Let’s Not Mourn for Texas Tech
The NCAA men’s championship went to Virginia on Monday night in an overtime thriller, but the Red Raiders proved they have what it takes.
Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business. Dan started working with Texas Monthly as a freelancer in 2013 before becoming a staff writer, covering topics from the Baylor sexual assault scandal to the gentrification of Austin barbecue to the legacy of Texas outsider artist Daniel Johnston. His reporting has appeared in the New York Times, GQ, Vanity Fair, Wired, Fast Company, Billboard, and Deadspin.
Articles by Dan Solomon
The Best Thing in Texas: This George Strait Mural Honors the King of Country
Artist Matt Tumlinson is putting Texas musical icons all over the walls of the state, including this one in San Antonio.
Beyoncé’s Netflix Documentary Looks Amazing
Queen Bey’s unforgettable 2018 Coachella set gets a feature-length documentary.
With the Release of ‘Free Spirit,’ Khalid is Growing Up
The American Teen’s return is a major statement.
The Houston Texans Don’t Have the Rights to Wear Oilers Throwback Jerseys. But They Should.
While the team that abandoned the city 20 years ago owns much of Houston’s football history, that doesn't have to be the case.
Gabrielle Ruiz of ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ on Breaking Out of the Rio Grande Valley and Into Hollywood
The Edinburg native talks about her hometown, her role models growing up, and how she mentors aspiring actors in the RGV.
C3 Cancels Its Plans for a Marfa Music Festival in 2020
After a community outcry, the company behind ACL Fest and Lollapalooza postpones its plans for an event next year, but the future is uncertain.
A Handy Guide to Hopping on the Texas Tech Basketball Bandwagon
The first Texas team to make the men’s Final Four since 2003 is easy to like.
Let Us Now Celebrate the Croatian Artist Who Finds the Fantastical in James Harden’s Beard
The most iconic facial hair in Texas sports has proven to be a creative muse for Filip Peraić.
Texas May Outlaw Unsolicited Sexual Images. Would That Be Enforceable—and Does It Even Matter?
The potential legislation would be an example of law's "expressive" power, potentially curbing behavior regardless of how many creeps are prosecuted.
Ranking the 2019 Stadium Food of Globe Life Park From Most to Least Believable
The ballpark tradition of serving up improbable foodstuffs to Rangers fans continues.
The University of Texas’s Scooter Speed Limit Is a Glimpse of the Future
The new rule uses geofencing technology to force vehicles on the college campus to slow down.
The Tragic Tale of Zero the Hero Dog
A heroic pet was shot and killed protecting his family in Houston, proving once more that dogs are the best of all of us.
Texas Might Raise the Age Limit on Tobacco Products to 21—and Tobacco Companies Are Fine With It
The support from Altria marks a reversal from the tobacco company's viewpoint in 2017.
The Best Thing in Texas: This Fella Brought a Dang Longhorn to a Petco
It's the opposite of a bum steer.
The Texas Lege’s Culture War on Austin Has Come to a Cuddly Ceasefire
A step towards a less partisan future. Or at least a furrier, friendlier one.
The Three* Best Teams in the NBA Since 1997 Are in Texas, According to This Ridiculous Statistic
*There’s a big drop off between #1 and #2, though.
How Many Domains Does Austin Need?
With yet another billion dollar mixed-use development in the works, Austin may be nearing its saturation point.
With just three weeks until his new album, ’Free Spirit,’ the singer from the city of the 915 played the songs that made him a star one last time.
A Former Lab Rat’s Review of Robert Rodriguez’s Drug-Study Horror Movie ‘Red 11’
One of the oldest ideas in the filmmaker’s notebook is based on his real life. And mine.
“Who Let the Dogs Out?” Apparently Austin’s Reagan High School Is to Thank (or Blame) for the Baha Men Hit
A SXSW premiere documentary explores the song’s strangely complex origin story and comes to a surprising conclusion.
The Best Thing in Texas: A Missouri City Donut Shop Finds Sweet Victory, Thanks to the Internet
The power of social media. And donuts.
Is Lupita Nyong’o SXSW’s New Queen of Horror?
Few actors start their careers as Lupita Nyong’o did. Her very first feature film role, in Steve McQueen’s Twelve Years a Slave, earned her an Academy Award. From there, as one of the most sought-after young stars in Hollywood, she managed her decisions very carefully. She focused on voice acting—a recurring role…
At SXSW, HBO and Amazon Go Over-the-Top on “Immersive Experiences”
The entertainment giants are going all out— think a ’Game of Thrones’ renaissance faire, angel/devil cosplay, and puppies. And manicures.
SXSW Award Winner ‘Short Term 12’ Has Become This Generation’s ‘Dazed and Confused’
The micro-budget feature launched a number of A-list careers.
The Best Thing in Texas: This Beaumont Principal’s “Tucked In Tuesdays” Bedtime Reading Warms Our Hearts
Belinda George makes sure that every student at her elementary school gets read to at night.
The Hot New SXSW Trend Is… Libraries
FX and Comedy Central are both bringing their bibliophilia to Austin.
The Texas Monthly Visitors Guide to Austin During SXSW
It’s not like this the rest of the year.
SXSW Chief Programmer Hugh Forrest on How the Festival Found Politics
The bipartisan lineup of heavy-hitting political figures indicates a new way of thinking about the role the festival can play.
There Are at Least 864 Ways to Spell ‘McConaughey.’ Here’s a Map of How People Get There.
McConnahaugh? McConaughay? McConohay? All right, all right, all right.
Could P. Terry’s Become As Big As Whataburger?
With a new CEO, the beloved Austin chain looks to expand beyond its hometown for the first time.
Jason Witten is Once More a Dallas Cowboy
The popular tight end is out of the booth and back on the field.
The Houston Astros are the Best Bet in Major League Baseball
But what are the odds that they'll make noise come October?
The Best Thing in Texas: The Clippers Gave Dirk Nowitzki a Standing Ovation
The giant of Texas basketball got the classiest of send-offs.
Kacey Musgraves Covering Selena at the Houston Rodeo Is an Iconic Moment in Texas Music History
The hottest singer in country music paid tribute to her Texas roots with a cover of "Como La Flor."
Why Do So Many People Type “Forth Worth” Instead of “Fort Worth”?
We talked to an expert to understand the Texan typo, for once and forth all.
Criminal Charges Against Schlitterbahn Officials Have Been Dropped
Because the charges were dismissed pretrial, prosecutors have the right to refile a criminal complaint.
You Will Soon Have the Opportunity to Hear Matthew McConaughey Attempt a British Accent for a Whole Movie
The actor has teamed up with British director Guy Ritchie on a movie that should be amusing—intentionally or otherwise.
The Best Thing in Texas: A Message in a Bottle Washed Up on Padre Island—57 Years Later
The missive was part of a 1962 study that attempted to track the flow of ocean currents.
The Houston Transgender News and Activism Blog TransGriot Keeps Getting Suspended by Google
Monica Roberts, the author of the long-running blog, was told only that the service suspended her platform in error—before it did so again.
Therese Patricia Okoumou, Who Climbed the Statue of Liberty Last Fourth of July, has Climbed Austin’s Southwest Key Headquarters to Protest Family Separation
The activist has once more ascended to great heights to send a message.
Will Rooster Teeth Be the Netflix of Animation?
The Austin-based production studio is known for creating cult classics. Will it finally go mainstream?
Austin Singer-Songwriter Walker Lukens Explains Why That’s Not a Whataburger on His Album Cover
The cover of ’Adult’ captures the nature of time, but not the nature of hamburgers.
Travis Scott May Manifest His ‘Astroworld’ Dreams Into an Actual Amusement Park
Houston mayor Sylvester Turner appeared onstage at the Toyota Center to present the rapper with the key to the city—and teased the promise of roller coasters.
Texans Sure Like to Pack Guns in Their Carry-On Bags
The TSA would like to remind you not to bring your firearms through the security checkpoint.
The Best Thing in Texas: A Baker Made Valentines Out of a Canceled Order
When life handed Mary Lee of Magnolia Lee Baking dinosaurs, she made dino-valentines.
Could ‘Alita: Battle Angel’ Be Robert Rodriguez’s Return to the A-List?
The self-styled rebel of the 1990s indie film boom hasn’t had a hit in years. Can ’Alita’ turn his fortunes around?
Here Are the Best Songs About All the Most Texan Brands, Including Whataburger and H-E-B
What better way to show your love for Donut Taco Palace than with a song called 'Donut Taco Palace'?
We Have Questions About This Taco Cabana Ad from 1992
Was Chili’s ever considered a Mexican restaurant? Was there a beef with Pappasito’s? How do you say 'Cabana'?
Kacey Musgraves Won Album of the Year at the Grammys and Nothing Will Ever Be the Same
With her Golden Hour taking top honors, the singer’s big gamble has paid off.