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Just when people assume the Austin music scene has been chocked lifeless by the pandemic, our local musicians continue to release absolute bangers. Whether you dig dreamy synth pop or Latin love, here are six sensational singles you need to listen to today.
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It’s dark days for the Austin music scene. With every venue closed for the foreseeable future, the effects of coronavirus are a gut punch to everyone from artists, to venue owners, to the fine folks slinging drinks and checking your ID.
But all is not lost. There are still several ways to support the Austin music community despite the crippling closures. Here are five ways you can make a difference.
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And just like that, it’s over. With one proclamation of imminent disaster, the city of Austin pulled the plug on SWSX 2020. Regardless of your personal opinions, losing the biggest event of the year stings from a dozen difference perspectives.
But those of us who live in Austin are the lucky ones. We have an incredible talent pool of bands, artists, and musicians who live in our backyard. Even though the official SXSW showcases are dead and buried, many of the bands in this year’s Top 15 will be doing unofficial shows throughout the week and in the future. So why not celebrate some of our local finest? More than ever, come out to a show, buy some merch, and support our local scene.
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Days before the swarm of SXSW, the Austin music scene takes a moment to pause and reflect. For one lovely evening at the Moody Theater, local artists and industry leaders gather for an evening of recognition, celebration, and community. Less a stuffy awards show and more a party with a few statuettes tossed in, the 2020 Austin Music Awards on March 11 promises to be an unforgettable night of explosive performances and heartfelt thanksgiving.
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There are three sections of Sixth Street in Austin: West, East, and what locals refer to as Dirty. West Sixth is the section of Sixth Street that runs west from Congress Avenue. For the most part, the nightlife scene ends at North Lamar Boulevard.
For locals, Dirty Sixth runs from Congress to I-35 even though technically, and according to street signs, East Sixth Street starts at Congress Avenue and runs east. But when you hear locals talk about East Sixth, we are referencing anything east of I-35. Don’t get confused by the street signs; you’ll be talking like a local in no time.
East Sixth as we know and love it today is an eclectic blend of shops, restaurants, dives, and cocktail bars. It’s also quite new–in relation to Dirty or West Sixth–with the gentrification of east Austin surging in the past 10 years.
Here are 15 of my favorite East Sixth Street establishments you won’t want to miss.
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Music used to be all about the sound. Put on some good headphones; crank up an album; and allow yourself to be swept away. But these days, artists and industry types need a social media outlet.
Here are six must-follow Austin music social media accounts curated by people who truly care about the content they create, and use the medium to enhance the local music community.
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We need independent radio. In a world of soulless, corporate-owned Top 40 stations, local radio gives a voice to the people. It breaks the mold, inspires conversation, and injects new ideas into a culture thirsty for something different.
A vanguard of this movement, Austin’s own KOOP 91.7 FM is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. With new ways to listen, a broader programming schedule, and a legendary birthday party right around the corner, KOOP promises to ring in the next 25 years in grand fashion.
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Music is the lifeblood of Austin. Anyone who tells you different hasn’t spent a Saturday night on Red River or discovered a random artist during SXSW. On any given night, there are 100 shows to choose from in the greater Austin area. Music is a piece of who we are.
But the vein is starting to clot. Rising cost of living, higher venue rent, and dozens of entertainment options force world-class artists to stagnate.
Enter Black Fret, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, both financial and practical, to Austin musicians. On Dec. 7, 2019, during the annual Black Fret Ball gala, the group awarded $250,000 to 19 local artists. It was an evening of heart, community, and giving.
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South Austin has a new hub for local music and fun at The Far Out Lounge & Stage. When I first saw the groovy, ’70s-style signage and marquee announcing live music at the familiar brick building in far south Austin, I immediately made a U-turn and rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn’t imagining things.
It’s real! It’s really happening! The Far Out seemingly sprung up overnight at “the old Red Shed,” as south Austinites have called it since the dive bar shuttered last year. After the venue’s brief stint as Nicolaza’s, owners Pedro Carvalho and Bae Anthon hired booking agent and Austin music scene insider Lawrence Boone.
With Boone on board, Carvalho and Anthon set their sights on music and reinvented the space as The Far Out. If the crowds are any indication, they made the right call. South Austin was ready for a new groove.
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And just like that, it’s over. Three days of drastic weather changes, massive crowds, and fantastic music are officially in the books. To aid in the recovery from a wild Weekend Two, here’s our yearly photo retrospective of Austin City Limits Music Festival 2019.
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