Song of the Day

Song of the Day > All Episodes

October 24, 2022

Pale Dian: “Misanthrope”

By: Jack Anderson

Back in my day if you wanted to be one of the first to lay eyes on a new music video, you basically had to stay locked onto TRL. And if you wanted your music video to get played, you probably had to have an industry contact in the early internet era. So no disrespect to Carson Daly, but our ability to showcase Austin visuals freely is all thanks to you.

And since our Fall Membership Drive steers near to Halloween, skies are grey and pallor is back in seasonal fashion. Which brings up to Pale Dian. Spearheaded by visceral vocalist-synthesist Ruth Ellen Smith, Pale Dian purveys a Post-Punk-meets-Shoegaze style that’s been deemed “Nightmare Pop”. Since their 2016 debut Narrow Birth, these bleak dissociations have trickled across time and genre, in way where a Roy Orbison collaboration with Cocteau Twins wouldn’t be unheard of.

Like a double-exposed dream dipped in desire and doused in delight, Pale Dian dropped their sophomore follow-up Feral Birth yesterday. The band celebrated with a record release last night at Hotel Vegas two weeks before their upcoming appearance at the Galveston Art Festival. But you won’t need to make a beach trip to enjoy Pale Dian’s off-kilter optics; today they’ve unleashed a one-of-a-kind counterpart to Feral Birth. Animated by longtime Richard Linklater collaborator Wiley Wiggins (Dazed and Confused, Waking Life, etc.) “Misanthrope” will momentarily transport you out of the beginning-of-week mindset so you can turn on, tune in, and drop out to watch reality melt.


Episodes

January 29, 2026

Annabelle Chairlegs: “Shoo Fly” [Live In Studio 1A]

As January closes, we’re shining the spotlight once more on our Artist of the Month Annabelle Chairlegs. Fronted by Linsday Mackin, the band returns after a brief hiatus with new members Nolan Potter, Simone Maresh, and Nick Coretti. And the new album Waking Up is produced by psych rock powerhouse Ty Segall. As gritty and […]

Listen

January 21, 2026

Katherion: “Bad for Me”

Austin artist Katherion is proving she has what it takes to stand out with “Bad for Me,” a track from her debut album EROS. This softly haunting indie-pop song explores the tension of being in a relationship you know isn’t good for you. By focusing on feeling rather than specificity, the lyrics invite listeners to […]

Listen

January 20, 2026

Almost Heaven: “oscillation”

Support for KUTX’s Love Austin Music Month coverage comes from Eldorado Cafe, embracing a community of folks who believe sharing food and music feeds the soul. Austin-based indie dance, post-punk duo Almost Heaven is having a strong start to 2026. After a C3-produced Free Week performance at Stubb’s, the pair recently released “oscillation,” ahead of […]

Listen

January 13, 2026

Marlei: “2009”

Support for KUTX’s Love Austin Music Month coverage comes from Eldorado Cafe, embracing a community of folks who believe sharing food and music feeds the soul. It’s not difficult to compare the economic turbulence of 2026 to 2009 – and Marlei, a Houston-born, Austin-based pop/R&B artist, thinks of that time often. In 2009, Marlei was […]

Listen

January 12, 2026

Keepsake: “Appalachian Trail”

Support for KUTX’s Love Austin Music Month coverage comes from Eldorado Cafe, embracing a community of folks who believe sharing food and music feeds the soul. Indulge in the dreamy, shoegazy splendor of Austin’s Keepsake. All the players are here: lush guitar hooks, head-bopping basslines, and smooth, ethereal vocals. On “Appalachian Trail,” you’re dropped right […]

Listen

January 9, 2026

Russell Taine Jr.: “Strangers”

I’ve said it before, but Austin quartet Russell Taine Jr. is about as cozy Austin as it gets. The kind of band you hear pouring out of a dark bar you might not have otherwise noticed. It sounds like that welcoming, sticky-sweet dive bar aroma. Their new EP Ghost (out last month) is “shaped by […]

Listen

January 8, 2026

Sweet Limb: “Who’s This”

Support for KUTX’s Love Austin Music Month coverage comes from Eldorado Cafe, embracing a community of folks who believe sharing food and music feeds the soul. While one taste may be in the name, the latest from Austin’s Sweet Limb is savory and brimming with umami. Historically, Sweet Limb founder Chris Robinson has performed with a band, […]

Listen

January 7, 2026

Good Looks: “Vaughn” [Live In Studio 1A]

Support for KUTX’s Love Austin Music Month coverage comes from Eldorado Cafe, embracing a community of folks who believe sharing food and music feeds the soul. Good Looks! You know Good Looks. Our May 2022 Artist of the Month was fairly quiet throughout 2025, but they’re kicking off the new year in perfect Austin fashion […]

Listen