Song of the Day

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August 1, 2024

Saint Mary’s Street: “Down in the Storm”

By: Jack Anderson

Would you check out a Manhattan theatre troupe called “Broadway”? What about a local DJ named “Dirty Sixth”? Or a NOLA band who goes by “Bourbon Street”? While all those hypothetical examples may actually exist, today we’re keeping it south of Travis County with something in the same vein, albeit much more tasteful and mature.

So let’s make our way to Saint Mary’s Street – a project powered by up-and-coming singer-guitarist-songwriter Jake Roberts. Based on Roberts’ moniker, (which refers to a midtown entertainment mecca just a stone’s throw away from Austin), fellow Central Texans have probably already put two and two together that Saint Mary’s Street is from San Antonio. But don’t let any prior experiences on the Strip trip you up when it comes to initial expectations from Saint Mary’s Street, since the on-streaming iteration of SMS is barely two months old.

That’s right; between late May’s impressive introductory single “Already Yours” and the debut album from Saint Mary’s Street (States and Countryside, out September 4th), yesterday Roberts rolled out his sophomore offering (complete with a demo version and B-side counterpart) “Down in the Storm”. Less a literal testament to testy weather and more an emotionally raw response to racial tensions and gun violence, “Down in the Storm” not only showcases Roberts’ intrinsic vocal-and-instrumental talent but his knack for take-it-or-leave it lyrics – which you’ll surely appreciate whether you’re driving out of Greenville, stuck in office, or chilling at home for its sincere pondering of the state of the nation.


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