Playlist: 512 Tunes
From the stages of Stubb’s and Emo’s to the intimate sounds of the Cactus Cafe and Hole in the Wall, Austin is home to rich musical talent. Afterglow’s Event Staff compiles the best sounds the Live Music Capital currently has to offer.
Written by and photos courtesy of the Afterglow Event Staff
Image courtesy of Catalina Pozos
Embedded into the live music scene of the city, no one knows the sounds of Austin better than our event team. We had each event producer compile their favorite songs by local artists. Read on for the Afterglow Event Staff’s top picks.
“Nice REFLEXES!” by 8BIT WZRD
Photo courtesy of @sweetest_cinnaroll on IG
The first time I ever heard 8BIT WIZRD was purely by accident: I was at a co-op show, new to UT, and the friend I’d come with had disappeared into the crowd. I’d have been a lot more upset if 8BIT WIZRD wasn't about to begin their set. Any anxiety I’d been holding onto disappeared as I lost myself in the dreamy, melodic indie rock of Good Morning and Nice Reflexes.
Nostalgia, introspection, melancholia — each of these play a big role in 8BIT’s music, only further evidenced by frontman Reece Myers citing Elliott Smith and Alex G as two of his primary influences. Their lyrics are catchy and straightforward in the sort of way that cuts right into your chest, scratching at some intangible emotion.
I saw countless bands that summer, at countless co-ops, on countless perfectly clear-skied nights: some good, some bad, many in-between. But whenever I want to remember that summer, the thumping beat of my heart, the most myself I’d ever felt, I turn to 8BIT WIZRD, and find speckles of my own nostalgia swirled in with theirs. — Kunika Trehan
Kunika’s Picks
Ode to Boone - Indoor Creature
Musique Solitaire Triste - La Femme Solitaire
Prada! - Maikéru
Always On My Mind - Nané
jenny - Yardsale!
Just the Two of Us - Lady Dan
Cherry Jerry Citrus - Hey Cowboy!
U Ouchea - Christelle Bofale
Baby When I Close My Eyes - Sweet Spirit
Nice Reflexes! - 8BIT WIZRD
“Selfish Liars” by Indoor Creature
Image courtesy of The Record Machine
The jazz-inspired indie rock band, Indoor Creature, uses dreamy vocals and a calm saxophone to explore the dispirited feelings of disappointment brought on by someone else in “Selfish Liars.” A gentle guitar and bass line ground the song, as a faint synth adds ambiance to the track. I like to listen to this song while studying, while on a walk, or simply while taking a breather to collect my thoughts, reflecting on the introspective lyrics and taking in the harmonies. — Karysma Rivers
Karysma’s Picks
Tandem - Dewey Ivy
Red Light Lips - Sadder Days
Show Me - Nayome
Rivera - Los Alcos
Lost In Translation - sleep well.
Girls Like Us - p1nkstar
In Heaven - Pelvis Wrestley
Death of the Idol - Modern Sophia
Selfish Liars - Indoor Creature
I Thought You Were Dead - Sad Cell
“Clairvoyance” by Elegy
Photo courtesy of Bella Martinez (@peppermintgirlphotography on IG)
Elegy’s "Clairvoyance" has easily become one of those songs that I absolutely must play on repeat as I walk to class. Elegy creates a catchy yet serene rhythm while simultaneously developing a tragic and encapsulating storyline that instills a sense of empathy within the listener. The song is written from the perspective of a person in a dying relationship, desperate to move on yet begging their partner to return to them. A gorgeous motif of a repeatedly reheated dinner on the stove, which results in an overstimulating film of smoke on the person, has me in awe each time I listen. — Mahek Sansi
Mahek’s Picks
Five Feet from the Floor - Valice
Love Letters - Homemade Bangs
Slow Burn - Flora & Fawna
Piggypink - Hotel Ugly
DO YOU LOVE ME? - KindKeith
She Won’t Get High - The Boleys
Clairvoyance - Elegy.
American Dream - Indoor Creature
Healing Tree - Dewey Ivy
Origami Dreams - Christelle Bofale
“Constraints” by Sad Cell
Image courtesy of Gooey Records
Sad Cell is a staple of Austin’s local scene around the UT campus. The band's addicting song, "Constraints," is reminiscent of the early 2000s rock that soundtracked the formative years of many college-aged kids from this generation; it really scratches that nostalgic itch. The song’s melancholy second-person lyrics pair perfectly with the hard-hitting guitar, bass, and drums. Sad Cell has quickly become one of my favorite bands to see live. They always bring the energy to their performances and the punk influence in their music always sparks a great mosh.
— Josh Manning
Josh’s Picks
You know I’m right - Shooks
GHOST RIDE - BLK ODYSSEY
Laurels - Pelvis Wrestley
Dream to Live - Valice
Bruises - Beach Blossom
Constraints - Sad Cell
Rock Show - The Woulds
Sitting, Waiting For Nothing - PaleFade
“Get Real Tough” by The Irons
Photo courtesy of @corduroycamera on IG
The Irons released “Get Real Tough” as the first single off its latest album, He's About to Blow. Hayden Harvard’s captivating voice blends with the band’s irresistible sound to tackle emotional vulnerability and the feelings that come with periods of change in a person’s life. The descriptive, introspective lyrics combined with the "Get Real Tough"'s upbeat, catchy pace make for another hit from The Irons.
— Addison Williams
Addison’s Picks
Get Real Tough - The Irons
Connie Converse - Van Mary
5 Year Warranty - Nevil
Till I Get Tired - Quiet Light
Baby Trouble - Baby
Depression Jazz - KindKeith
Your Mom Explodes - Rocking Chair Reality Room
Bodega Babies - The Pinky Rings
Anna - Golden Days
Cut it Close - stunts
“Wonder If…” by Valice
Photo by Lauren Stephens
A captivating and vibrant piece of musical brilliance, Valice’s latest single "Wonder If…" combines perfectly harmonized elements of keys and guitar that could capture the attention of any ATX venue in an instant. The wunderkind work of keyboardist David Fong, whose immaculate talent is showcased in each mellow and bright note, has promptly become one of the young band’s most popular tracks. Formulated together alongside the satisfying guitar riffs of Alex Young, "Wonder If…" inspires the dancer within everyone, creating an elated atmosphere anyone in the room can appreciate. I patiently await the release of a new single, and wonder when — not if — this group will rise to become one of Austin’s greats. — Klaus Reissenweber
Klaus’ Picks
Wonder If … - Valice
Sun-Glo - Jefferson Clay
Summer Sun - Hall Johnson
November - Flight by Nothing
Pictures of Dogs - sleep well.
Shade - Blue Heaven
Wasteland - Tealwaves
Sunflowers - Tortuga Shades
To My Love - Summer Rental
Friends - Chief Cleopatra
“Chesapeake” by stunts
Photo by Lauren Stephens
What is rustic indie? Stunts' "Chesapeake" is the only answer. Anthony Lawrence’s songwriting successfully translates as both lyrically strict yet instrumentally lenient, leaving room for the band to pitch in with each of their unique sounds. Best experienced live, Will Clark’s noise guitar solos and Miss Miranda’s lovely backing vocals give stunts the extra boost it needs to give any listener goosebumps.
— Catalina Pozos
Cat’s Picks
Chesapeake - Stunts
Goodbye Earth, Goodbye Now - Eli Josef
Backseat - Susannah Joffe
to the moon - Redbud
Moon Silver - Zero Percent APR
Dana Be Mine - TC Superstar
Daydreams - Clunis
Same strangers - Brother Sports