Song of the Day

Song of the Day > All Episodes

May 26, 2022

Old Sea Brigade: “5AM Paradise”

By: Jack Anderson

A cursory glance at the name Old Sea Brigade may conjure images of surly seventeenth-century sailors, but it’s actually the solo indie-folk project of Nasvhille-via-Atlanta singer-guitarist Ben Cramer. Cramer dropped his eponymous debut Old Sea Brigade in 2016, which quickly accrued acclaim and earned Cramer touring spots alongside the likes of Julien Baker and Hiss Golden Messenger. Old Sea Brigade’s since released two full-lengths (most recently with last year’s Motivational Speaking) and had his songs featured in television soundtracks ranging from Grey’s Anatomy to Nashville. Today Old Sea Brigade announced his upcoming third LP, 5AM Paradise, due out October 28th. As you can guess from the title, this record is somewhat of a celebration of those early morning hours, but more so the maturity that surrounds them; Cramer, who recently entered his thirties, has reframed 5AM as the start of a productive day rather than a wrap on a raucous all-nighter. The ten tracks on 5AM Paradise feature some of Cramer’s closest collaborators, not to mention some of Nashville’s finest session players (including Willie Nelson bassist Eli Beaird, Hayes Carll guitarist Kris Donegan) and The Whigs’ drummer Julian Dorio. With synths reminiscent of Joy Division, effortlessly floating vocals, and one hell of a hook, the title track off 5AM Paradise may just become your new wake up alarm.

Episodes

October 13, 2026

Night Tapes: “Easy Time to Be Alive” [KUTX At ACL Fest 2026]

Flutes. Falsetto. Phantasmic. That’s London trio Night Tapes in a nutshell. What began as late night jam sessions between housemates has evolved into hundreds of millions of online streams, journalistic praise, and global festival slots, including the illustrious “get them in the door early” slot at this year’s ACL Fest. Night Tapes brought their ethereal […]

Listen

October 12, 2026

Almost Heaven: “Oscillation” [KUTX Live At ACL Fest 2026]

Austin post-punk-injected electronic duo Almost Heaven exemplify “fresh nostalgia.” The duo made of Stefan Barraza & Jaelyn Valero have become increasingly ubiquitous since the release of their Raw Cranium EP back in January, leading to ample spins on the KUTX airwaves and an ACL Fest debut this past weekend, firing up and electrifying the Tito’s […]

Listen

October 8, 2026

Jess Williamson: “Goodbye to All That” [KUTX Live at ACL Fest 2026]

We caught Jess Williamson backstage at Austin City Limits for a live performance away from the mudslides. This Texas-born, LA-based artist brought her warm voice and indie folk/alt-country sound to the tent with an acoustic rendition of “Goodbye to All That” from her upcoming record, “A Mile South of Heaven,” which releases tomorrow. If you […]

Listen

October 7, 2026

Palace: “Kid” [KUTX At ACL Fest 2026]

Palace stopped by the KUTX tent at ACL and performed their song “Kid.” A dreamy, guitar-driven track that balances hazy textures with a strong melodic pull, “Kid” has a nostalgic quality without feeling stuck in the past, making it the perfect feel-good song.

Listen

October 6, 2026

New Constellations: “Hot Blooded” [KUTX At ACL Fest 2026]

Ascending us from the muddy muck of the ACL Fest grounds to the astral plane is Portland dream pop duo New Constellations. Childhood friends Harlee Chase and Josh Smith popped by our backstage tent to grace us with an acoustic rendition of “Hotblooded”: a heavy-hearted meditation and reckoning from Chase written in 2021 following a […]

Listen

October 5, 2026

Elijah Delgado: “You and I” [Pop-Up at ACL 2026]

Another ACL Fest means you’re getting LOTS of exclusive live performances captured backstage in our pop-up tent, and we’re kicking it off this year with one from right here in Austin! Elijah Delgado has been performing for years, culminating in the release of his debut EP in 2021, which catalyzed his steady rise in the […]

Listen

October 1, 2026

Das Mörtal: “Drain Me”

While our heads over here are preoccupied with our own back yard, shout out to ACL, I want to take it to Montreal for some spooky, mood setting dark synth jams to start October right. Das Mörtal just released this track on September 30th, and it’s so head boppingly good. Best paired with Erie weather […]

Listen

September 30, 2026

Fatales: “Voices”

New York duo Fatales blend dreamy vocals, rock guitars, and cinematic Western influences on “Voices.” Kaelin Kost’s soft delivery contrasts with David Pattillo’s bigger guitars, creating a really cool tension between fragility and force. Think Fleetwood Mac meets dream-pop meets a classic Western.

Listen