Song of the Day

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September 29, 2022

Sammy Rae & The Friends: “If It All Goes South”

By: Jack Anderson

It’s that rare sliver of the year where the weather is great the whole day through. And for me personally, that’s all the motivation I need to get out and enjoy live music, indoors or out. Even if the venue’s little more than a concrete box, as long as there’s airflow, I’m out there dancing. With that in mind, we’ve got an official recommendation for this weekend.

In just a couple days, some of slickest genres seep together across a seven-piece, courtesy of Sammy Rae & The Friends. Since their 2018 debut EP The Good Life, this septet’s soared under the direction of their eponymous frontwoman, whose daring pipes are impressive as hell to say the least. Sammy Rae & The Friends bring their brand of jazzy-funk-soul to Empire Control Room 10PM this Saturday alongside NC indie pop outfit The Collection as part of a month-and-a-half-long national junket. It’s only the fourth of twenty-plus tour dates, so be sure to show Sammy Rae & The Friends some of that trademark Texas hospitality. Who knows? You may even flip the script on the meridional connotations of The Friends’ latest single (and music video) “If It All Goes South”. One thing’s for sure, you won’t have any trouble memorizing the acapella-and-horn-heavy chorus.


Episodes

June 17, 2026

QUENTIN: “LUCY IN DISGUISE”

Austin artist Quentin celebrates identity, self-acceptance, and the city that helped shape them on the upbeat new single “Lucy in Disguise.” Inspired by the iconic South Congress costume shop, the song pairs bright indie-pop energy with a sense of nostalgia, while the self-directed video turns Austin into a dreamlike backdrop where memory, transformation, and home […]

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June 16, 2026

Grandmaster: “Feel It Coming” [Live In Studio 1A]

Austin’s most musical intergalactic cult and former Artist of the Month are back with their third annual Grandmaster Gala at the State Theatre this Saturday. Their sound defies both space and time, so it’s fitting that we’re rewinding it back to their Studio 1A session from February, where they performed tracks off of their second […]

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June 10, 2026

Cast Iron Shoes: “Little Bird”

Austin’s Cast Iron Shoes song “Little Bird” is written around themes of borders and escape. It carries a sense of longing and resilience that feels deeply personal. Inspired in part by growing up in a trailer without electricity or running water, the song turns hardship into something hopeful, pairing vivid storytelling with a warm, wandering […]

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June 3, 2026

Day Friend: “Street Light”

Austin-based garage rock band Day Friend lean into something more expansive on “Street Light,” blending their psychedelic punk roots with a growing pull toward indie rock and alternative textures. The track marks a clear genre shift while keeping the loose, lived-in energy that defines their sound.“Street Light” centers on that tipping point where responsibility starts […]

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May 27, 2026

Sadie Fine: “Just Drive”

Sadie Fine blends indie pop and dream pop into something that feels both intimate and cinematic with “Just Drive.” The production is soft and atmospheric, creating a late-night feeling that perfectly matches the song’s emotional weight. Lyrically, it captures the need to escape your own thoughts for a while — not necessarily to find answers, […]

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May 26, 2026

Sierra Velez: “Lovin’ On Me”

Self love and Afro-carribean beats – what else could you want from a summer anthem? Sierra Velez, a newcomer to the Austin scene originally from New York, is dedicated to transport listeners to a tropical getaway. This song is sure to make you feel much closer to the ocean rather than the rivers and lakes […]

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May 20, 2026

CHROMETONGUE ft. Primo the Alien: “Cool Girl”

Primo the Alien and CHROMETONGUE bring the cool girl energy on their new release “Cool Girl” — a perfect mix of polished and slightly chaotic. Huge synths, slick production, and the kind of energy that makes you want to drive a little too fast at night. It feels icy while still being fun, and every […]

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May 19, 2026

BOO85: “Funny Story”

Many horror stories become our favorite laughbale memories thanks to the gift of time, and Austin alt-rock pop group BOO85 (boo-eighty-five) articulate this well in their new single “Funny Story,” where the mantra is “sit with it, laugh at it, relinquish it.” Emphasized with layered, catchy pop-rock hooks, Go-Go’s -like vocals and harmonies and enough […]

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