Song of the Day

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July 22, 2024

Stalefish: “Becoming the Square”

By: Jack Anderson

If you’re into Japanese cuisine, you know the fresh fish is the best: the nigiri, the good stuff. And while we wouldn’t recommend going so far from fresh that you end up with surströmming, you don’t gotta be a skater to know that there’s a real appeal going for Stalefish.

Faithful to their name, Stalefish stakes the bays of ’90s/’00s rock that’s defined so much of skating culture. But the Austin six-piece does manage to keep those now-antiquated trucks nice and shiny for modern listeners by reeling in the best catches of modern pop techniques, not to mention cycling between three lead singers. But despite making their mark on the local scene with the release of their debut LP Stalefish Does America, the Texas sextet’s facing some trouble sticking the landing altogether – at least in person.

See, one third of the outfit’s splitting from Austin in the near future. But that didn’t stop Stalefish from seizing the moment and making the most out of their physical proximity while it lasts. To that effect, they’re releasing their sophomore album It’s All Down Here From Hill on August 9th. And following up late June’s lead “The Conversation’s Over”, last weekend Stalefish gave us “Becoming the Square”. It’s got that feel good turn-of-the-millennium love right from the get-go, but with the subtle addition of auxiliary percussion and keys plus a psych-out false ending before the real big finish, “Becoming the Square” reminds us why Stalefish stands out in the sea of otherwise blah alt rock.


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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