Bejeweled pop rockers Of Montreal hails from the considerably warmer Athens, Georgia. Frontman Kevin Barnes and guitarist Brian Poole sat down in the studio for a decidedly milder performance than their trademark flamboyant on stage antics. Without their normally heavy electronic accompaniment these pared down versions really get a chance to shine as top notch […]
We’re starting an online Texas Music Mixtape where you can discover new songs anywhere, anytime. But we need some songs first. Sorry but we gotta limit it to Austin. San Angelo and El Paso we love you but we’re looking for Austin music. Send your songs to KUT/ Texas Music Matters, 1 University Station A0704, Austin, TX 78712. We’ll put the best up on our mix tape.
Today, Bobby Earl Smith is a successful courtroom attorney in Austin. But before the big desk and busy schedule Bobby Earl was a long haired, boot wearing, bass playing hippie in one of the hottest and most promising bands that Austin had to offer. Although their time as a group was short, Freda and the Firedogs captured the essence of Austin at the height of the outlaw country craze, and caught the ear of one of the most successful record producers of all-time. In the early 70’s, Freda and the Firedogs recorded a brief session with famed Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler. But the recording was never released by Atlantic and almost disappeared. David Brown talks to Bobby Earl about his time with the late, great, Jerry Wexler.
Coming up on Texas Music Matters, we’ll remember the late Jerry Wexler and the Wexler-produced ‘Austin Superband that might-have-been’ (Freda and the Firedogs). Also, director John Sayles reflects on Ray Charles’ famous Wexler sessions. We’ll hear My Morning Jacket caught live in Austin, and sample Bruce Robison’s forthcoming CD. All that, plus the Texas Top 5, our song of the week, and lots more. Join us for Texas Music Matters, Friday during the noon hour right after the news here on KUT 90.5.
Joan Osborne talks with us about an album that changed the way she thought about songwriting and singing: Astral Weeks by Van Morrison.
San Antonio’s Esteban Jordan has been called “the Jimi Hendrix of the accordion” for his unmatched skill and innovation on the diatonic accordion. While primarily a conjunto musician, Jordan’s career has carried him all over the musical map with several jazz, rock, and country recordings to his name. For Texas Music Matters Alex Avila visits the man behind the patch.
Bruce Robison may not be a household name but you’ve undoubtedly heard his songs. The Bandera born and Austin based singer/songwriter has written hits for the likes of Dixie Chicks and George Strait. The soon to be released “New World” finds Robison in a rougher and more freewheeling mood than his previous work. David Brown talks with Robison about the new material and the process of songwriting.
A few years ago it seemed as if the next generation of music fans would never know the joy of dropping the needle on their favorite album and getting lost in the album art. But in recent years vinyl has seen a major rebound is sales. The record hasn’t replaced the CD just yet but it is part of a fast growing trend of record companies trying out alternative distribution models in the face of declining CD sales. One of the more recent and some say more promising modes of music distribution is the USB or Flash Drive. Major artists like Frank Black and Mars Volta have jumped on board and are releasing USB only albums. David Brown reports on the growing popularity of the USB.
John Sayles is a legendary director and screen writer with a passion for classic Rythym & Blues. His most recent film project, Honeydripper, follows an Alabama club owner struggling to stay in business and an itinerant musician looking for his next gig. He told us about the Ray Charles album that helped him discover a whole new genre of music.
Jose Gonzalez hails from Gothenberg, Sweden. Gonzalez recorded his debut album Veneer while pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Gothenberg. With the success of the debut Gonzalez put his studies on the back burner and committed himself to his songwriting. Lucky for us. Enjoy Jose Gonzalez.
