Photo by Gabriel C. Pérez/KUTX

Normally, My KUTX is recorded as live as possible in our talk studio: the guest DJ speaks and cues me while I handle the mic and music levels. It’s a bit of a dance, requiring clear communication and an ability to work with the differing rhythm of each guest DJ.

And now, all of that is out the window with the coronovirus pandemic, but thankfully, technology has never been easier to approximate the same process. Tim Showalter, guitarist and singer for Strand Of Oaks, recorded his own My KUTX from the comfort and safety of his home studio here in Austin. He’s cheekily calling it Shut In Radio Hour, sourcing all the music from his personal vinyl collection. I miss the give-and-take of taping My KUTX in person, but I think Tim’s set is just as intimate as usual. Hopefully, the vinyl hiss, his positivity, and the beautiful mix he put together will lift you up a bit this week. Hear Shut In Radio Hour live on Saturday, March 28 at 6 p.m., or listen at any time in the player below.

–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX

Playlist:

1. Chris Bell – “I Am The Cosmos”

2. Sparklehorse – “Piano Fire”

3. Antony & The Johnsons – “Fistful Of Love”

4. Primal Scream – “Slip Inside This House”

5. Shye Ben-Tzur, Jonny Greenwood, & The Rajasthan Express – “Julus”

6. Augustus Pablo – “Skylarking”

7. Radiohead – “Identikit”

8. Caribou – “Can’t Do Without You”

9. William Onyeabor – “Good Name”

10. The Cure – “Disintegration”

Photo by Christopher Durst

Kathy Valentine grew up in Austin, taking in her first punk shows at the famed Armadillo World Headquarters. A few years later, she had a number one hit album as the bassist of the Go-Gos. This is just one of many twist and turns in her life, all recounted in a new memoir from the University of Texas Press. All I Ever Wanted is a mix of storytelling and remembrance, highlighted by an original soundtrack that Valentine made to coincide with each of the book’s chapters.

Valentine’s upcoming book tour is obviously being affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Please go here to find dates that are still scheduled, as well as ways to support local bookstores who will be hurting in the weeks to come.

At the very least, we’re pleased we can share this guest DJ set that Valentine recorded for us a few weeks ago. The mix combines her love of stories with a passion for music of all kinds, ranging from Curtis Mayfield and Bikini Kill to Gang Starr and Merle Haggard. Hear Kathy Valentine’s My KUTX on Saturday, March 21 at 6 p.m., or listen at any time in the player below.

–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX

Playlist:

1. Curtis Mayfield – “Move On Up”

2. Kathy Valentine – “Clubland”

3. The Rolling Stones – “Rip This Joint”

4. David Bowie – “Dollar Days”

5. Starcrawler – “No More Pennies”

6. The Bluebonnets – “15 Minutes From 1965”

7. The Beaches – “Want What You Got”

8. Bikini Kill – “Rebel Girl”

9. Kathy Valentine – “Shrinking Sinking”

10. Merle Haggard – “The Bottle Let Me Down”

11. Kathy Valentine – “Next To Merle”

12. Dan Reeder – “Stay Down, Man”

13. Cage The Elephant – “Telescope”

14. Gang Starr – “Family & Loyalty” (feat. J. Cole)

Photo by Michael Minasi/KUTX

Every second Wednesday, Spider House Ballroom features the Glow Show, an event that splits the difference between standup comedy, a psychedelic light show, and a DIY experience. Austin comedian Joey Z is the host, and this month he’s taking the event on the road with help from comedians like Reggie Watts, Kyle Kinane, and more. Ahead of the Glow Show’s next showing at Spider House on March 11, Joey Z is the guest DJ this week on My KUTX, playing his favorite psychedelic and punk jams. Hear My KUTX on Saturday, March 7 at 6 p.m. or at any time in the player below.

–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX

Playlist:

1. Khruangbin – “Dern Kala”

2. Panda Bear – “Cosplay”

3. Kurt Vile – “Blackberry Song”

4. Avey Tare – “Saturdays (Again)”

5. Annabelle Chairlegs – “Street Urchins”

6. Shabazz Palaces – “Effeminence” (feat. Chimurenga Renaissance)

7. IDLES – “Colossus”

8. Plack Blague – “Placktuality”

9. Blank Hellscape – “Drill”

10. Animal Collective – “Infant Dressing Table”

February is Love Austin Music Month–learn more here.  Photo by Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon/KUTX.

Being a music fan might be one of the most important prerequisites of being the mayor of Austin. Steve Adler has lived here for forty years, and he’s seen everything from the Armadillo World Headquarters to Liberty Lunch to the rise of SXSW and ACL Fest. He’s one of the driving forces behind Love Austin Music Month, and we’re excited to give him the guest DJ chair for this week’s My KUTX. He spins an hour of (mostly) Austin music, from Sweet Spirit and Willie to Gary Clark Jr. and the artist he takes visiting dignitaries to see at the Continental Club. Listen to My KUTX on Saturday, February 22 at 6 p.m. or listen at any time in the player below.

–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX

Playlist:

1. Sweet Spirit – “If You Wanna”

2. Gina Chavez – “Siete-D” (feat. Adrian Quesada & Grupo Fantasma)

3. Walker Lukens – “Lifted”

4. Tony Bennett – “This Is All I Ask”

5. Willie Nelson – “Whiskey River” (live)

6. Mother Falcon – “Dirty Summer”

7. The Peterson Brothers – “If You Love Me Like You Say”

8. Gary Clark Jr. – “Bright Lights”

9. Graham Reynolds, Golden Hornet, & Ricky Davis – “Union Pacific” (feat. Redd Volkaert)

10. Redd Volkaert – “You’re Still On My Mind”

11. Jackie Venson – “Keep On”

12. Riders Against The Storm – “Holy Water”

13. Daniel Johnston – “True Love Will Find You In The End”

14. Black Pumas – “Colors”

February is Love Austin Music Month–learn more here. Photo by Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon/KUTX.

DJ Shani started “The Groove Temple”–a radio show focused on house music–two decades ago in her native Chicago. Since then, her love of the sound has taken her to London and now Austin, where she spins every Friday at Halcyon. Shani is also one of the founders of UNITED, an annual event that spotlights black women and heritage through the lens of house music. UNITED celebrates its fifth anniversary with a party on February 22 at Empire Control Room, featuring Shani, DeeJay Alicia, and DJ I Wanna Be Her. This week on My KUTX, Shani is our guest DJ, diving deep into the roots of house music and how it continues to resonate today. Listen to My KUTX on Saturday, February 15 at 6 p.m. or listen at any time in the player below.

–Art Levy // producer, My KUTX

Playlist:

1. Soundspecies, Ache Meyi, Ron Trent – “Alina’s Calypso” (Ron Trent Remix)

2. Adonis – “No Way Back” (vocal mix)

3. Atjazz & Jullian Gomes – “Philosophy”

4. Louie Vega – “Love Having You Around” Feat. Rochelle Fleming & Barbara Tucker (Louie Vega Main Mix)

5. Cajmere Feat. Dajae – “Brighter Days” (Underground Goodies Mix)

6. Nathan Haines, Marlena Shaw, Restless Soul – “Squire For Hire” (Restless Soul Capricorn Mix)

7. Siso K feat. Tumi, Trinidadian Deep – “Lerato” (Trinidadian Deep Juju Remix)

8. JT Donaldson, Liv.e – “Stay Inside” (Extended Mix)