Local hip-hop funketeer group, Riders Against the Storm, are revving up the 5th annual RAS day which will feature other headliners like the legendary Saul Williams, NYC rapper Nitty Scott, and the Brazilian afro-rockers, Gato Preto.  This years RAS day fest has some magnified significance this year because of the targeted bombings that were perpetrated against people of color earlier this year, and the resilience of that community which would rather express themselves artistically rather than continue the hate.  While music is the main attraction at RAS Day, art and wellness are also on the docket for an immersive experience. RAS day tickets are $20 and can be bought here.  As we get ready for the festival on the 25th, Riders Against the Storm just dropped a new single "OverUnder" for you to imbibe prior to the event! 

A relative quick ascendancy to the forefront of the Austin music scene, Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad have brought a blue-collar work ethic to their psychedelic ‘surf-rock from hell’ aesthetic. Endeavored consciously or not, Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad are carrying on a rich history of psych-rock in Austin. The proverbial doors of psych-rock perception were opened by bands like Roky Erikson and the 13th Floor Elevators, Conqueroo, and Shivas Headband in the 60’s, all the way up to the ‘Levitation King’ himself, Christian Bland, and the Black Angels. What makes BKBBB infatuating, is their lack of self-seriousness paired with lyrical landscapes of fantasy that are fortified by hypnotic drums, mind-melting riffs and dramatic choral swings.

 On their first music video “Methmatics” lead singer, Will Reynolds, gives a comical stare through classic 60’s liquid oil projections, only to follow up with a wrecking ball of anti-establishment rhetoric and a sledgehammer of a chorus. 

 “My consciousness is fully plugged into the TV/ Where the mainstream media uses propaganda to fool me/ With fear as their weapon/ to try and fucking control me”

The formula has worked on other BKBBB tracks off of their Fever Dreamin’ EP, like “Night Terror” and “Werewolf of Love”. Reynolds is a premier frontman with perfectly graveled falsetto howl and engaging stage presence, but it is guitarist, Cam Wren, who sows the elements together with a deft axe of unmerciful riffs and solos. While their content can be playful, their sound is a gravitating sonic assault that beckons a visceral head-bang in lieu of a spaced-out daydream.

 It’s always uplifting news when some new Black Joe Lewis songs begin to trickle out in anticipation of a new album and tour. Joe and the sextet of musicians that make up his backing band, the Honeybears, are purveyors of down-home blues rock that has working class appeal, but also deftly colaesces with awe-inspiring technical musicianship.  The upcoming album features producer, Stuart Sikes, who is no stranger to Joe’s music but also claims an impressive resume that includes past relationships with the White Stripes, Cat Power, and Modest Mouse. The upcoming album will be supported by a five week Fall tour that kicks off in September and will hit all of the major markets in the US and Canada. Unlike Gary Clark Jr, who rocketed into the stratosphere of the music world relatively quickly, Joe has been on a steady grind building his fan base outside of Austin. While there are plethora of music acts in Austin that come in a myriad of different genres and styles; Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears stand apart having a distinct Austin blues flavor that pays tribute to Stevie Ray, WC Clark, Albert King and other forefathers.  Though Austin is a growing town with a deluge of talent, there may not be another band that is as accurate of a representative of the city’s charm and as deserving of success, as Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears.

Check out the new track "Culture Vulture" here

Like countless other Austinite musicians, Matthew Wojcik puts in long hours at his day job in order to keep his music aspirations alive. Playing revved-up folk music under his last name, Wojcik, Matthew isn’t shy about incorporating pop elements and alt-rock distortion into his repertoire, so that it proves a more distinct sound. Wojcik’s only other member happens to be his wife, Virginia Marceau, who helps in filling out harmonies with her refined vocals. Wojcik (the band) are laying the groundwork to begin self-releasing and promoting their new music, beginning with their new debut single "Growing Old or Passing On" which officially drops on August 17th, and then the full EP, "Winter Winds", which is slated for a September 21 release. Matt and Virginia worked on the upcoming EP for over two and a half years, with Matthew having written and performed almost all of the tracks except for some help from writer and tour buddy, Matthew Squires. Before the music is released in late Summer, you can catch Wojcik and Matthew Squires on a mini-Texas tour (dates listed below). Ambitious and hard-working, Wojcik, is the type of band that you can root for, because they would rather make their own luck than wait for a gift to fall from the sky.

July 25th – Hole In The Wall – Austin, TX July 27th – LowCountry – San Antonio, TX July 30th – The Lost Horse Saloon – Marfa, TX

Link to Debut Single – "Growing Old or Passing On" 

 Rival Waves is an Austin-based rock band fusing propulsive, distortion-soaked anthems with sweeping personal and political themes. Armed with arena-ready songs reminiscent of Pearl Jam and U2, the band is driven to create a more meaningful connection between art and audience. With a DIY ethos focused on the convergence of music and tech, an inclination towards consistent musical experimentation, and an earnest commitment to topics ranging from the intimately personal to the sociopolitical, Rival Waves take their cues from Fugazi as much as they do Foo Fighters. As Rival Waves continues to focus on leveraging technology to disrupt a fragmented musical landscape and establish a more engaged audience, the band is gearing up to release a debut album and launch a super-served digital fan community known as theCollective – partnering with companies in Austin’s thriving tech sector to help turn these ideas into realities. In the meantime, Rival Waves is focused on writing new material, using digital technology to grow their live show into an even more memorable and experiential event, and finding ways to serve an engaged and impassioned audience.

The Austin-based quintet, Why Bonnie, brings together hazey dream pop with shoegazed vibes that are most reminiscent of Alvvays and Japanese Breakfast. Wistful lyrics coalesce with shimmering guitars to create a disassociative state where nostalgia washes over warm melodies. Blair Howerton fronts the band with a narrowed focus on quality songwriting and lyrics that are then fleshed out by dexterous instrumentation from the rest of the band. "Made of Paper" was released in February and their new EP, "Nightgown", was released June 20th and the band is currently on tour across America. Tap into the pop escapism of Why Bonnie by checking out their tour dates on the link here.

 A perpetual sunny disposition and bubblegum pop vibes that manifest positivity, Kady Rain’s music is a vitamin shot of glitter-pop designed to brighten your day.  The Austin-based pop vocalist/songwriter has taken her personal life’s darkness, including surviving an abusive past, and rendered it into an inspiring and uplifiting expression of love through her music. Kady Rain’s new single, "It Wasn’t the Roses", features incisive lyrics that are confectioned with infectious electro-pop, leaving listeners entranced and curious for more. Kady Rain is 28 years old and has already demonstrated a fortuitous demeanor that will keep her momentum moving forward towards larger audiences, so lets enjoy watching the metamorphosis from beginning to end.

Bursting onto the scene in 2014 with a debut album, the Nightowls have had a ubiquitous presence in the Austin scene for the last four years, consistently playing shows for a loyal and growing group of fans. The soul and R&B connoisseurs dropped their latest album, We Are The Nightowls, on April 27th but we are debuting their new music video "#selfiequeen", which happens to be as magenetic as their raucous live shows. Lead singer of the ten-piece, Ryan Harkrider, explains the video: "We wrote #selfiequeen in response to this funny trend we’ve noticed at our live shows where fans will turn their backs to us and get their phone out to take selfie with the band in the background. It’s an odd scene from our perspective and we just wanted song that welcomed this and could turn it into something we could all enjoy together." The Nightowl’s latest album was two years in the making and, a video like "#selfiequeen", which was shot live at EAR studios by Jeff Ray, is a perfect window into the charismatic live performances that have made the band popular. Check out the upcoming tour dates for the Nightowls on their website, www.wearethenightowls.com

Whiite Walls brings a tropical and infectious energy that illuminates any stage they perform on. A familiar presence in Austin for the last five years, the quintet still command a loyal following, despite a dearth of new music releases. The retro-funk group focuses on their singular goal of fomenting dance parties, but their influences point to Chic, Sister Sledge, and the Parliament. Lead guitarist and vocalist, Brent Dobey, orchestrates a deft symphony of tempo changes and choral explosions that can’t help but leave listeners in a trance. Keep an eye on these funketeers as they continue to spread their charm throughout Austin’s dance floors.

Unapologetically 80’s with their synth beats and new wave vocals, TC Superstar is motivated to get Austin moving by igniting an off-beat fire on the dance floor. Started as a solo project by Connor McCampbell in the Summer of 2017, TC Superstar has grown into a six-piece live performing band.  TC Superstar’s first album, Masc, was released in September 2017 through Austin-based Porch Fire Records but it’s their latest EP ‘Heat Death’ that has massive electro-potential. McCampbell’s deep baritone floats over pulsating dance-centric beats that slowly become fortified with a chorus of radiant synths.  The confidence ingrained in the music and the musician’s zeal for live performances make TC Superstar a hot attraction whenever found on a music bill. While retro vibes are evident with Talking Heads and Thompson Twins coming through quite clearly, McCampbell also channels contemporary dream pop like Chairlift and Austra in his songwriting.  Young, talented and ambitious – keep an eye out for TC Superstar.

Photos include: Annabelle Chairlegs, No Age, Relaxer, DIIV, Ariel Pink, Ruby the Ratchet