The air surrounding Spider House Ballroom was hot and sticky the night I met Mobley. The venue had been celebrating their 20th anniversary since 2:30 p.m. that afternoon. Having suffered one rainstorm and expecting another, a muggy, sweaty crowd waited for the Austin native to perform. When I asked Mobley before the show which stage he was on, he answered, “The wettest one.”

His start time of 10 p.m. came and went. The crowd grew restless as Mobley, wearing a black hat, jacket and sunglasses in the ninety-degree evening, dragged mountains of gear onto the rain-slicked stage. A keyboard and sampler rack. Stage lighting. Guitars. Drums. Up on the roof of Spider House Café, a tech aimed a video projector at the screen set towards the back of the stage. All for a one-man band. [Read more…]

Guest article by Lauren Lyman

The Watters began their story outside of Austin, Texas. Married couple Jenna and Daniel Watters were originally in The Oak Creek Band, beginning in 2009. They toured the country, keeping a home base in Denver for about four and a half years, then in Nashville for about two years. In 2015, they moved their band to Austin, where they changed their group name to The Watters.

This Americana/Soul group was specifically attracted to our city, due to its welcoming nature and supportive environment for the arts. This past Saturday, the band celebrated their debut album release of “The Great Unknown” with an Austin crowd at The Parish.

“We feel so welcome here, and it’s a good feeling,” Jenna Watters shared. “We’re not going to be leaving anytime soon. We just love it!”

Name Change, New Identity

Watters said the band members wanted to change their name to The Watters after previous members went their separate ways. The original name also gave the impression of a folk or bluegrass combo. Instead, the group wanted to recognize the louder, more energetic sound they create when performing live as a nine-piece ensemble. At their CD release event, the band definitely had more a rock feel when they included a horn section and covered a mad version of Led Zeppelin’s “What Is and What Should Never Be.”

“I think, live, we just love that energy of rocking out,” Jenna Watters explained. “It’s just so much more fun, and we’re able to master the sound that we’ve been wanting, finally.”

While this is a debut release under The Watters name, Jenna and Daniel Watters have previous experience with albums under The Oak Creek Band. Their prior collaborations have shaped their music into what it is now. Some of the best Austin musicians are featured on “The Great Unknown” album, including Joe Woullard of Golden Dawn Arkestra and Hardproof, Zumbi Richards of Golden Dawn Arkestra, Trevor Nealon of Band of Heathens, and Erik Hokkanan.

“The whole album is about diving into the unknown in life,” Jenna Watters added, “whether it be the kind of job you’re going to have, the people you’re going to surround yourself with, trusting your guts, following your instinct and speaking truth. A lot of those songs are about speaking truth, what’s right and what is real in the world.”

The 10-song LP is available in CD and digital formats. For more information, visit wearethewatters.com.

 

@theAustinot wants to know:

What new Austin band have you discovered recently?

 

Lauren Lyman is a freelance writer, flutist, and singer. She is a graduate of Texas State University, where she attained a Master of Music in music history. She wrote her master’s thesis on the sisters of Heart, as well as Fiona Apple, Madonna and Janis Joplin.

Guest article by Lauren Lyman

The Deer has the profound ability to appeal to the senses. This Austin band, originally from San Marcos, released their third album, “Tempest & Rapture” in May 2016. In the double LP, we have plenty to absorb. We hear catchy and emotive melodies; we see a vast landscape and rolling hills; we feel the creek water at our feet; we smell the aftermath of a long rain; and taste the golden sweetness of life. [Read more…]

Guest article by Angela Bowers

Austin, widely known as the Live Music Capital of the World, hosts a variety of musicians. From every genre and locations around the world, musicians come to Austin for the love of music, our eclectic community and a supportive environment for artists. Within that setting, Soul of a Musician Series originated out of a desire to meet the spiritual needs of the city’s musicians. [Read more…]

Guest article by Lauren Lyman

Post-jazz-rock is a progressive genre taking on a life of its own. After the loud riffs and swirling licks of tall and augmented chords level out, there’s room for a wider canvas. Austin band Every Shape a Diamond adds flare to this mix by incorporating the laptop for an avant garde feel. On May 7, 2016, the group held their official, self-titled album release party at Breakaway Records, and now audiences can own this string of progressive songs on vinyl and CD.

“Progressive music deals with complexity,” drummer David Pavkovic explained. “It’s music that makes my brain happy from processing the information.” [Read more…]

Guest article by Lauren Lyman

On April 15, 2016, Calliope Musicals celebrated the long-awaited release of their debut LP, “Time Owes You Nothing,” with an elaborate party at Central Presbyterian Church. There were blow-up animals center stage, dancers, happy faces and crowd cheers surrounding this already active band. After finishing their sixth tour and receiving “Best New Austin Artist” at Austin Music Awards in March, Calliope Musicals seemed grateful to announce their songs are now ready for fans to take home.

“We are proud of everything we have done. But it’s been hard to finish a set and rush off stage to give someone a hug and they are like, ‘Gosh, where can I hear that one song?'” lead guitar player Chris Webb shared. “Now there is finally an answer other than ‘at our next show!'” [Read more…]