Song of the Day

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October 3, 2022

Alex Williams: “Old Before My Time”

By: Jack Anderson

Here in the U.S., we’ve enjoyed nearly a century of transcontinental and interstate routes, thanks to our highway system. Because of its introduction amidst advents in recording technology and decades-long development alongside advances in songwriting, tunes about cruising have taken American artists pretty far. And everyone’s got their favorite so no need to list ’em all out here. That said, the point of a good road playlist is to pack too many tracks in so you don’t have repeats, right? With that in mind, today we introduce you to a must-have piece of musical migration, courtesy of Indianapolis singer-guitarist Alex Williams.

With the release of his 2017 Nashville-produced debut Better Than Myself, Williams seemed like a shoe-in successor to the Outlaw Country throne. But the following five years of touring and temptation eventually influenced Williams to shy away from a bandana-bound sense of recklessness and write a new batch of horizon-affixed, road-weary personal reflections. The result, Waging Peace, is set for release on October 21st in the thick of a national tour. This dozen-track trek evokes everyone from Jerry Reed, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Allman Brothers all the way to Texas treasures like Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, boldly opening up a throttle of cross-genre twang. So buckle up for Waging Peace‘s release Friday after next, and rev up for a practice run right now with the LP’s latest Haggard-esque trailblazer, “Old Before My Time”!


Episodes

August 10, 2026

Modiste: “Breaking My Own Heart”

The past is coming up from behind on the debut single from Louisville, Kentucky synth trio Modiste. The 80’s-inspired group employs exclusively analog and digital vintage instruments and toys to invoke a true pastiche of your favorite smokey 80’s underground music with just a whisper of the modern age. Think Jane Leo meets Kate Bush […]

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August 7, 2026

Paige Plaisance: “Waiting”

Paige Plaisance is carving out her own lane with a sound she coins “Swampytonkin’.” Raised on a farm near the muddy banks of the Mississippi River, the Austin-based singer-songwriter and pianist is back with her highly anticipated second full-length album, Swampwater. Recorded at Austin’s famed Finishing School and produced by Jonathan Tyler, Swampwater further establishes Plaisance as a masterful, […]

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August 6, 2026

BLUUM: “Tough Break, Kid”

Coming from the Los Angeles Music scene, the LA duo “BLUUM” (with two Us) is blossoming with some quality 90s inspired alternative music. This track wants to bring it back to when rock ruled the world. The pair produced this song alongside their debut self titled album from their LA apartments. Who knows? Maybe this […]

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August 5, 2026

Magic Rockers of Texas: “Where Did My Life Go” [Live In Studio 1A]

Looking to fill your Thursdays this August? Austin sardonic power-pop group Magic Rockers of Texas are holding down this month’s residency spot at one of our favorite venues: the Hole In the Wall. They’re kicking it off tonight with guests Slomo Drags and Quinn Decker and the LLC. We’re throwing it back to their latest […]

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August 4, 2026

Ruben Ramos + Carrie Rodriguez : “Ay Me Duele” [Live In Studio 1A]

Ruben Ramos, known to many as “El Gato Negro,” was not born in Austin, but his work over the last seven decades has earned him a sculpture in the city among other greats like Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan. His work with Los Super Seven, a group featuring Freddy Fender, Joe Ely, Flaco Jimenez, […]

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August 3, 2026

Jesse Malin: “Hollywood Forever”

2026 has been a big year for New York’s Jesse Malin. The East Village icon released his memoir  Almost Grown: A New York Memoir in April, and the run of his autobiographical concert-theatre production Silver Manhattan was extended this spring at New York’s Bowery Palace. The production partially discusses his relationship with friend and D […]

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July 31, 2026

David Quinn: “Long Time Gone”

Nourishing, gritty, wood-smoked, and road-worn are all words that have been appropriately (and lovingly) used to describe the Americana songwriting of Illinois’s David Quinn. The upcoming album Down & Dirty was written purely for the joy of the game, and boy does it show. Quinn sticks to his compelling and illustrative storytelling with licks and […]

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July 31, 2026

Next of Kin: “Dimestore Jesus”

Austin alt-country sweetheart’s Next of Kin are back with their first new song (and dare I say, bona fide bop) since the release of last year’s Homemaker EP. “Dimestore Jesus” starts fully blossomed with their signature harmonies for a “beautifully honest track about carrying the burden of the savior complex: the tendency to pour everything […]

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