Song of the Day

Song of the Day > All Episodes

May 24, 2024

The Cuckoos: “Dirty Pictures”

By: Jack Anderson

If you mainly draw inspiration from older generations, after taking a lengthy break, you may find that the needle on your tastes has moved forward in time too. At least that’s what we’re seeing unfold with Austin project The Cuckoos.

Ostensibly the one-man band (who also operates as a four-piece) of flock leader/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/producer Ken Frost, The Cuckoos have historically nestled around classic rock, psych, and funk. But after flying off in a near half-decade-long songwriting hiatus, The Cuckoos have recently come home to roost in the best way possible – with a touch of New Wave.

Ahead of their next record (produced by KUTX Favorite Chris “Frenchie” Smith), this morning The Cuckoos clocked in somewhere between Soft Cell and Depeche Mode with “Dirty Pictures”. “Dirty Pictures” goes face to face with the ’80s aesthetic with four-to-the-floor drums, raunchy guitar, salacious synth stabs, arousing lyrics with moody vocals, and a snapshot sound effect that’d make Duran Duran nod knowingly. A lot of producers might say “don’t go crazy” with a new sonic direction…but c’mon Ken…if you keep going cuckoo for the flashback stuff, you sure won’t rustle our feathers.


Episodes

October 20, 2026

Chief Cleopatra: “Waves”

Former KUTX Artist of the Month Chief Cleopatra is back with their first single in two years. Following in the footsteps of 2024’s pop-forward “Cold Dancer,” the group continues to toss aside their laurels, instead pushing deeper into more experimental territory in their most collaborative song to date. “Waves” is a pinnacle of art-pop, evoking […]

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October 19, 2026

Late Wife: “Body”

Since we last touched base here with Austin’s Late Wife, the band have been riding that “cream rising to the top” high. They’ve opened for …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, performed at this year’s Tiny Desk Concert tour’s Austin stop, and they’ve been spinning around the KUTX airwaves, all leading-up […]

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October 15, 2026

LeTrainiump: “It’s Already Over”

“It’s Already Over” was inspired by LeTrainiump’s struggle to find his footing in Austin. After feeling like an outsider, his daughter reminded him to let go of the little things and to move forward. That simple moment became the heart of the song: Life moves minute by minute, and sometimes you just have to stop […]

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October 14, 2026

Houndmouth: “Heavy Eyes” [KUTX Live At ACL 2026]

Today’s Song of the Day comes from Indiana’s Houndmouth. “Heavy Eyes” is a rootsy, blues-soaked rocker that reflects on the people you meet and the stories they leave behind, with its easygoing groove and gritty vocals.

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October 13, 2026

Night Tapes: “Easy Time to Be Alive” [KUTX At ACL Fest 2026]

Flutes. Falsetto. Phantasmic. That’s London trio Night Tapes in a nutshell. What began as late night jam sessions between housemates has evolved into hundreds of millions of online streams, journalistic praise, and global festival slots, including the illustrious “get them in the door early” slot at this year’s ACL Fest. Night Tapes brought their ethereal […]

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October 12, 2026

Almost Heaven: “Oscillation” [KUTX Live At ACL Fest 2026]

Austin post-punk-injected electronic duo Almost Heaven exemplify “fresh nostalgia.” The duo made of Stefan Barraza & Jaelyn Valero have become increasingly ubiquitous since the release of their Raw Cranium EP back in January, leading to ample spins on the KUTX airwaves and an ACL Fest debut this past weekend, firing up and electrifying the Tito’s […]

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October 8, 2026

Jess Williamson: “Goodbye to All That” [KUTX Live at ACL Fest 2026]

We caught Jess Williamson backstage at Austin City Limits for a live performance away from the mudslides. This Texas-born, LA-based artist brought her warm voice and indie folk/alt-country sound to the tent with an acoustic rendition of “Goodbye to All That” from her upcoming record, “A Mile South of Heaven,” which releases tomorrow. If you […]

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October 7, 2026

Palace: “Kid” [KUTX At ACL Fest 2026]

Palace stopped by the KUTX tent at ACL and performed their song “Kid.” A dreamy, guitar-driven track that balances hazy textures with a strong melodic pull, “Kid” has a nostalgic quality without feeling stuck in the past, making it the perfect feel-good song.

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