Top Austin Hits from 2020

Seeing as we’re based in Austin, born and raise and what not, we feel a special affinity for our music scene, which has been hit really hard this year. But, let’s celebrate the music that came out, despite the difficulties we all faced. So, here’s our Top Releases from the ATX scene. And still staying away from numbering things, as this feels like telling one friend you like them more than your other friend…and I’m just excited all these great artists live nearby and were able to put their art into the world in this shit year.

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New Stuff from Austin w/ Brother Sports + Sailor Poon

Just because its quarantine, it doesn’t mean folks aren’t working on great music all over the world, but let’s focus on what’s here at home on our end. First up is the newest tune from Brother Sports; we’ve been covering a bunch of their singles in 2020, and they do it again, with sort of slow burning pop tune, coated lyrics and nice backing melodies. I don’t think this track would be out of place on that new Strokes record at all.


After that, we’ve got the debut album from Sailor Poon. They’ve been regarded, deservingly so, as one of Austin’s can’t miss acts for the last several years, putting on phenomenal live shows and carrying an aura of indifference and brashness that puts many punk peers to shame. Finally we get Sailor Poon’s First Album, and its 13 can’t miss hits by one of the baddest bands in town.

ACL 2019 Preview: Must See Late Night Shows

We’re one –that’s right just one– week away from this year’s edition of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. While this year’s fest has snuck up on us rather quickly, it comes as no surprise that the late night bills around town are a solid addition to this years lineup. Whether you’re hitting up just a day or two of the Fest proper at Zilker, want to catch your faves in a more intimate venue, or would rather just see a few nights of music and want to skip the fest, The Official 2019 Late Night Shows have some great options to amplify your festin’ this year. Healthy reminder to scoop your tickets now, as most will likely sell out.

Read my picks after the jump.

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Sound On Sound Recap: Sunday

Processed with VSCO with hb2 presetWe’re a full week out from the incredible inaugural Sound on Sound Festival, and boy, has a lot happened since that blissful last weekend. What I thought would simply be a week of post-fest-depression turned into what I guess will be the next four years of depression and anxiety for the country and the people I love in it. Regardless of that, I’m going to take comfort in writing this recap of past Sunday and maybe I’ll can pretend I’m about tomake that drive out to McDade once more and let my body be cleansed by rain and punk rock…

Go back to happier times and read on for my recap of day 3 of Sound on Sound.

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Sound On Sound 2016 Preview: 5 Local Bands To Catch

13557836_290760167940194_5618505617977878544_nLadies and gentlemen, knights and knaves, sires and maidens– the time is drawing near for the inaugural Sound on Sound Festival and we here at ATH could not be more excited. Not only have the SOS folks put together a stacked bill filled with big time acts from all over the indie world, but they’ve also made sure to stick to their Austin roots by snagging some of the great local acts from around town. Sure, maybe you’ve seen their name on a poster for a show, but now is the time to make sure you show up for their set and give them some love. Read on for 5 local bands that you shouldn’t miss this weekend.

*Don’t forget about Late Knights, which is another excellent opportunity to catch some great bands– local and international.

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ATX Spotlight: Sailor Poon 7″ Release (+Show)

sailorpoonHopefully you caught wind of Sailor Poon on the Slack Capital Compilation we released earlier this year, or at least heard about the ladies continuous stomping of the Austin scene. Today the ladies continue their pummeling blend of rock n’ roll with the release of their new Yeast Pigeon 7″…a show at the Museum of Human Achievement kicks off tonight to celebrate with Yes Ma’am Brass Band, Popper Burns and DJ King Khan. I love how these ladies seem to be having a blast, all the time, whether recorded or live; you want to be part of it, you need to be part of it. So join in the fun and listen to their new 7″ below.

Tonight’s Shows: Peach Kelli Pop or Roaring Sun

austiniloveyouIt’s one of my favorite seasons for music. Bands are traveling, shows are popping up, and nary a night passes without something great going on in Austin. Tonight, you’ve got two great choices: Peach Kelli Pop at Sidewinder or Roaring Sun at Barracuda. PKP brandishes surfy guitar-pop, and they’ll be joined by perennial local faves, Sailor Poon. Speaking of the Sailor Poon, they just released a video for their track on the Slack Capital Comp…find it HERE. On the other hand, you’ve got young psych-pop upstarts, Roaring Sun. While I may be biased, having taught one of their members years ago, I’m excited by what they’re crafting. They’ll be joined by Taiga, as well as Honey and Salt. So you can catch a traveling act, or something wholly Austin. Hear tracks from both suggestions below.

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Show Preview: Wednesday in Austin – Growl, Lunar Gold, Nic Armstrong

austin_mainMidweek Show? Why not. There’ s a bunch on the bill this week…some local, some travelers. Hotel Vegas has Growl and Que Pasa, but I’d also like to point out that Winter is coming in from Cali…and that band was incredible during SXSW (Show starts at 10). Or, you can head on out over to Spiderhouse for a slew of great acts…Sailor Poon, Lunar Gold, Bloody Knives; it’s a night of great local acts that you should already have on your radar (Show starts at 7). Also, those of you looking for something a little different might want to see Nic Armstrong and the Thieves doing their thing at Hole in the Wall (Show starts at (9:30).  I’ll toss out some jams below to give you some insight as to where you might want to go tomorrow night.

Winter: 

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Lunar Gold:

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Nic Armstrong:

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The Bill Ball: An Interview w/ Eric Bill — October 9th @ Swan Dive

12042917_10103610812125518_894458247127330031_nWith all the buzz about Austin music dying and what not, I think it’s interesting to note that there have been a ton of like-minded individuals coming out to create their own curated shows. We did ATX Popfest, Raw Paw had the Alien Zine, Vegas has Good Vibrations and now there’s the Bill Ball at Swan Dive on October 9th. These things have always been around, but they seem to be gaining prominence as people try to create a sense of community here in town. I caught up with Eric Bill of the band Big Bill to grab some of his thoughts on the First Annual Bill Ball…and his band too. Read on for the answers and a video for the Bill Ball! Read more