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Song of the Day

By: Jack Anderson

Let’s face it…2017 was a pretty rough year. Despite all the difficulties, tensions and anxieties that came out of the past year, Australian four-piece Stonefield managed to squeeze a bit of excellence out at the tail end of 2017. Comprised of sisters Amy, Hannah, Sarah, and Holly Findlay, Stonefield has four releases, international tours and opening spots for the likes of Meat Puppets and Fleetwood Mac already under their belt. The conclusion of 2017 saw the release of a new, heavier, prog-inspired single “Delusion” – one that gets out of Stonefield’s comfort zone with a welcome sonic shift. You can listen to Stonefield here on KUTX and you can catch them when they perform later this year as part of Levitation Fest!

– Jack Anderson (Host Monday-Wednesday 8-11pm, Saturday 6-10am)

Song of the Day

By: Jack Anderson

Between her talents as a cellist, banjoist, bassist and vocalist, Austin’s Lindsey Verrill AKA Little Mazarn is a powerhouse of atmospheric folk songwriting. Since receiving her banjo at the tender age of fourteen, Verrill has been building up her instrumental and vocal skills alongside her repertoire and ever maturing world view. Tonight the fruits of Verrill’s labor can be experienced live at the release show for her self-titled debut EP, recorded and performed by her three-piece arrangement.

Little Mazarn stopped by Studio 1A earlier this week, so be sure to listen to that session as well as the second track of the studio album, “White Fang”, before heading to the release show tonight at Central Presbyterian Church – doors at 7:30pm!

-Jack Anderson (Host Monday-Wednesday 8-11pm, Saturday 6-10am)

Song of the Day

By: Taylor Wallace

Photo by Jennifer Dale

Long-time Texas musician Marcus William Striplin has been performing and recording music for over two decades, chiefly out of Dallas, and prepares to release his debut solo album under the pseudonym Margaret Chavez (an homage to Striplin’s mother). Having spent the greater part of the last decades with his band Pleasant Grove, Striplin has finally broken out on his own, stretching his fingers into sonic pockets all his own, giving Striplin’s fans the flavor they seek without putting any limits or bumpers on his smokey, psychedelic groove.

“Strange Buoy’s” wastes no time dropping you into Striplin’s wash of vocals and dusty guitars, surrounding you in a dirt devil of a sound that lies somewhere on the spectrum between Americana and psychedelia. The wash takes on a strong current as the song builds, rocking you gingerly around in his swirling sphere before laying you down gently…which is a real courtesy because you will need a second to reorient yourself.

“Storage Buoy’s” appears on A Loupe, out January 19. Catch Margaret Chavez tonight at the Cactus Cafe with Sanco Loop.

-Taylor Wallace // Host, Thursdays at 8p & Saturdays at 2p; Producer, Ekelktikos with John Aielli

Song of the Day

By: Taylor Wallace

Photo by William Barton

Austin native Jack Wilson, despite a four-year rest since his last record, has built a reputation that’s kept his name buzzing around this city (you may have heard of a little South Austin gem called Radio Coffee & Beer). Now a full-fledged father and steady business owner, Wilson makes his return to the stage backed by his third album, Kami, Coming to Get Me. Largely inspired by fatherhood, Wilson plays with a number of sounds throughout the record, reflective perhaps of the mix of sounds and emotions that accompany new parenthood.

“In My Way” makes use of “the white space,” stripping down the layers and letting the ones in place breathe and be heard. Wilson’s deeper drones are softened and complemented by another local favorite, Emily Cross of Cross Record. Even when the layers build on top of each other and the folk aesthetic blends with a bit of electric energy, every sound stands its ground, fitting neatly into its own place on the song’s sonic tapestry.

“In My Way” appears on Kami, Coming to Get Me, out Saturday via Banana Pop Records.

Jack Wilson Upcoming Events:

• Performing this Saturday at Empire Control Room with Batty Jr. and Marijuana Sweet Tooth.
• Playing live in Studio 1A Thursday (Tune in at 3PM)
• Hosting My KUTX this Saturday at 6PM

-Taylor Wallace // Host, Thursdays 8p & Saturdays 11p; Producer, Eklektikos with John Aielli

Song of the Day

By: Jack Anderson

Longtime listeners of KUTX may be quick to recognize Joe Ely‘s name and affinity for well-woven narrative lyricism, perhaps from one of his many visits to Studio 1A over the years. Through Ely’s solo performances and appearances with The Flatlanders, he’s hardly a stranger at the Cactus Cafe, where he’ll be performing this Friday and Saturday, both featuring an opening set from Miles Zuniga (of Fastball). For a preview of Ely’s live demeanor, check out “Run Little Pony” – recorded on Ely’s most recent visit back in February – and if the audio isn’t enough for you, there’s a video to boot.

You can see Joe Ely Friday December 15th and Saturday December 16th at the Cactus Cafe and you can listen to him right here on KUTX.

–Jack Anderson (Host Monday-Wednesday 8-11pm, Saturday 6-10am)

Song of the Day

By: Jack Anderson

Like it or not, the holiday season is here! And while you may not be ready for eggnog and tinsel, the well-meaning winter spirit is certainly alive in Austin’s P.T. Banks. The local three-piece has shined over the years under the direction of fronting vocalist and guitarist Paul Banks – who now is releasing something just in time for the holidays.

Derived lyrically from a Civil War-era Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a stripped down solo acoustic performance by Banks – one that was recorded years ago but is only now enjoying its release. Take a breather this Monday and soak in the yuletide vibes with a free download of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by P.T. Banks right here on KUTX.org.

–Jack Anderson (Host Monday-Wednesday 8-11pm, Saturday 6-10am)

Song of the Day

By: Jack Anderson

Austin psych-rock explorers Food Group blend genres and incorporate acoustic sounds to make reflective experimental music. Formed in 2013, the band consists of singer and guitarist Eric Lyday, keyboardist Wiley Greene, bassist Luis Rangel, and drummer Jeff Olson—with a rotating group of friends that provide additional instrumentation and fill in every now and then. Food Group’s sound has evolved since their early single-microphone demos, incorporating elements of chamber pop, folk, and electronic music. Their more recent efforts have been sonically darker and more progressive while still touching on the themes of love, loss, and spirituality that are present in their earlier work. 

With “Lakespirit,” Food Group takes their psychedelic journey underwater. The instrumentation seems to move around Eric Lyday’s singing until it reaches a fever pitch of wailing organs and crash cymbals. The live interpretation of “Lakespirit” recorded in Studio 1A features arpeggios that are even dreamier and brings attention to Lyday’s vocals in particular. We were very lucky to have the band visit KUTX and add a new dimension to one of Food Group’s most energetic and romantic songs. The jangling guitars and spacey synths work like a long extended metaphor, equating the feeling of love to the feeling of floating.

“Lakespirit” appears on Here Today, out now via Bandcamp. Food Group will be playing a free show at Cheer Up Charlie’s on Saturday, December 9th with Particle Devotion, Lola Tried, The Hermits, and Ama.

-Harold Urteaga, KUTX Music Intern

Song of the Day

By: Jack Anderson

One of the most talented Texas blues musicians is back with some old and new material! Johnny Nicholas has been entertaining listeners and live audiences for decades on end across the nation and right here in the Lone Star State. His idiosyncratic songwriting and guitar and vocal performance style continue to captivate after all these years, and in the spirit of that timeliness, Nicholas is set to re-release his 1977 album, Too Many Bad Habits. Too Many Bad Habits accompanies an album of brand new material Fresh Air – and the pairing truly illustrates the versatility of Nicholas’ talent 40 years down the line. Check out the re-released version of Nicholas’ cover of Son House’s “Grinnin’ In Your Face” before you catch him performing this afternoon – 5:00pm at Waterloo Records and this evening – 9:00pm at Antone’s.

–Jack Anderson (Host Monday-Wednesday 8-11pm, Saturday 6-10am)