On this episode we interview Kevin Solka (Marketing & Digital Strategy Manager for the LBJ Library) about the Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit. We also discuss hip-hop needing to go back underground to reclaim its roots. Hip-hop facts this week include facts about Mike Jones, Wu-Tang, Drake and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that blog era rappers should’ve worked together more before they became super successful.
austin music
‘Bathroom bill’ in effect, but enforcement is unclear
A new “bathroom bill” approved by Texas legislators has been in effect across the state for just over a week, requiring people to use public restrooms aligned with the sex they were assigned at birth. But there are still questions about how the law will be enforced, and here in Austin, a lot of it depends on which building you happen to be in.
Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, the guiding hand behind the Voces Oral History Project, is stepping down after a quarter-century of documenting the stories of Latinos in Texas and the United States. She reflects on her work.
The 37th Street Lights will be lit tonight. But who started the Austin holiday tradition? ATXplained investigates.
Half Dream: “Fly” [Recorded Live at the Hole In the Wall]
For over a decade, the windows in the KUTX booth and the front of the Hole In the Wall have gazed at each other from across the street. Generations of musicians and music lovers have storied memories of the 51-year-old venue, whether you were there to see Townes Van Zandt’s regular performances or Lucinda Williams get her start, spotted icons like Courtney Love and Dave Grohl, or witnessed Yard Act’s first show in the U.S..
So it would make sense that two iconic Austin music institutions would finally converge. Over the last few months, we’ve invited our Concert Club members to be part of a new tradition, a series we’re calling The Hole Story. Think of it as MTV: Unplugged, but Austin. Short, stripped-down story-driven solo sets by some of our favorite Austin musicians performed on Hole In the Wall’s famous front stage.
And now, we’re sharing these sets with you, kicking it off with our May Artist of the Month Half Dream. A regular on the Hole In the Wall calendar, Half Dream’s Paige Renee Berry performed a plugged-in solo set, showcasing her lofty, haunting vocals and bare-it-all-while-sometimes-taking-no-prisoners songwriting prowess.
Austin’s light-rail poised to clear major hurdle
The light-rail transit line long promised to Austinites could soon clear a major hurdle – and that could give new momentum to a project that’s been dragged down through legal and political resistance. The latest on where the project is headed.
Months after a Texas A&M professor was fired for discussing gender identity in a literature class, transgender college students in Texas are working out how to make their voices heard. Some are finding solace through expression in their community.
Plus, on the music side: Some Austin music history and more from KUTX’s favorite local songs of 2025.
J’cuuzi: Fame by Death [Live in Studio 1A]
Today, we’re thrilled to highlight our July Artist of the Month, J’cuuzi. The Austin-by-way-of Atlanta punk duo, made up of Gorge Bones and Trey Razeldazl, have an insatiable appetite for the stage and pushing the boundaries of how they use it. They released their debut EP, SLUDGEcontent, in July, with their style that they’ve dubbed “pop-vantgarde.”
They brought their brand of indulgence with a live performance of “Fame By Death” in Studio 1A ahead of their July release, and we’re bringing it back to warm up the winter months!
If you want to see them command the stage live, they’ll be performing at the Holiday Hootenanny at Radio/East this weekend, alongside Shannon & The Clams, tUnE-yArDs, Rubblebucket, and many more. Learn more and get your tickets here.
Variety: “Subtropical” [Live In Studio 1A]
Rhys Woodruff has been a sterling songwriter throughout his adult life, with the single caveat that he has had very little interest in singing his own songs. Sure, his oscillations between art punk and post punk have led to some of the coolest songs heard in Austin clubs for years, but it took more than a tad of cajoling for him to take the mic into his own hand. His fellow bandmates in the trio Borzoi played a little friendly hardball (you know how guys show love and support of each other), and now with his own group Variety, Woodruff is reaping the benefits of getting out of your own way and embracing the full monty.
Variety’s debut album, Subtropical, is Woodruff turning inward and tying precious, intimate details and broad strokes of his life to parts of Texas’s natural beauty. The manifestation of this conduit is an album that, on its head, is an interesting, if not sometimes meditative, listen, but also an invitation to his soul. And as the band name implies, this has been the start of something new, but not necessarily static. What comes next is sure to be just as enticing, regardless of the pivot.
Variety plays arguably the biggest show of their career to date this Saturday at Radio/East for the annual Holiday Hootenany, sharing the stage with Shannon & the Clams, tUnE-yArDs, Rubblebucket, and a swath of local gems.
LifeWorks program helps youth avoid homelessness
Austin nonprofit LifeWorks has helped nearly three dozen young Austinites stay housed through a cash-assistance pilot program. We hear the story of one person who said the money helped her at a critical time.
Plus: A look into holiday tunes and unwrapping our favorite present: tamales. Chef Rick Martinez brings us to the table at a holiday tamalada.
If you host or or plan to attend a tamalada – let us know! Email austinsignal@kut.org.
New Media In Hip-Hop
On this episode we discuss the new Diddy documentary “The Reckoning” that is executive produced by 50 Cent. We also discuss Megan Thee Stallion’s newest legal battle except this time it’s against a media personality and it’s role in new hip-hop media. Hip-Hop facts about 2pac, Young Dolph Will Smith and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion this week is that hip-hop needs new gatekeepers to filter those who might not have the best interest of the culture in mind.
Anastasia Hera: “Ambitions” [Live In Studio 1A]
Austin R&B and hip-hop artist Anastasia Hera is busy lady. This year alone, she released her album Way Outside; played our Scholz Garten show during SXSW; and her deft lyrics, sultry vocals, and smooth, earwormy beats led her to become our February Artist of the Month. All while running her non-profit CAKE (Creativity, Abundance, Knowledge, Education), a non-profit empowering and educating women pursuing music careers.
To pair nicely with the cloudy wintery weather outside, we’re revisiting her Studio 1A from February to cuddle with you all cozy like.
Grocery Bag: “Watching TV”
Austin quartet Grocery Bag had a banger year, being handpicked to open for Osees and Frankie & the Witch Fingers and a stellar, dare I say breakout set at Levitation. That show put them in the crosshairs of Australian psych-rock group Psychedlic Porn Crumpets, who they will be supporting for a whopping 22 dates on their tour next April and May. A true superfecta of a year. Let’s just hope they remember lil’ ol’ us as their ascension undoubtedly kicks into an even higher gear in 2026.
Their final single of 2025 “Watching TV” throws a grunge wrench into their garage/psych sound, teasing a Nirvana and Veruca Salt pastiche at the beginning before deftly circumventing it by wrapping it up in a bit of no wave and, of course, their own signature blend that always includes a whisper of pop catchiness. It’s a compelling texture for the group, but if you prefer paper to plastic, make sure this heavy boy is double-bagged.
‘Bathroom bill’ targeting trans Texans goes into effect this week
The so-called “bathroom bill” aimed at restricting transgender Texans’ access to some restrooms goes into effect this week. Republicans in the Legislature have been trying to enact such a measure for more than a decade; opponents are worried its unclear guidance on enforcement could cause cause public harassment.
There’s an upcoming benefit concert for Austin musician Rich Brotherton. We’ll hear from a few folks who know him well.
Plus: It’s Giving Tuesday! Learn how you can get involved with KUT, which is 100% community supported.
Next of Kin: “Jekyll & Hyde” [Live in Studio 1A]
To say Next of Kin have had a successful year would be an understatement. After almost two years of anticipation, our April Artist of the Month released their debut Ep Homemaker in May, punctuated by two sold-out shows at the Continental Club. Since then, they’ve made their ACL Fest debut, modeled for Austin FC’s Live from ATX capsule collection, and were invited to dig through the archives of Texas Monthly.
Next of Kin is rounding out their triumphant year with a New Year’s Eve show at Antone’s joined by Nane, TC Superstar, and Quentin Aspire, presented by KUTX.
Gus Baldwin & The Sketch: “Itch” (Live in Studio 1A)
Every December, we celebrate the year’s class of 11 Artists of the Month by filling your airwaves, throwing back to Studio 1A’s and My KUTX DJ sets, and giving the year a proper Austin music sendoff. We’ll also be revisiting some of the Studio 1A songs here on Song of the Day, which means you get another chance to grab a free download of these live tracks.
We’re kicking off December with our March Artist of the Month Gus Baldwin & the Sketch, who released their debut album, The Sketch, at the beginning of 2025. After playing shows with Frankie & the Witch Fingers and Hinds during SXSW, the quartet hit the road twice, including their November stint opening for Mississippi band Bass Drum of Death on the southwest and west coast leg of their tour and frontman Gus Baldwin releasing his debut solo album in October.
Ahead of their next show next Saturday, December 13th at Chess Club, we’re revisiting their raucous, high-octane Studio 1A session.
Longhorns vs. Aggies football returns to Austin
The pits are lit, the speakers have been turned up to 11, and there’s a buzz across the Forty Acres. The Longhorn-Aggie Lone Star Showdown returns to Royal-Memorial Stadium today, and this season hasn’t gone as some Texas fans might’ve expected. Could a win over undefeated Texas A&M be enough to chalk the year up as a W?
It’s been 15 years since the Longhorns and Aggies played in Austin. Is the rivalry between the state’s biggest schools still all it’s cracked up to be? A look at the tension that’s been dividing houses for generations.
Stephen Doster w/ the #9 Orchestra: “Goodness”
f you’ve been in Austin for any amount of time, and especially if you’ve called Austin home for a decade or few, you’re no doubt familiar with the #9 Orchestra, a group of musicians from a myriad of backgrounds who come together at least once a year to perform the songs of the Beatles and John Lennon. For Beatlemaniacs of any generation, it’s a night of beauty and celebration.
Now celebrating their 35th year, the group, led by veteran musician and East Austin Recording co-owner Stephen Doster, has “come together” in the studio to record Doster’s new song “Goodness,” a tender and emotionally gripping love song keeping in the orchestra’s tradition and mission statement, recorded and mixed at EAR and appropriately mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London.
The #9 Orchestra performs this Saturday, November 29th at 3Ten ACL Live.
New site under consideration for UT Austin medical campus
A future UT Austin academic medical campus – which is set to include an MD Anderson Cancer Center location – was set to be built on the site of the now-demolished Frank Erwin Center. But now the Board of Regents is considering a new location near the Domain.
Cindy Walker might be the most successful Texas songwriter that most Texans have never heard of, with songs recorded by Roy Orbison, Bing Crosby and many others. A new tribute album celebrates Walker’s legacy and aims to help save her Mexia home.
Plus: We’re getting ready for Thanksgiving with things that Texas kiddos are thankful for.
And click this link to sign up in time for KUT’s Thanksgiving Newsletter!
Nicki Minaj Speaks at the UN
On this episode we discuss Nicki Minaj going to the UN to speak up on behalf of Nigeria and the United States. We also discuss we seems to be a resurgence of R&B into the mainstream. Hip-Hops Facts include facts about Lil Wayne, Will Smith, Ice Cube and more. Fresh’s Unpopular Opinion is that rapper The Game’s success in California paved the way for newer west coast rappers to emerge like Kendrick or Tyler the Creator.
After Prop Q fallout, Austin cuts $95 million from budget
The City of Austin cut $95 million from its budget, shrinking funding to parks, homelessness services and more after voters rejected Prop Q. We’ll get into how these cuts may impact you.
With recent rain and an overnight flood watch in Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties, many residents are reminded of the July 4 floods and the ongoing efforts to rebuild.
Plus, art groups seeking affordable studio space find sanctuary in a downtown Austin church. We’ve got more on how they secured the space and what that means for the arts community.
Also, Jason Mellard shares a new story from the archive of Texas music history.
Judy Blank: “Cosmic Kids” (ft. SUSTO)
Growing up in the Netherlands, Judy Blank fostered an early love for classic American cinema. She’s married that love with her stamp of DIY-indie eclecticism, sometimes leaning more Americana (something she honed during her brief time as a Nashvillian) and sometimes dreamy indie-pop, but always poetic, seemingly effortless, and marked with that signature Dutch wit and brutal honesty. Now calling Austin home, Judy Blank is our November KUTX Artist of the Month, and she stopped by Studio 1A to perform songs from her new album Big Mood and was joined by fellow Austinite and SUSTO frontman Justin Osbourne on “Cosmic Kids.”
KUTX’s Artist of the Month program is powered by PNC Bank.
Matthew Payne: “Down In the Valley”
Singer-songwriter Matthew Payne‘s poetic Americana is salt of the Earth, evocative of both his Dripping Springs upbringing and nearly two decades as an English and creative writing teacher here in Austin. And with a stage roster that includes Hole In the Wall, Saxon Pub, and the Cactus Cafe, he truly is Austin Americana timelessness personified.
On “Down In the Valley,” Payne seems like he’s sat down at a bar after hours on the road, regaling barflies with an overture of the epic of where he’s been. We get the highlights, but we also know one question will lead to a shower of tales, and his impassioned storytelling, punctuated with a driving, honky tonk rhythm, makes us want to ask the bartender for another boilermaker for ourselves and one for our new friend.