cheer Up Charlie’s, 901 Red River. They share the bill with Being Dead, Denton-based songwriter Claire Morales, and Van Mary. The music starts at 9 p.m. Recommended.

-Photography by Nick Wagner.