Miles Bloxson

China Smith

In the latest episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa and Rich chat with Ballet Afrique founder and contemporary dancer China Smith.

China takes us on a joyful stroll down memory lane, sharing what she loved about growing up in Austin and why her community means so much to her. She talks about how her time in the Bay Area shaped her, the music that moves her, and why movement is so important for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health — no dance skills required!

She also emphasizes the importance of taking care of your body and shares her passion for a vegan lifestyle.

Social Media & Music: Love It, Hate It, or Use It?

Social media has completely changed how musicians share their work and connect with fans — but not everyone is here for the endless scroll. Some artists are over it and have even ditched it altogether.

In this episode, we dive into the love-hate relationship musicians have with social media. Hear from Chinasa Broxton, Carlos Dashawn Daniels Moore of Tribe Mafia, Walker Lukens, Sara L. Houser, and Robert Ellis as they dish on how they do — or don’t — use these platforms to build their careers and stay true to their art.

Doing all the things: The new blueprint for making a living in music

Pay for musicians in Austin has stayed the same for decades, and streaming often doesn’t bring in my money. So if you can’t make money playing music and you can’t make money selling music, what can you do?

You’ll hear how Sara L. Houser, Chinasa Broxton and Carlos Dashawn Daniels Moore from Tribe Mafia, and Carrie Rodriguez figured out how to make a living in music by expanding their ideas of what they can do with music.

Find out more about Laboratorio Arts.

Season 6 of Pause Play starts June 17th!

The world is shifting faster than ever, and for many, the future feels more uncertain than clear. In season six of Pause/Play, we are taking a look at the future of Austin’s music scene. We’ll talk about how artists are making a living by exploring multiple creative avenues. We talk to artists who are reimagining fan connections beyond social media and who are dreaming up alternatives to the major streaming services. We’ll dive into how musicians are embracing (or rejecting) AI, what’s ahead for the Live Music Fund, and—of course – what the next generation of Austin musicians is up to.

Pause/Play is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

Don’t Austin My Lockhart: How Austin musicians seeking affordability are impacting surrounding towns

We’re looking at what happens to small towns like Lockhart when a bunch of Austin musicians seeking affordable places to live move there.

You’ll hear from musician Emily Gimble, musician and co-owner of Fiddler’s Green Jenn Miori Hodges, co-founders Courthouse Nights and Rach and Rhodes presents Rachel Lingvai and Will Rhodes, musician Pierson Saxon and founders of Duett’s in Martindale, Texas Ryan and Katie Grametbaur.

How SXSW went from an Austin festival to an international experience

SXSW started in 1987 as a regional music festival in Austin. You’ll hear how it started and how it changed over the years from the perspectives of some of the musicians who’ve played it. You’ll also learn about what changed because of musician protests, what SXSW was like in Sydney, Australia, and what the festival might look like in the future.

Check out this flier from the first SXSW

Pause/Play is taking a quick break

There should be a new episode of Pause/Play this week. But, we got hit by a mix of travel, COVID, and unforeseen circumstances. So there’s no episode right now. But there will be in two weeks!

In the next episode, you’ll hear about the history of SXSW, and how it’s changed over the years.

And in the episode after that, you’ll hear about what happens when people leave Austin and start music scenes in towns around Austin.

We want to hear from you — do you live in a town close to Austin with a new thriving music scene or have you been to a show where you least expected to see live music? We’d love it if you would send us a voice memo about your experience!

You can leave a message at kutkutx.studio/contactpauseplay, email us at pauseplay@kut.org or you can leave us a message on Instagram — our handle is @pauseplaypod

How laws targeting LGBTQIA+ Texans are impacting Austin’s live music scene

LGBTQIA+ members of Austin’s music scene talk about how proposed bans on drag performances, and laws outlawing gender-affirming care for minors are impacting their work and their lives.

You’ll hear from co-owner of Cheer Up Charlies Maggie Lea. Plus you’ll hear from Austin musicians Caleb de Casper, Lizzy Lehman, Pelvis Wrestley’s Jammy Violet, and writer/musician Jack Kaulfus.

Peace, Love, and Texas Women: Women in Austin music reflect on the Texas abortion ban

Women from the Austin music scene talk about how the Texas abortion ban is impacting their lives.

You’ll hear from music publicist Adrienne Lake, membership manager at The Recording Academy Amanda Garcia Davenport, Cassandra Shankman, aka DJ Cassandra, event producer Cheyenne Doer and songwriter, rapper and producer Qi Dada, who is one-half of the Austin hip-hop duo Riders Against the Storm.

How is climate change impacting Austin’s live music scene?

In the latest episode of Pause/Play, you’ll hear from musicians, venue owners and fans about how climate change is affecting Austin’s Music Scene. We also talk to weatherman David Yeomans and neuropsychotherapist Bella Rockman.

How are global and local changes impacting the Austin Music Scene?

How is climate change impacting Austin’s Music Scene? What about skyrocketing ticket prices? Or changes in AI and tech? How are new laws in Texas affecting women and LGBTQIA+ people in the music ecosystem? These are some of the questions that hosts Miles Bloxson and Elizabeth McQueen will explore in Season 5 of Pause/Play. In the first episode, they look at how COVID has shifted some people’s relationship with live music, plus they give you a season overview.

In this episode you’ll hear from neuropsychotherapist Bella Rockman, Lawrence Boone from the Far Out Lounge and Stage, Meteorologist David Yeomans, Jammy Violet from Pelvis Wrestly, Austin musician Caleb de Caspar, Adrienne Lake from Daydream Believer Austin and Frontgate Tickets founder Mellie Price.

Trailer: Pause/Play Season 5

The new season of Pause/Play starts on April 17th. This season is all about change. We’ll be looking at the impact that climate change, changes in laws, changes in ticketing, changes in venues, changes in tech, and more are having on the Austin music scene.

An Outsider’s Take on the Austin Music Scene

In this bonus episode, Brazilian journalist and podcaster Filipe Speck explores the Austin Music Scene from his perspective as someone visiting the city for the first time.

Filipe is the co-founder of Matinal

You can listen to Filipe’s podcast Noites Gregas.

All About Our Listeners

This episode is all about our listeners. We asked what they thought we should do to support the Austin Music Scene, and they answered! Plus, you’ll learn about one listener who started a business to employ Austin musicians — the Handyband Collective.

Nonprofit aims to reverse Austin’s 1928 master plan and get SXSW money to the BIPOC community

SXSW brings in millions each year, but Black and brown Austinites don’t always benefit from the influx of money. DAWA, a local nonprofit, has put together a series of music shows and panels to elevate and direct resources to Austin’s BIPOC community. Find more information about everything happening during Vision:8291 here.

What Touring is Like Now

Musicians talk about what it’s like to tour on this side of the pandemic. You’ll hear from Jane Ellen Bryant and Daniel Leopold of Jane Leo, Eimaral Sol, Blakchyl, Matt the Electrician, Ali Holder, Sean Michael Giddings, Scott Collins + Janet Weiss and Sam Coomes of the band Quasi.