Click on each cover pic to play a video.
Kinky Friedman
“Poet of Motel 6”
The late singer, songwriter, author, animal rescuer, and occasional candidate for public office was best known for being quite the provocateur or at least raconteur. But he was also a bonafide songwriter of true depth. This posthumous album opens with the eponymous tribute to his friend and fellow songwriting legend Billy Joe Shaver. The whole album is a fitting swan song and sort of self-elegy. You can get it here on Jesse Dayton’s Hardcharger label, bundled with more great music from Dayton, Shinyribs, or Santiago Jimenez, Jr.
Me Nd Adam
“Heartbeat of My Soul”
This Americana/alternative rock duo defies easy labeling, with a sound that ranges from country to rock to “trashwave” and more, and they sport a decidedly countrified look with spangled western wear and singer Adam Walker’s tousled mullet. Unlike a lot of other Austin acts, they were actually born and raised there, with detours through New Orleans and Brooklyn, so they come by it all authentically, and they deliver the goods, especially live. This is the first single off American Drip, Part II, the followup to 2020’s American Drip, Part I. “Out on the road, you’re either livin’ fast or dyin’ slow….”
Willie Nelson
“Still Learning How to Fly”
The 92-year-old legend’s 154th(!) album, Oh What a Beautiful World, is a solid set of Rodney Crowell covers, delivered in his trademark style, and Crowell sings with him on the title track. There are a few Crowell hits like “Shame on the Moon” (a hit for Bob Seger), but Willie sticks mostly to less obvious gems like “Still Learning How to Fly.” Sure, his voice is rougher these days, but, like his characteristic phrasing, he makes it work for him, and the result is worn but warm, and real as it gets. Even though we know these are Crowell covers, they still come across like Nelson’s own words: “Life’s been good, I said, I’m 10,000 miles ahead, the day I rest is the day I die…I’m still learning how to fly….”
Benmont Tench
“The Melancholy Season”
Best known for four decades behind the keyboards in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Tench was all the while honing his solo songwriting chops, and a style that is deeper, more meditative, and well, melancholy, especially on this title track. But not depressing. More like the natural, contemplative taking stock of many years of triumph and tragedy, and honoring it by sitting with it a while.
Valice
“Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know Why”
This Austin-based indie rock band was recently named a top act by CultureMap Austin. Valice (named for frontman Ricci Valice, rhymes with “release”) is developing quite a following for their eclectic, driving rock with infectious looping pop hooks, wit, and theatrical flair. Those all culminate perfectly in this catchy, entertaining video set in a charismatic church. And you gotta love a righteous slide solo delivered on a Gibson Les Paul with a switch labeled Testify, handed up by Christ himself as the Devil looks on. “…Enter through the narrow gate…”
Carolyn Wonderland
“Sooner or Later”
At the risk of this becoming the Recommended New Austin Music section, we couldn’t release an issue the same week Carolyn Wonderland is set to release her new album, Truth Is, and just not say anything. This first single features a heavy, groovin’ lap-steel slide riff and wise blueswoman lyrics. “If you want a lesson, better lessen your load, sooner or later everybody gets told…” The album is produced by Dave Alvin, who also wrote and played on a few songs, with guest appearances from Marcia Ball, Shelley King, Ruthie Foster, Bukka Allen, and more.