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 David Sackllah
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Music reporter meets heroes, lives the dream

David Sackllah May 2, 2014

The only way to begin this properly is by thanking the three women who gave me the outlet to write about music here for the past year.  First, I have to thank Sarah-Grace Sweeney, who hired me...

Austin Psych Fest expands for seventh annual festival

David Sackllah May 2, 2014

The team behind Austin Psych Fest, an annual music festival that celebrates all forms of psychedelic rock, doesn’t know the meaning of taking things easy. The sixth installment of Austin Psych Fest...

Psych rock band Loop reunites for their first tour in 23 years

David Sackllah May 2, 2014

When musician Robert Hampson finally made the decision to reunite his former psychedelic rock band after 22 years, it was because he had run out of reasons to say “no.” People had been hassling...

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New pro wrestling company in Austin focuses on characters and storytelling

David Sackllah April 25, 2014

Professional wrestling can serve as a medium for writers to compose elaborate stories, much like books or films. Even though it is presented to audiences as if they are watching a live sport, the setting...

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Where to see this year’s Moontower Festival headliners

David Sackllah April 23, 2014

This week marks the third year of Austin’s Moontower Comedy Festival, and, while serious comedy fans will recognize most of the names on the lineup, the average person might be puzzled as to who...

Local band Pure X doesn’t really care about playing in Austin

David Sackllah April 11, 2014

Local psych band Pure X is an enigma. The band has almost no involvement in the Austin music scene, but has managed to find success nationwide.  Pure X recently signed to Fat Possum Records and...

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How to get a gig in Austin

David Sackllah April 3, 2014

Austin has more than 200 venues that put on multiple shows a week. For young bands trying to book their first shows, figuring out how and where to start can be overwhelming. Venue calendars are often full...

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Austin feminist punk band Feral Future releases album

David Sackllah March 20, 2014

The members of Feral Future want their music to make listeners feel uncomfortable. The feminist/queer punk band based in Austin released its album, Haematic, in February on local label Western Medical...

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The highlights of SXSW Music

The music portion of South By Southwest is the most unpredictable aspect of the festival. Unlike traditional music festivals such as Austin City Limits or Fun Fun Fun Fest, where schedules are solidified...

SXSBest: How to have fun without a badge

David Sackllah March 9, 2014

The Daily Texan compiled a list of the best music events at SXSW that do not require a badge to get in. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 Pitchfork Day Party When: 12 p.m. Where: French Legation Museum Who:...

All girl punk band Potty Mouth play SXSW for the first time

David Sackllah March 7, 2014

There was no shortage of young bands invoking the sounds of the ’90s in 2013, from blistering pop-punk to skuzzy indie-rock, but few arrived with the personality and talent of Potty Mouth. The four-piece...

British band Until The Ribbon Breaks comes to SXSW

David Sackllah March 7, 2014

Until The Ribbon Breaks is the name for the musical project of British singer/producer Pete Lawrie Winfield. Combining elements of R&B and hip-hop, Winfield released his debut EP, A Taste of Silver,...

Heavenly Beat’s John Pena comes home for SXSW

David Sackllah March 7, 2014

Heavenly Beat is the musical project of John Pena, one of the founding members of Beach Fossils. Pena released Prominence, his second album as Heavenly Beat, last fall and is already close to completing...

Mid-tempo electronic musician James Hinton comes to Texas for first time during SXSW

David Sackllah March 7, 2014

Producer James Hinton has been making mid-tempo electronic music as The Range and playing shows since 2008, but last year his life changed completely. His newest album, Nonfiction, was released last fall...

Indie rock bands Future Islands comes to SXSW first time

David Sackllah March 7, 2014

Samuel Herring, the lead singer of Future Islands, is eager to get back on the road. The talkative lead singer of the indie rock group explained that after five and half years of constant touring, the...

Some Austin hip-hop artists pay fees for opening slots

David Sackllah February 19, 2014

The average hip-hop show has anywhere from two to three opening acts, likely composed of rappers with experience, selected to open because of their skills or popularity. Recently in Austin, though, a surge...

Mutual Benefit returns to Austin to play its first ever show at Mohawk

David Sackllah January 31, 2014

Love’s Crushing Diamond — Jordan Lee’s breakthrough album under the name Mutual Benefit — was only supposed to be a limited-run, physical release of 250 copies. But plans changed...

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Karaoke Underground provides an alternative experience for karaoke fanatics

David Sackllah January 27, 2014

For die-hard fans of indie rock and punk, there aren’t many opportunities to belt out alternative classics by bands such as Minor Threat or Belle & Sebastian at karaoke nights around town. For...

KUTX celebrates one year anniversary with a benefit concert

David Sackllah January 24, 2014

Most first birthday parties involve a party at Chuck E. Cheese’s, but KUTX is celebrating a different way. Its anniversary benefit concert will take place Saturday night at Bass Concert Hall and...

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End of an Ear’s expansion means more equipment and more vinyl

David Sackllah January 22, 2014

With close to 10 record stores, Austin has many opportunities for music collectors to find rare albums and discover new music. One of these stores that has become a local institution over the years is...

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Beyonce’s legacy lives on with surprise album release

David Sackllah January 15, 2014

On the evening of Dec. 12, most students were preparing for finals, completely unaware that the world of pop music would be changed before midnight.  Around 11 p.m., Beyonce Knowles released her...

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For your favorite music-head

Lauren L'Amie, Elisabeth Dillon, and David Sackllah December 6, 2013

“Houston Rap” by Peter Beste, Waterloo Records, $49.99  Over the past few decades, Houston has developed one of the most vibrant hip-hop cultures in the country with artists such as...

The best moments in culture from 2013

From Beyonce’s Super Bowl extravaganza in January to last week’s debut of the “Bound 2” video, The Daily Texan Life & Arts staff fondly recounts some of the best pop culture...

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Behind the scenes at Austin music venue Red 7

David Sackllah December 4, 2013

While many people stand in the audiences at the more than 250 music venues in Austin, few know the ins and outs that make Austin’s famous live music happen. The Daily Texan spoke with Red 7 club...

Tunesday: R. Kelly ends 2013 with a wildly entertaining album

David Sackllah December 3, 2013

In the crowded musical genre of hip-hop, every artist needs something to set him or her apart. For R. Kelly, it is his sense of humor, best evidenced by “Trapped in the Closet,” a 33-part “hip...

Tunesday: Black Flag’s first album in 28 years has little reason to exist

David Sackllah December 3, 2013

There is a surprising lack of hype surrounding Black Flag’s first studio album in 28 years, considering the band effectively established hardcore punk as a genre and became an icon for millions. As...

Sky Ferreira’s debut is one of the best pop albums of the year

David Sackllah November 26, 2013

With nude photos, arrests for drug possession and reports of inconsistent live performances, indie pop sensation Sky Ferreira has built quite a name for herself in 2013. Now a near-perfect pop album can...

Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones team up to cover classic country ballads

David Sackllah November 26, 2013

When Kanye West and Jay-Z teamed up for Watch the Throne, or when M.Ward and Zooey Deschanel came together for She & Him, it felt natural. On paper, the pairing of Norah Jones and Green Day’s...

Songwriter Blood Orange steps into the spotlight on his new album

David Sackllah November 19, 2013

Even if you’ve never heard of singer/producer Dev Hynes — the man behind Blood Orange — you’ve probably heard some of his work. Hynes caught a break last year when he co-wrote and...

Death Grips’ latest surprise is releasing a challenging free album

David Sackllah November 19, 2013

For the past few months, Death Grips, the controversial Californian noise rap group, have begun to wear out their welcome. The group was already notorious for violating its record contract by leaking its...

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Justin Timberlake and Marcus Mumford come together on soundtrack for the Coen brothers’ latest film

David Sackllah November 12, 2013

It’s difficult to discuss the soundtrack to “Inside Llewyn Davis” without having actually seen the film. So many important aspects of the songs, sequencing and content are often tied...

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M.I.A.’s “Matangi” is an entertaining mixed-bag

David Sackllah November 12, 2013

Matangi, the latest album from pop artist M.I.A., took a strange and prolonged journey before its release last week. The album’s first single, the powerful pop anthem “Bad Girls,” came...

Vancouver punk rock singer Mish Way of White Lung talks touring, journalism

David Sackllah November 7, 2013

White Lung has recently emerged as a talented and powerful punk act. Led by vocalist Mish Way, the band brings a sharp edge to its mesmerizing and forceful songs. The band plays at Fun Fun Fun Fest this...

Riot-Grrrl legend Kathi Wilcox talks about being a woman in punk-rock

David Sackllah November 7, 2013

Nineties feminist punk band Bikini Kill helped shape the “riot grrrl” movement. Bassist Kathi Wilcox has reunited with Bikini Kill singer Kathleen Hanna to form The Julie Ruin, a new punk act...

Eminem’s latest album is a huge disappointment

David Sackllah November 5, 2013

People love to discuss music in extremes, deeming records or artists either brilliant or trash, without leaving much middle ground. The latest Eminem album is not as bad as the consensus claims, but it...

‘Free Your Mind’ could be Cut Copy’s best album yet

David Sackllah November 5, 2013

Cut Copy’s newest album, Free Your Mind, is a tremendous dance record that perfectly recreates the feeling of euphoria that accompanies the last energetic dance before the club closes.  Cut...

Los Campesinos! releases another great album in “No Blues”

David Sackllah October 31, 2013

Over the course of the last seven years, the British act Los Campesinos! has established itself as one of the most consistent indie-pop bands around. The band made a name for itself with a brightly upbeat...

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Arcade Fire’s Reflektor is a 1970s throwback

David Sackllah October 29, 2013

For a while, Arcade Fire was touted to be the new saviors of rock ’n’ roll by the kind of people who claim that rock ’n’ roll is dead. But even the most ardent Arcade Fire fan can...

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Sleigh Bells songwriter Derek Miller talks about the band’s new album and frat parties

David Sackllah October 25, 2013

Sleigh Bells has been one of the most innovative bands of the past four years. At shows, their noisy pop music is emphasized with a high-energy set drawing on their entire discography. The band returns...

Two female pop stars provide wildly different but entertaining releases

David Sackllah October 22, 2013

For those who couldn’t care less about the new Katy Perry album released Tuesday, last week, two women put together two wildly different yet intriguing releases that show what pop music actually...

New Best Coast album “Fade Away” is forgettable

David Sackllah October 21, 2013

In the past three years, Bethany Cosentino, the beloved singer/songwriter/guitarist behind Best Coast, has become a style icon for a generation of millennials and slackers still obsessed with ’90s...

Electronic duo Darkside introduces listeners to the genre with familiar jazz sounds

David Sackllah October 18, 2013

The term “electronic music” often calls to mind DJs playing giant EDM festivals. There is a whole world of artists who operate on the fringe of electronic music, though, working with house,...

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London band Savages talks tour and its no-phone policy at shows

David Sackllah October 15, 2013

Savages, a post-punk quartet from London, is known for its live shows and has been making waves and racking up award nominations for its mesmerizing debut Silence Yourself. The Daily Texan talked with...

Cults’ second album “Static” is a decidedly darker affair

David Sackllah October 14, 2013

Cults, led by Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion, was at the center of a lot of buzz when it released its enjoyable self-titled debut two years ago. The band made waves by appropriating the classic sound...

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Pusha T returns to form on latest album “My Name Is My Name”

David Sackllah October 14, 2013

It’s wild to think that, after more than a decade in the industry, Pusha T is releasing his first official debut album. The ultra-talented rapper first partnered with Malice in the group Clipse,...

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Phoenix talks about recent tours and being inspired by David Bowie

David Sackllah October 11, 2013

French superstars Phoenix are in the midst of a world tour behind their chart-topping new album Bankrupt. The Daily Texan talked with founding members Laurent “Branco” Brancowitz and Deck D’arcy,...

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Brooklyn band Widowspeak talks about touring through Southern swamps

David Sackllah October 10, 2013

Widowspeak, the great dreamy, hazy, indie rock group from Brooklyn, N.Y., just released Almanac earlier this year and have another EP titled The Swamps due out on Captured Tracks by the end of the month....

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Punk band Parquet Courts talks about being back home in Texas

David Sackllah October 9, 2013

Parquet Courts a four piece punk group from Brooklyn — three members are originally from Texas — have been building a steady following as a result of several great album releases.    The...

The Daily Texan discusses nonstop touring and new albums with Wild Nothing

David Sackllah October 8, 2013

Wild Nothing, a Brooklyn band, began as the musical project of Jack Tatum while he was in college at Virginia Tech. He’s since put out two albums and two EPs of dream pop greatness, including Empty...

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Lower your expectations for new Sleigh Bells album

David Sackllah October 8, 2013

When Sleigh Bells debuted in 2010 with the wildly entertaining and innovative Treats, many predicted their rise to stardom. No one expected the band to be as ubiquitous as it is now. If you’ve seen...

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Danny Brown takes the crown for this week’s best new album

David Sackllah October 8, 2013

In about two years, Danny Brown — the Detroit rapper known for his crazy hair, skinny jeans and the wide gap between his front teeth — went from a relative unknown to one of the most exciting...

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Life & Arts staff writers and editors pick the best artists to see at ACL this weekend

  FRIDAY Underrated band: Savages Stage: Honda Time: 1 p.m. This young all-female post-punk quartet from London might be the most talented and electrifying act of the weekend.   Local...

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ACL has punk rock bands on this year’s bill

David Sackllah October 3, 2013

Between South By Southwest, Chaos in Tejas, Fun Fun Fun Fest and weekly shows at clubs such as Red 7 or Mohawk, punk shows are as common in Austin as 5 p.m. traffic on Lamar Boulevard.  And while...

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HAIM’s debut album almost lives up to the hype

David Sackllah October 1, 2013

If you don’t know much about the band HAIM (pronounced like “time”, not “tame”), you are likely to hear a ton about them in the upcoming months. Compared to Fleetwood Mac...

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Justin Timberlake’s second 20/20 Experience installment is a disappointment

David Sackllah October 1, 2013

It was a welcome surprise when Justin Timberlake returned to music after seven years of inactivity with the delightfully retro The 20/20 Experience. The former Disney child star’s album was all grown-up,...

After 17 years, Mazzy Star hasn’t missed a beat

David Sackllah September 24, 2013

You’d be excused for not knowing much about Mazzy Star.  Seasons of Your Day is the Californian duo’s first album since 1996. The duo was never that famous, cracking the Billboard Hot...

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Drake shows his softer side on new album

David Sackllah September 24, 2013

Love him or hate him, it can’t be denied that Drake has changed the rap game.  In the past few years, he has become one of the biggest rappers, not by claiming to be a gangster or bragging...

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