Spotlight On Austin Area Music Scene

Photo Courtesy of The University of Texas at Austin

The South Texas music scene has given us many an act to boast about over the last decade or so. Some of these bands are more well known than others, but the group is a diverse, multifaceted sounding orb of energy festering deep in the loins of South Tejas. This would have been another "Great Eight" posting, but I only felt like representing seven, so what? The following are either based out of the ATX or make and produce their music in the area. Enjoy!

Voxtrot - Kid Gloves (off first full length album, Voxtrot, released May 2007 on Playlouderecordings)
~ Popish indie rock with xylophone backing witty lyrics; their release of preference is the EP, but this self-titled LP release advances Voxtrot's ability to jam out

Aliens - Guinea Pig (off Head First, released November 2007 on MISC. MUSIC)
~ Punkish, noise rock-like awesomeness; a drum machine often has to be used to lay down the back beats for the incessant guitar riffs ranges lead singer/guitarist Blake Sandberg puts on his songs (extra info: "band" formed after moving from NYC in wake of September 11th attacks, created "alien" persona)

Bob Schneider - Changing Your Mind (off 2008 release, When The Sun Breaks Down On The Moon, from Shockorama)
~ Singer/Songwriter folk musician who infuses a lot of fun into song writing and making; he draws BIG local and fan-loyal flocks to his performances

Oh No! Oh My! - Farewell to All My Friends (from self-released self-titled album released July 2006)
~ Labeled "post-pop" by some, these melodic indie hipsters utilize many instruments while producing music comparable to similar acts The Magnetic Fields and Belle and Sebastian

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines (off upcoming September 9th release, The Stand-Ins, from Jagjaguwar)
~ Folksy, acoustic tale of sailing that rises in tempo, and volume, to reveal why it's good to leave from home sometimes

The Come Latelys - Chicago (off June 2008 release Essential EP from Phono Records)
~ Bluesy jam from these self-described "soul, melodramatic popular song" cats; shows range of flavor Austin acts can showcase

Iron and Wine - Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car (off September 2007 release, The Shepherd's Dog, from Sub Pop Records)
~ Slightly more upbeat indie folk from Mr. Sam Beam; see here for further info on this great live act