Song of the Day

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The KUTX music team looks high and low for songs and artists that should be on your radar. It's a no-frills showcase for some of the great music that comes through the "live music capital of the world." Join us to discover new music and revisit some old favorites -- one song at a time.

HACE 11 H

Lola Tried: “Degrader”

If Mama tried to steer you right, Lola Tried is here to steer you wrong. So very, very wrong. Known for masterfully blending the emo hooks of teenage Millennial yore with garage and power-pop sensibilities, the group has always been like the adult charcuterie board to pop-punk’s Lunchable.After nearly a decade under those influences, Lola Tried comes back with “Degrader,” a raw departure from slick hooks and curled-lip lyrics. In fact, the curl has widened into something purely guttural, and the corner of Lauren Burton’s mouth is leaking venom-laced blood. And trust me, she’s not looking for a handkerchief.This evolution of Lola Tried is as dark in tone as it is clear in direction. They’ve shimmied right over the awkward stage partly due to founding members Burton and Ray Garza bringing Gianni Sarimento and Austin Norman into the fold to fully actualize this new sound. The subject matter of “Degrader” is dark and regrettably relatable. It’s brave and powerful; two things that have always been part of the Lola Tried DNA. “Degrader” is from Lola Tried’s upcoming EP, out later this year. You can celebrate the song’s release tonight at Chess Club with Stella and the Very Messed and Housewarming.

3 min
HACE 1 DÍA

Valley Flower: “Run Buddy”

Rolling into Austin like a quiet, yet alluring fog from the Midwest and Appalachia is Valley Flower, a groovy bluegrass quintet that brilliantly weaves in those regional influences to offer something a little different to the stalwart, homegrown scene here in Austin. And 2024 was very fertile for Valley Flower. They opened for several national bluegrass/folks acts, held a residency at Sagebrush, played festivals, and had songs featured on some of Spotify and BMI’s most coveted playlists. “Run Buddy” finds the string band putting a little alt-country veneer on their bluegrass soul, and it suits them well. The self-produced EP shows the band is a true ensemble: every layer is distinct and each instrument has a voice. “Run Buddy” is from their self-titled EP, out tomorrow. You can see Valley Flower at their EP release show this Friday at Sam’s Town Point.

4 min
HACE 2 DÍAS

Yahtzee Brown: “Take It Back”

I know you’re already fantasizing about your first road trip of 2025, so here’s a new add for that tried and true playlist.Austin’s Yahtzee Brown takes a myriad of inspirations to create his own brand and generation of country-psych, or what I prefer to call Cosmic Country. And while the songs of Townes Van Zandt and Gram Parsons bring us back, Yahtzee Browns moves the narrative forward in time, writing songs that speak to a generation who thought “born post-9/11” defined them…until the pandemic happened to rock their formative years. Freshman year of college on ZOOM from what should now be your old bedroom? No gracias. “Take It Back,” gives us a peek into Yahtzee Brown’s inner monologue, perseverating on a relationship that’s run its course. And isn’t that something we all inevitably do when we have nothing but ourselves and the road? “Take It Back” is from the album You Got This, out now.

3 min
HACE 3 DÍAS

Skateland: “Postcards” (Recorded Live in Studio 1A)

As Love Austin Music Months enters the home stretch, let’s visit a recent Studio 1A from an old friend. Skateland played our Free Week Show in 2023, and the next month he was our Artist of the Month ahead of his debut EP New Wave Revivial. In the almost two years since, he’s played SXSW each year, made an impression on the LA music scene, enjoyed attention from national publications, and opened for Foster the People last October for ACL Nights. And all the while, he’s been a PhD candidate here at UT. I know, right? Skateland returned to Studio 1A earlier this month to perform songs from his sophomore EP Joyce Howell, How Are You? And I’ll say this: he’s really mastered how to bring the bedroom sound to a full crowd. He brings his behavioral psychology expertise to “Postcards,” a reflection on screen-focused bad habits as experienced and empathized by the general human condition. Joyce Howell, How Are You? is out now.

4 min
HACE 6 DÍAS

Kirk Smith: “Julian”

Kirk Smith has been kicking around Austin and our airwaves for some time, and last Friday he released “Julian.” “Julian” opens with a melancholy, bossa nova shuffle, setting the stage for a worried heart. But it’s not love, it’s sadness for someone you watched from afar decades ago. Lamenting the tale of a John Bender or Daniel Desario-type, seemingly addicted to making every wrong decision with the rest of the world only seeing a lost cause, or as Smith deems it, a “Golden Fool.” But the reality is this is a person who has fallen through the cracks and deemed defective before they could drive a car. The story in the present day brings us up-to-speed with the titular Julian, a barfly regularly being swatted out of establishments and now perpetually on the road, never easy to nail down. It’s a beautiful ballad that pairs well with a chilled glass of Zevondel. “Julian” is on In Waves, out now.

4 min
23 ENE

Futon Blonde: “3 Color Flag”

The imagery of rebirth and change in winter might be the only thing you remember from your Robert Frost lesson in English class, so let’s go back to school and compose a short essay on the significance of featuring this song during this season. Just kidding.Austin’s Futon Blonde have spent the last decade making fun, indie-pop tunes with tight, catchy hooks, but now, a change is in the air. The quartet is taking a darker turn, leaning more into the post-punk, dark alternative space. And it’s working. But fear not, the hooks are still there. They might just be giving you a little pit shove instead of snuggling up against you. Here’s a hint of what’s to come. You can see Futon Blonde at a show Saturday, February 1st with Lonesome Ranch at Drinks Backyard in Southeast Austin.

5 min
22 ENE

Yes Sir, No Sir: “Spiritus Heist”

Returning after their debut album in 2021 and a sprinkling of singles in the meantime, Austin’s Yes Sir No Sir are back with This Is Going to Last Forever, recorded at Austin’s Chicken Ranch Studios and polished by Kevin Butler of Austin’s Test Tube Audio. Now, the album doesn’t come out until Friday, but they’ve been kind enough to let us give you a little preview. This Is Going to Last Forever rides the roller coaster of life’s most important and emotional tenants, but there’s one that takes a step into a fictional space somewhat akin to Beastie Boys “Paul Revere”: its about the band robbing a bank. Kevin Brinkkoeter’s baritone speak-singing really puts a trademark here, especially given the song’s storytelling nature. The intersection between 80s darkwave, a more modern attitude, and a recurring guitar effect that gives the heist its highway bandit appeal perks your ears and keeps you guessing for the song’s next direction. So hop in baby, we’re going to yell “stick em up and let two fly.” “Spiritus Heist” is on This Is Going to Last Forever, out Friday.

4 min
21 ENE

Cast of Thousands: “Serpo”

It’s cold, man! I hope you’re hunkered down with your comfort food of choice because this song is serving fireside umami. Austin quintet Cast of Thousands released their EP Useful People earlier this month, and weather like today, where you may be bending your ear a little closer to the radio, calls for a little fun puzzle for your ear to follow. While the band’s influence stems all across the college and garage rock genres, “Serpo,” serves big Pavement and Built to Spill vibes. And that endorsement is golden in my book. Max Venderver’s nimble fingers are effortlessly working overtime on this bright, earworm melody, but the ensemble moves together; every layer is distinct. And while the heart of the song has an undeniable 90s college rock influence (not a complaint), the harmonies and vocals make it fresh and uniquely their own. It could inspire Stephen Malkmus to reach out to the Heavy Heavy, or hey, why not these guys. “Serpo” is from the Useful People EP, out now.

4 min

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94 calificaciones

Finally no intros

15/12/2021

Jpisel

They finally got rid of the dude screaming about tacos of Texas at me every 3 minutes or less.
This is awesome 👏🏼

20/08/2023

Hdaisy2020

Great job bringing these back thank you! 😁🫶🏼👌🏼
We heard you!

20/12/2019

KUTX 98.9

After reading the complaints about too many promos, we cut them by more than half. If you hear one at all, it’ll be at the beginning of a song only. KUTX is a public radio station so we do have to find ways to make what we do (play awesome music and support those artists) possible. Thanks for listening and supporting the Austin Music Experience. Enjoy the tunes!
Good music too much talk

07/05/2019

PAK manza

The adds between all songs make it hard to listen to.

The KUTX music team looks high and low for songs and artists that should be on your radar. It's a no-frills showcase for some of the great music that comes through the "live music capital of the world." Join us to discover new music and revisit some old favorites -- one song at a time.