Song Confessional

Starflake

We made it! Another season of Song Confessional has come to an end. We’re finishing strong with a new side project from our very own, Zac Catanzaro, ‘Starflake’; a psychedelic, cumbia, electronic, post-punk circus.

Last week, Starflake closed out the Drop In summer series at The Long Center with the mission to take a confession recorded in our permanent booth and churn out a song in 24 hours. And guess what, they did it!!!

Check out this weeks episode at KUTX.org or wherever you listen to podcasts to hear the track, “Dirty Thoughts” by Starflake.

Confession Response #4

Holey Moley! You guys really rose to the occasion for our third confession call episode. With around 20 submissions, it was a real challenge to choose just 6 to feature in the episode but we made it happen. We’ve got songs with an electronic lean, classic singer songwriter with acoustic guitar, eclectic circus sounds, and dreamy transcendent new wave vibes.

Check out this week’s episode for our top picks and to hear the winning track, “Guillermo and Reuben” by Summer Sleep. We’ll also feature a playlist of all the songs up on our Substack coming soon so don’t forget to follow along!

AI and the Future of Music

AI is a hot topic right now, but how will it impact music? We discuss everything from fake bands getting millions of listens to a legendary producer vouching for the use of AI to lawsuits by major music groups against AI music generation programs.

In the latest episode, we dive into how Austin musicians are using the tool or staying away. Hear from Chinasa Broxton and Carlos Dashawn Daniels Moore of Tribe Mafia, Walker Lukens, Lauren Bruno, Jonny Johnson, Zeale and Erin Walter share their thoughts on the future of AI and music.

Tell us what you think about AI and Music

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

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

Confession Call #4

It’s Confession Call time again and we need all you aspiring songwriters out there to send in your demos!

Here’s how it works.

Listen to the latest episode of the Song Confessional podcast. You’ll hear an anonymous confession we collected back in March at the KUTX Live at Scholz Garten series during SXSW.
Write a song inspired by that confession and record it – Anything from an iPhone memo to a full-on bedroom production, whatever puts you in the zone.
Submit it to kutx.org/confession by Monday July 28th
Several songs will be featured on the July 30th episode of the Song Confessional podcast
We’ll choose our favorite song and give the winner a day in the studio with Walker to professionally record your song! The song will also be featured as Song of The Day on KUTX!!

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.

Confession & Song: Rayland Baxter, “Albatross”

What’s up party people! Have you listened to our new song, “Albatross” from Nashville hero Rayland Baxter yet?

Inspired by a confession taken at Newport Folk Festival all the way back in 2019, “Albatross” is an extremely intimate and reflective look into a young woman’s tragic experience and how she’s managed to keep a positive outlook despite all odds. Here’s a little spoiler…it directly involves Rayland himself! This is probably one of our most powerful episodes yet.

Don’t miss our interview with Rayland out this Sunday on our Substack!

Thank you to the City of Austin for bringing us to Newport Folk, probably the best festival in the country!

Song Confessional is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.

The post Confession & Song: Rayland Baxter “Albatross”appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios — Podcasts.

Confession & Song: Vapor Caves “Sis, is this your man?”

helllllllo world! We’ve got a new song, “Sis, is this your man?” from neo-funk soul husband & wife outfit, The Vapor Caves. Inspired by a confession taken at SXSW Sydney, “Sis, is this your man?” turns one woman’s ongoing love affair with a philandering plagiarizing f-boy into a v chill 2 part dance jam.

Our interview with Vapor Caves is up on our substack!

Thank you to the City of Austin and Brand USA for taking us to SXSW Sydney!

Song Confessional is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.

Song Confessional’s Wet Hot Austin Summer Mini Series Starts May 28th

It’s true! The Song Confessional podcast will be back for a summer mini-season featuring songs from Vapor Caves, Rayland Baxter and Starflake. Plus they’ll be doing a summer confession call where listeners can write songs based on a confession that got from KUTX Live at Scholz Garten during SXSW. The fun starts May 28th.

This mini season is part of KUTX’s Wet Hot Austin Summer.

Song Confessional is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org.

Brittany Banowsky: “Two Sunglass Town” (Song Confessional)

If you’ve been paying attention to KUTX the last few years, you’re aware that we have a number of podcasts. One of them is Song Confessional, an effort led by Walker Lukens and Zac Catanzaro where they collect anonymous, wild stories or “confessions” from people then have a musician write a song about the confession.

Sometimes Walker and Zac will select a confession and put out an open call to their listeners to submit a song. This is the winner from their latest contest.

Austin songwriter Brittany Banowsky penned “Two Sunglass Town” a downtempo indie pop tune based on a confession about moving to a small town and days later winding-up on the front page of the newspaper for evading cops on a motorcycle for not wearing the proper eye gear. The kicker: the family had just moved there after his father had accepted a job as a dean at the town college.

You can find the full archive of Song Confessional episodes here. And you can make your own confession in the booth next week during KUTX Live at Scholz Garten.

Artist Interview: Mo Lowda and the Humble “Darkhorse”

NOTHING LASTS FORVER EVEN COLD NOVEMBER RAIN! Part two of our episode with Philly’s finest purveyors of rock’n roll, Mo Lawda & The Humble, is here! In this interview, we split the atom, make a quiche, and get real about healthy work habits for independent musicians.

Confession & Song: Mo Lowda and the Humble “Darkhorse”

GOODBYE YELLOW BRICKROAD !!! It’s the last episode of the season and we’re going out with a slow burn, bangarang rock opus by Philadelphia’s Mo Lowda & The Humble! Inspired by one man’s recollection of his first love affair, “Dark Horse” will have you slowly shimmying your hips in your car seat as you drive across the country to stand outside your middle school love’s bedroom not unlike Lloyd Dobler, Bluetooth speaker held above your head blaring “Dark Horse.”

Got a story you want to confess and maybe have it turned into a song? Join the Song Confessional mailing list to stay up to date on all of our latest episode, news, and the whereabouts of our confessional booth: https://songconfessional.com/connect.

Bonus: Embodied — Making Music From Family Secrets

WAIT, WHAT! WHY? WHO?!

Thats right. Song Confessional was part of a live event with WUNC’s Embodied podcast. This episode features an interview with co-host Walker Lukens, a juicy confession from last years SX Sydney festival, and a song by Blue Cactus.

Artist Interview: Golden Dawn Arkestra — “Orgy”

REET REET PETITE!!! Part 2 of our episode featuring Texas’s finest purveyors of world funk sex beat, Golden Dawn Arkestra, is here! In this interview with lead groove despot, Zapot, you’ll hear how he found enlightenment, five dollars, and a new lease on life by moving to Austin, Texas all those years ago.

We highly recommend listening to part one before diving into this interview.

Big thanks to Long Center for allowing us to gather this scandalous confession at our permanent booth.

Confession & Song: Golden Dawn Arkestra — “Orgy”

GOODNESS GRACIOUS GREAT BALLS of FIRE! An episode featuring disco jazz savants, Golden Dawn Arkestra, and their new bop, “Orgy” is here. Inspired by a couples (ahem) *atypical* meet cute, the orgins of “Orgy” will have you giggling and gabbing with friends and enemies alike.

This confession was taken at our permanent booth at The Long Center in Austin, Texas.

Help us out! Rate the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

Artist Interview: Babe Club – “WiFi Boyfriend”

TUTTI FRUTTI! BIG BOOTY! Part two of our episode featuring Babeclub and their tender loving thot bop “WiFi Boyfriend” is upon us. In this interview, you’ll learn why & how Corey & Jenna started traveling the country playing pachinko, what the sound of one hand clapping is, & how to get the groove back in your heart.

We highly recommend listening to part one before diving into this interview.

Big thanks to Artsplosure for having us out last fall and allowing us to gather this fantabulous confession.

Got a story you want to confess and maybe have it turned into a song? Join the Song Confessional mailing list to stay up to date on all of our latest episode, news, and the whereabouts of our confessional booth: https://songconfessional.com/connect.

Help us out! Rate the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

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Confession & Song: Babe Club – “WiFi Boyfriend”

WOP BOP A LOO BOP A LOP BOM BOM! We have a new song “WiFi Boyfriend” courtesy of Charleston, South Carolina’s finest purveyors of indie pop, Babe Club. “WiFi Boyfriend” hits as sweetly as the confession that inspired it — a teenager just about to meet their internet boyfriend for the first IRL. Get yr ovaltine. Get yr slippers. Get right with God. This episode will have you deep in your teenage feels.

This confession was taken at the Artsplosure Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Help us out! Rate the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

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Artist Interview: Judy Blank and Dylan Earl – “Mee-Maw”

HEAR YE HEAR YE part two of our episode featuring Judy Blank, Dylan Earl, and their bayou bop “Mee-Maw” is out now!! In this interview, you’ll learn how they discovered electricity, took the Creedence Clearwater Revival song “Born on the Bayou” too seriously, and wrote “Mee-Maw.”

We highly recommend listening to part one first before diving into this.

Big thanks to Red River Revel for having us out last fall and allowing us to gather this fantabulous confession.

Help us out! Rate the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

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Confession & Song: Judy Blank and Dylan Earl – “MeeMaw”

HOLY TOLEDO a NeW sOnG and confession! CLAP HANDS! Judy Blank & Dylan Earl turn someone’s Cajun grandma’s life into a new zydeco-tinged bop called “MeeMaw.” It features fiddle and squeeze from Grammy winners Lost Bayou Ramblers. Big thanks to Red River Revel for having us out last year, where we collected this confession.

Help us out! Rate the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

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Confession Response #3

GOOD GOLLY! we asked and we received TWENTY FIVE SONG SUBMISSIONS!! In this episode, you’ll hear new songs by Chris Robeson, Con Davison, We Sell Shirts, Brittany Banowsky, and Bu Gee, as well as clips from several more. You can hear all 25 songs on a playlist we made for you to listen to all in one spot.

Join the Song Confessional mailing list to stay up to date on all of our latest episode, news, and the whereabouts of our confessional booth: https://songconfessional.com/connect.

Help us out! Rate the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Subs

Confession Call #3

Do you write songs? If you do, we want you to write a song based on the confession in this episode!! If we love it, it may become the KUTX Song of the Day.

Here’s how it works:

Listen to the latest episode of the Song Confessional podcast. You’ll hear an anonymous confession that we collected back in March at the KUTX Live at Scholz Garten series.
Write a song inspired by that confession and record it. Anything from an iPhone memo to a full-on bedroom production, whatever puts you in the zone.
Submit it to kutx.org/confession by Sunday, May 12th
Some of the songs will be featured on the May 15th episode of the Song Confessional podcast

Plus the Song Confessional Team will choose their favorite song and give the winner a day in the studio with Walker Lukens to professionally record your song! That song will be featured on the KUTX Song of the Day.

Join the Song Confessional mailing list to stay up to date on all of our latest episode, news, and the whereabouts of our confessional booth: https://songconfessional.com/connect.

Help us out! Rate the show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Subs