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

September 17, 2025

Tear Dungeon: “Kill For Health” [Live In Studio 1A] RE-RUN

It’s Weird Wednesday, and I aim to keep it that way. And what better to stay on theme than to revisit a recent favorite of mine from Studio 1A? Tear Dungeon is truly to be seen. Between the uniform of all-white street clothes paired with leather gimp masks and the perpetual question, “what will hit […]

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West Texas Exiles: “Division” (ft. Kelly Willis)

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September 12, 2025

Yuno: “Blest” [LIVE IN STUDIO 1A]

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September 8, 2025

Lola Tried: “Hot Shot Barbie” [PREMIERE]

After several amuse-bouches of singles, Austin’s Lola Tried are ready to let us feast. OG members Lauren Burton and Ray Garza are joined by newcomers Gianni Sarmiento and Austin Norman for the group’s third EP, out this Friday. Perfect for your workout (or rageout) playlist is “Hot Shot Barbie.” She’s got her foot on the […]

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September 5, 2025

Noods: “Slip Up”

As the not-so-great Kyle Cooke once said, “Summer should be fun.” And to remind you that summer doesn’t end until September 22nd is the latest single from Brooklyn’s Noods. The ironically fully-clothed quartet returns with their sophomore album I Never Dream About You next month, and today they release its debut single “Slip Up.” True […]

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September 2, 2025

Silvana Estrada: “Dime”

No longer in her ingenue phase, Mexico’s Silvana Estrada has maintained her wunderkind rise. With her birdsong voice and her signature Venezuelan cuatro guitar as a vessel to carry her stories of love, grief, and growth. Ahead of her newly announced international tour and album, Vendrán Suaves Lluvias, out in October, Estrada’s released “Dime,” a deceptively […]

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September 1, 2025

Grackles: “There Will Be Time”

Well howdy! Happy Labor Day! The weather may or may not be participating in our final romp of summertime, but Austin’s Grackles are here to make the day sunny despite Mother Nature. What began as a side project made up of touring and studio musicians for A-list artists such as the Chicks and Paul Simon […]

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August 28, 2025

Adrian Quesada: “Bravo (ft. iLe)” [Live In Studio 1A]

At this point, Adrian Quesada is a man who needs no introduction. With a musical curiosity rivaling Beck, project to project, he conjures up albums thoughtfully marrying tradition or inspiration to Quesada. On both iterations of the Boleros Psicodélicos albums, Quesada explores the centuries-old, Cuban-rooted tradition of the Bolero, beautiful, dramatic love songs deep with […]

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