Song of the Day

Song of the Day > All Episodes

May 1, 2024

Emily Shirley: “Morning Light”

By: Jack Anderson

It’s the classic end to an encounter. You meet someone new. Sparks seemingly fly. You have fun for a night. But when you wake up ready to tell your new boo you’d like to see ’em again…they’re long gone. Hell, and in the modern era, that might all happen on just on an app alone. That’s all to say that in the dating world, whether intentions are casual or not, the one who cares the least holds the most power.

A sad truth for sure, but not exactly news to seasoned songwriters like Emily Shirley. On top of membership in both The Belle Sounds and Sister Golden Hair, Shirley’s solo discography dates back to 2010. Her vocal delivery may seem nonchalant, but between expert breath control (seriously, listen to some of those long tones), pitch perfect pipes, and learned lyricism, there’s obviously a ton of passion imbued in this Austinite. And with passion comes pursuit, right?

Well, it turns out Emily Shirley’s no stranger to the ol’ post-connection cease-and-desist in interaction either. Because you don’t need to be a paranormal investigator to have questions arise over the ghosts in our lives, be it self-doubt or just wanting a sense of closure. And that’s all reflected in Shirley’s brand new bittersweet single “Morning Light”, an amorous phantom of multi-tracked vocal harmonies, spectral electric lead guitar, and an almost-incorporeal arrangement. So before you decide to block contact with your latest fling, really get a handle on how the other side feels with “Morning Light”. And for all those who’ve been on the receiving end, this tune’s a perfect approach to taking heartbreak like a champ.

And don’t forget, Emily Shirley graces the airwaves in a solo set with our buds over at KOOP 91.7FM 3PM this Saturday on The Singer & The Song.


Episodes

October 7, 2025

Clover County: “Sweetest” [Backstage at ACL Fest]

A.G. Schiano is Clover County, an Athens, Georgia-based project that was largely chiseled and polished on the road while touring with acts like Lord Huron and Shakey Graves. Going through your twenties is like encountering constant change with a seemingly endless number of metamorphoses as you really cement who you are and what you’re all […]

Listen

October 6, 2025

The Animeros: “Gózalo” [Backstage at ACL Fest]

Band plays SXSW, the right person catches their set, and the big ball starts rolling. And while that treasured dream has largely been lost to obscurity, merely existing in the whispered annals of Live Music Capitol lore, Austin’s the Animeros are smack in the throes of living it. Their blend of Colombian, Mexican, and West […]

Listen

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 […]

Listen

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 […]

Listen

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 […]

Listen

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 […]

Listen

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 […]

Listen

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 […]

Listen