Hunkering down and staying safe doesn’t mean you can’t keep up with what’s going on in the Texas music scene. And now you can do it from the comfort of your living room!

For your listening pleasure, here’s a curated selection of new releases and streaming events by
artists and venues from the Texas home front.

Blaggards Perform on Patreon

Houston’s Blaggards have taken to Patreon to offer fans access to exclusive video and behind-the-scenes footage, live tracks, demos, rough mixes and more. With membership just $5/month, new content is added weekly.
Formed in Houston in 2004, the foursome plays what they call Stout Irish Rock, namely traditional Irish music mixed with rock n’ roll, informed by everything from Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath. They are most frequently compared to bands like Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys and the Pogues.

Black Fret Presents Austin Love & Lightstream

The nonprofit committed to giving grants to Austin musicians has been live streaming performances from 4pm – 10pm CT all week and will continue through Saturday, Mar 21. Closed to the public, the streaming is taking place on a sterilized outdoor sound stage at the historic Scholz Garten, one of Austin’s iconic music venues. (Although closed to in-house diners, Scholz is offering curbside pickup.)

Ancient Cat Society, New Video

Houston’s Ancient Cat Society may still be in the studio working on their second album but they’re giving fans a taste of what’s come by releasing the music video for their new single. Released March 20, “Anyone” is available to stream on Spotify.

Matthew Scott Ragland, Brothertiger Remix Release

Dallas-based songwriter, producer, recording artist and former Nelo band member, Matt Ragland recently dropped his double single “Here and Now / Now is Here”. The ever creative Ragland has now teamed up with Brothertiger on a remix, releasing March 20. In contrast to his work with Nelo, with “Here and Now,” Ragland relied on synthesizers, drum machines and string samples entirely; no other musicians and very few traditional instruments. 

LEV, New Single, “It Was U”

With new music to brighten all our lives, Dallas indie electro pop artist LEV this week released her first new music in two years, and the song may be her most personal work yet. “It Was U” is the result of a four-year artistic and personal journey that began with the artist escaping label drama and ended with her finding a new sound.
A native of Tyler, TX, LEV wrote the song that would become “It Was U” on her piano, and took it into the studio with producer Josh Goode, where the duo made it into the catchy, powerful pop song fans can now stream on Spotify, Apple Music and more.

Shane Owens, New Single, “Love Me To Death”

Recorded at the legendary Panhandle House studio in Denton, Texas, “Love Me To Death” was written by long-time collaborator and hit songwriter, Galen Griffin and produced by Nick “Ace” Lutz. This single from Owens’ just-released album, “Thankful for Country Music,” reached the top eight of the most downloaded and streamed tracks on Play MPE.
Trailing on Play MPE shortly behind Maren Morris, Dixie Chicks, Sam Hunt, Tucker Beathard, Pam Tillis, Jon Pardi and Keith Urban, the Alabama native is in great company.

Cover: Moving Panoramas perform during Black Fret’s week-long Austin Love & Lightstream. Photo courtesy Black Fret