Saturday, November 2, 2024

Music News

Music NewsOpinionRobert Dean

This Party Sucks: Long Live The Lost Well

When you come up in the DIY rock and roll underground, the community that goes with the music is everything. Unlike most sub-genres of humanity, two punk rockers and a guy in a Slayer shirt will typically find something to talk about over a cheap PBR. The places that house those shared interests are important. These spots are somewhere for the weirdos to hang out, to hear their weird bands, and champion their outsider passions, are crucial for people to feel like they belong somewhere. To hoist drinks in their air in both celebration and sadness. There is often more than people drinking together in a bar. Instead, it’s the social glue that keeps people’s hearts and minds together, too. People like us, we bond over a Crass tape, or get excited about those annual Motorhead parties. Our culture of rock and roll is a brick of our identity and when you’re the kid with the Black Flag sticker on your skateboard who becomes the adult with the son in a Stooges shirt, you take shit personally when it comes to the things that helped craft your identity.

That’s why losing The Lost Well sucks so hard. 

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Music NewsOpinionRobert Dean

In memoriam: Steve Albini was a punk rock icon who walked and talked the truth

When we were kids playing in rock and roll bands, we always dreamed of coming up with the cash to record at Electrical Audio. There were tiers of cost – one to get into the door, one to book either day or night sessions, some with junior engineers, and then, if you could swing it, to record with Steve Albini. For us, just the idea of being in the same room with those who’d recorded the Pixies, PJ Harvey, and Nirvana? Insane. We were in hardcore and punk bands; we weren’t trying to be the noise he was so aligned with; we just wanted to be able to say the guy who made “Scentless Apprentice” sound so raw did it on our heavy chugged nonsense. 

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Music NewsRobert Dean

Music News: When Dr. Cornel West Talks Music, You Listen

Local nonprofit Austin Texas Musicians threw the event, entitled, “The State of the Music Industry”: A Roundtable with Dr. Cornel West which was moderated by the org’s Advocacy & Education Manager Sarah Hall; this roundtable included folks from the scene, including Ray Price, who is on the board of directors and heads the free Notes for Notes recording studio which gives kids interested in music a chance to explore their interests. Also involved were Pedro Carvalho, owner of the Far Out Lounge, Courtney Santana, singer and CEO of domestic violence resource Survive2Thrive, along with Sharon Mays, chief of staff for Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison

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Case CockrellLive MusicMusic News

Music news: Red River Cultural District needs our help. Here’s how you can defend your favorite music venues

Austin’s downtown Red River Cultural District (RRCD) is pushing for immediate aid to support growth and sustainability in its operations and events. RRCD is asking residents of Austin to assist in financial supplementation for the local entertainment district by contacting their city council representatives to support the initiative to provide funding relief for the organization.

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Music NewsScott Rollinssongwriter

Charlie Robison: In Memoriam

Charlie Robison took his place amongst the fabled Texas troubadours even though he flirted with commercial success in Nashville a time or two. But he was a Texas boy. We all knew guys like Charlie, we saw them on Friday nights, around town. His relatable nature was part of his appeal. He passed on September 10, 2023 in San Antonio of complications from cardiac arrest. He was only 59.

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Greg AckermanMusic News

Music News: BLK Vinyl to host fundraiser for SIMS Foundation on Saturday

East Austin independent record store, BLK Vinyl is hosting a fundraiser for musicians mental health organization, SIMS Foundation this Saturday, December 17. The event runs all day from noon when the shop opens until close at 7 p.m.

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Christina DeStefanoMusic News

Music news: “Hi, How Are You” podcast delves into mental health with musicians

In early October, a new Daniel Johnston inspired podcast “Hi, How Are You?” premiered, a collaboration between the Hi, How Are You Project and The Drag Audio Production. The University of Texas at Austin hosted interview musicians on site at Austin City Limits Music Festival, alongside clinical advisors from American Psychological Association and Texas Psychological Association.

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Greg AckermanMusic News

Music news: Travis County DA Jose Garza partners with RRCD for SIMS Foundation

Today, recently elected Travis County DA Jose Garza announced a concert benefit partnership with Red River Cultural District (RRCD) Austin music mental health organization, SIMS Foundation called Safer Together: Overdose Prevention & Harm Reduction Saves Lives.  On December 4

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Greg AckermanMusic News

LEVITATION announced 2021 lineup today and it is dope

LEVITATION Festival announced the psychdelic rock music event’s 2021 lineup today and it is dope. Besides the assumed performance by festival founders, The Black Angels, a ton of great acts have been invited to perform including: Thundercat, Japanese Breakfast, Fuzz, A Place to Bury Strangers, The Hives and Kikagaku Moyo among others.

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