All it took was “Black Moon Rising.” It felt and sounded like a classic, but it’s clearly here and now. Very now. After that, fans were craving an entire album, and the wait was pure torture. One track wasn’t enough.

In the relatively short time they’ve been a band, Black Pumas, featuring powerhouse vocalist Eric Burton and Grammy Award-winning guitarist and producer Adrian Quesada, has generated an overwhelming amount of excitement and anticipation over their self-titled debut LP. No surprise there. From its much-loved opening single to the very last “Sweet Conversations,” it’s outstanding, well-crafted soulfulness in its entirety, heavily influenced by R&B and hip-hop.

This is not a throwback. This is the real deal.

Don’t miss Black Pumas at their album release show tonight at Antone’s, 305 E. 5th St. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. So recommended it hurts.

-Eric Burton of Black Pumas. Image by Jimmy Bruch Photography.

Perhaps it’s the aura of mystique and the spectrum of different energies emanating from the distinctive sounds of traditional Eastern music that draw one in. Nagavalli takes it a step further, bringing East and West together with her own unique musical repertoire that continuously leaves audiences breathless.

The Austin-based songwriter creates Eastern soul on her album Immersion, which is what the experience is all about. It’s the opportunity to immerse oneself in the trancelike waves of Nagavalli’s extraordinary style combined with small touches of pop, rock and Eastern melodies.

The live experience cannot be denied. See Nagavalli perform tomorrow night at the Cactus Cafe, 2247 Guadalupe. Doors open at 8 p.m., and Barbara Nesbitt starts the show at 8:30 p.m. Remember to get your tickets early; the room fills up very quickly. Recommended.

-Photo courtesy of the artist.

You give pause to hear the soft, warm tones of Lindsey Verrill‘s disarming voice. It just happens. It’s an invitation to see the world as the Austin-based songwriter experiences it, through her musical project Little Mazarn. Jeff Johnston accompanies Verrill with his trusty saw, making the songs all the more ethereal with its ghostly tones.

Little Mazarn has spent quite a bit of time on the road, which makes the return all the sweeter. Little Mazarn performs tonight at Hard Luck Lounge, 3526 E. 7th St., along with Tony Kamel of Wood & Wire, doing a solo set.

Seriously, two Austin Music Minute faves right here. The music starts at 8 p.m. As Kamel himself recently said, it’s transcendental. Very recommended.

-Lindsey Verrill of Little Mazarn. Photography by Austin Price for KUTX.

It was a whirlwind, as it should be – San Francisco, L.A., Seattle, Portland, to name a few hot spots. Megafauna, led by vocalist and master shredder Dani Neff, recently returned from their tour promoting their fifth studio album, Ghost Coast, a joyride of multiple prog, pop, psych and rock riffs making the brain explode. It’s the shredding your AMM host has been raving about this whole time…!

You can experience it live at Megafauna’s homecoming show tonight at the Mohawk, 912 Red River, on the inside stage. They’re part of the line-up at Belcurve’s residency this evening, which includes piano-driven rock outfit Wrongbird. 8 p.m. So recommended.

-Photography by by Aaron Rimbey.

Your Austin Music Minute maven didn’t mince words when describing the Hole In the Wall on today’s AMM.

That weathered and worn building at 2538 Guadalupe is not just a favorite happy hour spot. It’s a touchstone – historic, iconic, a symbol, and a survivor. Think of any big names associated with the Austin music scene, and chances are, they’ve played some of their very first gigs there. Genuine badasses mingling with up-and-comers building their chops…that connection is a huge part of what it’s about.

This month, the much-beloved dive celebrates its 45^th year in the ATX with a weeklong, gigantic birthday celebration, filled with all manner of bands, starting tonight. This evening’s show includes sets by PR Newman, Mike & The Moonpies (featured on today’s AMM), Mayeux & Broussard, and John Evans. The music kicks off at 8 p.m.

Make sure to check the HITW calendar for this week’s birthday schedule. So many awesome bands that your head will explode.

-Photo of Mike & The Moonpies courtesy of the artist.