Bill Tucker - The Austinot

The Broken Spoke: Austin’s Texas Dancehall Time Machine

May 2, 2016 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Welcome to the world famous Broken Spoke (Credit: Christopher Rose via Flickr CC)

The Broken Spoke isn’t just a venue. It’s a symbol of Texan defiance. You won’t take the Alamo without a fight and The Broken Spoke will never change. Even as South Lamar explodes skyward with apartment complexes and hotels, one of the most famous dancehalls in Texas remains intact. A genuine relic of Lone Star uniqueness.

In the course of a four-hour visit, I not only got a chance to breathe in everything this storied establishment has to offer, but I learned why it has endured over 50 years. Underneath the weathered bar neon and aging exterior lies a musical history and sense of family that are unlike anything else Austin has to offer. [Read more…]

Guide to the Ultimate Dog-Friendly Day in Austin

April 22, 2016 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Meet Mr. Ming. It’s been a long, harsh winter for this pampered Pekingese. The weather has been rainy. The squirrels are all hibernating. He hasn’t had a hair cut in months.

But now that spring has sprung, it’s time for Mr. Ming to head out on the town for a day of fun, sun and luxury. Is your dog feeling the winter blues? Let’s follow in Mr. Ming’s paw prints as he checks out some of Austin’s most dog-friendly spots during his best day ever in the ATX. [Read more…]

Duncan Fellows Delivers Evolving Indie Rock to Austin Music Scene

April 11, 2016 by Bill Tucker 2 Comments

Close family of music-playing friends, Duncan Fellows is a band worth watching (Credit: Duncan Fellows)

There’s nothing like conducting an interview next to a set of dumpsters on 6th Street. But that’s where I found myself, chatting with the members of Duncan Fellows before their Feb. 23 show at The Parish. Their demeanor was quiet and unassuming, much like their blend of emotional, harmony-driven gaze rock.

But don’t mistake these indie upstarts for boring. With a repertoire of well-crafted tunes about love, loss and longing, Duncan Fellows impresses with their range and simple power. And with a new record being released this summer, buoyed by a standout single, these Austin originals are on the verge of making a serious splash in the local music scene. [Read more…]

Four Short Stories About SXSW Music 2016

March 21, 2016 by Bill Tucker 2 Comments

Only two days old, SXSW is officially a memory. The mega stages are down; the tourists are gone. If you drive downtown for work today, it’ll be as if it never happened.

But from this festival, a million stories are born. Here are four of mine from five days of crazy at SXSW Music 2016. [Read more…]

KUTX, KGSR Showcases Deliver SXSW Music at a Bargain

March 14, 2016 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Quiet Company blew the roof off last year’s KUTX showcase (Credit: KUTX)

Missed the boat on a wristband? Didn’t feel like selling your dog to buy a SXSW Music badge? You’re in luck! Two of Austin’s most local-friendly radio stations are showcasing some of the most popular artists in town.

Austin’s own public radio station 98.9 KUTX is hosting their fourth annual Live at Four Seasons showcase, while 93.3 KGSR will be presenting their live morning broadcast from the W Hotel for the fifth consecutive year.

These low-cost, high-awesome showcases allow fans to check out some of the best local and national talent at SXSW 2016. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of these amazing, affordable shows.
[Read more…]

10 Must-See Local Austin Artists at SXSW Music 2016

March 14, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Credit: Daniel Cavazo

SXSW Music is an invasion. A tidal wave of over 2,000 artists, bands, singers and musicians descend upon the Live Music Capital of the World for the annual sonic extravaganza. For five days, Austin is music.

But what about our local talent pool? Over 250 Austin artists are playing official showcases at this year’s festival, and I’ve gone through each and every one to find the cream of the crop. After hours of listening, note-taking and brutal decision-making, here are the 10 must-see Austin bands at SXSW 2016. Live local; listen local. [Read more…]

Tour the Best Breweries in Dripping Springs, TX

March 7, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Jester King is just one of the many breweries that call Dripping Springs, TX home (Credit: Jester King)

The Austin beer scene has been exploding for years, and there’s no sign of it slowing down. Over 30 breweries make their home in the greater Austin area. It seems like a new one opens every month.

As a result, it’s not enough to visit one brewery. These days, you can make a day trip out of it. With four breweries in close proximity to each other, it’s possible to take a beer-drinking day trip to beautiful Dripping Springs, TX. Trekking around the Hill Country while sampling a wide variety of Texas brews? Your ticket to a perfect afternoon. [Read more…]

Go Inside New Antone’s to See Austin’s Blues Legend Reborn

February 19, 2016 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

The new Antone’s blends beautifully into the new Austin scene (Credit: Marco Figueroa)

Unlike every other good thing discovered in Austin, I first learned about Antone’s in Mopac traffic. I was crawling north towards Route 183 when a ’70s-era van edged in front of me. On its back were hundreds of stickers. Stubb’s. Saxon Pub. Austin Beerworks. As a recently re-located East Coaster, I was still learning the language. But one of them stuck out: Antone’s. With a personal name and classic-looking logo, it looked like my kind of place.

From there, Antone’s was a folktale. Everywhere I looked, I saw references to a legendary blues venue closed only months earlier. Whispery rumors through faded bumper stickers and the weathered remnants of show posters pasted to bar bathroom walls. Whenever I mentioned it to locals, most would sigh and say, “I miss that place.” [Read more…]

Canvas People Brings Harmony Laden Alt Rock to ATX Music Scene

February 11, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Canvas People frontman Kyle Taylor wows the Stubb’s Indoors crowd (Credit: Austin T. Wells)

It was 11 p.m. on a school night, and the energy at Stubb’s Indoors was winding down. Thursday night was flirting with Friday morning as the still-healthy crowd milled about and chatted. Drink orders were being rushed out before last call. The crowd was attentive, but distracted.

But when Austin original Canvas People hit the stage and jammed out their first number, they got everybody’s attention. The room shut up and listened. And that’s what happens when this unassuming four-piece takes the stage and blows the brick off the venue walls. With spacey guitars, indie rock backbeats and three-part harmonies Grizzly Bear would respect, Canvas People creates stirring music that forces you to take notice. [Read more…]

Mean Eyed Cat Brings Spirit of Johnny Cash to West 5th Street

February 4, 2016 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Warm and welcoming with a dive bar edge: welcome to Mean Eyed Cat! (Credit: Mean Eyed Cat)

For 90% of the world, there’s only one Man in Black. Forget the Will Smith movies; ignore the X-Files. Johnny Cash, one of country music’s original rebels, is the only one who matters.

While you can trek to Nashville to pay homage, there’s a joint right here in Austin that honors the legend through its décor, drinks and demeanor. With more than just a novelty name for a dive bar, Mean Eyed Cat Bar hides quality cocktails, great food and exceptional service behind its roughneck exterior. The result is your new favorite local hangout. [Read more…]

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