Friday, March 18, 2022
Artist: Smut
Presented by: Bayonet & Father/Daughter
Set time 12:00 am – 12:40 am
Venue: The Velveeta Room
Uniting crunchy guitars with swirling synths, Smut embraces liminality and experimentation that pushes the boundaries of pop music. The Chicago-based five-piece blend melody and moodiness to yield to a droney and percussive pop. As of late their influences stem from shoegaze, 90s hip hop, and trip-hop. Bell Cenower’s biting bass lines creep below the surface, while Aidan O’Connor’s drums carry the rhythm with fiery precision. Andrew Min’s & Sam Ruschman’s distorted guitar melodies lift the band to explosive heights. Hovering over her bandmates’ wall of sound, Tay Roebuck’s caustically sung meditations on grief, guilt, and growing into oneself make us nostalgic for shoegaze bands past.
Uniting crunchy guitars with swirling synths, Smut embraces liminality and experimentation that pushes the boundaries of pop music. The Chicago-based five-piece blend melody and moodiness to yield to a droney and percussive pop. As of late their influences stem from shoegaze, 90s hip hop, and trip-hop. Bell Cenower’s biting bass lines creep below the surface, while Aidan O’Connor’s drums carry the rhythm with fiery precision. Andrew Min’s & Sam Ruschman’s distorted guitar melodies lift the band to explosive heights. Hovering over her bandmates’ wall of sound, Tay Roebuck’s caustically sung meditations on grief, guilt, and growing into oneself make us nostalgic for shoegaze bands past.
Artist: Pom Pom Squad
Presented by: City Slang
Set time 1:00 am – 1:50 am
Venue: Augustine
Originating in 2015 as a solo project for frontwoman Mia Birrin, Brooklyn’s Pom Pom Squad evolved into a full band for the release of their 2019 sophomore EP Ow. Combining sharp-tongued punk, grunge, and sweet/abrasive indie rock, the group issued the full-length Death of a Cheerleader in 2021, their first outing for Berlin independent label City Slang.
Vocalist/guitarist Mia Birrin began operating under the moniker Pom Pom Squad in 2015, and an early iteration of the group was responsible for the 2017 EP Hate It Here. Eventually coalescing around a lineup featuring Birrin, bassist Mari Alé Figeman, drummer Shelby Keller, and guitarist Alex Mercuri, Pom Pom Squad became a fully-fledged band on their second EP, 2019’s Ow. The group continued to hone their distinctive brand of fuzzed-out contemplative punk on their first full-length effort, 2021’s Death of a Cheerleader. – James Christopher Monger
Artist: Adrian Daniel
Presented by: SXSoul
Set time 1:20 am – 2:00 am
Venue: Parker Jazz Club
A storyteller from the core, songwriter, record producer Adrian Daniel music is melodic, captivating, enchanting, mesmerizing, and erotic with the progressive energy of radio-friendly popular music. He was noted as an artist who stood out from the crowd at SXSW 2018 Music Festival. He has toured in the states, and overseas, performed with Louis the Child, Jidenna, headlined Brooklyn Museum’s 2019 First Saturday Best of the Borough, and ended 2020 with a performance at Madison Square Garden.
His live performances received rave reviews. Adrian Daniel defies expectations on how indie artists move in the industry. In November 2020, his single Nights debuted on iTunes Global Chart at No.174, Top 100 R&B Song Chart in France at #77 and Spain at #75, followed by the album Nightwolf that debuted on Amazon’s Best Selling New Releases, iTune Global Chart at #90 and Apple Music Global Chart at #75–5mil total streams in a year- all without editorial placements. Adrian Daniel recently released his Midnight EP that earned over 400k total streams within a week. Up Next? CRIMSON IS COMING 2022!!
Artist: Samoht
Presented by: SXSoul
Set time 8:00 pm – 8:40 pm
Venue: Parker Jazz Club
Samoht is a child of the ancestors—past, present and the future wrapped up all into one. Born a 90s kid in Wilson, North Carolina, Samoht is a product of a musical family consisting of a mother who played multiple instruments at his childhood church. Naturally, Samoht joined the children’s choir at the urging of his grandmother, cultivating a voice that now heals the brokenhearted and elevates the minds of others. Samoht’s biggest influence is nature. The sound of the animals, the wind as it tickles the leaves on the trees, and the white noise that permeates through the silence of the night all ignites his creative process. That didn’t change once he moved to New York City, releasing projects, “Mxxn Wave” & “OMEN” in 2018 with a 3rd record, dubbed “EXIT” in rotation in 2019. In 2020 & 2021 appear on features with Luke James and release 2 ep and CLEAR & ALPHA In the midst of sonic pollution that plagues millennials, Samoht is a breath of fresh air, honoring traditional R&B. But, it’s his alternative approach that will keep audiences craving his ear candy.
Artist: Benét
Presented by: Bayonet & Father/Daughter
Set time 8:00 pm – 8:40 pm
Venue: The Velveeta Room
Benét (Benét Nutall) is a Black trans non-binary artist who is based in Virginia. Raised in a musically inclined family, Benét‘s ear for music is finely tuned. “My mom would always say ‘Don’t sing my part’” Benét says. “I had to come up with another line when singing together.” Being challenged vocally, Benét’s melodic writing formed an incredible sense of harmony out of necessity. Beyond clear vocal talent, Benét’s lyrics continue to pursue the audience long after the first play.
One thing about Benét’s music is their passion. Growing up in Richmond, Benét took a strong liking to the festivals and art that scattered the city and became heavily interested in learning everything about the scene. They immersed themselves into the culture at a very young age, dipping their toes in any medium, from photography to tap dancing. They wanted to experience it all. Fast forward to 21 years old, starting to become/feel like the culture they grew up in. With meeting artists all over the world and specifically with local artists being an important part of how they create, we get to see Benét in many different lights.
Artist: Byron Juane
Presented by: Reflection Music Group: Channel Soul
Set time 9:55 pm – 10:10 pm
Venue: Revival Coffee
The music industry is full of artists who lack authenticity. But North Carolina native, Byron Juane is nothing BUT authentic, transparent, and honest. Starting his career at the young age of 4, Byron is a musical genius in Jazz, Classical, Hip-Hop, and R&B. His ability to play drums, guitar, trumpet, and keys also puts him ahead of the game. And that all has shown through his music including through his debut in 2015 under the moniker, K¥NG.
Continuing on the path of creating meaningful music, Byron has done nothing but show the world that they need his music. From his start to now, Byron has continued to grow as an artist; every time he releases something new, he reaches a new height. And that includes his upcoming EP, I Promise I’m Not Crazy. Though his new album is soon to debut, Byron continues to mold his craft. There are no breaks. But that drive comes from his love of R&B and the feeling that it leaves listeners with.
Byron’s goal is to continue to make music that makes people say “Dang, doesn’t this remind you of that time…?” and leaves them with an unforgettable impact. And though new to the game, Bryon’s sound is one that music has been yearning for a very long time.
Artist: KAINA
Presented by: City Slang
Set time 11:00 pm – 11:40 pm
Venue: Augustine
KAINA’s music can feel like a bridge to others or a reflection of yourself. With lyrics that balance comforting warmth and sharp interrogation of her thoughts and the world around her, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter knows exactly how and when to pluck at listeners’ heartstrings. Her critically acclaimed full-length debut, 2019’s Next to the Sun, was anchored by a resolved steadiness in her voice, with unique ear-worms sung over genre-bending production. Serving as a vehicle to uplift and build community, the project introduced KAINA’s signature sound lined with a sweet-hearted optimism and devastating authenticity, which catapulted KAINA to the forefront of a new wave of artists transforming the music landscape with deeply honest and innovative expression.
On her upcoming album, It Was a Home, KAINA flourishes as a skilled producer and writer while she experiments with dreamy soul and lush sonic universes. The album features collaborations from Sleater-Kinney, Helado Negro, and co-executive producer Sen Morimoto.
Artist: CHAI
Presented by: Jaded
Set time 11:00 pm – 12:45 am
Venue: 3TEN Austin City Limits Live
CHAI is a revolutionary four-piece, made up of miracle twins Mana and Kana, and the impeccable rhythm section of Yuuki and Yuna. Combining their powerhouse musical prowess with “pinkish punk” sensibilities, CHAI has managed to create a huge splash in the music scene in their homeland, Japan, and abroad. After released their third album “WINK” in 2021 from Sub Pop Records, CHAI is ready to build on their infectious sound and musical accolades and return for their US tour this Spring.
