What's up, humans? Actually maybe look down because the first flowers of spring have begun to, uh, spring!
I know it's not always easy to take a moment to smell the proverbial and literal flowers, but it's something we don't often make enough time for. And time is something none of us will have soon because SXSW is almost here! How does it sneak up like this every year? Anyways, I hope you're getting in some quiet relaxation now because next week there will be only time for FUN with KUTX!
There's so much going on. From KUTX Live at Scholz Garten to SXSBreaks — there's enough live music you could nearly spend every waking moment with us next week. We would love that by the way, but we'll do our best to not take it personally if you want to go out and explore Austin in full SXSW bloom.
Regardless of how you choose to spend SXSW, we want to thank you. Even if you can't make it out to Scholz or SXSBreaks, your support creates the live music experiences that bring joy and connection to our community.
P.S. We couldn't bring you these events and stories about music without our financial supporters. If you're already a member, thank you. If you'd like to become one, here's how to donate and support KUTX.
After fronting the ATX Psych Pop group Acid Carousel for six years and 20-something releases, Gus Baldwin, a self-described ex-hippie/part-time punk, has indeed forgone the lysergic sounds of his previous life to be reborn as a raucous rock n' roller, or punk, or neither ... and maybe both?
You know what, maybe these labels aren't helping anyone. What's clear is that Gus Baldwin & The Sketch's debut LP is the freshest sound from Austin Music Experience in 2025.
For newcomers of The Sketch — how would you describe yourself and the music you guys put out?
This is always the hardest question to answer, no one likes trying to put themself in a box. We never found anything better than just calling it rock n’ roll, although Lucas has been enjoying calling us “Pocket Rock” haha. Some people throw us in the punk bag, some in the garage, some in the psych bag. We just wanna try to rip off The Kinks and sound like Crazy Horse haha.
What drew you first to the music world, and how did you know it was the path for you?
Hearing my Dad play “Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones when I was about 4. That’s the first song I can vividly remember hearing, and wanting to hear over and over again. The Ramones have great juvenile energy. That definitely was the match that sparked my interest in the music world, but I don’t know if I ever had any real crazy moment when I knew I had to be a musician. I think one day I just realized that out of every interest I ever had, it was the only one that always stuck around. At this point I’m not qualified for much else, so I’m gonna do my best to keep up with it while I can.
You’ve been involved in the Austin music scene for a number of years now. In your eyes, what makes it special? How has it shaped your approach as an artist?
This town is really incredible. I feel lucky to get to be a part of a community of really incredible bands and songwriters that all support the hell out of each other. That was something I never really saw as much up in DFW. I actually feel like a part of something here, and that encourages me to write in a more hopeful tone than I used to a few years ago. We got a really good crew here right now, and we’re lucky to be around for it. These kinda “scenes” only pop up every once and a while around the country, so it’s exciting.
Soccer Mommy, the brainchild of Nashville's Sophie Allison, just joined us in Studio 1A before her show at RADIO/EAST last weekend. Hope you had a chance to go to that show, and if you didn't, this performance video may be the next best thing!
This Saturday, March 8 is International Women's Day. KUTX is participating in the best way we know how: Music! All day long we're putting the spotlight on female-identifying musicians, including special IWD episodes of
Uptown Saturday Night and the Breaks.
Podcast Pick: ¡Vamos Verde! — Season 2 is out now! Check out the first episode with
Austin FC's new star: Myrto Uzuni. The Albanian forward tells us about his unlikely rise through professional soccer, why he used his idol’s signature celebration against him and his goals for himself in his first season at the club.
Inspired by visions of the Milky Way and Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms, the stars is an introspective journey that immerses visitors in a theatrical constellation of 4,000 reactive points of light and an enveloping 496-channel sound design.
Part meditation, part exploration, the stars invites each visitor to explore traces of themselves in starlight, the universe, and those who have been here before us. This is a non-seated experience — whether you opt for the self-guided exploration or guided journey, get your tickets to this awe-inspiring event today!
