photo by Gabriel C. Pérez

 

Coming off the back of a wildly successful series of albums covering Black Sabbath and Public Enemy, Brownout returns with Berlin Sessions, their newest original full-length since 2012’s Oozy. The album earns its name not from the city, but from the record’s producer, Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. Delivering the same psychedelic, Latin funk that Brownout is known for, Berlin Sessions marks a point of evolution in the band. The addition of Alex Marrero as the group’s first permanent vocalist incorporates a whole new dynamic; English and Spanish blend just as seamlessly as Brownout moves between traditions and genres. The group joined host Jody Denberg and a live audience to perform two singles from Berlin Sessions, “Somewhere to Go” and “Nain”, before providing a special performance for members of the KUTX Concert Club.

Berlin Sessions is released on March 6. You can catch Brownout at 3TEN Austin City Limits Live on March 6 and 7!

– Cole Hunt/KUTX Intern

WEBSITE || TWITTER || INSTAGRAM || FACEBOOK

Host: Jody Denberg

Audio Engineers: Cliff Hargrove & Jake Perlman

Producer: Deidre Gott

Cameras: Gabriel C. Pérez, Patricia Lim & Steven Gonzalez

Photo by Julia Reihs

 

With Paradise, The Mattson 2 show us the sounds of evolution. Identical Twins Jonathon (Drums & Vocals) and Jared (Double Neck Guitar & Vocals) Mattson have forged a new path in contemporary jazz. Building upon influences by the celebrated players of the past, The Mattson 2 synergize the capabilities of the modern electric guitar with the sunshine of Japanese city pop. As their work represents a step forward in jazz, Paradise marks a personal milestone for the twins. The record is their second release on Chaz Bear’s (of Toro Y Moi) Company Records and their first to feature vocals. To present a new challenge and to appease some fans’ long-held demands, the brothers sing for the first time in their 15 years performing as The Mattson 2. Listen to them explain that transition to Laurie Gallardo below!

Don’t forget to catch The Mattson 2 on tour this spring!

– Cole Hunt/KUTX Intern

WEBSITE || TWITTER || INSTAGRAM || FACEBOOK

 

 

Host: Laurie Gallardo

Audio Engineer: Jake Perlman

Producer: Deidre Gott

Cameras: Julia Reihs, Patricia Lim & Faith Castle

Edit: Faith Castle (“Wavelength”) & Patricia Lim (“Essence”)

photo by Michael Minasi/KUTX

 

Synthetic bass booms like a canon while sly brass dances tauntingly between volleys. On “Contra Todo”, the opening track to iLe’s newest project Almadura, these disparate sounds of war find harmony beneath Ileana Cabra Joglar’s commanding voice. Having toured with her brothers in Calle 13 since she was 16 years old, Ileana’s songs reflect her experience. She sings as if she wants to teach us—yet she keeps some of her wisdom to herself.

Her knowledge originates from a variety of sources. In discussion with host Michael Crockett, she explains her musical diet, ranging from salsa and bolero to hip hop and jazz. This eclecticism reveals itself in her union of electronic composition and traditional acoustic instrumentation. Her challenging of genre earned Ileana her second Grammy nomination for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album. Listen to Ileana explain her desire to evolve yet honor the music of her native Puerto Rico below!

Stay updated on iLe’s live performances here.

– Cole Hunt/KUTX Intern

WEBSITE || TWITTER || INSTAGRAM || FACEBOOK

Host: Michael Crockett

Audio Engineer: Jake Perlman

Producer: Deidre Gott

Cameras: Michael Minasi & José Daniel Moreno

Edit: José Daniel Moreno & Julia Reihs

“Adrenaline”, the first song off of Cosmic Chaos’s newest record, Eye Can See, describes the band perfectly: high energy and unstoppable. The 5-piece breathes new life into the Austin psychedelic scene, building off of Austin legends such as the 13th Floor Elevators and The Black Angels. Led by Laura Mendoza, the band consists of the tried-and-true rock formation along with a permanent set of bongos, pumping a tropical flavoring into their brand of psychedelia. The band is accustomed to adorning their lineup with extra features; for their record release show at Cheer Up Charlie’s, four additional players (flute, saxophone, fiddle, and second fiddle) joined Cosmic Chaos on stage. Listen to the band explain how they maxed-out the number of audio inputs at Cheer Up’s below!

Laura also helps run Secret Soup Records, self-releasing all Cosmic Chaos works.

You can catch Cosmic Chaos at Swan Dive on February 21st!

– Cole Hunt/KUTX Intern

WEBSITE || FACEBOOK

 

Host: Taylor Wallace

Audio Engineer: Jake Perlman

Producer: Deidre Gott

photo by Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon

With an Elvis inspired haircut, a guitar tone borrowed from Springsteen, and a childhood spent running around Louisiana, Rod Melancon is the perfect example of what raw, modern, and exciting rock ‘n’ roll looks and sounds like. Look no further than his recent release Pinkville which weaves through genres like weeds in a Southern swamp. With every song, he jumps from story to story, describing the down-trodden characters that range from soldiers in the Vietnam War to rockers in a bank heist to a musician in a state of “Manic Depression”. After his relocation to Austin following a ten-year residence in Los Angeles, Melancon is able to find the roots in roots rock once again, delivering his most personal performance on what may be his best work yet.

You can catch Rod Melancon at the Cactus Cafe on February 27th.

– Cole Hunt/KUTX 

WEBSITE || TWITTER || INSTAGRAM || FACEBOOK

 

Host: Laurie Gallardo

Audio Engineer: Jake Perlman

Producer: Deidre Gott

Cameras: Julia Reihs, José Daniel Moreno, Steven Gonzalez

Editor: Julia Reihs