Music
August 4, 2020
How Beyoncé’s ‘Black Is King’ Reimagines Family Histories
The new visual album features a potent through-line of ancestral guidance—one that caused me to reflect on my own relationship with forebears.
Music
Storytelling and reviews about the artists and trends that define the sounds of the Lone Star State
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Music
August 3, 2020
Get Ready for a New Season of Texas Monthly’s Sound Check Music Series
A special quarantine edition kicks off August 11 and will feature backyard performances by some of your favorite artists.
Music
July 31, 2020
Charley Crockett Wrote Songs About Hard Times in America. Then 2020 Happened.
On his latest album, the Texan country musician sings of endurance within a fraught system.
Books
July 31, 2020
Hollywood, Texas: Matthew McConaughey All Writes, All Writes, All Writes a Book
Plus, William Jackson Harper of “The Good Place” gets an Emmy nod, Joe Rogan is moving to Texas, and Miranda Lambert is number one again.
Music
July 30, 2020
On Texas Time: David Ramirez, a Prolific and Heartrending Austin Musician
The songwriter on creativity in a time of crisis and how he’s seeking camaraderie in isolation.
Music
July 24, 2020
Vanilla Ice to Stop, Collaborate on Movie About His Dallas Years
Plus, Beyoncé’s "Black is King" drops celebrity-filled trailer, a new doc on reopening Texas restaurants, and Post Malone’s “dark times” album.
Music
July 23, 2020
“This Is Exactly What’s Wrong With Austin”: A White Band’s Digitally Altered Photo of an Iconic Black-Owned BBQ Joint Infuriates Locals
The musicians in Midland, a popular country band, have entered the conversation about gentrification in the worst possible way.
Music
July 21, 2020
On ‘Gaslighter’ the Chicks Are a Little Less Country—and Unflinching as Ever
The band's first album in 14 years is vengeful and deeply reflective (and, yes, there's talk of boats).
Books
July 21, 2020
With Her New Book, a Texas Author Wants You to Take Boy Bands Seriously
Music journalist Maria Sherman discusses why she wrote 'Larger Than Life,' her exhaustive guide to an enduring cultural phenomenon.
Music
July 18, 2020
The Success of BeatKing’s Hit ‘Then Leave’ Is a Moment for Texas Rap
A viral smash on TikTok, the song is part of a club music lineage that exists for the sole purpose of getting people moving.
Music
July 14, 2020
A Lifelong Rock Music Aficionado on Finally Seeing Her Icons Embrace Blackness
After years of feeling isolated in my fandom, witnessing my favorite bands supporting Black Lives Matter has been both meaningful and conflicting.
Music
July 8, 2020
In a New Virtual Series, the Dallas Opera Tackles Race and Inequality
The performing arts institution is facilitating forward-thinking conversations with artists and educators online.
Music
July 3, 2020
This Radio Station Has Served Blind Texans for More Than 50 Years
For many listeners, Houston’s Sight into Sound is more than a radio station.
Film & TV
July 3, 2020
Mike Judge Revives Beavis and Butt-Head for a New Era of Stupid
Plus, Beyoncé announces new visual album, Robert Rodriguez brings Ben Affleck home with him, and the ACL Festival gives in to the inevitable.
Music
July 1, 2020
How an Instrumental Trio Became One of Houston’s Most Popular Rock Bands
Khruangbin draws from a vast palette of sounds and traditions, making them a quintessentially Texan band.
Music
June 26, 2020
Texas Monthly Recommends: Beyoncé’s Single ‘Black Parade’
Plus: a morning practice to spark creativity, a dish from Austin’s Suerte, and a nostalgic summer movie.
Music
June 26, 2020
Alamo Drafthouse Pledges to Be “Safer Than a Supermarket”
Plus, Pharrell works up a Juneteenth musical, Beyoncé debuts a new song of the summer, and Matthew McConaughey gets biblical.
Music
June 25, 2020
Did the Dixie Chicks Just Change Their Name?
The band’s social media now calls them ”The Chicks.”
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Music
June 23, 2020
Texas First: How Willie Nelson Brought Me Closer to My Mom
After living most of my life in Texas, I finally gave Willie Nelson a serious listen and learned a few things about my Nigerian mom.
Film & TV
June 19, 2020
Ted Cruz Picks a Fight With Hellboy
Plus, Elijah Wood vs. Ted Bundy, Cinemark vs. the future of moviegoing, and Beyoncé vs. Lizzo vs. Megan Thee Stallion at the BET Awards.
Music
June 17, 2020
Under the “Noveller” Moniker, a UT Alum Conjures Anxious and Hopeful Guitar Symphonies
Sarah Lipstate, Iggy Pop’s new favorite guitarist, approached her new album as a puzzle.
Film & TV
June 15, 2020
The Pandemic Is Threatening to Close McAllen’s Historic Cine El Rey Forever
The community has united to save the 73-year-old cinema and venue, which did not qualify for federal relief funding.
Music
June 12, 2020
Texas Monthly Recommends: Black Pumas’ Cover of ‘Fast Car’
Plus, Richard Linklater’s ‘Before Sunrise’ and a forgotten moment in Texas rodeo history.
Music
June 5, 2020
Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, and Lizzo Lend Their Voices to National Protests
“White people, this is your daily reminder that if you stay silent, you are part of the problem,” Lizzo said.
Film & TV
May 29, 2020
Hollywood, Texas: Your 2020 Graduation Speaker Will Be Beyoncé
Plus, quarantined Texans can’t get enough ‘Friends,’ Ted Cruz complains to Congress about movies, and McConaughey has his own message for grads.
Books
May 20, 2020
Go-Go’s Bassist Kathy Valentine Remembers the Sounds of 1970s Austin
The Texas native's new memoir offers plenty to listen to.
By Paula Mejía![Paula Mejía's Profile Photo]()
Music
May 16, 2020
How a Small Hill Country Town Became a Hub for Traditional Country Music
Over the last three decades, a radio deejay has helped transform Brady into a place where twangy instrumentals reign.
Music
May 15, 2020
Texas Monthly Recommends: ‘The Pushback,’ A Documentary About the State’s Rapidly Changing Political Landscape
Plus, a longread that dives to the deepest places on earth and Molly Burch’s cover of Ariana Grande’s ‘Needy.’
Music
May 14, 2020
Jess Williamson’s Eclectic, Dreamy New Album Brings Her Back to Texas
With ‘Sorceress,’ the North Texas native adds to the growing canon of alternative country music inspired by the Lone Star State.
Music
May 13, 2020
Texas Monthly Staffers Featured on the Podcast ‘Selena: A Star Dies in Texas’
The true crime podcast tackles a murder that continues to confound fans around the world.
Music
May 13, 2020
Are Pat Green and the Texas Rangers Innovating the Drive-in Future of the Concert Industry?
The live music industry was one of the first to come to a halt during the coronavirus crisis—but a plan could bring it back safer and sooner than anyone might have guessed.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Music
May 12, 2020
Erykah Badu and Jill Scott’s Verzuz Battle Felt More Intimate Than a Live Show
In this ongoing Instagram competition series, the two luminaries demonstrated how nourishing music can be.
Music
May 6, 2020
Under Quarantine, a Dallas Music Teacher Is Broadcasting Surrealist Livestreamed Variety Shows
Chad Stockslager has adapted the medium to include embarrassing anecdotes, ASMR, original songs, and unexpected moments in his bimonthly series.
Music
May 1, 2020
The Dixie Chicks Urge a Drama-Free Existence on Their New Single, ‘Julianna Calm Down’
But the release of the track resulted in some drama anyway.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Film & TV
May 1, 2020
Hollywood, Texas: Matthew McConaughey Is Having a ‘Damn Good Pandemic’
Plus, St. Vincent launches a podcast in the shower, SXSW is sued over refunds, and the Texanist gets his own sitcom.
Music
April 30, 2020
Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé’s Electrifyingly Fun ‘Savage’ Remix Is for Texans, by Texans
When the Houston artists released the song, a benefit for COVID-19 relief efforts in their hometown, social media came to a near-standstill.
Music
April 30, 2020
Caleb Landry Jones on His Demented, Lysergic Musical Debut
Out this week, the actor's first album, ‘The Mother Stone,' is not unlike background music at a haunted circus.
Music
April 29, 2020
All 151 Willie Nelson Albums, Ranked
The recording career of country music’s greatest artist, surveyed, sized up, and sorted on the occasion of his 87th birthday.
Music
April 27, 2020
He’s the One Who Likes All Their Pretty Songs: Post Malone Performed a Nirvana Cover Set
Sure, why not?
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Best Thing in Texas
April 27, 2020
The Best Thing in Texas: Willie Nelson Is Autographing the Face Masks People Send Him to Raise Money for More Face Masks
The redheaded stranger is socially distancing—thank you for your concern.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Music
April 25, 2020
Listen to ‘For the Love of Willie,’ a Texas Monthly Radio Hour
On April 25, an uninterrupted hour on KUTX delved into the backstories of some favorite Willie songs—including a few you’ve probably never heard.
Music
April 23, 2020
The Pandemic Separated These Band Members. It Didn’t Stop Them From Creating an Album.
Austin's White Denim remotely wrote, recorded, mixed, and mastered 'World as a Waiting Room' in just thirty days.
Film & TV
April 15, 2020
How to Hunker Down Like a Texan
A guide to catching up on great culture from around the state while you’re holed up in isolation.
Music
April 8, 2020
On Texas Time: Fort Worth Singer-Songwriter Abraham Alexander
The musician on collaborating with Leon Bridges and how true crime shows inform his work.
Music
April 4, 2020
Fifteen Years On, the Tastemaking Dallas-Based Music Blog Gorilla vs. Bear Continues Championing Artists
The scrappy blog is one of the few remaining websites of its kind.
Music
April 3, 2020
Introducing Texas Monthly’s Living Room Sessions
An ongoing series of recorded-from-home segments, brought to you by beloved Texas musicians.
Music
April 1, 2020
For Performing Arts in the Age of Social Distancing, the Show Must Go Online
From theater to opera, Texas culture has moved toward virtual events.
Music
March 31, 2020
Meet the Professor Teaching a College Course on Selena and Her Legacy
Nathian Shae Rodriguez's class examines how the Tejano star influenced Latinx representation.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
Music
March 28, 2020
Watching Your Favorite Musicians Play Shows From Their Bedrooms Is Pretty Great
It’ll never match the live experience, but maybe it isn’t supposed to.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Music
March 25, 2020
With ‘Heaven or Hell,’ Don Toliver—Travis Scott’s Protégé—Has Arrived
The 25-year-old singer hails from Houston, yet doesn’t borrow influences from a city that oozes a distinctive musical legacy.