austin music

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:

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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.

EddieAngel: “PAYASO” [Live In Studio 1A]

KUTX May 2026 Artist of the Month, EddieAngel, finds himself at the forefront of a new wave of R&B artists reshaping the sound of alternative soul in Austin and beyond. Fronted by singer-songwriter and seasoned vocalist Angel Estrada, the project has steadily built momentum through emotionally grounded lyricism and a growing local fanbase. Alongside him, the band consists of core members Marc Rene on guitar, Enrico De Cesare Leite on bass, Seth Sevilla on keys, and James Navarro on drums. They performed live in our Studio 1A on May 22, 2026.

Following the international streaming success of his 2025 release “Holding On” with Tobias Lund, EddieAngel brings forth a new chapter with the CHICANO BLUES EP. Its lead single, “PAYASO,” led to an official SXSW debut, plus support from the legendary Grupo Fantasma, positioning Estrada as a rising voice fueled by deeply personal penmanship, all thoughtfully rooted in the Mexican experience as a native Austinite.

EddieAngel celebrates the release of Chicano Blues tonight at 29th Street Ballroom.

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 collide.

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 album, Grandmaster II. Disco, funk, red hats and giant glasses, these worshippers of the Grandmaster, also known as Zealots, know how to practice what they preach.

Grandmaster II is out now.

Is Female Rap In Trouble?

On this episode we touch on a subject, we have discussed before with male rappers, but this time we talk about, the seemingly decline in popularity of female rappers. We also discuss if having a great discography is more important than having monster singles. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Earth Wind and Fire, Lil Wayne, Eminem and more. Unpopular Opinion with Fresh this week is about Los Angeles being the most important city in hip-hop history.

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 spirit.

Catch them live at White Horse on June 26 at 8 PM.

Hovi Baby!

On this episode, we discuss Jay-Z’s recent performance at the Roots Picnic and the controversy that came with it. We also discuss what is more important, musical legacy or breaking records. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Tom Holland, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is about a reboot of a popular show from the 90’s he’s not excited about.

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 to collide with being a night owl in the local scene. Written from the perspective of a scenester deciding between going out or staying in for sleep, the song follows that choice as it unfolds.

CorMae: “ADHD” [Live In Studio 1A]

I heard your Riot Grrrl bone was itching. Allow me. CorMae has everything I love: women with guitars and a heap of snarled attitude. And you may be wondering why they aren’t part of this summer’s Hot Summer Nights line-up. My friend, they will be on the road opening for of Montreal! But, before they head off, they’re celebrating the release of Everything is so Great! tomorrow night at 13th Floor. And I imagine you’re supposed to say that album title with Homer Simpson-style split eyes; the way they look when you exclaim “TRAMBOPOLINE!”.

Our Minds Were Always Free w/ Lisa Davis

On this episode we interview entertainment lawyer, author, Lisa Davis about her book Our Minds Were Always Free. We also discuss Complex’s list of the top 50 New York rappers of all time. Hip-Hop Facts this week include facts about Rebbie Jackson, Andre 3000, Big L and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion touches on how the best verse on a song isn’t the most lyrical sometimes.

State officials reject Austin ISD plan for failing middle schools

The Texas Education Agency has rejected Austin ISD’s proposal for three middle schools that have received consecutive failing grades — putting the entire district at further risk of a state takeover.

The Austin City Council has approved guidelines for the construction and operation of a new natural gas plant after the project was OK’d in a secret vote.

Thousands of Austinites received a call or text this month urging them to seek shelter or evacuate immediately, but many weren’t even sure the message was legit. Now police say they will improve the alerts.

Plus: Exploded Drawing kicks off their 16th year of electronic music showcases.

Texas Standard

Adrianne Palicki reflects on ‘Friday Night Lights’ at 20 ahead of ATX TV Festival reunion.

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

Court protection for Delta-8 sales is set to expire

Delta-8, a hemp product you might’ve seen for sale in gas stations and strip malls across Texas, could soon be treated as an illegal drug, putting it in the same category as heroin and LSD. What this would mean for the businesses that sell them and the people who use them.

It’s the last day of school for students in Austin ISD, meaning it’s the last day many seniors will ever set foot on campus. Before that, a group of them went back to trace their steps at Dawson Elementary before the school closes.

EddieAngel, the KUTX Artist of the Month for May, has the vocal chops to match the spirit of his on-stage persona.

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

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 that we’re used to.