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National Tourism Week: Jax’s Top 5 Austin Music Venues

 

In honor of National Tourism Week, we’re highlighting our team’s favorite spots that truly make Austin an international destination. Every day this week, we’re bringing you ways to enjoy the Live Music Capital of the World.

 

Jax Washington, our Super Senior Experience Guide and music expert, was given the impossible task of picking out her top music venues in Austin. We say this is hard for her because she goes out almost every night to catch live music. From collecting set lists to making SXSW spreadsheets, Jax is a hotbed of music knowledge (and we are so lucky to have such an expert curate our Live Music Crawls with such precision and care).

 

Without further ado, here are Jax’s picks:

My Top 5 Favorite Austin Music Venues

5 – Saxon Pub

Feels like old Austin and it’s so beloved by locals, a documentary was made about it that premiered at SXSW in 2019. This venue truly is a listening room where guests know good music and every act that takes the stage is amazing. Most acts are local, blending Blues, Country, Roots, Rock and Americana.

4 – Sahara Lounge

A hidden gem in the Northeast that specializes in World music from Latin to African and every band will make you wanna get up and shake it out on the dance floor.

3 – ACL Live

Stellar acoustics and none of the 2,750 seats are more than 75 feet away from the stage. A truly ideal place to catch bigger touring acts in all genres or attend a live taping of Austin City Limits.

2 – Hotel Vegas

Very authentic Eastside Austin vibe and shows on their patio always feel like a festival. They host mostly local acts in all genres, including regular cumbia nights.

1 – Mohawk

Intimate rock venue w/two stages, a tiered balcony for better viewing and a capacity of 900 guests. My advice is always to get there early so you can snag a space on the first row of the balcony and enjoy the clearest view.

My Top 5 Favorite Local Bands:

5 – Star Parks – Experimental Pop
4 – Black Pumas – Psychedelic Soul
3 – The Octopus Project – Indietronica
2 – Spoon – Indie Rock
1 – The Black Angels – Psychedelic Rock

Thanks to Jax for putting together these lists, and keep posted on what else we have lined up for you this National Tourism Week!

#WeCreateFun

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Things To Do In Austin 2024

Austin may be known as the Live Music Capital of the World, but it’s so much more than that. Whether you’re a local or a visitor looking for something unique & fun to do, this list can help you Keep it Weird all year long!

  1. Catch Downtown Views – The best views of the Austin skyline are at the Pfluger pedestrian bridge, the top of the parking lot at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar, and the St. Edwards campus.
  2. Join Us on Our Real Austin Tour– Want to see all the highlights in only 2 hours? This overview tour is led by a local tour guide and will take you to the most iconic landmarks as well as some lesser-known hidden gems.
  3. Learn at the Carver Museum – Austin’s neighborhood history museum, featuring rotating exhibits and a permanent collection highlighting the African-American experience in Texas. 
  4. Eat Tex Mex – Tex-Mex is the original fusion food. Not quite Mexican and not quite Texan, it’s a cheesy combination of the two. There is no shortage of Tex-Mex restaurants in the city. For authentic cuisine, try Cafe Hornitos. Visit Chuy’s for the quintessential Austin experience. Head to Taquero Mucho for the trendiest Tex-Mex in town.
  5. Ride Over the Flyovers – Did you know the towering highway interchanges are called five-stacks? The tallest and scariest are at Ben White heading East and turning North onto I-35, 290 heading west and then South onto I-35, and Mo-Pac heading North and turning West onto 183. Experiencing all that Austin has to offer also includes witnessing the traffic first-hand. Plus, you’ll likely see these overpasses on your way to one of the activities on this list. Two birds, one stone!
  6. Buc-ees – Out-of-towners will appreciate a day trip to one of the giant Buc-ees stores in New Braunfels, Luling, or Bastrop. It’s the only truck stop worth a trip all by itself.
  7. Visit Lockhart – It’s not actually Austin, but it’s a short jaunt from Austin to find The BBQ Capital of Texas and a picturesque small-town courthouse square.
  8. Twelfth Street Bar Crawl – Everyone knows about the three different party districts of Sixth Street, but no one has told you yet about the bars and nightclubs on East 12th. A Sixth Street bar crawl would be strenuous and require detailed planning, but Twelfth Street is short enough to be survivable.
  9. Eat Your Gizzards – Some people don’t realize that fried gizzards are amazing. Ask for them by name at Terry’s Seafood on Airport, or at Lucy’s Fried Chicken.
  10. Get Off at the Crestview Train Station – Where Lamar and Airport Boulevards meet, there’s a train station and a magical neighborhood filled with breweries, bars, Korean hot dogs, Asian groceries, and Japanese books and gifts.
  11. Take Our Live Music Crawl Tour – With hundreds of live music venues scattered throughout the city, the Austin live music scene really is something special. We’ll go to 3 different shows throughout the night and return before midnight.
  12. Laugh at the LBJ Library – There’s an animatronic LBJ who tells jokes, and he’s waiting for you. The Library is filled with permanent & temporary exhibits, and there are usually some interesting events happening too!
  13. Explore the Texas Hill Country – If you want to get out of the city for a beat, join us on our Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle. This round-trip experience lasts about 5 hours, and you’ll get to experience authentic Texas BBQ at Salt Lick followed by visits to 2 Hill Country wineries. Perfect for solo travelers and groups alike!
  14. Watch the Butterflies at Waterloo Park – Nowhere in America will you find a more overly landscaped park. But the butterflies love it. Currently spanning 11 acres with plans to stretch from The Capitol to Lady Bird Lake, there is no shortage of unique sights to take in.
  15. Catch a Flick at Austin Film Society – AFS is home to various screenings & events and aims to highlight Austin filmmakers. Know a local indie director? Reach out to AFS to see if you can book space for a private screening!
  16. Get Nostalgic Media at We Luv Video – The last video store in town went out of business in the pandemic but was reborn as a non-profit. Check it out before the volunteers get tired of cos-playing as video store clerks.
  17. Wander a Farmer’s Market – On nearly any day of the week, you can find a bunch of farmers trying to make eye contact with you to tell you about their organic bok choy. 
  18. Circle Mueller Lake – It’s not just rainwater retention. Mueller Lake is the closest Austin has to Central Park’s Great Lawn.
  19. Get Terrified at a Haunted House – It doesn’t matter if it’s not actually Halloween. Haunted houses have to pay the bills, so they’re open for nearly every holiday now.
  20. Get Creative at Austin Creative Reuse – You can probably find something to do with the recycled art supplies. You were thinking of getting into scrapbooking anyway. Don’t know where to start? They also regularly host workshops to help you get inspired!
  21. Eat a Kolache –  The best places to get this iconic Texas mistranslation of a Czech desert are at Batch, near Mueller, and Weikels, technically in Leander. Driving from Houston? The halfway mark is home to Hruska’s Bakery, which offers authentic kolaches, coffee, gifts, and more!
  22. Eat some Breakfast Tacos – Our popular Breakfast Taco Tour will leave you feeling full & happy. We’ll visit 3 taco spots so that you can taste a little bit of everything. Try the Texas Holy Trinity (queso, salsa & guac) out for yourself.
  23. Visit Circuit of the Americas – Whether you’re looking to catch a race or do some karting yourself, there’s no shortage of entertainment at Austin’s iconic COTA.
  24. Paddle Board on Lady Bird Lake – Is any “Things to Do in Austin” list really complete without mentioning stand-up paddleboarding? At any given time you’ll find at least one person using a paddle board to take in the Austin skyline.
  25. Visit the LBJ Wildflower Center – Spanning 284 acres, the Wildflower Center is home to various flora & fauna. The perfect activity for all ages. Side note – you’ll soon notice that nearly everything in Austin is named LBJ or Moody.
  26. Eat at DeSano Pizzeria – Authentic Neapolitan pizza with two locations in Austin? Enough said. Featuring wood-fired grills, DeSano is one of the few places in Austin that offer a true Italian pizza experience.
  27. Hang out at Cidercade – With no shortage of arcade games or cider choices, Cidercade is located in the heart of Austin and is a great option for children & adults alike.
  28. Walk the University of Texas – The 40 Acres is located just north of Downtown Austin. Home to over 50,000 students, UT is a campus worth exploring. From the iconic Texas Tower to the newly constructed Moody Center, there’s plenty to see no matter which direction you look.
  29. Check out The Domain – Whether you’re looking to shop, explore the nightlife, or view some of Austin’s big tech hubs, there’s plenty to see at the Domain.
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ACL Fest Night Shows to See in Austin

We consulted with our resident music aficionado, Super Experience Host Jax Washington, to get all the shows you won’t want to miss this Austin City Limits Musical Festival season that are not taking place at Zilker Park.

ACL Fest Nights  are ACL official shows that offer opportunities to catch individual shows across town, spanning multiple venues from Moody Amphitheater, Stubb’s, Emo’s, Scoot Inn, Superstition, 3Ten, C-Boys Heart & Soul, and Antone’s. Although tickets will be in demand, the best place to check inventory is on Do512.

Without further ado, here are Jax’s top three recs:

  • Saturday, October 7th: Yves Tumor @ Scoot Inn
  • Monday, October 9th – Cigarettes After Sex @ Moody Amphitheater
  • Friday, October 13th – The Breeders @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater

Honorary mention (and non-ACL Fest Nights show):

  • Wednesday, October 11th – !!! @ Parish

We hope everyone has a wonderful festival season!

If you’re looking to get a taste of three music venues in one night (and hang out with Jax), try any of our Austin music tours.

 

 

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Catch Great Music on a Tight Budget in ATX

Blog takeover with Jax Washington, Super Experience Host and in-house music expert, shares some of her favorite places to catch a show in Austin, Texas: 

Austin, TX remains the “Live Music Capital of the World” where you can catch a great show any night of the week. But shows can get expensive. That shouldn’t stop live music fans with tighter budgets from getting out and supporting talented musicians. Thankfully, there are a few fantastic venues in Austin that consistently book the best talent while managing to keep their ticket prices low.

One of the most beloved music venues in ATX is The Saxon Pub on South Lamar Blvd. Opened in 1990, the venue has hosted more than 30,000 acts and hosts music every single night of the week. Regarded as a listening room, The Saxon Pub is where Austinites go to support newer acts as well as more established musicians of all genres, especially roots, rock, blues, soul and classic country. Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Bob Schneider and Bonnie Raitt are among the many greats who’ve taken the stage at The Saxon Pub. The venue is so beloved by locals that a documentary was made about it called “Nothing Stays The Same: The Story of The Saxon Pub” which premiered at the 2019 SXSW Film Conference. The first show on the bill each night is usually free and cover prices for the later acts are very affordable ranging from $10 to $25.

 

For jazz enthusiasts, you can’t beat Austin’s premiere jazz club, The Elephant Room. Located in the heart of Congress Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets, the venue hosts the best trios, quartets, orchestras and soloists every single night of the week. Named after the largest archeological discovery of Mastodon bones west of the Mississippi that were dug up at this very spot, the venue itself is quite something to behold. Catch a show Sunday through Wednesday and you won’t pay a cover. On Fridays and Saturdays, you’ll only pay $7 to get in.

Fans of blues, R&B, soul and rockabilly will love C-Boys Heart & Soul on South Congress. Like the Saxon Pub and Elephant Room, C-Boys hosts music every single night of the week and many shows are free. When they do charge a cover it’s typically $5-$15. You’ll get the best value when you go on a Thursday night when they open up the Jade Room, the upstairs hidden gem of a venue where talented local blues duo, Mel & James, often perform.

 

These are just a few of the many places in Austin where you can catch a great show at an affordable price. To see who’s playing at each of these venues and find even more great shows that fit your budget, visit Do512.com. Can’t decide which shows to choose, let us help. Join us on our Live Music Crawl running nightly Wednesday through Saturday from 8pm-11pm. You’ll keep it weird while supporting three great acts at three of our most beloved local venues here in ATX. To learn more about the tour and purchase tickets, please visit: https://austindetours.com/austin-music-tours/.

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Top 5 Historic Downtown Austin Landmarks You Can Explore By Foot

There are so many cities in the United States that have sprawling city centers, but Austin is lucky to be relatively condensed for such a rapidly growing destination. Many historical sites are located downtown and within walking distance of each other. We’ve put together a quick list of stops that highlight Austin’s history.

1) The Texas State Capitol 

The crowning jewel of Austin’s downtown, our Texas State Capitol is an architectural achievement that you don’t have to be a history buff to fully enjoy. With over 22 acres of land, the grounds not only hold one of the tallest Capitol buildings in the United States (everything is bigger here in Texas), but it is also home to an array of monuments and statues. We recommend starting out at the front of the building at the Texas African American History Memorial before making your way into the Capitol. By square footage, the Texas Capitol is the biggest of all the other states; you’ll believe it when you start exploring the hallways. Don’t forget to see the underground extension which was constructed in the early 1990s.

Photo Courtesy of Austin History Center, City Public Library

2) Treaty Oak Square 

Every Central Texan is familiar with the oak tree, and the grandest of them all is the Treaty Oak. Known as the last surviving member of Council Oaks, a grove of 14 sacred trees used as a meeting place for the Tonkawa and Comanche tribes, this tree has been estimated to be over 500 years old. A lot of folklore surrounds this tree, many claim Texas pioneers like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston negotiated deals and rested under this tree. Sadly in the late 1980s, a man vandalized the oak with herbicide and almost killed it. Through community fundraising and a blank check from politician Ross Perot, the Treaty Oak was miraculously saved and has since been producing acorns.

3) Buford Tower

We get this question all the time: What is that brick tower? Located just north of the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail, the Buford Tower is a fire drill tower build in 1930 for the Austin Fire Department. Austin’s skyline was quickly emerging downtown; although nothing like our modern-day skyscrapers, Austin’s buildings were being built taller than ever before in the early 1900s. Our fire department needed a structure to train for these architectural developments, and that’s how the drill tower was born. With its location so close to the lake, firefighters could easily practice putting out a multi-story fire without the worry of wasting water. Named after firefighter Captain James L. Buford, this is a quick stop you can check out before hitting the walking trails.

Photo courtesy of The Driskill

4) Driskill Hotel 

Known as Austin’s first hotel, the Driskill has seen its fair share of history. Constructed in 1886 by a wealthy cattle baron, Jesse Driskill, the hotel was one of the grandest places you could visit south of St. Louis. Since it’s opening, it has hosted every Governor’s inaugural ball and was even the first date destination for President Lyndon B. Johnson and Claudia Taylor (aka Lady Bird), who would later become First Lady. Located just off Congress on 6th Street, be sure to channel your inner medium when you’re in the building: many say it’s haunted (even by Jesse Driskill himself).

5) Eureka! (Home to the first Antone’s)

Just across the street from the Driskill Hotel, you’ll find a cozy restaurant called Eureka! What you may not know about this building is that it was home to the first Antone’s Nightclub, an Austin live music icon. Since the 1970s, this is the venue for blues and rock and roll. Steven Ray Vaughan, an Austin legend, got his big break there, and although the club has moved off of 4th street, it’s an iconic spot that helped shape the city. You can still catch some live music at Eureka (typically a one-person and guitar setup), but be sure to check out Antone’s calendar to see some great acts (and only a short walk away from 6th street).

 

You can see a few of these landmarks on our Real Austin Tour, a 2-hour bucket list experience of Austin that takes you to iconic spots but also goes off the beaten path for an adventure fit for a local.

Book yours today!

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Dominate SXSW Without a Badge – Tips, Tricks & Wisdom

Doing SXSW without a badge (free, or mostly free) is very possible and even enjoyable. No need to spend a fortune on a pass. Going badge-less means attending day parties, so set your alarm clock. You’ll be burning the candle at both ends this week, but it’s all in the name of great music and is well worth it. You never know who or what you might see around town – I mean, Jason Sudeikis has already bartended at  The Highball, and we’re not even 48 hours into SXSW.

Day parties are usually events staged in conjunction with SXSW, but are not officially sanctioned by the festival. These parties will be in stores, parking lots, small bars, large bars, patios, etc., just about any place where you can set up a microphone. The “headline” events you’ll read about with big stars (Garth Brooks, Weezer, Wu-Tang Clan this year) are for those holding SXSW badges or wristbands. If you want to purchase a badge or wristband, this is the place to go.

You need to keep in mind though, that SXSW is all about discovering new, unheralded talent so many of the acts you may see are unknown. That doesn’t mean they will be unknown forever.

Alabama Shakes perform at South by San Jose – 2012. Photo courtesy of Denny Angelle.

For example, Alabama Shakes played a number of free shows in 2012 including the walk-right-up-everyone’s-welcome event South by San Jose on South Congress. Even when they played in the parking lot of a pizzeria in 2009, Mumford and Sons rocked their future hit “The Cave” and a very long time ago (we forget the year) we saw young Norah Jones playing under a tent at a Starbucks near the UT campus.

We’re saying don’t expect to see huge superstars perform, although you never know who you might bump into wandering the streets of Austin. You may be able to see an act you’ve heard of, and if so congratulations – you’re lucky.

Another thing: don’t be tied to a schedule. Be flexible, follow your ears, and you may discover some new music you love.

 

SXSW at the French Legation Museum – 2012. Photo courtesy of Denny Angelle.

OK, so here are some tips:

1. See the big picture: these links will take you to sites that offer an overview of everything going on that’s not official SXSW. Many of these also have links to RSVPs, which you should do even if you don’t think you will make an event.

  • Showlist Austin – A great resource, it breaks down events by day and location and helpfully provides links to RSVPs.
  • Do512 – A vitally useful website for events year-round, they really shine during SXSW. Select a day that you’ll be around, and you will see a giant list of events. You can RSVP to many events right here.
  • Austin 360 Music – Provided by the Austin Statesman, it is also fairly comprehensive.
  • Unofficial SXSW Parties & Free Shows – Compiled by the Austin Chronicle.
  • Unofficial SXSW Guide – A good list, with lots of obscure and out-of-the-way events.

2. Keep an eye on social media: Hashtag SXSW or SXSW day parties, and you’ll see a flurry of accounts. If you’re interested in a certain venue, a certain band or a certain type of music, you can see that reflected in some accounts. Follow them, and keep an eye on Twitter/Facebook/etc. for last-minute and “surprise” shows.

3. Prepare: Wear comfortable shoes. Bring along an extra pair of socks. Get a cheap plastic rain poncho that folds into a pocket. A little cash is a good idea, too. Basically prepare like you’re going to go camping. This is an adventure after all.

4. Know how to get around: Drive your car if you must, but getting around downtown Austin and points nearby is all but impossible during SXSW. Especially if you’re prowling around for day parties – remember, it’s still a work day for the people who live here and they have to park too. It’s a good idea to park at an established garage and leave your car for the day. Better yet, download the Capital Metro app and use that to purchase day passes and ride the bus. B-cycle is also a wonderful resource, weather permitting.

Music in motion – SXSW 2012. Photo courtesy of Denny Angelle.

5. Carry along your phone charging cord:  Many establishments will let you charge for a short time. Remember, turn on Airplane Mode when charging (it charges faster) and don’t forget to turn it off after charging. There are literally tens of thousands of people in one small area, and many are using cell phones so don’t be surprised if your service is slow or non-existent.

6. Live in the moment: You’re welcome to snap a few photos on your phone, but put it away after that and live in the moment.  And do you really want to be that guy who records an entire show on video?

7. Know what you’re waiting for: Yes, some day parties offer free food and drinks (and some offers free beer). Those are the ones with long lines to get in, so keep that in mind.

8. The music sets are short: If you’ve never been to SXSW before, almost all the acts play very short sets. Just enough for you get a taste of their music, then it’s time for the next act.

The Zombies perform at Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop – 2013. Photo courtesy of Denny Angelle.

Some selected events you may want to build your schedule around (all are free, unless noted):

  • KGSR Live Morning Broadcasts – Beginning at the W Hotel at 6 a.m. Wednesday-Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday, KGSR has the acts play a couple of songs and do interviews live on the radio. There’s a $5 cover charge.
  • KUTX Live at the Four Seasons – More acts live on the radio, this one has a $10 cover charge. Also, you can park in the hotel’s garage for $5 until 1 p.m.
  • Waterloo Records Day Party – The venerable record store hosts live music in its parking lot Wednesday-Saturday.
  • South by San Jose – A very popular day party in the parking lot of the San Jose Hotel on South Congress, this usually attracts big crowds in the evenings. There are many other live music events and restaurants nearby, so you could conceivably make this the center of your SXSW activity.
  • Southwest Invasion 2017 – This one has become more popular in recent years. It’s on the rooftop of Whole Foods Market on South Lamar, and it always has a diverse lineup. (RSVP required)
  • SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake – An official SXSW event open to everyone at Auditorium Shores. Headliners are usually big enough names that can draw some huge crowds. This year Latino bands offer a “resist concert” on Thursday, while Friday’s lineup includes a tribute to Prince by former members of his Purple Rain-era band The Revolution, along with Wyclef Jean. Saturday’s show is yet to be announced. (Admission requires a free SXSW Guest Pass; click here to get one. The Guest Pass will also allow you free entry to selected other official events including lectures, films and music performances.)

Now that you’ve been briefed – go have fun! Enjoy this crazy, unique festival that brings tens of thousands of people to our fair city annually (just please don’t move here).

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5 Live Music Venues in Austin That Also Have Great Food

 

It’s no secret that when it comes to what we’re thankful for this Thanksgiving, it’s definitely Austin’s live music scene. What could possibly be better than seeing a show in the Live Music Capitol of the World? Well, perhaps seeing a show while eating delicious food could be better. Austin has seemingly limitless options of places to catch live music, but if music paired with great food is what you seek, see our choices below of places where you can catch great music and enjoy either a snack or a full meal. We all know food tastes better when you eat it while watching live music!

Stubb’s BBQ

This BBQ joint blew up in the 70s and was a major player in the live music scene of Austin, offering a stage to the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and many others.  Musicians stopped by and “played for their supper,” oftentimes leaving with a plate of Christopher B. Stubblefield’s (a.k.a. Stubb’s) delicious barbecue in hand. Besides having a killer outdoor amphitheater, Stubb’s also has an intimate indoor stage where live music is featured nightly. Each Sunday Stubb’s hosts Gospel Brunch, a buffet with live gospel music, where you can indulge in grits, fried catfish and BBQ brisket.

Threadgill’s

Threadgills started out as a filling station and beer joint, showcasing hundreds of legendary Texas musicians over the years such as Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Today, Threadgill’s is a one-stop shop for southern comfort food, great live music and a nostalgic atmosphere. Enjoy yourself something southern fried, chicken fried, or maybe just go straight for the delicious pie options. Whatever you choose, just remember that Threadgill’s has a Sunday Brunch weekly featuring different musicians each week.

Shady Grove

For some time now, local radio station 93.3 KGSR has teamed up with Shady Grove and their awesome, festive outdoor patio, to host Unplugged at The Grove. Running every Thursday night from April through September, Unplugged at The Grove features a packed bill of local artists. Grab a seat outside and look over the menu that is stuffed with regional delicacies such as tamale cakes, tortilla fried catfish and chili cheese fries! Mmm!

Guero’s Taco Bar

Guero’s Taco Bar boasts just about the best location in Austin: right smack-dab in the thick of bustling South Congress Avenue. With a front patio perfect for people watching, as well as two large dining rooms and the lively Oak Garden right next door, you can do a lot more than just eat tasty Tex-Mex here. Enjoy a heaping plate of enchiladas or tacos, and don’t forget to check out the salsa bar! When you’re ready for some live music, hop next door to the Oak Garden to see who is playing. Don’t worry, you can bring your drink with you! Look for live music at the Oak Garden during summer months and on weekends.

Lambert’s BBQ

Right downtown, you can easily walk to Lambert’s and wander into their upstairs bar, where musicians perform nightly. If you’re looking to dine in, stay downstairs and breathe in the essence of Lambert’s glorious slowed smoked BBQ. Serving up Texas faire alongside local beer, great cocktails and a swanky vibe, Lambert’s is your downtown stop for great BBQ and live music.

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Interested in Austin’s thriving live music scene? Join us for our Austin Live Music Crawl every Friday and Saturday. You’ll tour around the city, hitting up Austin’s classiest live music venues and seeing shows handpicked by our very own local musicians.

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Live Music Capital of the World: 5 Austin musicians you can’t miss

In 1991 Austin was proclaimed the “live music capital of the world” after discovering the city has more music venues per capita than anywhere else in the USA. With over 250 live music venues and a mix of long-time musicians and bands playing daily, it’s hard to miss great music while visiting Austin.

Visiting several venues every week, we’ve gotten to know the scene and the people that make it what it is. Austin has an endless supply of amazing talent, but we have a few favorites. Check out our pick of five musicians you can’t miss when visiting Austin.

Guy Forsyth

This Texas native has been a staple on the Austin music scene for over 20 years and has won several Austin Music Awards over that time, including “best male vocalist” in 2005. He is mainly a blues musician but also includes a little bit of rock, R&B, jazz, pop and folk into his music.

This singer, songwriter also plays the guitar and harmonica. He’s opened for Ray Charles, B.B. King, Jimmie Vaughan and many more blues icons. Guy tours all over the USA and Europe regularly but calls Austin home. When in town, you can find him at places like ABGB, Saxon Pub and more.

Shelley King

King is an absolute force when she steps on stage. You can’t help but watch her take down the house with her soulful blues, country, rock and folk performances. Originally from Arkansas, she’s been on the Austin music scene for almost 20 years and served as the first female Texas State Musician.

The singer, songwriter and guitarist’s work expand beyond her own performances. Her song “Texas Blue Moon” was duetted by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood. Shelley tours the USA regularly. While in Austin, you can catch her at places like the Continental Club, Saxon Pub and more.

Dave Insley’s Careless Smokers

Insley was a born to be a musician. He’s played in several rock and country band since the 80s and has toured all over the world with them. The Kansas-born, roots country musician is known for his baritone voice. He’s lived all over the USA, but especially fell in love with the Southwest. Living in Arizona for a number of years, he was named the state’s best songwriter in 2005.

Insley moved to Austin ten years ago and can be found performing all over the city often with his road band the Careless Smokers. He’s a regular performer at places like the White Horse, where his country swagger matches the hip honky-tonk to perfection.

Nash Hernandez Orchestra

Started in 1949, the Nash Hernandez Orchestra is Austin’s longest running big band. At the band’s start, all the initial musicians were Hispanic and taught to play by Nash himself. They went on to make their own name in Tejano music and the orchestra has filled their place with new great talent decade after decade.

Nash was a trumpeter that got his start in Fredericksburg, TX, performing with German polka bands. He’s received recognition not only from the City of Austin and State of Texas for his contributions to the community, the city’s music scene and Latino music, but also former Vice-President Al Gore. He passed away in 1994, but his legacy lives on with the 12-man band of drummers, saxophonists, trumpeters and more who still perform all over Austin, directed by Nash’s youngest son, Ruben Hernandez. You can find them regularly at Donn’s Depot.

Eric Tessmer

Eric and his bandmates are the perfect example of young artists with amazing talent coming to Austin to make it in the live music scene. Performing all over the city, their bluesy, rock music is sure to get you out of your seats and stompin’ your feet.

Check them out regularly at places like Antone’s, Saxon Pub and more.

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Want to see all these acts and more Austin musicians? Join us for our Austin Live Music Crawl every Thursday, Friday and Saturday (but check the schedule through that link). You’ll tour around the city going to Austin’s class live music venues and seeing shows handpicked by our very own local musicians.

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Austin’s Live Music Scene: A Quick History

Austin_Live_Music_Tour

Austin’s live music scene has been going strong since the German beer hall days of the 1870s. In fact, the oldest continuously operated business west of the Mississippi is Sholtz Garten on San Jacinto Boulevard. General Custer used to hang out there when he was stationed here in the cavalry. It has a great outdoor stage with the German Alps painted on the back wall, and remains an awesome venue to this day. You can learn more here: http://www.scholzgarten.com

In the 30s, the Chitlin Circuit was thriving with Eastside music halls bringing in the likes of the late great BB King, to Ray Charles, and everyone in between. This part of Austin’s musical legacy is strong and crucial to understanding the soul of the city. In the 50s Rock and Roll came to town, and Austin was one of the stops for a young Elvis Presley when he started his career. Elvis later said he made around $250 a night playing here, and many of today’s local musicians will tell you little has changed! In the 60s, a barefoot young girl walked into a place called Threadgill’s Tavern and asked to sing. The owner, Kenneth Threadgill, a Texas folk singer who performed with Hank Williams, is considered the “Father of Austin Country Music.” He heard her sing one song, recognized her talent and took her under his wing. Her name was Janis Joplin. You can read more about Threadgill’s here: http://www.threadgills.com

Back in the late 60s Austin was a sleepy town of 200,000 people mainly made up of three groups: the white conservative cowboys, the long haired tie-dye liberal hippies, and the politicians. These groups didn’t get along. Then a guy by the name of Eddie Wilson had a vision of uniting Austin through music, and did so by opening the Armadillo World Headquarters, a giant hall holding 1,500. His buddy, a certain Willie Nelson, decided to lend a hand. Turns out the cowboys liked Willie’s music, and the hippies liked Willie’s music, and he made sure they liked each other. He was known for pausing a show to stop a fight between the factions, and encouraging everyone to see each other as the neighbors they were. Even if they were different, they shared the music. It wasn’t long before you saw long haired guys wearing cowboy hats and cowboys smoking stuff that wasn’t necessarily tobacco. Willie is credited with starting the “Cosmic Cowboy” movement, and launching Austin as the “Live Music Capitol of the World.”

The 70s brought the Outlaw Cowboys. The 80s brought Punk. The 90s brought Garage Bands, and the millennium was the start of the Festival Age. From SXSW, to ACL, to Fun Fun Fun Fest, and all the rest – year round music lovers flock to Austin by the millions to get as close to the magic as they can.

The heart of the Austin music story is community. We are not competitive like Nashville, LA, and NYC. We produce songs as entertainment, and then we share them. We are not the mainstream. We are the undercurrent. The biggest names in music frequently come to Austin to write, produce, and record their next platinum record, and then return to Nashville, NY, or LA to deal with the lawyers and the paparazzi. Austin plays the part of the muse for the music industry.

Musicians love Austin because it has a different measure of success that those other cities. Here it is not how many Grammy’s, or platinum albums you have, or what kind of car you drive or how big your house is, in Austin if you are putting your art out there, you are considered by your peers to be a success. You don’t have to be a household name or a millionaire, just being creative is enough. So lots of musicians who have banged their head against the walls for years in Nashville, LA and NYC move here to enjoy this noncompetitive creative vibe.

Music is not only big fun in Austin, it is also big money. The music scene generates 1.7 billion dollars each year for our local economy. It’s a win-win for all concerned.

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BBQ & Boot Stompin’

BBQ Boot Stompin
We recently tailored a unique BBQ-themed private detour for two overseas clients stopping over in Austin as part of a summer-long adventure around the US. They wanted to combine our BBQ & Brew and Boot Stompin’ detours, so we handcrafted an awesome experience exactly as they wanted! We started with generous servings of brisket, ribs, sausage and all the fixin’s at the SaltLick BBQ, and then headed to The Broken Spoke to help all that food digest. To round off the evening we called in at Donn’s Depot and danced into the early hours.
We love creating special events that will last long in our clients’ memories. Check out our full list of detours and give us a call if you’d like us to craft something just for you.

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