Song of the Day
The KUTX team looks high and low for songs and artists that should be on your radar.
The Summertimes: “Save You Now”
Australian power-pop band The Summertimes is getting ready to release new music for the first time since 2023. “Save You Now” was officially released yesterday as the first single from their upcoming EP. This song was written to ask you one question: who is coming to save you, if anyone at all? Perhaps this track will lead you to ponder what you need saving from – or whether you need saving at all.
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Whereabouts: “Flashback”
Whereabouts, an Austin-based alternative indie-rock band that debuted earlier this year, is back with “Flashback,” one of their three single releases from their upcoming EP. This upbeat, energetic single touches on nostalgia and regret – a difficult balance for many artists, but Whereabouts brings them together like desert sun and sand. Lyrically, “Flashback” speaks of moving forward from the past…
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Jade Bird: “Lottery” [The Hole Story]
The Hole Story is powered by Austin Beerworks British singer-songwriter Jade Bird broke through in the U.S. in 2018 with “Lottery.” In this episode, she looks back at that song with a very different perspective, talks about the relationships and experiences behind her writing, and performs songs including music from her album, Who Wants to Talk About Love? A former Austinite…
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Wynonna: “Am I Missing Out”
Country music legend Wynonna Judd is back with her first album in over a decade. On The Hard Truth, she collaborates with artists like Iron & Wine, the War & Treaty, and Patterson Hood. And despite her music never shying away from darker, personal themes, Judd says this new album may be her most honest. This album asked me to be brave enough to tell the truth—even when my voice shook.
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Oreaganomics: “I used to call Mary”
Hi you have reached Song of the day please hit one to hear the rest of this feature… Just kidding, but this next song discusses the frustration of making a call only to find a robot on the other side. While Oreaganomics is neither a spice nor an economic policy from the 80’s, they do bring lofi beats, psychedelic soul and commentary on modern life. All while staying anonymous during their…
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BS: “f1”
Austin’s BS comes in hot with “f1,” a fast-moving track that lives up to its name. Built on propulsive drums and sharp, forward-leaning production, the song feels like it’s constantly accelerating, carrying a restless energy from start to finish. It’s a short, sharp burst of momentum that doesn’t waste much time getting where it’s going. Catch BS performing “f1” at Hole in the Wall on August…
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Elka: “Husk”
The latest installment in Jim Eno’s Project Traction mentorship program (whose mission is to create a more gender inclusive audio production and engineering industry), comes from Fort Collins, Colorado. Songwriter Elka gives us “Husk”: a deeply intimate and reflective indie-pop track rooted in grief and dressed in effortless elegance courtesy of Project Traction member (and fellow Fort Collins…
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A Band Called Ma: “SALT”
Releasing their self-titled debut album today, Austin’s A Band Called Ma is giving us our daily dose of nostalgia through the 90s-inspired rhythm guitar and abstract lyricism featured in their single “SALT.” This track was the last single released for the album, acting as the final taste of what’s to come from their self-produced and recorded album, three years in the making. If you like what you…
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Dom Francis: “Alligator Rain”
Austin’s Dom Francis brings a hazy, rain-soaked feel to “Alligator Rain,” pairing a laid-back groove with a sound that feels a little strange in the best way. There’s a looseness to the track that lets the instrumentation breathe, while Francis’ vocals keep things grounded. It’s an easygoing listen with a little mystery around the edges.
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Seth Celdrán: “Stiletto”
Austin’s Seth Celdrán brings a sharp, swaggering edge to “Stiletto,” a track that blends a driving groove with sleek production and plenty of attitude. There’s something effortlessly cool about the way the song moves, balancing its darker edge with a rhythm that keeps it light on its feet. “Stiletto” has just enough bite to make its mark without overdoing it. Catch Seth Celdrán at his album…
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Shakey Graves: “When the Love Was New” [The Hole Story]
The Hole Story is powered by Austin Beerworks* Long before Shakey Graves was filling theaters around the world, Alejandro Rose-Garcia was finding his footing at Austin’s Hole in the Wall, where an early happy-hour residency helped shape the artist he would become. More than a decade later, that connection remains. In 2026, Shakey brought his annual Shakey Graves Day celebration back to…
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Modiste: “Breaking My Own Heart”
The past is coming up from behind on the debut single from Louisville, Kentucky synth trio Modiste. The 80’s-inspired group employs exclusively analog and digital vintage instruments and toys to invoke a true pastiche of your favorite smokey 80’s underground music with just a whisper of the modern age. Think Jane Leo meets Kate Bush and Depeche Mode. Modiste’s debut album Nothing More Than A…
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Paige Plaisance: “Waiting”
Paige Plaisance is carving out her own lane with a sound she coins “Swampytonkin’.” Raised on a farm near the muddy banks of the Mississippi River, the Austin-based singer-songwriter and pianist is back with her highly anticipated second full-length album, Swampwater. Recorded at Austin’s famed Finishing School and produced by Jonathan Tyler, Swampwater further establishes Plaisance as a…
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BLUUM: “Tough Break, Kid”
Coming from the Los Angeles Music scene, the LA duo “BLUUM” (with two Us) is blossoming with some quality 90s inspired alternative music. This track wants to bring it back to when rock ruled the world. The pair produced this song alongside their debut self titled album from their LA apartments. Who knows? Maybe this could be their big break!
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Magic Rockers of Texas: “Where Did My Life Go” [Live In Studio 1A]
Looking to fill your Thursdays this August? Austin sardonic power-pop group Magic Rockers of Texas are holding down this month’s residency spot at one of our favorite venues: the Hole In the Wall. They’re kicking it off tonight with guests Slomo Drags and Quinn Decker and the LLC. We’re throwing it back to their latest set from Studio 1A, perfoming this one one from 2025’s Gorging On…
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Ruben Ramos + Carrie Rodriguez : “Ay Me Duele” [Live In Studio 1A]
Ruben Ramos, known to many as “El Gato Negro,” was not born in Austin, but his work over the last seven decades has earned him a sculpture in the city among other greats like Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan. His work with Los Super Seven, a group featuring Freddy Fender, Joe Ely, Flaco Jimenez, and many others, earned Ramos a Grammy Award in 1999. He added another Grammy to his collection in…
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Jesse Malin: “Hollywood Forever”
2026 has been a big year for New York’s Jesse Malin. The East Village icon released his memoir Almost Grown: A New York Memoir in April, and the run of his autobiographical concert-theatre production Silver Manhattan was extended this spring at New York’s Bowery Palace. The production partially discusses his relationship with friend and D Generation bandmate DJ Howie Pyro, who passed away in 2022.
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David Quinn: “Long Time Gone”
Nourishing, gritty, wood-smoked, and road-worn are all words that have been appropriately (and lovingly) used to describe the Americana songwriting of Illinois’s David Quinn. The upcoming album Down & Dirty was written purely for the joy of the game, and boy does it show. Quinn sticks to his compelling and illustrative storytelling with licks and hooks that are groovy, boot-scootin’…
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Next of Kin: “Dimestore Jesus”
Austin alt-country sweetheart’s Next of Kin are back with their first new song (and dare I say, bona fide bop) since the release of last year’s Homemaker EP. “Dimestore Jesus” starts fully blossomed with their signature harmonies for a “beautifully honest track about carrying the burden of the savior complex: the tendency to pour everything into fixing someone else while neglecting their own…
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Alex Hartley: “I Believe”
Austins Alex Hartley’s “I Believe“ was born from one of life’s hardest moments, written after a crisis during his and his wife’s IVF journey. The song reflects the strength it takes to stand beside someone you love through uncertainty, pairing heartfelt lyrics with warm Americana instrumentation that never overshadows the emotion. It’s an honest reminder that hope can endure, even when it’s put to…
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Quentin: “Peanut Butter Cigarettes” [Live In Studio 1A]
A native Texan with a tri-coastal career spanning Austin, Los Angeles, and New York, Quentin has appeared at major festivals including Austin City Limits Music Festival and SXSW while earning a reputation for fearless live performances and genre-defying songwriting. Dubbed a “genre-hopping hustler” by the Austin Chronicle, they have evolved from their glam-rock roots with indie band The Past Lives…
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Warm Sound: “Better Days”
Austin electronic duo Warm Sound (who you’ve heard on KUTX) are back with “Better Days,” the title track to their upcoming third album out this fall. Lush and groovy, the new song is more ambient than their trip-hop roots, marking a new, more ethereal, meditative sound from the duo, “pairing intricate production with an equally complex emotional architecture” for an album vulnerably exploring…
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Stalefish: “Superstar”
The new single from Austin’s Stalefish marries two of my favorite things: 90’s indie rock with a story about an underdog, which, admittedly, is really the thesis of 90’s indie rock. “Superstar” is our first taste of the group’s new polished sound (but like a Matador Records sort of polished), and the group says it best: “Pavement-esque guitars, beefy drums, 80s style synths, and gang vocals.”…
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Ivy Mine: “500 Days”
I hope you get tangled in the tendrils of this next group. Ivy Mine is a diy indie/alternative band based in Austin Texas. This Track off the upcoming album Keep the Chaos Close brings sparkling vocals and snarling guitars…
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Tvlormvde: “Heat Wave”
Austin-based artist Tvlormvde blends house, pop, and R&B on “Heat Wave,” a standout from the new EP Sometimes on Wednesday. Built around classic house grooves, live instrumentation, and an infectious hook, the track sticks with you long after it’s over. With another Texas summer in full swing, “Heat Wave” is a fitting soundtrack for the season.
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Touch Girl Apple Blossom: “The Springtime Reminds Me Of…”
KUTX’s June 2026 Artist of the Month, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, crafts songs that hit straight at the most tender part of your heart. The band’s new album, Graceful, is a collection of jangly, nostalgic pop songs that feel lived-in and intimate. The group is heading out on a Midwest tour next week that includes a stop at Jack White’s Nashville venue Blue Room, and before they hit the road…
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Woody Russel: “Cross That River, Take Up This Fight”
Woody Russell’s “Cross This River, Take Up This Fight” settles into a steady, rootsy groove, with warm acoustic textures and vocals that feel both weathered and inviting. It’s the kind of song that lets the arrangement breathe, giving every lyric room to land while building a quiet sense of momentum.
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Wild Heaven: “Dust in the Night Sky”
Austin band Wild Heaven premiered their debut single on Song of the Day two years ago. Now, they’re back with a brand-new single with the familiar raucous, post-punk energy that we love. “Dust in the Night Sky,” an upbeat single that lands between post-punk, shoegaze, and neo-psych rock, chronicles mischievous all-night adventures with a wink and a smile. Lead singer Laura Blewitt confides her…
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Kurt Vile: “Pretty Pimpin'”
Ryan Wen put it best: Kurt Vile is like Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young with Stephen Malkmus as the head. The blues-meets-slacker rock musician’s tenth studio album, Philadelphia’s Been Good To Me, is his “bringin it home to Philly” album, largely recorded in his home studio there and his first release following the death of longtime collaborator and former Swirlies…
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Cure for Paranoia: “The Artshow” [Live In Studio 1A]
We’ve gotten really acquainted with Dallas hip-hop group Cure for Paranoia this year, and their meteoric rise has been a joy to be a part of and to watch from the sidelines. The winners of the 2026 NPR Tiny Desk Contest hit their Austin tour stop a couple of weeks ago, making a pit stop in Studio 1A before their show. Cure for Paranoia returns to Austin twice this fall: playing MeadowFest 2026 on…
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Slow Pulp: “Better Man”
Slow Pulp has a way of making introspective songs feel inviting, and “Better Man” is no exception. Soft guitars and Emily Massey’s understated vocal give the track room to breathe, capturing the complicated feeling of wanting to grow while still figuring things out. The song comes from an album that leans into subtlety, favoring mood and texture over big moments. It’s the kind of record that…
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Briscoe: “The Heart of Texas”
In the midst of a nearly year-long tour, Austin indie-Americana breakouts Briscoe have released “The Heart of Texas.” The song commemorates the anniversary of the horrific Kerr County floods that devastated entire communities and families and resulted in the deaths of around 60 people, including children. The song is what I would call “cinematic Americana,” deeply beautiful and powerful as an…
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David G. Smith: “Hero Street”
David G. Smith shines a light on an often-overlooked piece of American history with “Hero Street,” a moving tribute to the eight Mexican American soldiers from one small Illinois neighborhood who gave their lives in service. Anchored by understated acoustic guitar, heartbeat-like drums, and mournful steel guitar, the song honors both the sacrifice of these young men and the resilient community…
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Jenny Gillespie Mason: “Rungs of Love”
During the oppressive heat of the summer, it’s easy to long for a breeze – and today’s song, “Rungs of Love” by Jenny Gillespie Mason, feels like one. In this single from In the Safety of the Light, Mason’s debut solo album, the Northern Californian artist croons about finding love and focus in a chaotic world. With whiffs of cosmic folk, ambient music, and alternative, “Rungs of Love” feels like…
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Deer Tick: “Mary Singletary”
The new album from Rhode Island indie-folk group Deer Tick, Coin-O-Matic, is a slice-of-life of the group’s hometown of Providence, which serves as our main character, with an album of vignettes that stitch together to illustrate the town’s “once-speedy past” and the gallery of characters wherein. But the town also has secrets. On “Mary Singletary,” we get Stefon-levels of everything…
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Sweet Limb: “Dopamine” [Live In Studio 1A]
Austin’s Sweet Limb blends alt-R&B, hip-hop, soulful grooves, and lo-fi textures into music that feels both intimate and expansive. Led by Chris Robinson, the project pairs emotional vulnerability with head-nodding production. Sweet Limb performs tonight at The Drop-In, opening for Jackie Venson.
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Restos: “No Cigar
Austin’s Restos turn close calls and near misses into an indie-rock anthem on “No Cigar.” With jangly guitars, a driving rhythm, and just the right amount of grit, the track captures the feeling of chasing something that’s always a little out of reach—and having a good time anyway.
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Daisy O’Connor: “LIRR”
It gives me such joy to see Daisy O’Connor returning to the studio and the stage. The Austin-based, genre-fluid singer-songwriter took an unexpectedly long break from gigging and songwriting, feeling the block and burnout from relentless touring. Then, on a trip to New York City, the Concrete Jungle worked its magic, and inspiration struck. “LIRR” is a far cry from a love letter to the city…
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KindKeith: “I Wanna Buy A Home With You” [Live In Studio 1A]
For KindKeith, love is collective and nonlinear. The new album On Love, the Austintie not only meditates on the answer to their own question of “What does love mean to you?” but they brought in a multitude of collaborators to reverberate the fluid, complex, and multi-faceted relationship we all have with love. And it’s all wrapped-up in a lush, smooth, funk-dotted R&B cocoon.
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EddieAngel: “PAYASO” [Live In Studio 1A]
KUTX May 2026 Artist of the Month, EddieAngel, finds himself at the forefront of a new wave of R&B artists reshaping the sound of alternative soul in Austin and beyond. Fronted by singer-songwriter and seasoned vocalist Angel Estrada, the project has steadily built momentum through emotionally grounded lyricism and a growing local fanbase. Alongside him, the band consists of core members Marc Rene…
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