Nakia’s wild and varied career has brought him back to his Southern Cousins roots (Credit: Katie McDowell)

Everyone has a story. A tale composed of tiny moments weaving through our day-to-day routines and occasional adventures. The small parts define our past and influence our future.

Austin soul man, Nakia, has a story that has taken him from singing in Alabama churches to NBC’s “The Voice,” and everywhere in between. With his June 29, 2017 reunion with His Southern Cousins at Antone’s, the latest chapter in his tale is a loving nod to an extraordinary past. [Read more…]

Emily Bell and The Talkbacks celebrated their new record, “Kali,” at 3Ten ACL on April 28 (Credit: Katie McDowell)

Music should be a constant evolution. If a band’s fifth album sounds the same as the first, something is wrong. And while die-hard fans may want the same old, same old, the work of a musical artist almost inevitably changes as he or she does.

With her April 29 record release show at 3Ten Austin City Limits, Emily Bell shook off the retro soul trappings of her former self, and donned a rock star persona of leather and lace. Vibrant and urgent with a rock-n-roll strut, Emily Bell and The Talkbacks’ latest crop of songs balances beauty and blast in every hard rocking note. [Read more…]

Sabrina Ellis of Sweet Spirit lights up Barracuda (Credit: Paula Horstman courtesy of Compose Yourself Magazine)

When the mayor of Austin creates a day in your band’s honor, one of two things have happened. You’re either in “The Twilight Zone” or you’ve made a serious impression on the Austin music community.

When Mayor Steve Adler took the stage at Barracuda at the stroke of midnight, declaring April 1, 2017, “Sweet Spirit Day,” it was the latter. In response, Sweet Spirit launched into a 90-minute tour de force justifying the mayor’s proclamation.

An all-out blow out of sing-along choruses, blazing guitar, and Mick Jagger swagger, Sweet Spirit continues to rise into the stratosphere of Austin’s music elite. [Read more…]

KOOP is a hub for local music and information (Credit: KOOP)

In a world of streaming, YouTube, and Spotify, radio may seem like a thing of the past. A quaint, antiquated way of getting information and entertainment.

But done right, it can be magical. No Pandora playlist can replicate an experienced DJ selecting songs based on mood and flow. Amazon Prime doesn’t have an ear for the next big thing. Soundcloud has never put down a Taylor Swift record and grabbed a Wild Child song.

Luckily in Austin, we have a number of radio stations who do exactly that. These stations set aside the heavy rotation and Top 40 pop tracks, and spend time supporting local music. Get to know them here and add them to your presets on your way to work tomorrow (you know, in your car…people still do that, right?). [Read more…]