All summer long, we’ve been recording My KUTX episodes in front of a live audience at Lou’s on Barton Springs. We wrapped the series this week with an excellent chat and guest DJ set from Abraham Alexander. He has international roots: born in Greece to Nigerian parents, he emigrated to Arlington, Texas when he was eleven, and he’s also spent time in London. Abraham has experienced a lot of hardship–the death of his mother, abuse, foster care–but he pours a lot of this emotion into his music. He came to music much later, picking up the guitar in college before attending his first concert when he was twenty five.
But music seems to have picked Abraham. Fellow North Texan Leon Bridges was an early champion of Abraham’s songs. Following this dream–which he says has been “a nightmare” at times–has led him to play with Mavis Staples, open for Dave Matthews Band, and tour in Europe with the Lumineers. Gary Clark Jr. appears on Abraham’s debut album, Sea/Sons, released earlier this year. He’ll appear at his first ACL Fest on October 6 and 13.
I had a wonderful time getting to know Abraham and digging into his music on My KUTX this week. He picked songs that he jams when he’s homesick on tour, remembering the personal stories behind them: Bill Withers’ inspiring example, discovering John Legend, and the time he danced with Maggie Rogers at the Grammys…until a former One Direction-er came into the room. Hear Abraham’s My KUTX on Saturday, September 2 or listen anytime right here.
Playlist:
[intro music: Abraham Alexander – “Tears Run Dry”]
- Bill Withers – “Lovely Day”
- LSD – “Genius” (feat. Labrinth, Sia, & Diplo)
- Beck – “Chemical”
- The Teskey Brothers – “So Caught Up”
- John Legend – “Ooh Laa”
- Harry Styles – “Lights Up”
- FARR – “Bulletproof”
- Vulfpeck – “Wait For The Moment”
- Maggie Rogers – “That’s Where I Am”
- Saint JHN – “Borders” (feat. Lenny Kravitz)
- Q – “Take Me Where Your Heart Is”
- Craig David – “7 Days”
