I’ve long been a fan of the beautifully dark and bitingly funny fiction of Amelia Gray. Her short story collections AM/PM, Museum of the Weird, and most recently Gutshot rank among my favorite books to pick up for a quick, smiling nightmare. Her novel Threats digs deeply into grief and melancholy, so deeply that the...

In this episode of The Write Up, we talk with prizewinning journalist and nonfiction writer Juliana Barbassa about her book Dancing with the Devil in the City of God: Rio de Janeiro on the Brink depicting the beauty, crime, pressures, and violent paradoxes shaping Brazil’s most vibrant city. Juliana Barbassa has lived and written all...

This week guest interviewer Bill Childs, host of Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child,  sits down with John Flansburgh and John Linnell from They Might Be Giants to hear about the impact of the Batman theme and a evolving charm of a song from a record inspired by the Pogo cartoon. Along the way they also chat about kid record […]

In this episode of “This Song” Elizabeth McQueen sits down with country music collaborators Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay to talk about musical experiences they had as kids that are still influencing their lives today. And she talks to drummer Lisa Pankratz about a classic song that inspires the way she approaches her music. You […]

In this Episode of “This Song,” host Elizabeth McQueen sits down with singer-songwriter Laura Marling and photographer Todd Wolfson to talk about songs that gave them a greater understanding of freedom and transcendence. You can hear Laura Marling’s Studio 1A performance here. You can download Laura Marling’s cover of Towne’s Van Zandt’s “For the Sake of the […]

In this episode of “This Song” Elizabeth McQueen sits down with the members of Moving Panoramas. Leslie Sisson, Karen Skloss and Rozie Castoe all talk about songs that changed them and contributed to the sound of Moving Panoramas. You can here the Moving Panorama’s My KUTX DJ set here.   Subscribe via iTunes or Stitcher to get the new […]

Wilco guitarist Nels Cline describes how John Coltrane's Africa opened a door to an entire world of music he never knew existed and Julian Lage explains his attraction to the authentic interaction between Bill Evans and Jim Hall on "Undercurrent."

What do John Aielli, David Bowie and Caracaras all have in common? Jonathan Meiburg from Shearwater has learned something from all of them. Hear about his many and varied interests in this first ever "This Song" extra!

Delbert McClinton tells the story of the first time he heard Big Joe Turner's "Honey Hush" wafting out of a window. From that moment on, he was driven to give everything he had to the blues. And Carrie Rodriguez tells the story of the first time she heard Bill Frisell and explains how it opened her up to the idea that traditional music need not be played in a traditional way.

Mark Mothersbaugh describes in vivid detail what is was like to see the Beatles for the first time on Ed Sullivan. Then Sabrina Ellis and Andrew Cashen from A Giant Dog and Sweet Spirit talk about the the riffs and raw power of Iggy Pop, the songwriting of Regina Spektor how they came to write songs together.

White Denim's James Petralli explains how the Grateful Dead's "That's It For the Other One" helped him realize how he wanted to approach both the guitar and the recording studio. Then Bayonne explores how The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" showed him how powerful openness and vulnerability in music could be.

Saintseneca's Zac Little explains how Paul McCartney's "Uncle Albert" showed him what how expansive making a recording could be. Then Sons of Bill explore how songs by Woody Guthrie, John Prine and Bill Evan's Trio blew their minds and describe what it's like to play in a band with your brothers.

BØRNS talk about Electric Light Orchestra's “Turn To Stone,” Jeff Lynn’s writing style, guilty pleasures and how he approaches the songwriting process. Then Carrie Fussell from Austin’s own Calliope Musicals talks about “Tightrope” and gushes about the entire ELO album “A New World Record. Finally Calliope Musical's co-founder and drummer Josh Bickley explains how the lyrics of a very non drum centric Blind Melon song won over his very drum centric heart.

Thor Harris takes Elizabeth on a brief tour of progressive rock and gives a shout out to Yes and other stalwarts of the genre and describes what music inspired his new, hypnotic project, Thor And Friends. Then Grace London and Zoe Czarnecki from the Austin band Misimplicity describe how Elliot Smith and a bass concerto by Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf have helped them find their musical ways and climb musical mountains.

Blitzen Trapper’s Eric Early describes how his musical trajectory was permanently altered by R.E.M. and their breakout album “Out Of Time.” Then bandmate/drummer/actor Brian Koch tells a tale of his family who did very little to encourage his music and how he was inspired by hidden radios, friends with guitars and a young singer-songwriter with whom he now shares a stage.

The new season of This Song starts Wednesday, November 16th and it’s going to be a good one! Tegan and Sara, Andrew Bird, Paul Banks and RZA, Nathaniel Ratliff, Andrew WK and lots of other artists will talk about the songs that changed their lives and give you insight into their artistic process.

Paul Banks and RZA, aka Banks and Steelz, describe their shared love of the music of Leonard Cohen. Then Lizzo explains the powerful impact Lauryn Hill’s “Zion”, Radiohead’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” and the city of Minneapolis had on her music.

Artists from past episodes of This Song come to the Live Music Capital of the World for one week of music-making magic during SXSW.

Hear how Leonard Cohen’s measured and thoughtful poetry, the stream of consciousness lyrical prowess of Bob Dylan, and the rollicking tunes found on The Basement Tapes caused Nathaniel Rateliff and his longtime friend Joseph Pope III to find the balance between sharing songs of meaning and significance and just having a good time with friends.

Reggae Artist Collie Buddz explores the impact that Garnet Silk's Song "Watch Over Your Shoulders" had on his life and gives host Elizabeth McQueen a crash course in Soundclash, Dubplate & Conscious Reggae.

It's This Song's 100th Episode!!!! Host Elizabeth McQueen gets interviewed by her 8 year old daughter Lisel about how Rebecca Sugar's "Here Comes a Thought" from Steven Universe expanded her idea of what songs can do. Then Lisel explains to Elizabeth how "Peace and Love on the Planet Earth," also from Steven Universe, blows her mind and is helping her process big ideas like, Peace, War, Death and Birth.

Portland rockers Blitzen Trapper just released a new record called Wild and Reckless. They’re also headlining the first show in KUTX’s 5th Birthday Concert Series at Antones on February 22nd. In this rerun singer, songwriter and guitar player Eric Early describes how the darker realms of R.E.M.’s music inspired him as a teenager. Then drummer Brian […]

Austin artist and self described Southern-Gothic Psycho-Blues Revival-Punk One-Man-Band Lincoln Durham describes how the music of Nick Cave allowed him to embrace his own darkness and make the music he needed to make.

KUTX presents John Prine “This Song” Live Interview and In-Store Appearance Monday, June 4th at 2pm. Come celebrate the release of John Prine‘s brand new album, Tree of Forgiveness with this special event. The interview and performance will be from 2pm-3pm. John Prine will be signing records from 3-4pm Purchase a copy of Tree of […]

On this episode, Austin singer/songwriter Ali Holder tells us how an Arcade Fire song helped her through a challenging medical diagnosis

LouLou Ghelichkhani and John Michael Schoepf of Austin's dreamy synth-pop band Night Glitter talk describe how "Old Man" by Neil Young and "Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard changed their lives.

Lizzo delves into her love for Lauryn Hill ‘s “Zion” and Radiohead’s “Subterranean Homesick Alien,” takes the listener on a journey through her musical influences, and explains why Minneapolis made it possible for her to find her musical way. Listen to this episode on Stitcher  Subscribe via the Podcasts App, iTunes or Stitcher to get […]

Come to Waterloo Records on Thursday, August 30th at 5pm for a live taping of the This Song podcast with Israel Nash followed by an artist signing.  Israel will talk about a song that changed his life, explore his brand new album, LIFTED, and provide an intimate look at his creative process. Fueled by Lagunitas Brewing Co! […]

Liz Phair describes how The Soft Boys “I Wanna Destroy You” put her in touch with her anger and talks about what it’s been like to revisit the music she wrote for the Girly-Sound tapes and Exile in Guyville. Plus she gives host Elizabeth McQueen insight into motherhood. Liz’s Phair’s Exile in Guyville turned 25 […]

The This Song listener episode is finally here! Listen as Emily La Framboise, Lee Miller, Joanna Castillo and Charlie Press talk about their life changing musical experiences.

Austin based singer and songwriter Charlie Faye describes how her childhood love of "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes helped her find her musical way and how it inspired the band's new single "I Don't Need No Baby."

Allison Moorer Moorer describes how "Every Breath You Take"  by the Police gave her a window into an entire other world of music, and helped her define herself apart from her family.

Jenny Lewis' describes the effect that hearing  "Govinda Jai Jai" by Alice Coltrane while on a road trip across California with Jim James and Gary Burden had on her spirit and on her approach to her new record "On the Line."

Our May Artist of the Month- The Bishops explain that hearing "Soundtrack to My Life" by Kid Cudi for the first time as middle schoolers changed what they thought hip-hop music could be.

La Marisoul, lead singer and songwriter for the band La Santa Cecilia explains how  Mercedes Sosa's version of "Yo vengo a ofrecer mi corazon" by Fito Páez helped her understand what a powerful tool music could be for connection and healing.

Come to Waterloo Records Thursday, November 21st at 4pm for a live taping of the This Song podcast. Singer, songwriter and author Allison Moorer will talk about a song that changed her life, and talk about her new book and companion album, Blood. The event is FREE and open to the public.

This Week on The Breaks Fresh wonders why Nick Cannon decided to go after Eminem on the diss track "The Invitation," he defends Lizzo's right to twerk at the Lakers Game and he implores artists to prioritize their mental health after the recent death of Juice Wrld. Plus Confucius & Fresh interview Alesia Lani's manager Reno Dudley.

In this rerun from 2018, Liz Phair talks about hearing The Soft Boys "I Wanna Destroy You," revisiting her 1991 Girly-Sound Tapes and 1993 debut album, and parenting realities.

In this edition of In Perspective we teamed up with KUT’s Views and Brews for a discussion on various elements of and debates over Artificial Intelligence. What does it actually mean to think? How does understanding how computers work inform what we understand about the brain? And what is on the horizon for us in...

This episode recognizes women, gender, and sexuality with a discussion of the complexities of gender and sexuality from contemporary and historical perspectives. Our discussants share what they’ve learned from their respective research projects, while exploring how privilege and power function in constructions of gender and sexuality. Ultimately, they agree that listening with empathy to each...

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday made California the first state to alter its plans for the general election in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Justice Department’s move was the latest example of the attorney general’s effort to chisel away at the special counsel investigation and emphasize an alternate narrative.

Across the country, rank-and-file prosecutors cringed at another extraordinary intervention by Attorney General William P. Barr.

The Trump administration is imposing 90-day limits on work visas for Chinese journalists, raising the threat of further retaliation by the Chinese government.

Speaking to allies on a private call, the former president took a sharper line toward the Trump administration than he typically does in public.

The president craves a nationally televised coronation with cheering supporters, but even Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are expressing doubts it can take place as planned.

Abandoning the case is the latest step in a pattern of dismantling the work of the Russia investigators. A former prosecutor likened it to eating the department from the inside out.

"For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." If you're struggling to do what's right, if you're discouraged because you still desire the things of this world or you worry that your heart has hardened, remember God's promise in Ezequiel ; He will put a new spirit in you and help you walk with Him. Join Pastor Doug and Pastor Ross in this episode of Bible Answers Live to learn more and find the strength to keep pressing on. Come and open your Bible with us !

Prophecy is unrolling and extending right before us, but are we really living in the last days ? Where are we in light of Revelations ? What are the seven bowls of God's wrath ? When will the seventh trumpet sound, and... should we be afraid ? Join Pastor Ross during this episode of Bible Answers Live as he clarifies the mysteries and confusions of the book of Revelation and opens the timeline of last-day events.

Sometimes God isn't going to deliver you. Sometimes the darkness and the trials will continue. Why ? Isn't God love ? Doesn't God want good things for us ? What is "God's will" ?... Don't stop. Pursue Him. Insist. Listen in as Pastor Doug explores God's own Word to clarify these doubts and many other important topics such as predestination, pestilences and plagues, in this episode of Bible Answers Live.