This week, the Austin Music Map visits the bright red, steel sided slab of a building on the east side – home to the local “Loyal Order of the Moose.” The venue has become one home of the city’s small but lively Conjunto revival.
Conjunto is a homegrown musical tradition that’s deeply rooted in Tejano working class culture. It was born at the end of the 19th century when the music of German migrants (think button accordions and polkas) collided with the music of Mexican migrants (think bajo sextos and dance bands.)
Conjunto was big in Texas through the 60s, 70s, even 80s, but then began to fade as Conjunto-friendly radio stations were bought out, the traditional audience got older, and the dance halls that had been Conjunto’s home went out of business.
Enter The Moose! With its low ceilings and wood paneling and taxidermied moose heads, it’s captured the spirit of those old venues and is trying to keep the scene alive.
KUTX’s Texas Music Matters is partnering with the national Localore initiative to create the Austin Music Map: a yearlong effort to go beyond the well-traveled streets of the Austin music scene in search of the hidden places where music is being made. We want your help discovering and documenting these places. To find out how to get involved, visit the Austin Music Map website or call our hotline with stories and tips: (512) 861-8266.
