Monday, May 5, 2025

indie rock

Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Austin Psych Fest brought eclectic talent from across the psych spectrum

The Spring installment of Austin Psych Fest returned last weekend to The Far Out Lounge & Stage for a three-day, two-stage, no-overlap experience that brought over 30 acts to Austin for an eclectic weekend of music from all across the trippy psychedelic spectrum. For 2025, the billed talent stretched its boundaries by bringing a diverse array of artists that catered to fans of Psych Fest past and present. Here’s what stood out to us over the weekend-long stand in South Austin. 

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Haunting acoustic sets by Ty Segall and Mikal Cronin at Parish

y Segall and fellow songwriting partner Mikal Cronin shared an intimate acoustic bill on Sunday, April 6 at Austin East Side venue Parish, and the results were a haunting series of tunes to a seated crowd. A masterclass in both recording and touring, the duo pulled from various records that showed them presenting a side of them that we don’t hear that often. There was no electric guitar mania to be found, but something different was brought to the table by the two living indie rock overlords, and the results showed a realm of musical honesty and longtime friendship. 

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Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Seven SXSW day parties not to miss in 2025

For every year’s SXSW installment, different activations pop up all over the city to bring SX-goers daytime programming before things switch over to an all-official format in the evening. These day Parties mostly feature cover-free programming, sometimes even featuring official SXSW artists that give opportunities to non-credentialed music fans to join in on the festivities during the week. All listed events occur between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m., are free for attendees, and no badge is required, subject to capacit

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Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Seven more buzz bands to see at SXSW 2025

The South By Southwest music festival is less than a week out, and the roster of artists can seem overwhelming at first glance. With a lineup that can satisfy every kind of music lover, The Cosmic Clash brings you another seven buzz bands you should put on your list for the upcoming long week of music in Austin. All set times and venues can be found on the SXSW website and SXSW GO mobile application. All listed acts are official SXSW artists. 

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Mike CosmicPremiereSong

Song premiere: Veteran Austin act The Living Pins released new track Gold today

The Living Pins featuring veteran Austin musicians have released their new song, “Gold” today. The track shows the band’s deft songwriting skills and talent at making a great rock n roll tune. The well-crafted song was produced, engineered and mixed by longtime Austin music producer, Chris “Frenchie” Smith at his The Bubble Studios. The song exemplifies how experienced musical hands can create great new music.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Cold rain could not stop Die Spitz fans on Valentine’s Day

Rain was sprinkling down on a cold February Friday night as the moshers and crowd-surfers at Austin Red River Cultural District staple Mohawk caused crisis-level pandemonium for a sold-out Valentine’s Day gig. For local rockers Die Spitz, the usual attendees are sure to bring their worst, punk rock behavior.

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Case CockrellPremiereSong

Song premiere: Austin power pop outfit Lola Tried dropped new single today

Austin power pop outfit Lola Tried has returned with a new single on January 31 that recaptures their mission statement of undeniable anthems, bombastic live appearances, and an inclusive atmosphere that they have cultivated over their near decade tenure as a local scene staple. With multiple releases already out in the music world, the Austin act is continuing to add triumphant tunes into their arsenal and the songs just keep coming.

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InterviewsMike Cosmic

Interview: Parker Woodland talk Austin music scene and new music with Mike Cosmic

Early January saw Mike Cosmic connect with and interview two members of Parker Woodland; lead vocalist and bassist Erin Walter, and drummer Keri Cinquina. These multi-talented musicians previously collaborated in Butch County before joining forces with guitarist Andrew Solin, forming Parker Woodland three years ago.

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AlbumCase CockrellReview

Album review: White Denim record 12 out today is a passionate return to form

Since the release of 2023’s Raze Regal & White Denim Inc. in collaboration with guitarist Regal, who also plays in Austin staple Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band, fans have been eagerly awaiting the newly California-based musician’s next entry in the long-running indie rock song machine. Fortunately for White Denim loyalists, the time has arrived for the Austin to Los Angeles band to release their 12th full-length album, fittingly titled 12. This newest batch, engineered by the singer and guitarist himself and mixed by former drummer Josh Block and mastered by Dallas-Fort Worth musician Jordan “Jorts” Richardson, is Petralli’s first in his new SoCal studio, and feels like a passionate return to form. 

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Drew DoggettLive MusicReview

Live music review: Interpol Honors 20 Years of Antics with Precision and Nostalgia at Moody Amphitheater

Almost twenty years ago, I downloaded my first song off iTunes. I put $0.99 down for the Interpol lead single Evil that would keep a steady hold on the automatic “Top 25 Most Played” playlist. After obsessively listening to the song, Antics became the first album I downloaded. From there it was The Strokes, Pixies, Modest Mouse, and Sonic Youth. Antics was my gateway into a wider array of sonic landscapes and I am eternally grateful for that 30-second iTunes preview that hooked me.

On November 21, Austin’s Moody Amphitheater hosted a celebration of the 2004 album, where the band delivered a masterful two-hour set to honor the record’s 20th anniversary and provide some fan favorites to boot.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: King Gizzard played marathon three hour set at Germania Amphitheater

The trek out to Austin’s Circuit of the Americas racetrack where Germania Amphitheater is located is a daunting one. From taking in an hour of traffic, ludicrous drink prices, and baffling ticket expenditures, the Formula 1 Racing spot has most Austin music fans disinterested in driving out to the sticks to experience its monstrosity. (17 miles outside of the downtown area to be exact.) In last Friday night’s case, fans of a certain Australian band made an exception.

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