soul funk

Isak Thomas and The Stoop Boys: “Miss Strut”

It’s T-minus 48 hours until prep for the big feast and other Thanksgiving festivities. And even though some always end up just getting some takeout, the Turkey Day hunger is munching on most Americans’ minds right about now. But if you’ve got your meal all planned out and are still in need of some soul food for your ears long after unfastening that belt, you’re in luck.

In other words, you can give thanks to Isak Thomas and The Stoop Boys – a healthy helping of handmade soul-funk from right here in Austin, seasoned with players from Nashville and L.A.. Despite their handle, The Stoop Boys are far from lower-tier, and they sure as hell don’t need to rely on busking to get by; since 2018 they’ve shown an insanely strong grip on grooves, reached the upper steps of Texas’ retro soul-funk scene, and cemented their status with a couple singles that’ve racked up streams in the multi-millions, not to mention an equally impressive cumulative metric.

So, through three EPs and the 2019 full-length Somewhere, Somehow, we’ve heard a lot from Isak Thomas and The Stoop Boys. But after doing the dang thang for more than half a decade now (and stepping up the production quality and songwriting formulas with each release), it’s not a bad idea for the band to re-introduce themselves, especially if you’re putting them in the same room as your folks for the first time.

Yes, after a five-single-streak that started in early September, Isak Thomas and co. drop The Stoop Boys this Friday. Now, the LP release show is already behind us, so if you’re stuck at home with the family or succumbing to couch lock, you don’t need to change your plans. On the other hand, if you need to get your metabolism back on track after all that stuffing and tryptophan, spinning The Stoop Boys straight through is a solid first step. Don’t believe us? Press play on The Stoop Boys‘ lead “Miss Strut” and see just how long you can stay still to this soft-spoken, super slick possessor that falls somewhere between Durand Jones & The Indications, Jungle, and “That Lady”-era Isley Brothers.

Honey Made: “Pass Me By”

It’s finally starting to get chilly ’round these parts…at least at night. You know what that means: cuffing season is upon us. So if your slow jams playlist is starting to feel a bit stale, we’ve got great news for you.

Austin soul-funk nine-piece Honey Made just unfurled a sensual five-minute inferno – “Pass Me By”. Is it a departure from their historically uptempo sound? Undeniably. But does it also echo the hot-and-heavy energy of golden age quiet storm, not too far from Between the Sheets-era Isley Brothers? Absolutely.

Even if your evening plans don’t include staying in bed with your boo, you’re in luck too. Honey Made plays a free show 8PM tonight at Drinks Backyard. Either way, for those feeling like their world’s quickly spinning out of control, slow things down a notch or two on your way out of the workweek with this expertly crafted, violin spiced reminder to always love the one you’re with, something that’s sure to wrap you up like a warm, snug blanket throughout the upcoming winter.

Gypsy Mitchell: “Drive By”

We’ve been gabbin’ a lot about the retro soul renaissance lately…so much so that y’all must be getting pretty sick of reading about it. But what comes after soul? That’s right. Funk. And boy oh boy do we gotta have that funk here in Central Texas.

So with our scopes still set on the Lone Star State, let’s talk Gypsy Mitchell. This Dallas-born singer-songwriter-guitarist-arranger’s had a jam packed journey over the years; he founded gospel funk outfit The Relatives when he was just seventeen, went on to provide six-string for blues legend Buddy Ace in the ’80s, and has played alongside the likes of Little Milton, Johnny Taylor, and Joe Simon. Safe to say, Mitchell’s got an impressive resumé.

These days your best bet to catch Mitchell in person is here in Austin haunting venues like Antone’s and C-Boy’s, but it’s only been within the past year that Gypsy’s shifted gears towards a solo career. Like a fine wine freshly cracked from a well-aged cask, Gypsy Mitchell dropped the introductory “Movin’ (Down the Highway)” last December and teamed up with Houston institution Paul Wall this January for “I’m Still Standing”, all ahead of his debut Love Is…Infinite, out October 25th, with a release show to follow November 15th at Antone’s alongside Egyptian Lover.

And the LP’s latest lead single “Drive By” is joined by a music video that shows a whole lotta love for Busty’s Bar & Jukebox, making it a must-view for motorheads who haven’t made that pilgrimage yet. Bold talk box toggles the ignition on this soul-funk-rocker, chock full of psychedelic lights, classic cars, grins, and tabletop performances. And in light of the video’s charmingly low-budget production, the tune itself is a rich testament to Gypsy Mitchell’s status as a class act as it cruises through bluesy grooves, gospel-style group vocals, virtuoso instrumental riffs (thanks in no small part to longtime collaborators Zach Ernst (guitar) and Matthew Strmiska (percussion) of Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears), and commanding vocals.

In other words, we sure as hell hope Gypsy doesn’t put things in park anytime soon.