Song of the Day

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July 26, 2023

Marcus Morales: “Damned If You Do…”

By: Jack Anderson

For even some of the most talented, well-established artists, working with a new producer can really shed some divine light on sonics and take things to the next level. And there’s plenty of proof in today’s premiere from Marcus Morales. Both solo and alongside his backing band The Chorizo Grease All-Stars, this singer-guitarist has been developing his distinctive variety of ambient-psych-blues-rock and busting his hump here in Austin for the past decade and a half. Morales made his studio debut with two tunes in the summer of 2017, that, when paired together, really illuminate mastery over the light/heavy dynamic spectrum in Morales’ song structures and carefully orchestrated arrangements. That tasteful contrast really shined on Marcus Morales’ 2019 debut EP Bohemian Groove, albeit with a more-refined, harder-hitting sound. Recently, after flexing immense A Momentary Lapse of Reason vibes on last January’s “Headspace”, Marcus Morales has enlisted the help of producer Chris “Frenchie” Smith at The Bubble to glow up an already-great track. This precedes plans for a whole new string of singles on top of statewide tour stops and local residencies, all of which ought to feature Morales in top form. And today, Frenchie, Morales, and The Chorizo Grease All-Stars blew us away with “Damned If You Do…”, whose hard-blues-rock second-and-third act structure channels Johnny Lang, but whose processed lead guitar tones and sultry intro scream David Gilmour. As a result, this fine-polished psych-blues blend transcends decades and genre tastes for one of Morales’ strongest standalones to date. It’s not really a Catch-22; just go ahead and click “play” on “Damned If You Do…”.

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July 11, 2025

McKenna Michels: “Never Satified”

Austin’s McKenna Michels is just it. The singer-songwriter, who daylights as a childhood abuse and trauma advocate, has been featured on local television, has been asked to open for several global artists on their European tours, and she gets to hear her own music over the speakers when she’s shopping. And to peep her style, […]

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July 10, 2025

Mobley: “Yesterday’s Another Day” [Live In Studio 1A]

When it comes to Mobley’s career, what started as writing smart R&B pop bops has grown into full concept albums revolving around racism, technology, and our future, composing cautionary tales warning of a regressing society and the darkest parts of science fiction decaying into neither predictive science nor fiction. Mobley’s new album We Do Not Fear […]

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July 7, 2025

Maiya Blaney: “Recognize Me”

Brooklyn’s Maiya Blaney is all range, baby. And that’s one word to pretty much sum her up entirely. Her interests, talents, and general state of being are always kinetic and well-rounded. On her new album A Room With A Door That Closes, she showcases not only her love for so many genres and sounds, but […]

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July 4, 2025

Katherion: “Dance”

Happy Hot Dog and Fireworks Day! Whether you’re staying home and having fun or enjoying one of the city’s myriad of events, you might need something to wavy-baby dance to. Austin’s Katherion has been hitting stages between Austin and Houston for the last three years leading up to her debut album EROS, out later this […]

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July 3, 2025

Okkervil River & The Antlers: “Lost Coastlines” [Live In Studio 1A]

A collaboration between Okkervil River and the Antlers, two of the poetic indie bands of our time, both in sound and word, is one that seems so perfect you can almost see photos of Will Sheff, Peter Silberman, and Michael Lerner cutely cropped together like a fan zine-style shipping board. Last year this music nerd […]

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July 1, 2025

Keihl Phillips: “Iced Green Tea”

Being a sound designer doesn’t often mean you’re looking to use your own music, or even that you’re a musician at all. Sound designers are the folks who choose the right song to elevate scenes and make you feel a certain type of way in a TV show or the person who finds the right […]

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June 30, 2025

GHOSTWOMAN: “Alive”

Belgian/Canadian duo GHOSTWOMAN are all about finding freedom in a reckless space. On the upcoming album Welcome to the Civilized World, they take this notion head-on and put it center stage. The album was recorded on an old tape recorder using old instruments. The recording space was a home they didn’t bother to treat for […]

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June 25, 2025

Local Al: “Hold Me – Pidän (mä pidän)”

So, you’re a runner looking for a playlist. Maybe you do a quick Spotify or Tidal search, hit the one that matches your personal taste the most, or just hit play on the first one that pops up. Maybe you go an extra step to ask a friend or consult a subreddit. Maybe. Eventually, you […]

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