Song of the Day

Song of the Day > All Episodes

August 29, 2023

Nuclear Tourism: “Dad Brains”

By: Jack Anderson

So hot right now! …poolside music videos that is. But also, yeah…patrolling the U.S. south this time of year almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter. So with mutually assured destruction still a bit too close for comfort, nuclear tourism seems like the next best thing. Yet we’re not predicting a windfall of Trinity testsite visitors post-Oppenheimer. No, we’re actually talking about Athens, Georgia garage punk rock quartet Nuclear Tourism. These dastardly slackers got started a half decade back with their debut album Scraping By and ever since, when they’re not getting stoned as a bone, bombing hills, or slurping up greasy slices, the four-piece is going full-power in their practice space, shredding through raw reflections of dissent and affection. And as Nuclear Tourism basks in the fallout of their eponymous sophomore record that dropped in February, they also cool off in a newly-issued music video for “Dad Brains”. Bridging timeless embodiments of angst and contextualizing The Graduate for the next generation of unmotivated miscreants, Nuclear Tourism channels Dustin Hoffman’s iconic despondency in the only way they know how; by slappin’ the “plastics” out of those patronizing paternal synapses and instead bonding over Marlboros, beers, and cannonballs. Making apathy look as flashy as it does nasty, “Dad Brains” begs for a drink-a-long lobotomy…just wait ’til you get home from work before diving in and putting ’em down.

Episodes

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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June 24, 2026

Restos: “No Cigar

Austin’s Restos turn close calls and near misses into an indie-rock anthem on “No Cigar.” With jangly guitars, a driving rhythm, and just the right amount of grit, the track captures the feeling of chasing something that’s always a little out of reach—and having a good time anyway.

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June 17, 2026

QUENTIN: “LUCY IN DISGUISE”

Austin artist Quentin celebrates identity, self-acceptance, and the city that helped shape them on the upbeat new single “Lucy in Disguise.” Inspired by the iconic South Congress costume shop, the song pairs bright indie-pop energy with a sense of nostalgia, while the self-directed video turns Austin into a dreamlike backdrop where memory, transformation, and home […]

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June 16, 2026

Grandmaster: “Feel It Coming” [Live In Studio 1A]

Austin’s most musical intergalactic cult and former Artist of the Month are back with their third annual Grandmaster Gala at the State Theatre this Saturday. Their sound defies both space and time, so it’s fitting that we’re rewinding it back to their Studio 1A session from February, where they performed tracks off of their second […]

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June 10, 2026

Cast Iron Shoes: “Little Bird”

Austin’s Cast Iron Shoes song “Little Bird” is written around themes of borders and escape. It carries a sense of longing and resilience that feels deeply personal. Inspired in part by growing up in a trailer without electricity or running water, the song turns hardship into something hopeful, pairing vivid storytelling with a warm, wandering […]

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June 3, 2026

Day Friend: “Street Light”

Austin-based garage rock band Day Friend lean into something more expansive on “Street Light,” blending their psychedelic punk roots with a growing pull toward indie rock and alternative textures. The track marks a clear genre shift while keeping the loose, lived-in energy that defines their sound.“Street Light” centers on that tipping point where responsibility starts […]

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May 27, 2026

Sadie Fine: “Just Drive”

Sadie Fine blends indie pop and dream pop into something that feels both intimate and cinematic with “Just Drive.” The production is soft and atmospheric, creating a late-night feeling that perfectly matches the song’s emotional weight. Lyrically, it captures the need to escape your own thoughts for a while — not necessarily to find answers, […]

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May 26, 2026

Sierra Velez: “Lovin’ On Me”

Self love and Afro-carribean beats – what else could you want from a summer anthem? Sierra Velez, a newcomer to the Austin scene originally from New York, is dedicated to transport listeners to a tropical getaway. This song is sure to make you feel much closer to the ocean rather than the rivers and lakes […]

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