Song of the Day

Song of the Day > All Episodes

January 17, 2020

Surf Rock is Dead: “Diabolik”

By: Jack Anderson

Reader discretion is respectfully advised for any hardcore Dick Dale (R.I.P.) fans, but rest assured, Surf Rock is Dead is just the name of the band.

Melbourne’s Joel Witenberg initially linked up with Chicago’s Kevin Pariso six years back, right around when they declared Brooklyn as their home base and sonically settled on a surreal ’80s reverbed-out version of post-punk and dream-pop. Following up their independently released EPs SRiD (2015) and We Have No Friends? (2017), these wave killers are planning on celebrating May Day with a fatalistic look back on loss on their debut full-length, Existential PlayboyExistential Playboy is out May 1st, and you can hang ten with these tidal reapers early with a melodic, shoegaze-influenced glimpse at how disorderly living situations can get in the Big Apple – “Diabolik”!


Photo: Shamshawan Scott


Episodes

March 13, 2026

Anastasia Hera: “Ambitions” [Live In Studio 1A]

KUTX’s coverage of SXSW is powered by Rivian and presented by Uber Eats Austin’s Anastasia Hera has been blending her brand of rap and R&B for almost fifteen years. In addition to releasing her own solo work, leading her group Anastasia and the Heroes, and putting her mark on various other projects, she’s also the founder of […]

Listen

March 12, 2026

Deer Fellow: “Fool For You”

Sonic ingenuity with ruffles imbued with love is the thesis of Austin indie duo Deer Fellow. Blending sonic loops and synth-sibilities with violin intimacy, they set a romantic mood that can’t help but creep in from the background. Newly married, Matt Salois and Alyssa Kelly are well into their season of love, beautifully illustrated through […]

Listen

March 11, 2026

Social Dissonance: “This is Hell”

Austin’s Social Dissonance is pushing the boundaries of genre-bending with their new track “This Is Hell.” With the combination of metal, alt-rock, and punk, we are left with a gritty and explosive track that thrives on distortion, raw energy, and an unrelenting pace.“This Is Hell” marks the first release featuring the band’s new frontwoman, Lucy […]

Listen

March 10, 2026

Francene Rouelle: “september bby”

One of the fastest ways to know that you’re changed is how those around you change. Austin-based pop Francene Rouelle, tackles this in her latest single, “september bby,” a brief, punchy dance tune reminiscent of hyperpop phenoms 100 gecs. Speaking to an unnamed character about her upgraded hair and wardrobe, she drives home the most […]

Listen

March 9, 2026

The Sophs: “House”

L.A. six-piece the Sophs are true chameleons. Whether they’re throwing in some twang on a college party bop, going full pop-punk nostalgia, or, in the case, of “House,” painting a Shirley Jackson-like story of a man living in a hovel built from and on bones, surrounded by ethereal remnants of past occupants and adding more […]

Listen

March 6, 2026

Glass Mansions: “Sunsetting”

Austin dark pop trio Glass Mansions, known for their lush, electronic leaden, pop-driven rhythms, are back with their most emotional and close-to-the-chest song to date. Following the sudden loss of both of her parents and disenchanted with the notion that you’ll always get to create “the next thing,” frontwoman Jayna Doyle asks herself, “what would […]

Listen

February 27, 2026

Alex Maas: “Honey Bee” [The Hole Story]

The Hole Story is a new series from KUTX. Taped live on the front stage of Hole in the Wall – we’ve invited artists to not just perform, but also share the inspiration, meaning, or backstory behind each one.  Opened in 1974, Hole in the Wall is one of Austin’s most legendary dive bars. It’s […]

Listen

February 26, 2026

Grocery Bag: “Stop Calling Me Out”

Austin garage-punk darlings Grocery Bag are back baby! Ahead of their shows as official SXSW 2026 artists, today they release “Stop Calling Me Out,” a song that hits you in the face with the group’s signature garage-psych brashness, but this time a little more melody has been added to the cauldron, one slightly reminiscent of […]

Listen