Erika Wennerstrom ‘Sweet Unknown’ Review
Erika Wennerstrom, the voice of Heartless Bastards, is ready for a change.
Articles by Andy Langer
Khruangbin Brings Thai Funk to Houston
On their second album, the globally-minded Houston trio Khruangbin reveal new sounds created in a Burton barn.
The Galactic Cowboys are Still Hoping to Take Flight
A Houston metal act that was supposed to be the next Guns n’ Roses—and got squashed by Nirvana instead—is hoping that a quarter of a century later it’ll finally get its big break.
Why Gary Clark Jr. and Leon Bridges Aren’t Just Nostalgia Acts
We sat down with Gary Clark Jr. and Leon Bridges, two of the state’s biggest exports, for a candid discussion on the triumphs and trials of their careers so far.
Meet the Texas Gentlemen
The Texas Gentlemen, a Dallas-based collective of young studio musicians and sidemen, are the best backing group you've probably never heard of.
The Eli Young Band Plays the Game
The Eli Young Band's sixth album, 'Fingerprints,' doesn't have the radio hits, but it is consistently satisfying.
Lemme Hear You Say, “Ha!”
For the Houston rapper and comedian Chingo Bling, spouting rhymes and telling jokes are two ways of getting at the same truth.
The Sons Also Rise
At his peak, Emilio Navaira was known as the King of Tejano and the Garth Brooks of Texas. Now, months after his death, two of his children are following in his footsteps with a little help from Sting.
Music
Willie’s Guitar Gets a New Inscription
Alejandro Rose-Garcia—a.k.a. Shakey Graves—recently carved his initials into Trigger, Willie’s famous guitar, the first inscription the instrument has seen in years.
Less Is Norah
On Day Breaks, the Grammy Award–winning singer returns to her roots at the piano. Just don’t call it a back-to-basics album.
Jack Out of the Box
Can former frat-boy fave Jack Ingram finally find his place among the great Texas songwriters?
It’s Time to Talk About Sixth Street in Austin
The recent shootings have generated a lot of talk about what’s happening on one of the nation’s most famous drinking drags.
The 47-Year Niche
At Dallas’s Kessler Theater, Jeffrey Liles is drawing an audience the music industry often ignores.
Cuban Revolution
ZZ Top front man Billy Gibbons talks about playing with Willie, going solo, going Latin, and going beardless (not).
Black Is the New Black
Ten years after his last album, Clint Black has a new record—and the same old attitude.
Steady as He Goes
How Shakey Graves made the leap from cult figure to major festival draw.
Rookie of the Year
How did Leon Bridges go from washing dishes to “winning” SXSW in just a few months?
Don’t Call Them “Baby”
Roll over, Jake Owen, and tell Brett Eldredge the news: Maddie & Tae are fed up with Nashville’s “bro country” formula.
Texas Albums to Look Forward to in 2015
No shortage of Texans have been popping up on year-end lists — from veterans like Spoon and Miranda Lambert to relative newcomers like Austin’s Shakey Graves and Denton’s Sarah Jaffe. And while it is clearly too early to guess who might wind up making…
Where News and Music Meet
Willie Nelson and Dan Rather, two longtime friends, talk about music, politics, and longevity in their businesses.
Music
Seminal Emo Band Mineral is Back at It
Seventeen years after breaking up, Mineral's Austin members have reunited for a series of shows, culminating in a performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest on Friday.
President of Immortal Fun
Alejandro Rose-Garcia—formerly best known as the character, the Swede, on NBC's "Friday Night Lights"—wants to yank fans around with his second album, “And the War Came," an unpredictable mix of solo ballads and louder, multi-instrumental music.
Crooner Kat Edmonson Finally Finds Her Place
Houstonian Kat Edmonson shaped her airy and elastic sound in Austin coffee shops before moving to New York. Her first major label record, “The Big Picture,” comes out September 30.
I Am Womack, Hear Me Roar
Lee Ann Womack became a star the old-fashioned Nashville way. Now she’s ready to be an artist on her own terms.
How producers of "The Bridge" make entertainment out of grim news.
Cowboy Rides Again
Some overdue recognition for Manuel Donley, Tejano’s first rock star.
Though advertised as a Honeysuckle Rose, the bus that recently sold in Whitehouse, Texas for $100,000, belonged to drummer Paul English.
Q&A
Gary Clark Jr. Talks Stevie Ray Vaughan
The Grammy Award-winner reflects on the blues musician that still inspires him today.
How Long Blues
What will it take for Stevie Ray Vaughan to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
SXSW: Music
12 Texas Bands to Watch at SXSW
Of the 2,200 acts playing 110 stages over six days, nearly 450 are from Texas. Here's who to watch.
Golden Girl
East Texas native Kacey Musgraves’s best-selling debut has made some Nashville establishment types pretty nervous. But she’s not sure what all the fuss is about.
Johnny Winter Looks Back, Through the Songs That Made Him Famous
Johnny Winter, who turns 70 this month, recalls the stories behind some of the songs that built his career after he was discovered in Austin in 1968.
Music
Listen Up: Seven New Albums to Ring in 2014
Don't miss these new releases by Texas recording artists.
Sweethearts of the Radio
How the Eli Young Band cracked the code of the country music business and became one of Texas’s most successful exports.
Quesada, Sera
The founder of the Grammy-winning Grupo Fantasma is striking out on his own. For his next act, will he remake Latin music again?
Bun B’s Guide to F1
The Houston rapper and racing aficionado gives his advice on getting the most out of the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix.
Fun Fun Fun Fest Was Ahead of the Twerking Trend
The micro-festival in Austin, which is about to celebrate its eighth year, positioned itself as the irreverent, politically incorrect alternative to huge events like ACL and Lollapalooza.
Q&A
Getting to Know Mr. Rogers
Kenny Rogers, who has a new album, “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” talks about country versus pop, choosing duet partners, and never letting the audience down.
The Lost Songs of Old 97’s and Waylon Jennings
Seventeen years ago, Old 97's recorded with their idol, Waylon Jennings. To mark the first release of these songs, Old 97's recounted the time they spent with the father of the Outlaw Country movement.
A Musical Switch From Self-Pity to Gratitude
Blue October’s CD Sway is the group’s first album since Justin Furstenfeld, second from right, spent 75 days in rehab.
