Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

All content by Darren Puccala
The Daily Texan’s favorite releases of October 2022

The Daily Texan’s favorite releases of October 2022

Darren Puccala, General Life and Arts Reporter October 27, 2022

With October coming to a close, music fans find themselves rearranging playlists and listening to standout tracks among the month’s collection of new releases. To wrap up the exciting music month, The...

UTurn offers support for COLA students through peer mentoring, one-on-one coaching

UTurn offers support for COLA students through peer mentoring, one-on-one coaching

Darren Puccala, Life & Arts general reporter October 20, 2022

For students who feel overwhelmed and unsupported, an email from Ben Burnett extending an invitation to UTurn, can be the life raft to keep their academic career afloat. Founded by senior program coordinator...

Members of Black Country, New Road discuss remaining North American tour, new artistic direction

Darren Puccala and Chandler Rowley September 28, 2022

In the past year, British indie rock band Black Country, New Road rose to stardom in large part due to their eclectic sound on their 2021 debut album For the First Time and the resounding admiration for...

UT alum Alexi 8bit discusses breakthrough as solo artist, passion for songwriting

UT alum Alexi 8bit discusses breakthrough as solo artist, passion for songwriting

Darren Puccala, Life&Arts Reporter September 13, 2022

Austin's signature weird and unique city culture fosters a welcoming atmosphere for musicians to create and perform. For UT alumna Alexi 8bit, the renowned music scene provided the perfect setting for...

Q&A: The Joy Formidable on U.S. tour, beginnings in post-punk music scene

Darren Puccala, Life and Arts General Reporter September 4, 2022

The sonic blend of indie dream pop and the experimental nature of post punk instrumentals dominate the soundscape of England’s music scene. For Rhiannon "Ritzy" Bryan, Rhydian Dafydd and Matthew James...

Local comedy duo finds stride in market performances

Darren Puccala, Life&Arts General Reporter August 26, 2022

Chuckles and belly laughs echo through the aisles of Friendly Rio Market as shoppers pass by the Red Bull fridge decorated with posters for old music and comedy shows. In front of the freezers stocked...

Finding gems in Voxtrot’s ‘Cut from the Stone: B-Sides & Rarities’

Finding gems in Voxtrot’s ‘Cut from the Stone: B-Sides & Rarities’

Darren Puccala, Life and Arts Reporter July 28, 2022

For those who closely followed Austin music in the early 2000s, it can be argued that no bigger name existed in the local indie-pop scene than Voxtrot. Founded by Ramesh Srivastava, Voxtrot established...

Black Midi proves they’re still the best thing happening in prog rock right now

Black Midi proves they’re still the best thing happening in prog rock right now

Darren Puccala, Life & Arts Reporter July 28, 2022

British rock band Black Midi continues to embrace the sentiment of experimentation, reinventing the sound of progressive rock, math rock, noise rock, post-punk and many other genres that influence the...

Voxtrot’s Ramesh Srivastava opens up on return to music, potential start of something beautiful

Darren Puccala, Life & Arts Reporter July 28, 2022

When indie pop band Voxtrot first emerged in the Austin music scene in 2003, they found overnight success, garnering respect and admiration from fans and critics. After the release of their first EP, Raised...

Central Texas mariachi band lends support to Uvalde community through music

Darren Puccala, Life and Arts Reporter July 7, 2022

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the July 6, 2022 flipbook. Sounds of ferocious trumpet horns, beautiful violin strings and the strumming of acoustic guitar accompanied by passionate...

The Daily Texan’s signature singles of June 2022

The Daily Texan’s signature singles of June 2022

Darren Puccala, Life and Arts Reporter July 4, 2022

With popular releases making their way into summer playlists, old songs finding their way back on top of the charts and singles from big-name artists being played on repeat by fans, June quickly became...

Annual Rooster Teeth Convention returns to Austin with best in podcasting, gaming, animation

Darren Puccala, Life & Arts Reporter June 30, 2022

Blaine Gibson stood at the 2019 RTX Austin event with his father, surrounded by the sea of people who just attended the premier of the UT alum’s recent creation, “Arizona Circle.” Taking in the grand...

Singer-songwriter Hollow Bastion discusses unexpected success, showcasing her vulnerability and beginnings

Darren Puccala, Life & Arts Reporter June 20, 2022

Illinois-raised, singer-songwriter Teagan, who’s latest music projects can be identified under Hollow Bastion, reaches a rapidly growing audience  not only through her music, but also through creating...

Angel Olsen bares all in “Big Time”

Angel Olsen bares all in “Big Time”

Darren Puccala, Life and Arts General Reporter June 9, 2022

Unapologetic in her approach to love and grief, singer-songwriter Angel Olsen dives into a country sound, utilizing heart-wrenching storytelling to open herself up on Big Time. The 10-track album released...

Austin hip hop artist BlackLight talks opening for Katy Perry, Queer Eye experience, future aspirations

Austin hip hop artist BlackLight talks opening for Katy Perry, Queer Eye experience, future aspirations

Darren Puccala, Life & Arts Reporter May 3, 2022
The Daily Texan sat down with Reggie DeVore to discuss his journey as a musician, his biggest performances and his appearance on Queer Eye. 
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‘Oscar Muñoz’s: Invisibilia’ offers thought-provoking invitation to look through eyes of legendary artist

Darren Puccala, Life & Arts Reporter April 22, 2022

Art routinely rewards those who are patient in their evaluation and appreciation, those who linger long enough to see what others overlook. Visitors of the  Blanton’s major exhibition of the spring...

Self indulgent, romanticizing of the past, Father John Misty’s Chloë and the Next 20th Century only succeeds at underwhelming

Self indulgent, romanticizing of the past, Father John Misty’s ‘Chloë and the Next 20th Century’ only succeeds at underwhelming

Darren Puccala, Life & Arts Reporter April 10, 2022

Romantic and nostalgic, Father John Misty’s Chloë and the Next 20th Century serves as an homage to the music of a foregone era. Misty, known offstage as singer-songwriter Josh Tillman, previously toured...

Austin Kite Festival makes long anticipated return

Austin Kite Festival makes long anticipated return

Darren Puccala, Life and Arts general reporter April 6, 2022

Bright, multicolored kites fill the clear sky above the historic fields of Zilker Park. Those who aren’t seeking solace from the blazing sun, look up toward the soaring kites, hoping for a gust of wind...

‘Sonic 2’ races into theaters, struggles to keep pace throughout bloated runtime 

‘Sonic 2’ races into theaters, struggles to keep pace throughout bloated runtime 

Darren Puccala, Life & Arts Reporter April 5, 2022

After the moderate success of the first “Sonic the Hedgehog” film, Sonic races back to the big screen with a sequel committed to Sonic's rapid-fire quips and expanding the original character ensemble. Sonic’s...

New beginning for historic Cactus Cafe

New beginning for historic Cactus Cafe

Darren Puccala, Life and Arts Reporter March 21, 2022

Editor's Note: This article first appeared in the March 8, 2022 flipbook. Lights dim as the crowd’s murmurs subside into anticipatory silence. The first act of the night makes their way on the stage...

SASAMI’s ‘Squeeze’ offers explosive experimentation with dynamic, defiant sound

SASAMI’s ‘Squeeze’ offers explosive experimentation with dynamic, defiant sound

Darren Puccala, Life and Arts reporter March 3, 2022

SASAMI, a 31-year-old singer-songwriter out of California, wants fans to proudly and unapologetically accept her mantra — to “just say it” — with her new album “Squeeze,” released on Feb....

UT student musicians discuss experiences pursuing their passion in Austin

UT student musicians discuss experiences pursuing their passion in Austin

Darren Puccala, Life & Arts Reporter February 14, 2022

Late on a Friday night, a crowd begins to form in anticipation of the main act. Right then and there, the future of the Austin music scene begins to cultivate on stage, and the next big artist might just...

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