Song of the Day

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July 19, 2024

arya: “USE ME”

By: Jack Anderson

It’s a twofer this Friday! We’ve got a brand new release alongside a weekend show recommendation. And both arrive on behalf of arya.

arya’s not just another dime a dozen bedroom pop Billie Eilish wannabe. No, this Belgrade-born bae is almost overqualified for saturated world of pop-hip-hop-R&B; after a decade in Serbia playing classical piano she received a formal jazz degree here in Austin. Still, even in this decidedly contemporary endeavor, arya retains her status as a one woman show – having scored her first ACL Fest appearance and official ACL Late Night Show last Fall.

And speaking of last Fall, following up last October’s “LOVE ME”, today arya shares the second installment from her upcoming EP Insides – a six-song visual album and narrative set for release later this year. In the immediate forecast, arya’s got a free performance midnight tomorrow night at Empire Control Room as part of Hot Summer Nights, where she’ll certainly perform her latest pop-R&B banger, “USE ME”. We wouldn’t be surprised if we heard a sped up/nightcore version of this new one pop up on TikTok, but for us personally, we love the tune’s relaxed tempo. Because it gives plenty of space to breathe between richly textured drums, fat-as-hell synth bass, and arya’s incredible vocals that could end up making Ariana Grande sound more like GoT series finale Arya Stark in comparison.


Episodes

October 3, 2025

SOB & the Dangs: “I Don’t Mind”

It’s Friday, I think five planets are still in retrograde, so let’s all take a breath and let out a big ol’ “GOT DANG!” And now let’s get to the real danged thing. Stacey McCann leads the Austin blues-funk group SOB & the Dangs (and the SOB is for StaceOnBass thank you very much!). McCann’s […]

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October 2, 2025

Warmduscher: “Midnight Dipper” [Live In Studio 1A]

For ten years, London’s Warmduscher have been tantalizing audiences with their raucous brand of post-punk, weaving throbbing guitar melodies with elaborate stories about ridiculous run-ins with characters of all stripes. It’s like getting a dive bar soundtrack to the best stories you’ve heard from your favorite regular. Despite ten years and five albums under their […]

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October 1, 2025

Kelly Willis: “I Don’t Care”

Kelly Willis has been a stalwart of Austin’s country and Americana scene for decades, so it’s no surprise to find her on Grey DeLisle’s new project: IT’S ALL HER FAULT: A TRIBUTE TO CINDY WALKER. For the compilation, Willis chose the 1955 tune “I Don’t Care,” written by Walker and Webb Pierce, that spent 12 […]

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September 29, 2025

The Lonesome Heroes: “Sunshine Come”

Despite the name, Austin’s the Lonesome Heroes have been releasing music and playing shows for a whopping 21 years. To mark the occasion, they’re gifting their audience with a bit of their live faire with Live & Lonesome at the Purple Bee, a collection of songs recorded at the hybrid recording studio and live concert […]

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September 26, 2025

Annabelle Chairlegs: “Ice Cream on the Beach”

It’s been a minute since we checked-in with Austin surf-psych outfit Annabelle Chairlegs. And honestly, “Candy Apple Red,” is still living in my head rent-free five years later. Now the group (fronted by Lindsay Mackin) is back after a three-year hiatus, and what better way to come back than with an album produced by Ty […]

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September 25, 2025

S.G. Goodman: “I’m In Love” [Live In Studio 1A]

Beyond being a musician, S.G. Goodman is an educator. Truly, how many of us knew about the old Appalachian tradition of planting by the moon? Using moon phases and their gravitational pull to determine what crops to plant when (beans, peas, and eggplant during the second quarter, if you were wondering). But the moon’s power […]

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September 24, 2025

Datura: “Ain’t No Honky Tonks”

“There ain’t no honky tonks in Philadelphia,” laments Jessica Pyrdsa AKA Datura. The latest single from the Lockhart-based artist’s upcoming album, Saint Cecilia, takes a pivot from her piano-driven, jazz-meets-art-pop sound for this equally cinematic, blues-leaden country hall slow dance that feels like a waltz in all but time signature. Here, her skills as a […]

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September 23, 2025

Elijah Delgado: “Hide + Seek” [HAAM Day Re-Heat]

Austin native Elijah Delgado has been releasing his self-proclaimed indie rock lullabies since 2021. In that time, he’s performed with national acts like Sister Hazel and Dayglow and has appeared at Old Settler’s Music Fest and Utopiafest. And today, he’s got a HAAM Day set for your downtime lunchtime listening. “Hide + Seek” showcases Delgado’s continued progression […]

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