austin music

What to know as Delta-8 ban goes into effect Friday

A ban on Delta-8 products takes effect tomorrow and Austin police say possessing certain products could now be a felony. We’ll explain why the law is changing, what it means for consumers and how local businesses are preparing.

One new affordable housing development in East Austin is moving forward with just one parking space. It’s possible because of the city’s Affordability Unlocked program, which allows developers to bypass certain building requirements.

Plus, KUTX Artist of the Month, Quentin, joins us to talk about her musical journey, the inspiration behind her new album “TOMGIRL,” her favorite songs and what’s next for her career.

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Alex Hartley: “I Believe”

Austins Alex Hartley’s “I Believe“ was born from one of life’s hardest moments, written after a crisis during his and his wife’s IVF journey. The song reflects the strength it takes to stand beside someone you love through uncertainty, pairing heartfelt lyrics with warm Americana instrumentation that never overshadows the emotion. It’s an honest reminder that hope can endure, even when it’s put to the test.

Quentin: “Peanut Butter Cigarettes” [Live In Studio 1A]

A native Texan with a tri-coastal career spanning Austin, Los Angeles, and New York, Quentin has appeared at major festivals including Austin City Limits Music Festival and SXSW while earning a reputation for fearless live performances and genre-defying songwriting. Dubbed a “genre-hopping hustler” by the Austin Chronicle, they have evolved from their glam-rock roots with indie band The Past Lives, arriving at the expansive, emotionally charged sound heard on their debut album, TOMGIRL.

What is the KCC Fest? w/ Sunhi & Cherri

On this episode we interview artists Cherri and Sunhi (Sue-Knee) about their viewpoint on R&B in Austin and also their upcoming performances at the Kinky Coily Curly festival. Hip-Hop Facts include facts about Nas, Frank Ocean, Danny Bonaduce and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that all AI flyers aren’t that bad.

Warm Sound: “Better Days”

Austin electronic duo Warm Sound (who you’ve heard on KUTX) are back with “Better Days,” the title track to their upcoming third album out this fall. Lush and groovy, the new song is more ambient than their trip-hop roots, marking a new, more ethereal, meditative sound from the duo, “pairing intricate production with an equally complex emotional architecture” for an album vulnerably exploring inner-discord in the search of, well, better days.

Better Days is out October 16th.

Stalefish: “Superstar”

The new single from Austin’s Stalefish marries two of my favorite things: 90’s indie rock with a story about an underdog, which, admittedly, is really the thesis of 90’s indie rock. “Superstar” is our first taste of the group’s new polished sound (but like a Matador Records sort of polished), and the group says it best: “Pavement-esque guitars, beefy drums, 80s style synths, and gang vocals.”

Tvlormvde: “Heat Wave”

Austin-based artist Tvlormvde blends house, pop, and R&B on “Heat Wave,” a standout from the new EP Sometimes on Wednesday. Built around classic house grooves, live instrumentation, and an infectious hook, the track sticks with you long after it’s over. With another Texas summer in full swing, “Heat Wave” is a fitting soundtrack for the season.

Do Rappers Owe Their Communities?

On this episode we talk about Jay Z’s three night residency at Yankee Stadium and what it means for his overall legacy. We also discuss if rappers owe the communities they come out of or social issues in general. Hip-Hop Facts include facts about Aaliyah, Barry White, The Notorious B.I.G. and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that the city of Austin sometimes forces artists to conform to stay booked and busy.

Touch Girl Apple Blossom: “The Springtime Reminds Me Of…”

KUTX’s June 2026 Artist of the Month, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, crafts songs that hit straight at the most tender part of your heart. The band’s new album, Graceful, is a collection of jangly, nostalgic pop songs that feel lived-in and intimate. The group is heading out on a Midwest tour next week that includes a stop at Jack White’s Nashville venue Blue Room, and before they hit the road, they stopped by Studio 1A to wrap us up in the warmth and woo, and here’s your free download to be your carry-along musical wubby.

Woody Russel: “Cross That River, Take Up This Fight”

Woody Russell’s “Cross This River, Take Up This Fight” settles into a steady, rootsy groove, with warm acoustic textures and vocals that feel both weathered and inviting. It’s the kind of song that lets the arrangement breathe, giving every lyric room to land while building a quiet sense of momentum.

Wild Heaven: “Dust in the Night Sky”

Austin band Wild Heaven premiered their debut single on Song of the Day two years ago. Now, they’re back with a brand-new single with the familiar raucous, post-punk energy that we love. “Dust in the Night Sky,” an upbeat single that lands between post-punk, shoegaze, and neo-psych rock, chronicles mischievous all-night adventures with a wink and a smile. Lead singer Laura Blewitt confides her late-night misdeeds over a fluttering drumline and an energetic guitar line that foreshadows the rising sun.

Freshly returned from tour with The Midnight Papers, this is Wild Heaven with “Dust in the Night Sky.”

Summer Jam 2026! w/ Soto the Activist

On this episode we discuss our upcoming Hot Summer Nights showcase, Summer Jam, and we interview Austin hip-hop artist Soto the Activist, who is also performing there. We also discuss if 2pac was as big a star, alive, as he was in death. Hip-Hop facts include facts about DJ Jazzy Jeff, Lil Kim, Bow Wow and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that artists should stop announcing their retirements if they don’t truly mean it.

Briscoe: “The Heart of Texas”

In the midst of a nearly year-long tour, Austin indie-Americana breakouts Briscoe have released “The Heart of Texas.” The song commemorates the anniversary of the horrific Kerr County floods that devastated entire communities and families and resulted in the deaths of around 60 people, including children. The song is what I would call “cinematic Americana,” deeply beautiful and powerful as an instrumental on its own. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the immense support and sense of community that rallied around the disaster, perfectly articulated in the line, “Two thirds the state, half the world, and all my living kin helped the Heart of Texas start to beat again.”

A portion of the music sales of “Heart of Texas” will be donated to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.

Sandy Creek residents remember lives lost to 2025 flood

School’s out for the summer, but when Austin ISD students return in the fall, they’ll be navigating some big changes in how they get to school. KUT’s education reporter Greta Díaz González Vázquez will help get us up to speed.

It’s been one year since deadly floods tore through the Texas Hill Country. Residents of the Sandy Creek neighborhood in Travis County are honoring the neighbors they lost.

The FIFA World Cup is in full swing. KUT’s Jimmy Maas joins us to talk about tonight’s match between the U.S. and Belgium — which has suddenly gotten a lot more interesting.

Plus a Few Headlines mentions in the show today:

Austin Signal is made possible by listeners like you. You can support our work by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org

Fake It Till You Make It

On this episode we discuss the lawsuit against rapper Moneybagg Yo and his manager over funding of his career and him not already being rich before fame. We also give our thoughts on if the BET Awards are still an important part of the culture. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Jill Scott, Barack Obama, 2pac and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is his opinion that Queen Latifah is everything we believe Lauryn Hill is.

Sweet Limb: “Dopamine” [Live In Studio 1A]

Austin’s Sweet Limb blends alt-R&B, hip-hop, soulful grooves, and lo-fi textures into music that feels both intimate and expansive. Led by Chris Robinson, the project pairs emotional vulnerability with head-nodding production.

Sweet Limb performs tonight at The Drop-In, opening for Jackie Venson.

Restos: “No Cigar

Austin’s Restos turn close calls and near misses into an indie-rock anthem on “No Cigar.” With jangly guitars, a driving rhythm, and just the right amount of grit, the track captures the feeling of chasing something that’s always a little out of reach—and having a good time anyway.

Daisy O’Connor: “LIRR”

It gives me such joy to see Daisy O’Connor returning to the studio and the stage. The Austin-based, genre-fluid singer-songwriter took an unexpectedly long break from gigging and songwriting, feeling the block and burnout from relentless touring. Then, on a trip to New York City, the Concrete Jungle worked its magic, and inspiration struck. “LIRR” is a far cry from a love letter to the city; it’s dark and authentic, with the role of the city performed by a ghostly, melodic, white noise veneer, illustrating an all-too-familiar story for those who have taken a brave, big city-sized gamble on themselves.

Orange & Blue Skies

On this episode we discuss the New York Knicks winning their first NBA championship in 53 years. We also discuss our favorite New York rap anthems to help Knicks celebrate. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Backstreet Boys, Ludacris, Earth Wind & Fire and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that Jay-Z teaming up with Target isn’t that big of a deal.

KindKeith: “I Wanna Buy A Home With You” [Live In Studio 1A]

For KindKeith, love is collective and nonlinear. The new album On Love, the Austintie not only meditates on the answer to their own question of “What does love mean to you?” but they brought in a multitude of collaborators to reverberate the fluid, complex, and multi-faceted relationship we all have with love. And it’s all wrapped-up in a lush, smooth, funk-dotted R&B cocoon. KindKeith stopped by Studio 1A earlier this week ahead of their performance at the Drop-In and their show tonight at Mohawk with Big Bill, J’Cuzzi, and haha Laughing. The show is a benefit for DAWA and supported by KUTX.