Credit: Photo via UT-Austin

Kevin Russell

Friday 7, Cactus Cafe

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the Cactus Cafe welcomes local treasure Kevin Russell, stepping out from his swamp-pop soul revue Shinyribs, for a rare solo acoustic set. Russell’s storied history with the Cactus includes memorable performances with his Nineties thrash-poppers Picket Line Coyotes and the stout Americana of the Gourds. This special performance, part of a series presented by the semi-revived Armadillo World Headquarters, honors the cafe’s rich legacy. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, with doors opening at 7pm and the show starting at 7:30pm.   – Tim Stegall


Credit: Photo via Big Hassle Media

Faux Real

Saturday 8, Hotel Vegas

Despite their European origins and art-pop alignments, Faux Real’s music bears no hints of enigmatic pretension. Instead, Los Angeles-based Franco-American brothers Virgile and Elliott Arndt craft digestible, catchy disco, layering mousy, youthful lyrics and dance floor-ready beats atop soaring pop hooks. “I can live rent free in a room in the back of your mind/ No worries if not,” they quip on “Rent Free,” from 2024’s Faux Ever. On “Walking Away From My Demons,” they clock “mobility boomers falling for trumours” moments after dubbing themselves “head to toe inadequate.” Hotel Vegas hosts the buzzy pair for the first stateside date of their 2025 tour.   – Carys Anderson


Credit: Courtesy of artist

Heavy the Mountain

Saturday 8, Chess Club

Record release shows are the best: Everyone is cheerful about accomplishing a goal, and there is something to buy at the end. Heavy the Mountain headlines this one with strapping hard rock in the Seventies manner. The fine folks in Marry Cherry are probably extremely excited for the 20th anniversary reissue of the movie Dig! Heavy psych act the Holy Temple is releasing their Intrepid Doublemint Blunderbuss tape, their first physical release (check their live set on Bandcamp for a rough, intense blast), while the Dead Canyon Family Reunion, who likely own Pink Floyd live bootlegs, have a new single. Prepare accordingly.   – Joe Gross


Credit: via Bandcamp

Daydream Twins

Saturday 8, Mohawk

Founded by lookalike duo Jordan Terry and Aidan Babinski, local shoegazers Daydream Twins quickly gained popularity in 2021 following the release of their high-potential debut single “Carpop.” The singer/guitarists, rounded out by bassist Chris Welvaert and drummer Jacob Silvia, realized that potential in the quartet’s 2022 self-titled debut LP and 2023’s Bombinate EP, which solidified their hauntingly dreamy sound, unafraid to let drums and guitar riffs glide them into a doomy, hazy atmosphere. The band gears up to perform at Mohawk with some recent singles in their catalog, like “Solstice for Embodiment” and the Sundays-esque “If I Fall,” in anticipation of their sophomore LP.   – Mattea Gallaway


17th Annual Chili Cold Blood Chili Cook-Off

Saturday 8, Sagebrush

There’s still a touch of winter left in Texas, which means it’s time to fire up the Chili Cold Blood while you still can. The ripping blues and twanged cowpunk trio simmers their 17th annual Chili Cook-Off with an all-day lineup, kicking off with the raw bluesy howl of Jay Moeller & the Drag and the smooth, dance floor-dedicated honky tonk of Sentimental Family Band. The Lonesome Heroes ramble their restless Americana into the hosts’ rocked-out set, with the Point closing the shindig behind the wild surf jazz and world rhythm fusions of last year’s standout Maldito Animal.   – Doug Freeman


The Moth Project

Saturday 8, Rollins Theatre at the Long Center

What do you get when you combine an avant-garde opera producer, a Juilliard-trained violinist, and the life cycle of moths? A singular experience of sound and visuals, that’s what. Partners Peter Kiesewalter (of the East Village Opera Company) and Whitney La Grange (musically, she’s done everything) created a stunning event combining science, music, macro photography, and myth to share their take on humanity and mothkind. Giant visuals. Epic music, from Kiss to Bach and everything in between. Storytelling mixing familial tales with ecologically sound studies. It makes for one wholly satisfying evening.   – Cat McCarrey


Lomelda

Sunday 9, Parish

Hannah Read, native of small-town Silsbee, Texas, and the brains behind indie rock project Lomelda, strikes a magic songwriting balance between everyday poignancy and heaven-reaching transcendence. Apart from garnering a rush of critical praise, the Double Double Whammy signee’s shimmering 2020 LP Hannah soundtracked many a melancholic pandemic-era stroll. Most recently, Read joined forces with experimental composer/frequent collaborator More Eaze for a buoyant cover of the Sandro Perri cut “In Another Life,” putting the duo’s mastery of swelling synths and acoustic grit on full display.   – Genevieve Wood


Credit: Photo by Michael Delaney

Christian Lee Hutson

Monday 10, 29th Street Ballroom

An artist beloved for soft-spoken consistency, Christian Lee Hutson has new stories to share on Paradise Pop. 10 – and some new sounds, too. Hutson’s trademark babbling brook melodies give way to interdimensional ponderings and emo power chords in “Beauty School,” while on “Candyland,” Hutson takes a turn around the Southern rock bend. Picking up the piano and a full band for this tour cycle, Monday’s performance promises to hold no punches – even the soft ones. Fans wooed by Hutson’s plaintive vocals and tongue-in-cheek lyricism are encouraged by this fan to show up early for Allegra Krieger’s semi-celestial proverbs, delivered in a haunting tremble.   – Caroline Drew


Credit: Photo by Michael Pugliese

Erik Telford’s Asilomar

Tuesday 11, Monks Jazz

Trumpeter Erik Telford has kept busy – performing and recording with Bob Schneider, Kalu James, the Scabs, the Walkmen, Alice Russell, and Nori, as well as running freelance brass band Hellfire Horns – so an ambitious show like this is worth raising the eyebrows. Leading an 11-piece group he calls a “Big(ish) Band,” Telford recruits vets like John Mills, rising stars like Paulo Santos, and the Nori rhythm section for a dynamic journey through his compositions. As a bonus, he’s also invited his Nori-mate Akina Adderley, of the Cannonball/Nat/Nat Jr. line, to add her swinging soul to the proceedings.   – Michael Toland


Credit: Courtesy of Antone's

Masta Killa

Wednesday 12, Antone’s

One of the Wu-Tang Clan’s lesser-known members, Masta Killa’s slowed, off-kilter flow first found a home on a single track (“Da Mystery of Chessboxin’”) on the hip-hop collective’s classic debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). After honing his bars on “Winter Warz” from Ghostface’s debut and Raekwon’s “Glaciers of Ice,” the Brooklyn MC took a significant step forward on the group’s 1997 follow-up double-disc, Wu-Tang Forever. While he was last in the group to drop a solo release, 2004’s No Said Date garnered unexpected critical success. Judging by his verse on rap legend Rakim’s 2024 comeback album, the darts are still sharp.   – Kahron Spearman


Credit: Photo by Leah Kehoe

The Pinky Rings

Thursday 13, Hotel Vegas

The Pinky Rings have maintained a low profile since last September, when they thrust their sophomore album Hard to Kill into the world with a release party at Hotel Vegas. Now the quartet returns to the Eastside venue, with a new guitarist in tow, to play alongside Dregs, Billy Glitter, and Think No Think. Hard to Kill packs a punch, blending the fiery group’s quintessential Riot Grrrl energy with a perseverant spirit. The gig also marks a return for alt rockers Think No Think, themselves reemerging after two years of dormancy.   – Catalina Perez


Music Notes

by Derek Udensi

Vintage Jay

Friday 7, Flamingo Cantina

Earning KUTX’s Artist of the Month distinction and releasing a collaborative EP with Blakchyl (Process of Shinnin) marked a solid 2024 for Vintage Jay. The North Austin MC performs on this bill, booked by Tobias Lund’s new live show-oriented collective Nordic Pulse, alongside Xavier II, Camila Rivers, and Lund himself.

Fresh Fridaze

Friday 7, Independence Brewing

College of Hip Hop Knowledge’s monthly showcase of local rap returns to its original home base after a brief stint at Sixth Street locale Flamingo Cantina. Central Texas altogether is spotlighted this month as CHHK and Major Gains welcome several San Antonio-based artists, including Concept and Spy MC, to South Austin. Locals on the bill include Babyrosae, EC Mayne, and Young Clean.

Credit: Courtesy of artist

Thuy

Saturday 8, Emo’s

This Vietnamese American singer-songwriter with a penchant for pop and R&B tours in support of her latest album wings, which features the apt-for-Valentine’s Day single “D8.” Florida singer ASTN opens.

Want to see all of our listings broken down by day? Go to austinchronicle.com/calendar and see what’s happening now or in the coming week.

This article appears in February 7 • 2025.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

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Carys Anderson moved from Nowhere, DFW to Austin in 2017 to study journalism at the University of Texas. She began writing for The Austin Chronicle in 2021 and joined its full-time staff in 2023, where she covers music and culture.

As the Chronicle's Club Listings Editor, Derek compiles a weekly list of music events occurring across town. The University of Texas alum also writes about hip-hop as a contributor to the Music section.

Caroline is the Music and Culture staff writer and reporter, covering, well, music, books, and visual art for the Chronicle. She came to Austin by way of Portland, Oregon, drawn by the music scene and the warm weather.

Tim Stegall contributed to The Austin Chronicle 1991-1995, and was a staff writer 1995-1997. He returned as a contributor in 2013. He has also freelanced for publications ranging from Flipside to Alternative Press to Guitar World. He plays punk rock guitar and sings in the Hormones.

Kahron Spearman is a journalist and writer with bylines including The Austin Chronicle, Austin Monthly, Consequence of Sound, Texas Highways, and the London-based journal The Break-Down. He currently serves as Senior Editor at Atmosphere TV.