Song of the Day

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December 9, 2024

Paper Sister: “Brain Drain”

By: Jack Anderson

Post-punk and shoegaze are both sure things when it comes to instant moodmakers. But when paired with chilly weather, overcast skies, and everyone in long sleeve fashion better fit for Portland or Seattle…yeah it definitely hits differently. And if you’re itching for that brisk mix of nippy napes, visible breath and a feast of fuzz for your ears this week, we’ve got good news.

There’s a new sibling in town: Paper Sister. Inspired by Pumpkins, PJ Harvey, Pixies, and a plethora of other ’90s alternative darlings, this Austin four-piece contextualizes those decade-defining influences against a idiosyncratic backdrop of latticed guitar layering and effects-engulfed vocals for their own reimagining of the Lollapalooza ’94 sound. And though as of this publication, we only have one studio single from the quartet, it’s enough to prove that Paper Sister’s setting themselves up to be a formidable act rather than flimsy one.

Fortunately though, Paper Sister is promising the release of more singles across the upcoming Winter season going into next year. So while you could just stay at home and patiently await the next pressing from Paper Sister, you could also see their latest set live at a show 10PM tomorrow night at Hotel Vegas opening for The Distraits at 10:45 and Silver Hour at 11:30 and another one this Saturday at Knomad. Need the fuzz right now?

Well, since your mind may still be scrambled from the weekend, go ahead and put it into prime post-punk shoegaze shape with the beautifully-bleak downtempo mid-fi magic of “Brain Drain”, a three-minute distorted drone that gives us a great glimpse of our footwear while we bob along and obey the beat with an occasional sway of arms.


Episodes

August 20, 2026

Oreaganomics: “I used to call Mary”

Hi you have reached Song of the day please hit one to hear the rest of this feature… Just kidding, but this next song discusses the frustration of making a call only to find a robot on the other side. While Oreaganomics is neither a spice nor an economic policy from the 80’s, they do […]

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August 19, 2026

BS: “f1”

Austin’s BS comes in hot with “f1,” a fast-moving track that lives up to its name. Built on propulsive drums and sharp, forward-leaning production, the song feels like it’s constantly accelerating, carrying a restless energy from start to finish. It’s a short, sharp burst of momentum that doesn’t waste much time getting where it’s going. […]

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August 18, 2026

Ramesh Srivastava: “The Times” [The Hole Story]

mid-2000s, as music blogs and MP3s were changing how people found new music, Austin’s Voxtrot became one of the most talked about indie bands with a wave of attention that reached far beyond Austin, all before the band released its first full-length. After Voxtrot broke-up in 2010, frontman and songwriter Ramesh Srivastava went on to […]

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August 17, 2026

Elka: “Husk”

The latest installment in Jim Eno’s Project Traction mentorship program (whose mission is to create a more gender inclusive audio production and engineering industry), comes from Fort Collins, Colorado. Songwriter Elka gives us “Husk”: a deeply intimate and reflective indie-pop track rooted in grief and dressed in effortless elegance courtesy of Project Traction member (and […]

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August 14, 2026

A Band Called Ma: “SALT”

Releasing their self-titled debut album today, Austin’s A Band Called Ma is giving us our daily dose of nostalgia through the 90s-inspired rhythm guitar and abstract lyricism featured in their single “SALT.” This track was the last single released for the album, acting as the final taste of what’s to come from their self-produced and […]

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August 13, 2026

Dom Francis: “Alligator Rain”

Austin’s Dom Francis brings a hazy, rain-soaked feel to “Alligator Rain,” pairing a laid-back groove with a sound that feels a little strange in the best way. There’s a looseness to the track that lets the instrumentation breathe, while Francis’ vocals keep things grounded. It’s an easygoing listen with a little mystery around the edges.

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August 12, 2026

Seth Celdrán: “Stiletto”

Austin’s Seth Celdrán brings a sharp, swaggering edge to “Stiletto,” a track that blends a driving groove with sleek production and plenty of attitude. There’s something effortlessly cool about the way the song moves, balancing its darker edge with a rhythm that keeps it light on its feet. “Stiletto” has just enough bite to make […]

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August 11, 2026

Shakey Graves: “When the Love Was New” [The Hole Story]

*The Hole Story is powered by Austin Beerworks* Long before Shakey Graves was filling theaters around the world, Alejandro Rose-Garcia was finding his footing at Austin’s Hole in the Wall, where an early happy-hour residency helped shape the artist he would become. More than a decade later, that connection remains. In 2026, Shakey brought his […]

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