Welcome to February, amazing readers! With Valentine’s Day on the horizon and the frantic pulse of SXSW slightly over a month away, Austin is heating up. Luckily, our local music scene’s been scorching since the calendar flipped to the new year. This week, we recommend nationally-recognized country/rock, introspective folk, and a soul man at the top of his game. Get out there and listen local!
Friday, Feb. 8
Shakey Graves performing live at ACL Fest (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Shakey Graves w/Sir Woman
@ Cactus Cafe (2247 Guadalupe St.) – 8:30 p.m. – Ticket lottery
If you didn’t read it properly, then allow me to repeat. Nationally-recognized, festival headliner Shakey Graves will be celebrating his official day at the intimate Cactus Cafe. Seriously, this is a musical experience you don’t want to miss. My last Shakey experience was during ACL 2018 and this local artist blew the audience away.
With a blistering combination of country, rock, and southern blues stomp, this Austin legend destroys stages the world over. The fact he’ll be smashing his stomp box for a cafe crowd blows my mind. Also playing is Kelsey from Wild Child’s side project, Sir Woman.
NOTE: Tickets to this show are via lottery only. If you don’t get in, then I recommend the following:
Adam Ostrar
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@ Cenote Windsor Park (6214 Cameron) – 7 p.m. – Facebook event
With the madness of SXSW Music looming in the distance, I’m trying to keep my cool. Luckily, this fine city continues to produce laid-back, introspective music like the lovely Adam Ostrar. Smooth, mellow folk pop punctuated with slice-of-life lyrics, Mr. Ostrar’s solo work is a far cry from his art rock past, but no less beautiful.
His brand new single, “Kansas City,” is a slow burn story of bar room trysts and chance encounters, told with a serene blend of soft drums, sparse keys, and twinkling guitars. An artist worthy of your time and respect.
Saturday, Feb. 9
Donovan Keith kicks off 2018’s brilliant Black Ball at Moody Theater (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Donovan Keith
@ Geraldine’s (605 Davis) – 10:30 p.m. – Event page
If you haven’t seen Donovan Keith, then a free show at the wonderful Geraldine’s is a great place to do so. Mr. Keith is an ATX soul man icon in the making. With tunes like the strut and jive of “Cruel Fool’s Eye” and the groovy feet-in-the-sheets sway of “Morning Song,” audiences across the state are enamored with this local crooner. Prepare yourself for an evening of dancing, jamming, and swinging the night away, awash in soul music at a fabulous venue. Date night, anyone?
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
Where are you going for live, local music in Austin this weekend?
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