“When it’s all said and done, did we really say anything at all?” What a simple question with such a rich emotional response that we can all relate to. That is the beauty of the power of song. It sparks a common ground inside all of us and singer/songwriter Taylor Baker has nailed it on the head. She recently released a self-titled debut EP with 4 tracks including the soulful song “Gold Dust” which contains the above lyric.

Influences such as Joni Mitchell, Bon Iver, Frank Sinatra and Marvin Gaye are what give her not only a folk flair but that deep soul flavor as well. Get in touch with your feelings and watch her video for "Gold Dust" recorded live at The Sessions. If you can’t catch her show tonight at Austin Ale House, she’ll be playing June 14th at Frank’s. — Written by Courtney Pierce

Hollywood Cole is a burgeoning side project from local singer/soul writer, Ray Prim. With grimy guitar riffs a la Gary Clark Jr. and edgier vocals than Ray’s previous work, this album is an exciting new Austin sound. From bluesy rock ballads to smooth pop grooves, I can already hear this album on the radio waves. Check out the sneak peek of the EP at the link below. First show, TBA. — Written by Charise Sowells

Ricky Stein and his handsome voice are hard to resist. He has the swag of a young Elvis, the pained lyrics of an old Johnny Cash and a strong voice like Doug Sahm. Having a voice that carries him through genres with such an expansive range and raspy sex appeal, it’s like a man in a fine suit with a five o’clock shadow.

"Oh" and "In the Red", two of his older songs, hold a softer indie feel both vocally and instrumentally. In his newest song, "Shreveport Blues", Ricky really breaks into a new realm as he belts out lyrics about drug induced homesickness like a classic blues singer. With such variance in his music already, I can’t wait to see how much further his songs will evolve in the years to come. You can watch the video here or check him out for yourself tonight at the Gypsy Lounge! — Written by Katy Glass

The Ghost Wolves are like tumbleweed blowing through the swamp. There might be a layer of grime on their sheen, but it doesn’t diminish any of their beauty. In fact, it enhances it. Carley Wolf’s fuzzy guitar entwines perfectly with Jonny Wolf’s frenetic drums. And the vocals! Oh those vocals! All the bluesy swagger of Mudhoney’s Mark Arm with the coquettish lilt that only Carley can provide.

Get your hands on Getchya Hip Thrust, a two-song gem that includes the title track and the song "Black Crow" (featuring BP Fallon). Both songs are vibrant delicacies plucked from a humid marsh, so damp that you might be unable to draw a deep breath. But for the real experience, catch them on stage where their intensity and magnetism are amplified to such levels that you might just put on a mask and let Carley call you “Grandma.” See them at the Scoot Inn tomorrow with Ghostbunny and Zest of Yore. Not to be missed. – Written by Josh Denslow

The Scottish Rite Theatre couldn’t have been a more perfect setting for Borrisokane‘s release of Murdering Teeth this Friday. The stage was an awe to behold with cutout trees of many greens surrounding the bands. Complimentary masquerade masks are amongst the other imaginative details that confettied the night. It was like a scene right out of Peter Pan, contrasting the sheer elegance of Wendy’s world with the wonder of Peter’s, making you feel like Wendy holding tight to Peter’s hand as he shows you Never Never Land. You’re flying one minute and missing mommy the next. It’s simply beautiful. 

With each song, Murdering Teeth holds a fantasy world of its very own bringing listeners to a new consciousness. I loved the breathy opening in ‘Amelia Fucking Earhart’ that lead to escalating instrumentals and a consuming sense of urgency. My other favorite was the glittering keyboard of ‘Victoria Please’ that flew me through a nebula of sound and clouds of emotional infinity.  Check it out for yourself and pick up a copy of Borrisokane’s new EP today! — Written by Katy Glass

The lovely ladies of Danger Cakes have branded their style as “punk- infused R&B,” which is true but their music also includes all the major highlights of classic Rockabilly. From their sexy wardrobe and bouffant hairdos to their horn heavy, upright bass slapping sound, Danger Cakes combines the vintage style of Stray Cats with the feminine appeal and raw edge of Amy Winehouse. They’ll be kickin’ it on Route 66 in Tucumcari, NM on June 7th-9th. Then they’ll come back home and play at The Palmer Events Center, July 28th. To help this local band land a spot on the Vans Warped Tour, vote here. –Written by Jodi Lang

Merey Kimbrough of Mother Merey and the Black Dirt has a vocal style so unabashed it would make Bessie Smith proud. Combine that with the group’s foot stomping energy and this band delivers a solid bluesy folk sound like no other. Last week they were the perfectly placed opener for The Builders and the Butchers at The Buzz Mill’s Jamboree. Amid the hatchet tossing, jerky making and flapjack eating, there was Mother Merey and the Black Dirt, bringing down the rain with their glorious down home raucous. On May 29th they’ll be releasing their album, Down to the River, at Antone’s alongside Holiday Mountain, Whiskey Shivers and Old Gray Mule. — Written by Charise Sowells

Emily Wolfe‘s album, Mechanical Hands, is anything but cold and unfeeling as it radiates with Wolfe’s celestial voice. The upbeat melodies behind sweetly haunting lyrics bring to mind the music of Pretty Girls Make Graves, giving me high hopes for this indie pop/neo-folk musician. This new album is especially impressive after listening to her delicate debut record, Director’s Notes, which is great but her growth as an artist in Mechanical Hands is undeniable. –Written by Katy Glass

The Boxing Lesson has not released a full length album in almost five years, but I promise you the wait has been more than worth it. The trio’s newest offering, Big Hits!, opens up with a psychedelic nine minute journey into a world of ethereal noises, spacey guitar, dark vocals and a slow, steady drum beat that holds it all together. As much as the epic opening track is reminiscent of Pink Floyd and David Gilmore’s echoing guitar work, don’t be fooled. The Boxing Lesson proves to be a diverse band that knows how to blend punk rock, classic rock n’ roll and psychedelia into a fluid and well-calculated album. Check out their opening track, “Endless Possibilities”. — Written by Jodi Lang

Browngrass- you’ve seen it, but have you heard it? It’s the sound of one of our April Monthly Poll winners Sour Bridges. They used the term after having a difficult time describing their music. “We have tried categorizing our music into folk/rock, blue-wop, mountain gossip or aggressive grass but nothing really stuck until Dalton (the drummer) jokingly coined the phrase ‘Browngrass’. It’s similar to Bluegrass but a little dirtier."

Cravings of those Austin summer nights with friends in a backyard drinking whiskey until the sun rises are exactly what I yearn for when listening to Sour Bridges and that’s the browngrass way of life. “With bluegrass elements and a rock n’ roll rhythm section, it typifies our values in life and living: humble, backyard, dirt stomping in 4/4 time. We have a way of spilling notes into a bathtub and making some really great music for consumption.”

Their sophomore album, Catfish Charlie, is being released at the end of this month with cover art featuring their friend Charlie riding a catfish. This 15 track record is comprised of love songs, train songs, drinking songs and thinking songs that will make you move. Get your dancing shoes ready for their CD release show on May 31st, 2013 at The Scoot Inn. Doors open at 8. –Written by Courtney Pierce

The Roosevelts are two beautifully bearded men whose songs enrapture listeners in a cloud of feeling and sometimes an uncontrollable need to dance. Although considered a pop/rock band, their often narrative lyrics lead listeners down paths riddled with tragic epiphanies giving them a much more serious kind of philosophical air. To record their debut album, Cold Sheets, The Roosevelts chose a power team with producer Dwight Baker (Bob Schneider), drummer JJ Johnson (John Mayer) and bassist Dave Monsey (Fiona Apple) guaranteeing this album to be sublime lyrically, vocally and instrumentally. Watch the "Cold Sheets" video here. — Written by Katy Glass

Leah Nobel‘s premiere official music video was released March 20, 2013 featuring the title song, "Ride the Butterfly" off her new Indie Pop album. Translating the hesitation and clutter of the lyrics into rustic scenes of childlike adventures, this video features a structure made entirely of recycled materials. Between the corners of toys and CDs, there is the ever-present use of light to represent Leah’s hopeful outlook. Like the rest of the album, “Ride the Butterfly” showcases Leah’s honest, humble lyrics that are sung beautifully through Leah’s angelic voice. – Written by Katy Glass