Fall Semester 2015
Earworm The Year in Review Which albums were successful and which weren’t | Page 12
Upcoming Austin Concerts
A list of concerts coming to Austin in 2016 | Page 20
Top Tips for Concert Goers What to bring and leave at home, and what to do in the crowd | Page 6
HAAM
The organization behind musicians’ health | Page 8
Meet our great staff of writers and designers!
CONTRIBUTORS
2 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
“Well actually...”
CURRENT FAVORITE ARTIST: Grimes
FAVORITE COLOR:
“You are a cool person.”
CURRENT FAVORITE ARTIST: Sylvan
Esso
FAVORITE COLOR:
blue
Purple
My uncle, Kevin
FIRST CONCERT:
FIRST CONCERT:
Bethany Bissell
Florence and the Machine
Elena Alcala
“That’s not how it works!”
“Awkward Turtles Unite!”
CURRENT FAVORITE ARTIST: Bon Iver
CURRENT FAVORITE ARTIST: Pentatonix
FAVORITE COLOR:
FAVORITE COLOR:
FIRST CONCERT:
FIRST CONCERT:
Purple
Lindsey Stirling
Elias Little
Purple
McCartney
Paul
Caroline Hemphill
“I know the feels...”
CURRENT FAVORITE ARTIST: Twenty One
Pilots
FAVORITE COLOR:
blue
FIRST CONCERT:
Pierce the Veil
Kye Fisher 3 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
How to build a guitar, local punk bands, and HAAM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
Staff Biographies A Letter from the Editor
2 4
Music Festival Do’s and Dont’s Kye Fisher What to do and bring to music festivals
Healthcare From the Heart
6 8 12 14 16 20 22 26 30 32
Elena Alcala The HAAM orginization that provides healthcare for Austin musicians
Year in Review
Bethany Bissell The most and least succesful albums of the year
How to Build a Guitar
Elias Little How to build an acoustic guitar in 10 steps
One Time, at Bandcamp...
Bethany Bissell An article about a music streaming website called Bandcamp
Who to See in 2016
Caroline Hemphill What music artists and bands are coming to Austin in 2016
Luthier Land
Elias Little How people who create instruments affect Austin’s music
Where the Music Begins
Caroline Hemphill The history and facts about the South Music Store
Top 5 Concert Venues in Austin
Elena Alcala The best concert venues in downtown Austin
Set Fires, Stop Fighting
Kye Fisher An Austin-based punk band that uses its music to influence change
Letter Fr o
m The Editor
Dear Reader,
At the beginning of this semester, as our group browsed
the Internet for inspiration and tried to come up with an idea that would bring a unified theme to our magazine, I never would have expected the journey to take us so far in just a few months. We delved into the complex world of typography and Adobe programs. We learned how to edit photos and create a layout for our feature stories. More importantly, however, we were able to get to know each other and learn how to work as a team. We helped each other with design quandaries and brainstormed ways to get our photos taken and interviews done. However, I think what we got to know the best was not a person, but a city: Austin has more hidden musical treasures than any of us ever could have imagined. I hope our magazine offers you a small glimpse into this world and inspires you to search for more. All the best, Elena Alcala, Earworm Editor-in-chief
5 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
MUSIC FESTIVAL do’s
&
dont’s
What to do and bring so your experience is the best it can be By Kye Fisher
Backpacks
Make sure the backpack you bring is sturdy. String backpacks are nice, but may break in the crowd. If you do bring a string backpack, pack safety pins.
Water Bottles
Snacks
Make sure to bring at least one! There are usually spots to fill up around the festival grounds. Stay hydrated.
Make sure to pack some snacks like granola bars and pb&j’s. The food at the venue will be expensive and the lines are long.
Sunscreen You will be in the sun for hours. Avoid sun burn and bring some sunscreen. *Some places wont allow aerosol can sunscreen.
Portable Charger
A jacket and extra shirt
There’s nothing worse than having a dead phone. Stop at your local dollar store and pick up a cheap portable battery if you dont already have one.
Ear Plugs Dont worry, you’ll be able to hear the music. You will thank me when you can hear the next day. 6 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
Even if it’s hot, the jacket can be used as a pillow, or a thing to sit on. Bring an extra t-shirt so you can change if you get wet or sweaty.
Hair Ties
Hand Sanitizer
Especially There will for those probably of you with be port-along hair. potties. Bring more than one in Make sure to bring a little case they break. bottle for after you go.
Sharpies A lot of artists will do meet and greets and signings. Bring sharpies in multiple colors.
Find the Bathrooms You will have to use the bathroom sooner or later. It will be hard to find in a crowd, so locate the bathrooms when you first arrive and dont hold it for too long.
Bring a Buddy
Get a Map and Schedule
Make sure to bring a friend so that it’s more fun! If no one can come, make a friend; people at music festivals are usually friendly.
To make sure you see all of the bands you want to see and dont miss anything or get lost, make sure you get a map and schedule.
Eat a Good Breakfast Eating a balanced breakfast is absolutely neccesary for having enough energy to make it through the day. Eat some eggs, bacon, and fruit.
Take a Break
Expect No Service
Dont forget to take a break every once in a while. Your body can only handle so much in a day, so make sure to sit for 10 minutes between performances.
Don’t be suprised when your service is terrible; it happens to the best of us. Make sure you have a back up plan for if you get sepearted from your group.
Use Social Media Use social media to see when and where bands will be doing signings. Make sure to also follow hashtags and other accounts in the area.
Be Kind to Everyone Everyone is there to have a good time, just like you! Dont let your anger get the best of you, be kind to everyone.
Have Fun! Make sure you have fun! You get to see some of your favorite artists live and even meet some of them! try to enjoy yourself. Have fun! 7 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
Photo by Wikipedia 8 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
Healthcare From the Heart
An Austin nonprofit that holds the music community together BY ELENA ALCALA
Musician Hilary York says she fell in love
create an organization to help solve this problem.
with Austin during a visit while she was still in
HAAM’s mission is to provide access to afford-
high school. Later, while hitchhiking across Eu-
able healthcare services to Austin’s low income,
rope, she wrote her first song. She later returned
uninsured musicians, with a focus on wellness and
and earned an English degree from the University
prevention.
of Texas, taking guitar classes and working up
the courage to perform her songs at open mics.
care partners to come together in this collabora-
Gradually, she was able to make a career out of it.
tive effort to provide services for our musicians,”
But being a working musician was more difficult
says Reenie Collins, current executive director of
than expected, she says. After her marriage fell
HAAM.
apart, she had no more health insurance and found
herself in a difficult place.
the city’s key healthcare players into the operation.
Seton Healthcare System provides primary care, St.
“In 2007, I started to get insurance from [The
“Robin’s dream was to pull together health-
Eventually, Shivers was able to bring many of
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians]. It’s just
David’s Foundation helps with dental care, SIMS
been phenomenal,” York says.
Foundation does mental health, Estes Audiology is
hearing care, and Prevent Blindness Texas contrib-
HAAM was born in 2005, when Robin Shiv-
ers, a local philanthropist and activist, noticed
utes vision care.
many of her musician friends were waiting until
they were very sick to get healthcare, simply be-
ago, there weren’t a lot of options. There was
cause they couldn’t afford expensive doctor visits.
always the Medical [Access] Program, MAP, but
She used her connections to bring together city
there really weren’t health insurance options, and
leaders, musicians, and healthcare professionals to
certainly not affordable health insurance options,”
“When HAAM was created over ten years
9 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
says Kit Abney, Seton’s Director of Community
“We [want] people to care about our musicians
Insurance.
because if you’re a music lover you understand
that our live music industry is what creates Austin’s
At its start, the organization needed a way
to raise funds. John Kuntz, who owned Austin
unique cultural identity,” she says.
music store Waterloo Records and was an original
HAAM board member, came up with the idea for
Live Music Capital of the World.” The live music
HAAM Benefit Day, a city-wide celebration of mu-
industry brings in billions of dollars to the Austin
sic. The idea was unlike anything Austin had ever
economy, according to Collins. Without it, Austin
seen before — musicians would perform at local
would be a completely different city.
businesses, and these businesses would donate at
least 5% of their profits for the day to HAAM. The
year, with an extremely successful Benefit Day
idea quickly grew from 53 participating businesses
and a renewed promise to provide healthcare to
to over 200, and became a hallmark event in the Austin music community.
“We do so much for these
musicians year round, and this is the one time we ask them to do something for us,” Collins says.
After all, Austin has marketed itself as “The
HAAM celebrated its tenth anniversary this
Austin’s struggling musicians.
“If you’re a music lover The new Affordable Care Act you understand that our changed the landscape, but cerlive music industry is whattainly didn’t eliminate the creates Austin’s unique need for an organization like HAAM. cultural identity.” “When Texas didn’t expand
The musicians are happy to comply. The last
Medicaid [after the Affordable Care Act was
HAAM Benefit Day, in September 2015, had hun-
passed], it left this gap for those people that are re-
dreds of musicians involved, including York. She
ally at the lowest income level. And again, that’s a
says the assistance HAAM provides is so necessary
lot of musicians that are just starting out. They are
for professional musicians.
living below the poverty level,” says Abney.
“Your body is your instrument. [Healthcare
It is these musicians, who are covered by
is] just something that we all need. If you aren’t
neither the Affordable Care Act nor Medicaid, that
taking care of your body, then you can’t go out and
HAAM is now focused on helping.
play shows. I know musicians who have just had
surgery, and they can’t play, and that’s how they
tin musicians for as long as possible,” says Collins.
make their money.”
Collins says that HAAM’s work benefits the
whole city, not just the musicians who receive care. 10 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
“We really just want to continue helping Aus-
Photo by Nick Simonite Photo by Jerry Milton
Photo by Flickr
BELOW: Paying for healthcare on an uncertain paycheck and without the help of insurance is a daunting task for many musicians, especially if they need specialty care or surgery.
LEFT: HAAM Executive Director Reenie Collins poses at HAAM headquarters. She is focused on aiding the poorest of Austin’s musicians. BELOW: Austin musician Hilary York performs at the Continental Club. She is one of thousands of local musicians who have received care from HAAM in the last ten years.
11 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
YEAR IN ( MUSIC) REVIEW By Bethany Bissell
Best-sellers
Reviews *Stats from MetaCritic
*Stats from HighSnobiety
Units Sold(in mill.)
Albums
0
2)Drake, If You’re Reading This
3)Ed Sheeran, X
“Lamar straight up owns rap relevancy on Butterfly,” -Rolling Stone
2) Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell METACRITIC SCORE: 90 1,431,000
“Sufjan Stevens' new album, Carrie & Lowell, is his best. ” -Pitchfork
3) Sleater-Kinney, No Cities to Love
3
METACRITIC SCORE: 90 0
Songs
2,011,000
3
0
1) Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly METACRITIC SCORE: 96
3
1) Taylor Swift, 1989
Best Reviewed
1,428,000
Units Sold(in mill.)
“Sleater- Kinney’s most focused, accessible and often furious work.” -Record Collector
Worst Reviewed 1) Man Without Country, Maximum Entropy
1) Mark Ronson, “Uptown Funk”
2)Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
5
METACRITIC SCORE: 45
0
“If you don’t like music, then you’ll adore Maximum Entropy.” -Pop Matters METACRITIC SCORE: 51
3,450,000
“Any attempts to reinvent the wheel fall flat with an almighty thud.” -DIY Magazine
3) Prince, HitNRun: Phase One
5
0
12 EARWORM MAGAZINE
2) Kodaline, Coming Up For Air
5
0
3)Wiz Khalifa, “See You Again”
4,883,000
METACRITIC SCORE: 54 3,073,000
“[After referencing three songs] The rest are mediocre to bad to horrifying.” -Pop Matters
Genre Run-Down of consumers
Rock: 29% purchase It’s been a big year for...
Walk The Moon
62 Weeks On Chart
Single:
Shut up And Dance Peaked At
#1
Hip-Hop: 17% It’s been a big year for...
The Weeknd
of consumers purchase
Single:
Earned It
of consumers
Pop: 15% purchase It’s been a big year for...
Taylor Swift
53 Weeks On Chart
*Stats from Billboard
#1
Peaked At
#1
consumers Country: 11% ofpurchase It’s been a big year for...
Single:
Sam Hunt
Break up in a Small Town
Grey) Peaked At
Bad Blood
feat. Kendrick Lamar
(For Fifty Shades of
42 Weeks On Chart
Single:
31 Weeks On Chart
Peaked At
#3
13 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
A 10-Step Guide On How to Build An Acoustic Guitar By Elias Little
Guitars are one of the most popular and common instruments in the world, but how are they made? There are many different ways guitars are made, from being 100% handmade to being made by machines. These are the basic steps that are used when making a guitar, whether it’s handmade or machine made, this is how.
Step 6: Cut out the fret board and glue that to the neck
Step 5: Cut out the neck and headstock, and roughly shape them
Step 7: Cut fret slot and add frets, and finish shaping and sanding the neck
Step 8: Glue the neck into the body, and finish sanding everything
14 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
All information from Guitar Making by Jonathan Natelson and William Cumpiano, and “Building an Acoustic Guitar in your Kitchen� by Steve Summerford. All photos of Collings Guitars
Step 1: Select your woods, and collect your materials
Step 2: Cut out the top piece from spruce and cut the sound hole, then cut the back from a hardwood like maple or Mahogany
Step 4: Add a neck and tail block to the back piece, and braces to the inside of the top and bottom pieces. Also cut kerfed lining to attach the sides
Step 3: Cut out strips for the side pieces out of a hardwood, then bend them to fit
Step 9: Make the bridge and nut, then add those along with the other hardware like tuners, and bridge pins
Step 10: Add a finish to the guitar, then string it up! 15 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
One time, at Bandcamp... Online music purchasing site allows artists contact with fans By Bethany Bissell
E
very time
ing, managing a store,
necting a fan to music,
honey and Nirvana,
someone pur-
or dealing with a record
from tour dates to merch
currently producing
chases Austin-
label,” McKinney says.
to the actual music,”
for Beach House and
based musician Ian McKinney’s(best known
Bandcamp is a
The main pur-
Dum Dum Girls) and
pose of Bandcamp is to
Milk! Records(home to
for scoring popular video ing to their home page,
serve as an online store
international sensation
game Octodad) work
“makes it easy for fans
for many independent
Courtney Barnett) have
from Bandcamp.com,
to directly connect with
musicians, and record
contributed their art-
the website sends him
and support the artists
labels who also utilize
ists’ work to Bandcamp.
money through PayPal.
they love.” It allows art-
Bandcamp. Labels such
Butch Webster, founder
Bandcamp takes a 15%
ists to upload their work,
as Sub Pop (previously
of Austin label iNSECT
revenue share and PayPal
select a price (with a
produced for Mud-
Records, put his label’s
takes some as a process-
“pick your price” option),
ing fee, leaving him
and embed to outside
with 75 cents for every
websites.
dollar earned through
website that, accord-
VS SOUNDCLOUD
• Rarely-used album/ EP review feature
• While-streaming comment-by-thesecond feature
music, which to many
• Artist payment
• No artist support
artists is preferable than
• Website embedding
• Website embedding
• Downloadable
• User playlists
• Artist-only
• User uploaded
dent musician, it offers
to McKinney, this is a
direct contact with the
good rate in comparison
people listening to your
to other popular online music stores.
the opposite,” member
a super cheap way for
of Austin duo Penny and
musicians to self-release
Sparrow Kyle Jahnke
their work without wor-
says, “[And] it [acts] as
rying about web host-
a one-stop-shop for con-
16 EARWORM MAGAZINE
BANDCAMP
“For the indepen-
Bandcamp. According
“Bandcamp offers
FACE-OFF
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/ Weatherby48
Kyle Jahnke(left) and bandmate Andy Baxter(right) of Penny and Sparrow. records on Bandcamp
mote it within the site,
some of Bandcamp’s
[and] sharing an album,
because they embed well
by the artists or Band-
larger acts in categories
but nobody will know
and look nice.
camp itself. The home
such as Staff Picks and
about it if you don’t pro-
“It’s a little expen- page has six attempts:
Best Selling, the “Fan
mote it elsewhere,” McK-
sive but overall it’s the
a “Bandcamp Weekly”
Spotlight,” where two
inney says, “I could be
best solution out there,”
list of favored artists
active fan’s recent pur-
wrong, but I think most
Webster says.
that week, a plug to the
chases are shown, and
of the people who come
“Bandcamp Blog,” where
a “Selling Right Now”
to the site already know
inney, Bandcamp’s major
artists are mentioned
option, where albums are
what they’re looking for
flaw lies in the lack of
frequently(the blog has
shown as they are up-
rather than browsing
in-site promotional abili-
1,688 followers), a por-
loaded. McKinney says
around looking for new
ties. When an album is
tion with three records
these features have not
music and stuff. You’ll
uploaded to Bandcamp,
labelled “New and
helped him.
probably snag a few curi-
there are no especially
Notable,” a “Discover”
successful ways to pro-
feature, which displays
According McK-
“Bandcamp is great for hosting, selling,
ous listeners here and there, but you’ll still need 17 EARWORM MAGAZINE
“For the independent musician, it offers direct contact with the people listening to your music.”
that Bandcamp would
addition to that, Band-
annual fee, and then you
like me to use their Dis-
camp has begun an artist
can offer your subscrib-
cover/Artist Subscrip-
“subscription” program.
ers all sorts of cool stuff.”
tion services, honestly,”
This system allows art-
McKinney says, “I tend
ists to charge subscrib-
scriptions are in place
to use Soundcloud to
ers monthly or yearly
in hopes of creating
post one-off tracks and
at a rate the artists have
consistent income for
demos to gauge people’s
chosen.
independent musicians.
reaction, and to post
“A subscription
The Artists Sub-
Subscribers get access
finished content with the
is a way for your big-
to an exclusive website,
hope that it will circu-
gest fans to show their
where blog-like posts
late around a little more.
ongoing support for
from the artists can be
It’s just a little bit easier
your work,” Californian
found and musician can
to get feedback there
Bandcamp founder
have conversations with
via user comments and
Ethan Diamond says in
the fans.
to promote the album
shares, etc. I also spend a
the video posted on the
somewhere else, too.”
lot of time just listening
Subscriptions informa-
subscription is great
to music on Soundcloud,
tion page of the website,
because you get predict-
websites that artists use
which I can’t say I’ve
“You set a monthly or
able income and lets you
to promote their work
done on Bandcamp so
outside of Bandcamp.
much.”
There are many
Records from (iN)SECTS Bandcamp has
like Tumblr are useful
been trying to incor-
and social streaming
porate more social
applications like Sound-
aspects into their web-
cloud allow for more lis-
site, including a feature
tener interaction: they’re
in which after one has
more likely to comment
purchased work by an
or like.
artist, they get an email “I probably use
Soundcloud in the way 18 EARWORM MAGAZINE
alerting them of new releases by the artists. In
All Album art Courtesy of Butch Webster
Social media websites
“As an artist, a
connect directly with
Work by Ian McKinney
your most loyal fans,” Diamond goes on, “And
Octodad
All Skate
American Hunk
An EP under the name TV Dads. Electronic, mostly instrumental. Listen to “All Skate!”
Full length album with A score for a vidsome sweet cameos. It’s eo game. Listen to not as punk as it looks. “Octodad(Nobody SusListen to “Your Mother” pects a Thing)”
The Story of Incompetence
NOLA13
Phone Ghost
Super fun collaboration with Frances Zaander, who doesn’t have a Bandcamp. Listen to “Smokin’ Joe”
Crazy cover album featuring Stacy Webster. It’s weird. In a good way, of course. Listen to “Eye of the Tiger”
A score for director Jean Patrick Mahoney’s short film, Phone Ghost. About a phone ghost Listen to “Cat Door”
McKinney says
I’ve seen, it’s pretty simi-
else on the store.”
Bandcamp, especially
that, while he has con-
lar to what (for example)
sidered using the feature,
Apple Music is trying to
constantly changing and
McKinney says, “Post-
he’s decided against it
do with Connect, where
adding features. How-
ing to something like the
because he hasn’t been
they integrate a fan club/
ever, the overall concept-
iTunes store might give
making music consis-
Tumblr page directly
a successful one- has
you more visibility, but
tently since its launch
into their service. It’s
remained the same. It is
with Bandcamp you get
and he lacks the social
super important for art-
a platform for indepen-
to set the price, and can
media skills and time
ists to engage with their
dent musicians to gain
offer your music in any
commitment.
audience, of course, and
support from and be in
format you like, DRM-
I think it could be really
contact with their fans.
free, AND your audience
as a fan, a subscription to one of your favorite artists is just awesome because it means you’ll never miss a release, you can be a part of their creative process, get access to subscriber-exclusive material, discounts on merchandise, and whatever else the subscriber decides to include in the subscription.”
“My personal
Bandcamp is
independent artists,”
hangups aside, I can
rewarding for everybody
appreciate what they’re
to have that sort of “ex-
there’s any reason
any kind of account to
going for with it,” McK-
clusive” experience be as
for a musician not to
purchase/stream your
inney says, “From what
accessible as everything
host their music on
music.”
“I don’t think
doesn’t need to set up
19 EARWORM MAGAZINE
Who to See in 2016
By Caroline Hemphill
There are always tons of concerts in Austin. Here are some to look out for in 2016.
Vance Joy
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
-Stubb’s Barbeque -Mar. 8 -Vance Joy is an Australian musician with an alternative pop style. He broke out with the huge hit, “Riptide.” -Ticket prices start at $43.00.
-Bass Concert Hall -Jan. 13 -Macklemore is a rapper famous for his songs “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us.” Ryan Lewis is his producer. -Ticket prices start at $55.00.
JAN
FEB
Mutemath -Emo’s East -Feb. 25 -Mutemath is an alternative band with elements of synth, dance, pop, and rock. -Ticket prices start at $44.00.
20 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
Herman’s Hermits
-One World Theatre -Mar. 18 -Herman’s Hermits is a pop band that was popular for young teens in the 1960’s. -Ticket prices start at $225.00.
MAR
Selena Gomez
-Frank Erwin Center -Jun. 17 -Selena Gomez is a popular singer in the pop music industry. She’s known for her catchy songs like “The Heart Wants What It Wants.” -Ticket prices start at $62.00.
They Might Be Giants -Stubb’s Barbecue-Outdoor Stage -Mar. 31 -They Might Be Giants is generally classified as alternative rock, but have a very wide range of sounds. -Ticket prices start at $34.00.
APR MAY
JUN
Twenty One Pilots
JUL
-Jul. 6 -Austin360 Ampitheater -Twenty One Pilots is a popular band with many different types of songs and no obvious genre. -Tickets start at $54.00.
Janet Jackson -Frank Erwin Center -May 26 -Janet Jackson is a pop artist who was very popular in the 1980’s. -Ticket prices start at $13.00. 21 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
22| EARWORM MAGAZINE
Luthier Land By Elias Little
M
any people enjoy the
cians use nearly everyday for their
“One hand feeds the other, … it’s
music that great guitar
job. To the musicians it’s like a pair
really true,” says Van Wilks, one of
players and other musicians pro-
of clothes: something they can’t go
the most renowned guitar play-
duce from their instrument, but
without, and if it breaks they don’t
ers in Austin. “I’ve seen [Austin’s
how would they be able to do that
have a choice but to get it repaired. music scene] grow from hardly
if their instrument broke? What or
“It’s kind of like car work,” says
anything, to politicians saying
who could fix it? The person who
Todd Sloan, the owner of West-
they’re responsible for it. Which
made it originally. They are the
bank String shop, a repair business all of us musicians kind of resent.”
ones who secretly allow the music
mainly for instruments in the vio-
Wilks says that the Austin mu-
scene to happen. The behind the
lin family in Austin. “When that
sic scene has grown with the
scenes people you never hear
little red light comes on, or the
city, both of which have grown
about. Those who work hand in
check engine light, sooner or later
tremendously over the past few
hand with all the musicians yet
you’re going to have to go see a
decades. With Austin calling itself
rarely get recognized. Austin, the
mechanic. People who try to do it
“ The Live Music Capital of the
live music capital of the world,
themselves create more problems.”
World” there is quite a bit of live
would not exist if it weren’t for luthiers. Almost everyone knows about guitars or violins or other stringed instruments, but very few people know who makes and repairs them: Luthiers. “A luthier is one
“One hand feeds the other, ... it’s really true.”
music here. In order to play live music the musicians need their instruments in working condition. Though repairing instruments might seem like a small task, if no one repaired instruments then the live musicians couldn’t work,
who makes stringed musical
Luthiers repair the instruments
which would greatly affect the
instruments,” as defined by the
that the musicians use and need
Austin music scene.
Merriam-Webster dictionary.
in a good condition, in order to
“Most of the luthiers and or re-
They build and repair stringed
work; without them Austin’s music
pairmen that I know play music to
instruments that many live musi-
scene would be very different.
some extent,” says Dick Dubois 23| EARWORM MAGAZINE
a long time guitar repairman in
luthiers do for them, and allow
many great or trustworthy luthiers
Austin.
them to play music as a job, but
in those cities. So if it weren’t for
“You know [luthiers are] the
they rarely recognize the luthier’s
all the luthiers in Austin, musi-
behind the scenes people,” says
efforts at concerts and gigs. The
cians would either have to find
Wilks, “The audience member out
luthier’s work is practically un-
luthiers and repairmen in other
there might not realize that guy
known to the general public.
towns, and there might not be a
up there, or girl, playing guitar
“It would be more difficult to
great selection to choose from,
tonight [might not be] had it not
work,” says Wilks when asked
or they would have to ship their
been for this master craftsman,
about how the music scene would
instrument off to someone they
to [make] that guitar, whip that
be without all the luthiers here,
trust that might be far away which
“Because if you need something
would cause many problems and
and there weren’t these people
hurt the music scene if they just
here that are qualified to do it, it
needed a quick “tune up” before a
would be more difficult. I think
gig that night but couldn’t get it.
Photo by Dick Dubois
guitar into shape so the guy can play it.” Since Austin’s music scene is so essential, and because luthiers
“You know, [luthiers are] behind the scenes people.”
However, Wilks says that there are a lot of luthiers here because of the music scene. He says that they move here for work, and there’s a
and the music scene go hand in
the players would still be here, but
hand, luthiery in Austin is also an
I think it goes hand and hand.”
essential part of the music scene.
As Wilks says, without all the
The Austin luthiers and repairmen
luthiers here it would be much
Photo by PicasaWeb
don’t get nearly as much credit for
harder to work as a musician.
lot of job security here because of
the music scene compared to how
Dubois also says that he gets a lot
all the musicians. Collings gui-
much effort they put into allow-
of customers from neighboring
tars, a guitar manufacturer on the
ing it to happen. Musicians will
cities like Dallas, Houston, and
outskirts of Austin near dripping
be grateful for the work that the
San Antonio because there aren’t
springs, makes “world class”
24 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
guitars and is “one of the premier
ing how his relationship with the
guitar builders in the world” ac-
luthier is important.
it being the live music capital of
cording to Wilks and Dubois,
Wilks shows how for a luthier to
the world, as they say, everyone
respectively. It also attracts some
be good and get work, they not
of those guitar players, anyone
of the best luthiers in the U.S. to
only have to be good at their job,
who’s playing any instrument with
come and work there. Often some
but they also have to have a nice
strings is depending on a luthier
personality. How a luthier acts
sooner or later” says Sloan.
really affects if the customer will
want to come back.
a string instrument needs a luthier
“It’s kind of like a mechanic, or
or repairman at some point, and
“It’s kind of like a mechanic, or whoever cuts your hair.”
of those luthiers end up leaving
Collings to do their own work, but still stay in Austin. For example, John Allison, a Collings alumni who now owns his own shop in Austin and makes high quality
“Anyone who’s playing any instrument with strings is depending on a luthier sooner or later”
guitars in his own unique way.
whoever cuts your hair. Once you
“I remember years ago, taking
get comfortable with a person
[my guitar] to this guy who just
whose services you like, you tend
“When you think about
Every musician that plays
because of this it provides good job security for luthiers giving them a reason to move to Austin and work here. This builds upon itself, as more musicians move to
grabbed it, started playing it show- to come back...” says Dubois.
Photo by Meikan Little
ing how good he is, banging on
Not only are there a lot of mu-
Austin, more luthiers come for
it real hard. I [said] ‘I’m not quite
sicians in Austin, which gives
work, and as more luthiers come,
ready for the repair right now’ ‘I
luthiers incentive to come here,
more musicians come because
don’t have any money’ I just made
and job security, but a lot of them
they can easily work there. This
up some excuse because it didn’t
are repeat customers. They come
is one of the reasons that Austin’s
feel right. I don’t care how good he
back over and over whenever they
music scene has grown to the im-
might of been. I didn’t like his ap-
need some work done on their
mense size it is today, and at the
proach” says Wilks when explain-
instrument.
very roots of it are the luthiers. 25 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
Where the Music Begins
The story of South Austin Music
By Caroline Hemphill 26 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
THE STORE IS CHOCK-
is gone. The store is appropriately
brothers and two older sisters. He
FULL with what seems like 1,000
named South Austin Music, and
had always known he would go to
varieties of mandolins, amplifiers
is one of Austin’s most popular
college.
and who knows what else. Rows
music stores.
of guitars take up any room that is
South Austin Music
always told me when I was a kid
available in the store. They stand
(SAM) is an iconic shop. They sell
in high school, ‘You’ll be the one
in racks on the floor, hang off of
ukuleles, a crazy selection of gui-
to go to college.’ So I kind of knew,
the wall, and dangle from the ceil-
tars, and practically anything else
when I was growing up in school,
ing. There’s hardly room to walk.
you could imagine. It’s located,
that I was going to college,” he
“[My brothers and sisters]
Large portraits of musical legends are painted in black and white at the tops of the walls, and are partially covered up by the long lines of guitars. Classic rock blares from speakers that are nowhere to be seen. Everything, from the music playing to the
A sample of the inventory at South Austin Music
colors in the room, contributes to the unique atmo-
where else, in South Austin, on S.
says. “It doesn’t really matter what
sphere. The store only opened ten
Lamar Blvd, and was founded by
business you’re in, I figured having
minutes ago, but it’s quickly filling
Bill Welker 29 years ago, in 1986.
a business education would be
with people. In walks Bill Welker,
When deciding to open the store,
helpful,” he says.
owner and founder of the store.
Welker says he “just went for it.”
Falls, Texas, when he was going to
It’s as if this store is
So how did SAM get
Welker lived in Wichita
screaming, “Austin music cul-
started? Welker was the young-
college. His brother, who had a job
ture” into your ear until its voice
est of five siblings, with two older
with a music companty, had to 27 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
talk to many owners of music
you walk in, these questions fly
famous customers.
stores for his job. He knew of one
away immediately. Every person
store in Wichita Falls called Mc-
who works at SAM says that the
for Willie Nelson’s band,” Welker
Carty Music. He got Welker a job
customer is every employee’s
says.
there, and Welker worked there
number one priority (for reasons
for the six years he spent earning
other than just money).
sicians like Jon Dee Graham. But
his business degree. When he got
“I love just talking to people and
not only musical legends come
“We did some amp repair
SAM has also helped mu-
back
getting them
in. Alejandro Rose Garcia, a.k.a.
to
what they’re
Shakey Graves, came into the
Aus-
looking for,
store several times before Welekr
tin, a
whether they
realized that the was talking to a
golden
know it or
rather well-known musician.
oppor-
not,” says
tunity
Sean Crooks,
desire to help people out, and not
a 15-year
just make a sale but to build better
employee at
relationships,” Welker says.
awaited
A portrait of Ray Charles, musical legend, on the wall of South Autin Music
him:
SAM.
As soon as anyone walks
A prime location in a very musical
city.
serve the Austin music communi-
help them with their endeavour,
ty and be an established business
whether it be finding a guitar or
to lose, you know?” Says Welker.
that they can count on for years to
searching tirelessly for a certain
“I started out with nothing... But
come,” says Welker.
what I had was a very positive at-
titude, and a desire to be success-
success of the store so far, that
ful.”
goal is very much within reach.
“I didn’t have anything
That positive attitude took
“My goal is to continue to
“[We have] a genuine
in, someone will be there to
And based on the major
Mac McNabb, who lives
Several mandolins taking up all the space on a SAM wall
him far. Now, Welker owns a
around the corner from SAM, has
store with many employees and a
been coming to the store at least
devoted group of regular custom-
once a week ever since it opened.
size and shape of guitar pick.
ers. One would wonder why these
What he says he loves most about
customers are so unswervingly
SAM is that everyone is his friend.
hang out,” Mc Nabb says. This
loyal to the store, but as soon as
sums up most long-time
28 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
SAM has even had some
“It’s just a cool place to
customer’s opinions about the
store accurately.
the store will feel the “vibe” Jesse
talks about immediately. That’s a
to choose from, but we also have
amount of care that employees
thing that not many stores have.
used instruments, and even older
give the customers really sets SAM
Because SAM has been in the
instruments called vintage instru-
apart, making it clear why every-
same place with the same people
ments,” Welker says.
one claims to love it so much. But
for so long, they are able to create
the differences don’t end there.
a community and spread that feel-
pert on music stores could wak in
ing to everyone who shops there.
and see that there is an extensive
keep coming back to SAM, but the
selection of instruments, ampli-
staff members say they love work-
ferent because, first off, we provide
Welker says that the
Not only do the customers
Anyone who walks into
“South Austin Music is dif-
has a vast instrument selection. “We have new instruments
Even one who isn’t an ex-
fiers, and pedals for guitars.
ing there.
if you’re just starting to
“[My favorite
“It doesn’t matter
thing here is] the com-
get interested in playing
radery. You get to meet
or you’ve been playing
interesting people, great
for years: There’s a lot
players. It’s a hub of the
of stuff in here,” Welker
music community [in
says.
Austin],” says Richard
Jesse, an eight-year music
mandolins, ukuleles,
teacher at SAM.
and even kazoos. If
“The main
More guitars, taking up every available space in the store
Guitars, banjos,
you need something to
thing [I like about the store] is just
friendly service. Everybody feels
make music, SAM probably has it.
the family. That’s what everybody
comfortable in here,” Welker says.
is, family, as far as it goes here,”
amateur ukulele-ists, South Austin
says Crooks.
many long-time customers like
Music is the first place to go. The
McNabb, so obviously they think
friendly people, community vibe,
great vibe the store has.
Welker and the staff are doing
and extensive selection keep them
something right. But is there a
coming back. It’s been 30 years,
ergy that’s created in small, local
third thing that is different about
and SAM is still going strong.
stores,” he says about what matters
SAM?
most to him at SAM.
Jesse also mentioned the “The vibrance, the en-
Welker says that SAM has
For pro guitar players and
Of course there is. SAM 29 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
Top 5 Concert Venues in Downtown Austin
By Elena Alcala
Austin is deservedly known as “The Live Music Capital of the World”. With so many venues to choose from, going to a concert can be overwhelming. Here are downtown Austin’s best known venues. 1. The Moody Theater 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 The Moody Theater, located in the Second Street District, is widely known as the home of the popular ACL Live television program. According to it’s website, the theater has hosted country music icons such as Willie Nelson and Miranda Lambert, as well as indie artists like Vampire Weekend. 2. Austin Music Hall 801 Red River Austin, TX 78701 Only a few blocks from the Moody Theater, Austin Music Hall is a large theater that hosts nationally or internationally touring musicians in front of large audiences. Seating capacity is 3,000, according to Ticket City. Past performers include B.B. King and the Cure. Austin Music Hall also plays host to spoken word and comedy performances. 3. The Elephant Room 315 Congress Ave. Austin TX 78701 The Elephant Room is a prime example of the quirky Austin music scene, with its underground location and signed dollar bills covering the walls. The venue’s website boasts a full schedule of jazz performers from both near and far. 4. The Long Center 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704 Perhaps Austin’s most diverse concert venue in terms of genre, The Long Center is the home stage of Austin’s opera, ballet, and orchestra, as well as the host of touring performers like Blue Man Group, and Ballet Folklorico. Its iconic green tiled outside and location on Auditorium Shores also make it a well known landmark. 5. Stubb’s BBQ 801 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701 Stubb’s is one of Austin’s many barbeque restaurants, but its real claim to fame is its many live music performances. According to their website, they were the first stop on the road to fame for artists like Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughn. 30 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
4
4
2
3 1
5
31 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
SET
FIRES
STOP FIGHTING --A band where---punk gets political-BLXPLTN
32 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
By Kye Fisher
The crowd is jumping to
the rhythm of the music and the lights are flashing in shades of red, green, and blue. The bass vibrations and screams shiver Photo by Ryan Doyan
up the spines of the people in the crowded room, pumping their blood and making their hearts race faster and faster. The only sound to be heard is the shredding guitar and mesmerizing synth that floods
From left to right: TaSzlin Muerte, Jonathan Horstmann, Khattie Q
through the ears of the crowd and the sound of people as
member Khattie Q or “Lil K Big
working on your art. All your
they scream the lyrics at the top
Q”(guitar, screams)— is becom-
free time should go to your art.
of their lungs. When the song
ing more well known in and out
[Your] friends are hanging out?
ends, there’s a roar of applause
of the Austin area.They are hop-
You’re writing, practicing, or in
after the few moments of si-
ing to create more of a name for
the studio. Skip the Jordans and
lence. For this band, the jour-
themselves, working day in and
the fancy purses. Buy equip-
ney had begun.
day out like someone would in
ment. It pays for itself in the
any full time job.
long run. And be patient. Your
our first song, Stop & Frisk, we
trees will start to bear fruit
knew we were on to something,”
long, hard process, and getting
whatever music you’re trying to
says Khattie, the original mem-
“discovered” can take even lon-
do, go back to the foundation.”
ber of the Austin based band,
ger. Although they are famous
says Khattie.
BLXPLTN (Blaxploitation).
now, that wasn’t always the case.
They had to work hard to get
a summertime garage band or
“Javelin” Horstmann (bass,
exposure and be where they are.
quick beat you can tap your
synth, vocals), TaSzlin Rico
foot to,” says Rebecca Smith, a
Muerte or “TaSz” (electro
invest in your art. Employ your
15 year-old Austinite, and fan
drums, vocals), and former
friends and family, they’re your
of the band. “They are known
“After the applause after
This trio — Jonathan
Starting a band can be a
“Save your money, and
“They are way more than
biggest supporters. Always be 33 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
who may not be as engaging.” When they first started, they
songs about changing racism,
weren’t expecting to become
and they are working on creating
anything big.
a better tomorrow.”
Performing around the
loves us, and she pushed us to
country at music festivals like
believe we were bigger than a
Afropunk has helped to create a
house party punk band,” says
better name for BLXPLTN and
Muerte, lead singer of BLX-
get fans from all over.
PLTN. After they found and
hired a manager, they had to
“I love how they were
“We got a manager who
Photo by DeShaun Craddock
for their
aware of what is going on among
able to combine punk music
worry about recording studio
with informing the public about
costs, producer costs, getting
racism. I think it’s a great way to
online distribution, replicating
enlighten people,” says Smith.
CDs, hiring a Public Relations
“When I listened to them and
(PR) company, and starting their
learned about them, I fell in love
own label, Wolfshield Records.
other communities outside their
with how they were able to con-
own,” says Horstmann. “We hope
vey their message. It was so
self/herself why someone would
to start a conversation about
want to go see a band that makes
the systematic mistreatment of
music about politics. Enlight-
people of color, queer people,
ening people is a major part of
and immigrants.”
their goal. Often people aren’t
aware of many of the issues that
University of Texas at Austin
are happening around them un-
(UT Austin) African and African
less it is happening to them.
Diaspora Studies department,
“[We want to] enlighten
band members talk about how
people who come to shows who
being a person of color affects
are generally socially aware, but
them in the punk / rock com
BLXPLTN’s first album, Black Cop Down
34 | EARWORM MAGAZINE
A person may ask him-
Bassist Jonathan Horstmann performing at Afropunk 2014
At an interview in the
munity. Most of the punk
combine politics with punk. A
you just let me know.” This is
/ rock community is white, so
funky synth rhythm, wailing
when it becomes obvious this
when at a concert in the crowd
screams like an ambulance, and
song is meant to be a protest, or
or the mosh pit, they feel left
a fast beat pull you into this
a call-to-arms.
out. Being the only people of
song. The opening words, “Call-
color in a place can make you
ing all the casualties, of the state
it’s political songs, They also
stick out and make you feel un-
and soul. I’ve had an epiphany,
write songs about things other
welcome or unwanted. This has
that I can’t let it go,” explain how
than politics, as any bands does.
influenced them in major ways.
he (the lead singer of the group,
“We write about silly things and
TaSzlin Muerte) has realized the
breakups as well. ‘Blah’ from
that people of color, queer
systemic racism in the country.
[our album] Black Cop Down is
people, or any disenfranchised
He goes on to say, “Race superi-
a good example. It is about how
folks can rally to in the punk [or]
ority, illusion of control. If you
saying I love you becomes com-
rock world and not feel left out.”
wanna burn it down with me,
monplace and loses its meaning,”
“Watch your back if your black! I’m sure that’s how it goes.”
says Horstmann. “In ‘Write’, we
“[We love] being a band
It was in February, 2012,
when they began to focus their
writing on subjects like institutionalized racism and police brutality.
“The murder of Trayvon
[Martin] is where the paradigm
BLXPLTN is known for
talk about how the pen is mightier than the sword. If you suffer from bullying, abuse, or stress, write about it, and get those words to where they need to be:
- Lyrics from “Start Fires” by BLXPLTN where they can be heard.”
shift happened,” says Muerte. The death of Trayvon Martin
From left to right: TaSzlin Muerte, Khattie Q, Jonathan Horstmann
try after his killer, George Zimmerman, was set free with no criminal charges. “Now, we can’t help it. It’s what we are thinking
Photo by John Hill
caused utter chaos in the coun-
about so we write about it. That’s what punk is.”
Their song “Start Fires,”
is a great example of how they 35 | EARWORM MAGAZINE