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

July 16, 2026

Touch Girl Apple Blossom: “The Springtime Reminds Me Of…”

KUTX’s June 2026 Artist of the Month, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, crafts songs that hit straight at the most tender part of your heart. The band’s new album, Graceful, is a collection of jangly, nostalgic pop songs that feel lived-in and intimate. The group is heading out on a Midwest tour next week that includes […]

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July 15, 2026

Woody Russel: “Cross That River, Take Up This Fight”

Woody Russell’s “Cross This River, Take Up This Fight” settles into a steady, rootsy groove, with warm acoustic textures and vocals that feel both weathered and inviting. It’s the kind of song that lets the arrangement breathe, giving every lyric room to land while building a quiet sense of momentum.

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July 14, 2026

Wild Heaven: “Dust in the Night Sky”

Austin band Wild Heaven premiered their debut single on Song of the Day two years ago. Now, they’re back with a brand-new single with the familiar raucous, post-punk energy that we love. “Dust in the Night Sky,” an upbeat single that lands between post-punk, shoegaze, and neo-psych rock, chronicles mischievous all-night adventures with a wink […]

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July 13, 2026

Kurt Vile: “Pretty Pimpin'”

Ryan Wen put it best: Kurt Vile is like Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young with Stephen Malkmus as the head. The blues-meets-slacker rock musician’s tenth studio album, Philadelphia’s Been Good To Me, is his “bringin it home to Philly” album, largely recorded in his home studio there and his first release […]

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July 9, 2026

Cure for Paranoia: “The Artshow” [Live In Studio 1A]

We’ve gotten really acquainted with Dallas hip-hop group Cure for Paranoia this year, and their meteoric rise has been a joy to be a part of and to watch from the sidelines. The winners of the 2026 NPR Tiny Desk Contest hit their Austin tour stop a couple of weeks ago, making a pit stop […]

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July 8, 2026

Slow Pulp: “Better Man”

Slow Pulp has a way of making introspective songs feel inviting, and “Better Man” is no exception. Soft guitars and Emily Massey’s understated vocal give the track room to breathe, capturing the complicated feeling of wanting to grow while still figuring things out. The song comes from an album that leans into subtlety, favoring mood […]

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July 6, 2026

Briscoe: “The Heart of Texas”

In the midst of a nearly year-long tour, Austin indie-Americana breakouts Briscoe have released “The Heart of Texas.” The song commemorates the anniversary of the horrific Kerr County floods that devastated entire communities and families and resulted in the deaths of around 60 people, including children. The song is what I would call “cinematic Americana,” […]

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July 1, 2026

David G. Smith: “Hero Street”

David G. Smith shines a light on an often-overlooked piece of American history with “Hero Street,” a moving tribute to the eight Mexican American soldiers from one small Illinois neighborhood who gave their lives in service. Anchored by understated acoustic guitar, heartbeat-like drums, and mournful steel guitar, the song honors both the sacrifice of these […]

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