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

November 10, 2025

Dion Lunadon: “Gold Standard Love”

New Zealand-born, New York-based Dion Lunadon, former bassist of Brooklyn post-punk band A Place to Bury Strangers, has released his latest single “Gold Standard Love” via a limited edition 7″ flexi disc inside the fall issue of the illustrious CREEM magazine. 100 flexi’s inside 100 copies. Whoa. This crunchy, post-punk romp carries that signature NYC early 00’s […]

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November 6, 2025

Jane Leo: “Goldmine” [Live In Studio 1A]

After a year or so of releasing individual dance-pop candies, Austin’s Jane Leo released their sophomore album Creature of Destruction in September. One of the tracks on the album is “Goldmine,” a slightly more subdued song from the art-pop duo, but still dripping with energy and that funky “Imma dance here in my own little […]

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November 3, 2025

Her Mana: “Suena”

Perfect for the chilling temperatures is the latest from Austin world-folk duo Her Mana. Emilie Basez and Kate Robberson return with their latest single “Suena,” a slow, tender tune made for slow dances with long, locked gazes. Produced by Jim Eno and featuring the Ibiza String Ensemble to brighten the thoughtfully equipped negative space in […]

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October 31, 2025

Teethe: “Holy Water” [Live In Studio 1A]

It’s the last day of October, so it’s time for one final spooky toast to our October Artist of the Month. Teethe was formed up in the DIY music enclave of Denton, all students of the University of North Texas. Now, with streaming numbers on their side, a move to Austin, and a European and […]

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October 30, 2025

Skateland: “Wednesday, Baby!”

For years now, we’ve been in a bit of a cuffing season with former KUTX Artist of the Month Skateland‘s synth-driven dream pop that’s as delectable and ethereal as the roller rink of his stage name origins. It’s cozy, groovy, and hypnotic all at the same time. After years of breadcrumbing us singles, he’s releasing […]

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October 29, 2025

Michael Arizmendi: “Dependence”

Born and raised in Brownsville, TX, new Austinite Michael Arizmendi recently graduated from the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston. Principally a trumpeter, Arizmendi studied music production and songwriting, and he blends those skills with a passion for exploring and synthesizing different genres. His debut single “Dependence” blends sultry jazz and hip-hop showcasing both […]

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October 24, 2025

The John-Pauls: “Eep Eep”

Yesterday, I watched a video of a guy unsuccessfully attempting to get a beached dolphin back into the ocean, and as luck would have it, today I get to write about a song from a dolphin’s POV. And a louche little devil they are. “Eep Eep” is the appropriately named title and single from the […]

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October 22, 2025

Moonkill: “Full Stop”

I’m not sure there’s a better way to say you’re basically a space punk band than to name yourselves MoonKill, and, hey, that’s exactly what this Austin quartet has done. But it’s not like floating-in-space post punk; it’s more like if the Thunderdome had a Tatooine location. They’ve been busy back in the studio working […]

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