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Chorus Austin’s upcoming “On a Winter’s Eve” concert will be held on Dec. 17 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (Credit: Chorus Austin)
Austinites pride themselves on the “Live Music Capital of the World” tagline, but the local love for big festivals, loud bars and coffee shop jams can overshadow classical forms of music. Those who want to experience the full spectrum of incredible musical happenings in our city need to add Chorus Austin to the top of their list. [Read more…]
Cafe con Letras original performances celebrate Latin American musical traditions (Credit: Ulises Garcia)
If you’ve ever been to a concert in Austin, you know it’s never just about the music. The audience participating, the libations and the ambiance form a full experience. We all crave entertainment that stimulates our many senses.
But what happens when you strip away the “entertainment” factor and leave an audience with nothing but the the artist and the music? Does the experience fall flat? Perhaps unexpectedly, guests at Cafe con Letras in Austin find their senses set on fire by the connections they see, hear and feel between the artist and the music. [Read more…]
Credit: Francis Storr via Flickr CC
Cover bands. They light you up with songs that make you dance hard and sing with sweaty conviction. These nostalgic heart-string pullers have one thing in common: they want to create as much fun with music as humanly possible. Whether it be rock and roll, swing, blues, hair metal, 80’s, or beyond, Austin has you “covered” from head to effects pedal.
Do yourself a favor and catch some of these uber talented local musicians! If there’s one thing you need to remember about cover bands, it’s that they love the songs they’re covering just as much as you do. Now go rock your face off! [Read more…]
The ACL Fest entrance welcomes music lovers from all over Austin, and the world
(Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)
Confession time: Weekend One of Austin City Limits Music Festival was my first ever. As a newborn at the event, I attempted to absorb as much as possible from three days of crowds, sun and mind-blowing music. Not only did I walk away with a greater appreciation for one of Austin’s most anticipated concerts, but I was re-invigorated by our community’s love for live music.
Here are 20 things I learned during Weekend One of Austin City Limits Music Festival. Maybe you’ll make similar discoveries during Weekend Two. Most of all, I hope you’ll have a memorable experience that’s uniquely your own. [Read more…]
Historic Scoot Inn has spruced up the front patio in celebration of 145 years
Why do dive bars capture our hearts so much? Historic Scoot Inn has tenaciously hung in there as one of the most popular dive bars in Austin. And now this east side venue has swept out the cobwebs with a facelift for its 145th birthday.
That’s right: this beloved East 4th Street location has served as some type of local business since 1871. While Historic Scoot Inn still possesses a tattered, endearing charm, it’s less tattered now. The owners just completed a remodel, gently nudging this East Austin icon into the modern era. [Read more…]
Aielli in the KUT music library (Credit: KUT)
For 50 years, John Aielli has brought a mixture of musings, music and even a bit of dead air to The University of Texas at Austin’s radio station, KUT. He’s a unique host who loves to present his passion for music and local talent to the ears of listening Austinites, along with some bizarre conversations with himself that have made him an Austin icon. [Read more…]
Gina Chavez will be lighting up the Austin City Limits Music Festival stage on opening day (Credit: Bill Tucker)
If SXSW is for tourists, then Austin City Limits Music Festival is for locals. For two weekends a year, Zilker Park transforms from an oasis of laid-back leisure into a celebration of music from around the world. From chart-toppers, to indie darlings, to oldies looking for one last chance in the spotlight, ACL Fest attracts artists like chips to queso.
But what about our hometown heroes? As headliners like Radiohead, Mumford & Sons and LCD Soundsystem grab the marquee, local talent tends to get lost in the schedule, swallowed by acts with deeper pockets and wider reach.
But no more! There’s plenty of local to love at this year’s festival, so we’ve compiled a list of every ATX artist playing over ACL Fest’s two long weekends, and the times to check them out. Listen local! [Read more…]
Credit: Austin Busker Project
Guest article by Jesselyn Parks
For those who find themselves on Austin’s famous Sixth Street on a weekend night, the sights and sounds of the city’s bustling nightlife radiate out in a familiar song. Cars and bikes zip through the streets, deep bass diffuses from lines of packed bars and, of course, a bucket drummer or two pulses rhythm into the supercharged atmosphere of “Dirty” or “West.”
However, when performers venture out to Austin’s streets, armed with their instrument, guitar case or bucket, many fear an encounter with police. Navigating the gray area of Austin’s city ordinances is tough, these buskers say, and many live in legal limbo. Unclear if they are operating under their First Amendment rights or simply waiting to be run off, street performers in Austin are forced to navigate swift waters. Even worse, according to buskers, the city is equally unsure of the law and benefits from keeping it that way. [Read more…]
Todd Rundgren and other performing musicians thanking the crowd at the 2015 ALL ATX benefit concert
(Credit: ALL ATX)
ALL ATX advocates for and nurtures Austin’s musicians, and strives to aid Austin in keeping musicians here and cared for. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ALL ATX is adding new beneficiaries this year to best meet the needs of local musicians, needs highlighted in the 2015 Austin Music Census Report.
The proceeds from the Sept. 29 ALL ATX 2016 Showcase and accompanying CD, both titled “Low Down Violet Crown: Austin Rocks the Blues,” will go to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), SIMS Foundation, Black Fret and Austin Music Foundation, four organizations that give direct support to Austin musicians. [Read more…]
Ruby and the Reckless
“In My Head” album cover
Ruby and The Reckless, Austin’s fiery, fiddle-heavy pop/rock band, just came off a stint as KUTX Artist of the Month. In anticipation of their Sept. 23 album release of “In My Head,” the group is exclusively releasing “Gold” here on The Austinot.
Ruby and The Reckless, the latest collaboration by front woman Ruby Jane Smith, came together in 2015. That same year, the band received a grant from Black Fret, the philanthropist-led nonprofit that exists to support the most talented musical artists in Austin.
In the time since then, “In My Head” was recorded at Austin’s Bubble Studio with Frenchie Smith (Wild Child, JET, Gary Clark Jr., Santana). Written with bassist Austin Simmons and arranged by the full band (Miggy Milla, guitar and vocals, Sam Powell, keys, Chris Copeland, drums and vocals), the album has been described as “psyche-tinged, fiddle-driven, hook-laden ear candy.”
“Gold,” a cover originally by Australian Chet Faker, is the final track to be released before the entire album is made available later this month.
If you aren’t familiar with Ruby Jane Smith, here’s some background that reveals her immense experience:
Front woman Ruby Jane Smith has been taking Austin music by storm since the day she came to town almost a decade ago. Back in September of 2007 at the age of 12, Smith’s family made the move to Austin. That very same night, she joined legend Dale Watson on stage at Austin’s historic Continental Club. Crowned the youngest fiddler player invited to play Grand Ole Opry, Smith’s list of accolades is astounding–boasting a steady stream of awards from the title of Mississippi State Fiddle Champion at age 10 to touring as lead violinist for artists like Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, Blues Traveler, Local Natives and performing alongside acts like Sheryl Crow and ZZ Top.
We look forward to the release of “In My Head” on Sept. 23. Until then, click the Play button below to be one of the first people to hear “Gold” off the upcoming album!
For updates and show information, visit rubyandthereckless.com and follow the band on Facebook and Instagram.
@theAustinot wants to know:
Have you seen Ruby and The Reckless perform live?