Faster Than Sound: Music Advocates Say Convention Center Expansion Key to Unlocking City Funds

Can the commercial music industry finally get a cut of the HOT action? Also: City protects venue employees from receiving sound citations and Austin rapper Hella Sketchy dies of overdose.

"...and Red River Cultural District Merchants Association Executive Director Cody Cowan as VP. The board represents a who's who..."

July 5, 2019 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

How the Red River Cultural District Was Made

Decades of off-kilter activity and music activism culminate in our current concert hub

"...marketing tool to differentiate Red River from Sixth Street. Cody Cowan, current executive director of the RRCD, simplifies it..."

Jan. 31, 2020 Features Feature by Rachel Rascoe

Faster Than Sound: 10 Days of Gun Violence on Red River

Police step up presence in the Red River Cultural District as merchants’ association pushes for city improvements following three separate shootings in 10 days

"...Red River Cultural District Executive Director Cody Cowan calls an emergency meeting with Mayor Steve Adler,..."

Aug. 9, 2019 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Faster Than Sound: City on the Fence Regarding Red River’s Homeless Problem

Red River merchants push to finally enclose dangerous alley with 10-foot fence, electro-pop diva p1nkstar touches down at Fuego ATX, and more

"...and Red River Cultural District Merchants Association Executive Director Cody Cowan presented their plan to install a pair of..."

Jan. 25, 2019 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Playback: Patio Smoking Ban in Flames

The Central Health Equity Policy Council's efforts to ban smoking on smoking patios meets with community resistance

"...Randall Stockton, Transmission Events' Bobby Garza, and Mohawk GM Cody Cowan. The latter described the conversation as civil, but..."

Aug. 19, 2016 Music Column by Kevin Curtin

SXSW Cancellation “Devastating” for Grassroots Austin Music Businesses

Coronavirus shutdown impacts all levels of Austin music

"...Cody Cowan, a veteran club runner in Austin's vaunted Red..."

March 13, 2020 Music Feature by Kevin Curtin

Faster Than Sound: Austin Music Video Festival Reaches 5

Local DIY videos mingle with the big leagues, Austin Music Commission forecasts 2020, and Federico Pacheco leads KOOP into its next quarter-century

"...answer that question." Red River Cultural District Executive Director Cody Cowan, joining Reynolds under the Austin Music Movement advocacy..."

Dec. 6, 2019 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Playback – Now Hiring: Austin Music Office

Austin’s top governmental job in music is up for grabs

"...handle permitting without compromising economic development goals. Mohawk GM Cody Cowan says Pitts became an ally to clubs thanks..."

April 28, 2017 Music Column by Kevin Curtin

Faster Than Sound: Could Austin Arts & Music Finally Get a Cultural Trust?

It's not here yet, but talks are intensifying. Also, bars and a few live music venues reopen.

"...with the disaster of affordability," explains RRCD Executive Director Cody Cowan. "We were already, as a music venue community,..."

May 29, 2020 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Faster Than Sound: Gary Keller’s Austin Music Movement Shifts Resources

Major music advocacy funding impacted by the COVID-19 crisis

"...[Update: On Thursday morning, Cowan said the Red River Cultural District will also receive..."

April 10, 2020 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Council Recap: The Beat Goes On, Ever So Slowly

Music scene frustrated at pace of COVID relief

"...the initial $20,000 in relief either program will provide. Cody Cowan, executive director of the Red River Cultural District,..."

Dec. 4, 2020 News Post by Austin Sanders

SXSW Cancellation “Devastating” for Austin’s Grassroots Music Businesses

Coronavirus shutdown impacts all levels of Austin music

"...Cody Cowan, a veteran club runner in Austin’s vaunted Red..."

March 6, 2020 Music Post by Kevin Curtin

Faster Than Sound: Eimaral Sol’s Journey to RAS Day

Local neo-soul singer Eimaral Sol puts her spiritual spin on the all-women-led RAS Day lineup, City Council approves Red River improvements, Blakchyl leads her East Austin tour, and cult song funny man Dick Price passes

"...a Facebook post, Red River Cultural District Executive Director Cody Cowan noted the Council approval: "Encouraged to see those..."

Aug. 16, 2019 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Faster Than Sound: A Tale of Two Red River Fests

Free Week and This Is Austin, Not That Great share Red River

"..."[Free Week] is no longer just about surviving," says Cody Cowan, executive director of the Red River Cultural District...."

Jan. 4, 2019 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Musician Hurt in Panhandler Attack Outside Show

Assault highlights worsening criminality in the live music district

"...for not having spoken up on this issue sooner. Cody Cowan, the longtime Mohawk manager who is now Executive..."

Nov. 12, 2018 Music Post by Kevin Curtin

Playback: Shorter Hours Could Be Coming for Venues During SXSW

Another clubs ordinance change drops right before the Festival

"...Mohawk GM Cody Cowan says each hour during SXSW represents several thousand..."

Feb. 3, 2017 Music Column by Kevin Curtin

Nakia Cuts Back on Advocacy to Focus on Music

“Let’s give other folks some time to talk and me some time to sing”

"...along with Amplified Sound Coalition, plus all the work Cody [Cowan] was doing behind the scenes.”..."

Jan. 8, 2021 Music Post by Kevin Curtin

Music Workers Rally for Dedicated City Funding

Will Council reshape the SAVES Resolution at today’s meeting?

"...Meanwhile, Red River Cultural District head Cody Cowan this week issued a set of music sector..."

Sept. 17, 2020 Music Post by Kevin Curtin

Faster Than Sound: Austin Music Venues Are Out of Money

Following last week’s Barracuda closure, a domino effect will continue without emergency city funding

"...music-centric eateries Threadgill's and Shady Grove, RRCD Executive Director Cody Cowan offered a prescient perspective late last month:..."

June 19, 2020 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Faster Than Sound: Edith Frost Returns

Austinite once again, Edith Frost offers first new songs in over a decade, plus Natalie Jane Hill's debut and Red River Cultural District requests

"...of federal CARES Act money. While RRCD Executive Director Cody Cowan urges that federal funds go to live music..."

May 22, 2020 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Faster Than Sound: Locals Join Over 1,000 Independent Clubs Fighting for Survival

Meet the National Independent Venue Association, goodbye Shady Grove, and more music news

"...child care centers. Red River Cultural District Executive Director Cody Cowan urged Council to dedicate funding specifically to music..."

May 15, 2020 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

ACL Stands With Austin, Tonight!

Fundraiser features nearly 20 exclusive performances

"...Adler, HAAM’s Reenie Collins, Red River Cultural District guardian Cody Cowan, and Antone’s owner Will Bridges...."

March 20, 2020 Music Post by Raoul Hernandez

Pie Eating Contest Brings Local Luminaries to the Table

Watch music and food industry types stuff their faces for charity

"...Rachel Holtin, and Red River Cultural District's Executive Director Cody Cowan. The SIMS Foundation's Patsy Bouressa and pro BMX..."

Dec. 10, 2019 Food Post by Alyssa Quiles

Faster Than Sound: Ryan Garrett Assumes Beerland Lease

Stubb’s GM Ryan Garrett takes over lease on neighboring punk club Beerland, expanding Red River Cultural District involvement.

"...district in July, Red River Cultural District Executive Director Cody Cowan and Garrett worked overnight to set up an..."

Oct. 18, 2019 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Faster Than Sound: Cheer Up Charlies Booker Trish Connelly’s Thoughtful Curation

Community outpours support for booker’s multiple sclerosis treatment, city opens first for-profit venue assistance program, and Las Cruxes’ storefront shutters

"...a merchants association with updates during SXSW. Executive Director Cody Cowan's photography graces new signage, featuring photos of familiar..."

March 29, 2019 Music Column by Rachel Rascoe

Playback: Does Size Matter at SXSW?

A smaller SXSW Music week still satisfies

"...of Vans series and low-key official SXSW programming. GM Cody Cowan told "Playback" mid-week that he projected the club's..."

March 23, 2018 Music Column by Kevin Curtin

Introducing Grizzly Hall

Former Emo’s co-owner Jason Sabala opens new Eastside venue

"...Jacket. There’s everything [Barracuda co-owner] Johnny Sarkis is doing, Cody Cowan runs Mohawk, and Graham Williams is crushing it..."

April 26, 2016 Music Post by Kevin Curtin

Austin Creative Alliance's Summit Report

The service organization moves beyond talk with four ideas on how the city can expand its cultural infrastructure

"...Fusebox Festival Managing Director Brad Carlin, Mohawk General Manager Cody Cowan, Austin Classical Guitar Executive Director Matt Hinsley, Imagine..."

April 15, 2016 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Playback: Spotify Gifts Kealing Middle School

After the SXSW carnival leaves town, Kealing Middle School will have something to show for it – thanks to Spotify

"...bounced him to the upper deck. Mohawk general manager Cody Cowan reckons that's the first time a performer's executed..."

Feb. 26, 2016 Music Column by Kevin Curtin