Pause/Play

Here’s another way to think about music scenes — they’re legitimate economic clusters! Don’t know what we mean by that? Well, you can listen to this bonus episode and learn a little economic theory courtesy of Michael Seman, assistant professor in the LEAP Institute for the Arts’ arts management program at Colorado State University.   The post Bonus! Music Scenes as Ec...

Austin singer and songwriter Taméca Jones is leaving Austin for LA at the end of the year.  In the latest episode, you’ll hear the reasons why the Austin Music scene isn’t working for her.  Plus you’ll learn more about our music ecosystem. You’ll also hear from and Peter Schwarz  about the reality of music businesses […] The post Why Taméca Jones, Austin’s Queen of Soul, is...

We’ve said the words Austin music ecosystem so many times on this podcast. But what do we actually mean when we say that? And how is our ecosystem different from other music cities like LA, Nashville or New York? In this episode we’ll try to start to answer those questions. First you’ll hear from Austin […] The post We’re Not New York, LA or Nashville. So What Kind of Music...

We look at this latest COVID surge in Austin and ask the question — What Do We Do Now? In this episode you’ll hear from Desmar Walkes, M.D — Medical Director/Health Authority for the City of Austin. Pat Buchta — Executive Director or Austin Texas Musicians Aubrey Hays — Musician Mike Hidalgo — Musician Autumn […] The post What Do We Do Now? appeared first...

We talk to musicians about what’s changed for them at this stage of the pandemic. You’ll learn what they’re doing differently creatively and with their businesses and how they’re feeling overall about the constantly changing Austin music landscape. In this episode you’ll hear from Jay Wile Sara Houser Jon Fichter from Sweet Spirit and Hong […] The post What&#821...

We talked to three club owners about what’s changed for music venues since things have opened back up, plus we  explore the saga behind the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. In this episode you’ll hear from: Angela Tharp from the Flamingo Cantina Will Bridges from Antone’s Independent music business manager  Peter Schwarz James Moody from Mohawk The post What’s Changed for M...

In this episode its all about the fans! You’ll hear about how they coped when there were no live shows and how they feel now that things are opening back up. In this episode, you’ll hear from: Hady Mawajdeh. : Hady produced a great podcast called “Gun Play.” You can listen here. Joanna Castillo Jonathan […] The post For the Fans appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studio...

We ask the question, “Is the Pandemic Over For Austin Music?” You’ll hear from public health experts, a musician, a fan, a venue owner and a venue manager about what whether or not the CDC’s change in mask guidance for vaccinated individuals coupled with the big reopening in Austin music venues that took place on […] The post Is the Pandemic Over for Austin Music? app...

In the latest episode of Pause/Play we tackle the question “To Play, or Play or not Play?” We asked 15 Austin Musicians the same questions — Have you performed during the pandemic?  Are you ready to perform now?  What would it take to make you feel comfortable performing the way we used to pre-pandemic? Their […] The post To Play, or Not to Play? appeared first on KUT &...

In the latest episode of Pause/Play we talk to the lunch ladies of Free Lunch, musician J Soulja, the founders of Mosaic Live Wire and entrepreneur and artist Cam the TSTMKR about how they’ve pivoted during the pandemic. You’ll hear from Jazz Mills — event producer and co-founder of Free Lunch Carrie Fussell Bickley — […] The post The Pivot appeared first on KUT &...

We’re looking at the art of live streaming. You’ll hear the different ways people are approaching it and what it could mean for the future of the Austin music community. In this episode you’ll hear from singer and Songwriter Kevin McKinney, Myf Mars from Hotel Free TV, photographer Ismael Quintanilla lll, Jason Reece from …And […] The post The Art of LiveStreaming app...

On March 10th the Texas governor re-opened the state. Now businesses can operate at 100% capacity. He also lifted the statewide mask mandate. We talked to musicians, venue owners & staff about how they plan to navigate the reopening. In this episode you’ll hear from: Cody Cowan: Executive Director of the Red River Cultural District […] The post The Reopening appeared first on KUT &...

We talked to people from across the spectrum of the Austin music ecosystem around the 1-year anniversary of the cancellation of SXSW. In this episode, you’ll hear how they’ve coped, pivoted, evolved, gained new perspectives and dealt with trauma during the last 12 months. You’ll hear from singer, songwriter and guitar player Jackie Venson, songwriter, […] The post One Year...

Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone from the Austin hip-hop duo Riders Against the Storm talks about how his experience as a Black musician in the Austin music community led him to create the DAWA Fund and the Black Live Music Fund. He also explains why his music is the reason he is able to continue to serve […] The post Music and Activism with Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone appeared fi...

Graham Williams, the founder of Margin Walker, discusses his journey in the Austin music scene and explains why nine months into the pandemic he decided to close Texas’s largest independent concert promoter for good. Music in this episode by Sailor Poon The post Why Margin Walker Closed appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts .

Hear from mental healthcare providers and people in the Austin Music Ecosystem about mental health during the pandemic. You’ll hear from Kalu James from Kalu and the Electric Joint , Vanessa Burden of Los Alcos, Austen Bailey former Talent Buyer for Mohawk, Patty Bouressa from The SIMS Foundation, Brandee Smith MS, LPC, LCDC, Austin Mental […] The post Mental Health During the Pandemic...

In the latest episode of Pause/Play Homer Hill tells the story of the Urban Music Fest and how it’s been hit hard by the pandemic. You’ll also learn the history of the festival, and hear the challenges Homer has faced in his thirty plus years as a Black Business owner in Austin, Texas. Urban Music […] The post The Urban Music Fest & Homer Hill appeared first on KUT & KUT...

Hear from people across the spectrum of the Austin music scene talk about their live music experiences during the pandemic. In the first segment you’ll hear Pedro Carvalho and Lawrence Boone from the venue The Far Out Lounge talk about how they’ve managed to stay open and have consistent live music. Then KUT reporter Andrew […] The post The Return of Live Music Part 2 appeared fi...

Live Music has returned to Austin, even as COVID cases continue to surge in Texas. Hear about three live music experiences from the perspective of a fan, three musicians and a promoter. Listen to this episode of Pause/Play In this episode you’ll hear from: host Elizabeth McQueen stepping into the role of a fan Greg […] The post The Return of Live Music Part 1 appeared first on KUT &amp...

For the first 50 days of quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic, Austin musician Jackie Venson live-streamed hours of musical performances from her home. She awoke at the end of the meditative marathon to a new normal for Austin musicians: no touring, no in-person shows, and no idea of what would come next. But in her […] The post Jackie Venson Artist Feature appeared first on KUT &...

Follow Austin musician Jackie Venson as she makes her debut on the iconic Austin City Limit’s TV show. You’ll hear how Jackie has been pivoting during the pandemic, and find out how Austin City Limits has been adapting to taping shows without a live audience. Listen to this episode of Pause/Play Listen on The Apple Podcasts […] The post Jackie Venson and Austin City Limits appeared fir...

In this episode, you’ll hear from the owners two Austin venues. Brodie Elkins tells the story of Scratchouse which closed due to the pandemic. Then Maggie Lea and Tamara Hoover talk about how they’ve kept their venue, Cheer Up Charlies, afloat and explain what it’s been like to get ready to reopen. Listen on The […] The post The Venues appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studi...

From finances to healthcare access, being a musician during a pandemic isn’t easy – even in the Live Music Capital of the World. In episode two of Pause//Play, the new podcast from KUT/KUTX Studios, Austin musicians Mobley and TEDDYTHELEGACY tell their stories of survival and creativity. Video by Julia Riehs The post Prepared for the Worst: Being a Musician During COVID-19 appeared first on...

In this episode you’ll hear the pandemic stories of two Austin Musicians — Mobley and Teddythelegacy. You’ll find out how their ability to access financial help has impacted their lives, what creative projects they’ve been working on and hear their perspectives on the uprisings for racial justice. Listen to this Episode of Pause/Play   Listen on The […] The post The Mu...

What happened to Austin’s live music scene after the shutdown of SXSW? On March 6th, 2020 the Austin City government canceled SXSW.  That decision had an economic ripple effect throughout the city. It also marked the true beginning of the COVID-19 crisis for Austin. In this episode, hosts Miles Bloxson and Elizabeth McQueen explore why […] The post The Pause appeared first on KUT & KUTX...