Local Texas Bands Releasing New Music, Bands From Out of Town Coming to Your City on Tour – We Have It All for You in This Month’s Texas Tunes 

#1 Sugar Ransom and Union Specific

Music enthusiasts are in for a treat as the vibrant sounds of Sugar Ransom and Union Specific take center stage for a captivating free live performance at the iconic Hole in the Wall venue in Austin. The event is scheduled to kick off on Feb. 1 starting at 6:00 p.m.

Known for their soulful melodies and electrifying stage presence, Sugar Ransom is a dynamic singer-songwriter that has been making waves in the local music scene. Their unique blend of genres creates a mesmerizing experience for audiences of all tastes.

Bringing an eclectic mix of indie country and synthesizers, Union Specific is set to deliver an unforgettable performance. Their harmonious arrangements and compelling lyrics resonate with a diverse audience.

#2 Church of Cash

The award-winning Church of Cash is a premier Johnny Cash tribute show band with the attitude and the chops. When the house lights go down, Cash is indeed immortal thanks to Ernest on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Jonathon TeBeest on drums, percussion, and background vocals; “Jumpin’” Jack Mansk on electric, baritone and acoustic guitars, and background vocals; and Tony Wirth on bass, upright bass, and background vocals.

Don’t miss the powerhouse Church of Cash perform Cash classics before a live audience Feb. 29 at 8 p.m. (doors/kitchen @ 6 p.m.) at Main Street Crossing, 111 West Main Street in Tomball, TX.  Tickets are $38-$145; all ages are welcome.  For tickets and more information, click HERE.

#3 Love Charles

Meridian is hosting their third edition of Love Charles, celebrating the music and legacy of Charles Bradley! It’s at Meridian on Feb. 23, featuring house band 100 Days, who will also tribute Sharon Jones! 

There will be special guest singers, and The Reverent Few will kick off the night. Get tickets here. From the creators of UTOPIAfest, Meridian is Buda’s newest destination for coffee, tea, beer, wine, medical mocktails, live music, and comedy. Open daily and just a short drive from the heart of Austin.

#4 Matisyahu 

Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and alternative reggae rock musician Matisyahu is hitting the road on the Hold The Fire Tour 2024 in support of his EP of the same name. The 34-date headlining outing, with special guest Cydeways, will be stopping locally in Austin on Saturday, Feb. 10 at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater. Tickets are on sale now. $1 of every ticket sale will be donated to the Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit dedicated to cannabis criminal justice reform and releasing every nonviolent cannabis prisoner.

#5 OUTsider Fest

Austin’s premier transmedia nonprofit OUTsider and their 10th annual OUTsiderFest, happening Feb. 15-18 at The Vortex (located at 2307 Manor Rd. Austin, TX, 78722). This special anniversary year’s theme is “The Swish Up,” an homage to the community’s “limp-wristed,” unruly, and demonized 2SLGBTQIA+ ancestors, and encouragement to take some twists and risks.

OUTsider Fest has been a staple in the queer arts community of Austin since their first May Day Gay Day event back in May 2014. Since then, it has grown to become a five-day festival held at The Vortex, a year-round performance space for the community that honors the OUTsider Fest mission to create a safe space for art to be shared. 

#6 The Milk Carton Kids

Critically acclaimed duo The Milk Carton Kids are playing Antone’s in Austin on Feb. 28. The band is currently up for the Best Folk Album Grammy Award for their latest record “I Only See The Moon,” out now on Far Cry Records in partnership with Thirty Tigers. The album has received extensive acclaim.

 In addition to the new record, The Milk Carton Kids recently founded/co-produced the first ever Los Angeles Folk Festival in partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at The Ford this past October. The band headlined the festival alongside Waxahatchee, Sierra Ferrell, Valerie June, Davíd Garza & Freaklórico, Haley Heynderickx, Tré Burt, Willie Watson and a number of very special guests.

#7 Mike Ryan

Listen for Country music singer-songwriter Mike Ryan’s new single “Way It Goes”. This release is off his recent album Longcut which was hailed as “some of the best songwriting in country music” (American Songwriter) and was produced by Bart Butler and Ryan Gore. It is a guitar-heavy song with exceptionally crafted lyrics about an unexpected breakup and was written by Phil Vassar, Brett Sheroky, and Andrew Peebles. “Way It Goes” follows the rising artist’s three-week #1 song “Loser,” which topped the American Country Music charts, marked Mike’s tenth #1 song at Texas radio and landed in the Top 5 on CDX True Indie Country Charts. You can catch Mike on tour in Texas throughout the month. He was in College Station early this month and will be in Lubbock Feb. 10 and Paris, TX, on Feb. 16. Check his website for a full list of tour dates.

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Cover Photo courtesy Ryan Loughlin, Unsplash

Gracie Watt is a regular contributor to Texas Lifestyle Magazine and a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin, with a degree in Journalism. Watt is also a Lifestyle Producer at NBC-affiliate KXAN’s Studio 512. When she’s not writing, Watt enjoys singing, playing the guitar and doing volunteer work.