The vaccine rollout began with a very small group and has, at this point, expanded in Texas to everyone who is at least 16 years-old. More and more, people know others who have been vaccinated. More and more, the potential for the return to a “more normal” life looks possible. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Pandemic
Texas Standard: March 29, 2021
As the trial for the murder of George Floyd gets underway, debate heats up on a Texas bill to punish cities that cut police funding. We’ll have the latest. Other stories we’re covering: a bill to prohibit public school athletes in Texas from participating on sports teams that don’t align with an athlete’s biological birth sex. And new numbers from the winter storm and subsequent power outages in Texas suggest the event was deadlier than Hurricane Harvey. Also, supermarket wars coming to North Texas? And remembering a literary giant. How Larry McMurtry challenged Texas mythology, and changed the way many view the Lone Star State. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Pandemic: Year One
It’s been a year now since initial lockdown measures in much of the United States. A year of evaluating everything through the prism of coronavirus risk. A year of job loss, community loss, lives lost. How do you measure a year? That was the inspiration of this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
The Reopening
On March 10th the Texas governor re-opened the state. Now businesses can operate at 100% capacity. He also lifted the statewide mask mandate. We talked to musicians, venue owners & staff about how they plan to navigate the reopening.
In this episode you’ll hear from:
Cody Cowan: Executive Director of the Red River Cultural District
Stephen Sternschein: the managing partner of Heard Presents which operates Empire Control Room,
James Moody: founder of the Austin music venue Mohawk ,
Kate Holley: illustrator and also manager and bartender at Cheer-Up Charlies,
Clayton England: musician and also bartender at the Far out Lounge
Mama Duke : singer songwriter and voice over actor
Lili Hickman: musician and visual artist
We have a survey and we’d love to hear what you think! Go ahead! Take the survey here!
Find out more about Mama Duke
Check out Mama Duke as the voice of Hip-Hop Hippo
Find out more about Lili Hickman’s art and her band Flora and Fawna.
Check out Clayton England’s music
Listen to the music by Austin Artists featured in this episode:
Pandemic Road Trip
One of the sacrifices many have made during the pandemic is giving up in-person visits to relatives. Now, as vaccine distribution broadens and testing is readily available, some are breaking the long drought. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
The Long Haul: Texas And The Pandemic
Do you remember that day in March when suddenly everything changed?. Since the start of what’s been called the quarantine era, tens of thousands of texans have been sickened by COVID-19, many more have lost their jobs and homes, and their friends and loved ones too. We’ll look at where the needs are in Texas’ fight against the pandemic and how those needs are being met, as told by voices from across the Lone Star State. Our Texas Standard special The Long Haul: Texas and the Pandemic:
Texas Standard: March 11, 2021
Texas Governor Greg Abbott was once Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. What would the AG think of the Governor?? We’ll explore. Also, the stimulus package and how big Texans and little Texans could benefit from it. Plus ERCOT and the gray area in which it operates. It’s a non-profit but it looks like, works like and functions like a government agency. So why not comply with open records requests? And Twitter is 15 now and 15 year old girls in Texas should have a quinceañera. So we are throwing Twitter one. But we’re also asking is it time to start acting like a grown up? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
One Year Later
We talked to people from across the spectrum of the Austin music ecosystem around the 1-year anniversary of the cancellation of SXSW. In this episode, you’ll hear how they’ve coped, pivoted, evolved, gained new perspectives and dealt with trauma during the last 12 months.
You’ll hear from singer, songwriter and guitar player Jackie Venson, songwriter, producer and activist Mobley, Stephanie Bergara who fronts the band Bidi Bidi Banda, Maggie Lea co-owner of Cheer-Up Charlies, musician and founder of Austin Texas Musicians Nakia, singer, songwriter and podcaster Walker Lukens, live-event coordinator, screenwriter and co-founder of The Amplified Sound Coalition, Jeannette Gregor, executive director of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, Reenie Collins, and executive director of Austin Texas Musicians, Pat Buchta.
We have a survey and we’d love to hear what you think! Go ahead! Take the survey here!
Links:
Listen to Jackie Venson’s music
Check out Mobley’s new record “Young and Dying in the Occident Supreme”
Listen to Nakia’s new single “It’s Never Too Late.”
The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians
Reconnecting
The pandemic has impacted our lives on every level. Most of the impacts have been devastating — even deadly. But for those with the privilege to embrace a forced slowing down, there are also silver linings. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Valentine’s Day (COVID Style)
The pandemic has affected the way we celebrate events and holidays. This Typewriter Rodeo poem imagines what might be possible if the limitations of COVID-19 were not in the way.
Getting Tired Of (Writing Poems About) COVID
The pandemic was never welcome. More than a year in, it has worn on in so many ways — including on those who are tasked with trying to produce art during it. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: January 29, 2021
Could you draw a map of the state of Texas? Try drawing the political maps. This year, it promises to be tougher than ever. As redistricting begins in Texas, what to look for in what is likely to be another highly contentious process. Also, are you having trouble getting the COVID-19 vaccine? Many are. Our own Terri Langford set out to try to navigate the journey to get vaccinated in Texas, and it wasn’t pretty. We’ll hear what she learned firsthand. And the story of a Texas-based video game store stock that rocked Wall Street: a morality tale? The truths not quite so simple. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Vaccines
The distribution of a vaccine is providing some light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. While that light is still in the distance and what we’ll find when we get to it is still unknown, this Typewriter Rodeo poem is focused on the hope of drawing nearer to it.
Why Margin Walker Closed
Graham Williams, the founder of Margin Walker, discusses his journey in the Austin music scene and explains why nine months into the pandemic he decided to close Texas’s largest independent concert promoter for good.
Music in this episode by Sailor Poon
Mental Health During the Pandemic
Hear from mental healthcare providers and people in the Austin Music Ecosystem about mental health during the pandemic.
You’ll hear from Kalu James from Kalu and the Electric Joint , Vanessa Burden of Los Alcos, Austen Bailey former Talent Buyer for Mohawk, Patty Bouressa from The SIMS Foundation, Brandee Smith MS, LPC, LCDC, Austin Mental Health Care Resources, The Sims Foundation
Austin Texas Mental Health Resources
Other Information:
National Independent Venue Association
Save Our Stages
Music By:
Kalu and The Electric Joint
Los Alcos
Check out Downfall — the latest song from Kalu and the Electric Joint.
The Urban Music Fest & Homer Hill
In the latest episode of Pause/Play Homer Hill tells the story of the Urban Music Fest and how it’s been hit hard by the pandemic. You’ll also learn the history of the festival, and hear the challenges Homer has faced in his thirty plus years as a Black Business owner in Austin, Texas.
Urban Music Fest
Mr. Catfish
The City of Austin’s Virtual New Year’s Eve
Check out Andrew Weber’s reporting on Venue Funding in Austin
Softness Surrounding
It’s been said many times over that 2020 has been a tough year. This Typewriter Rodeo poem is a reminder to be kind to yourself.
The Return of Live Music Part 2
Hear from people across the spectrum of the Austin music scene talk about their live music experiences during the pandemic.
In the first segment you’ll hear Pedro Carvalho and Lawrence Boone from the venue The Far Out Lounge talk about how they’ve managed to stay open and have consistent live music. Then KUT reporter Andrew Weber takes you to a show that’s also a Dumpster Fire. Matt Ott from the Austin non-profit Black Fret brings you perspectives from an indoor show at ACL live. And Miles Bloxson talks to three fans about their risk tolerances and relationships with live music during COVID.
Listen to this episode of Pause/Play
Open Enrollment for the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is open through December 15th. Find out more here: https://www.myhaam.org/become-a-member
This song was featured in this episode of Pause/Play
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify
Guacamole Chalupa With Beans, Please
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a widespread economic impact. Many small businesses have had to close their doors. This Typewriter Rodeo poem remembers one.
Texas Standard: December 2, 2020
With Texas reporting new record high numbers of Coronavirus cases, a warning from Washington that more needs to be done, we’ll have details. Also, as the fight against COVID-19 continues, setbacks reported in the war against human trafficking in Texas. Plus high hopes versus realistic expectations: with change at the White House, what Texas immigrant rights advocates think they’ll see when it comes to changes on the ground. And rarely has a nation been so well served by a people so ill treated. Now the postal service set to celebrate the Japanese American soldiers who saved thousands of Texans in WWII. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard: