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. This Month We’re Focusing on SXSW Events That You Don’t Want To Miss.

#1 Sunny Day Real Estate

SPIN Magazine is gearing up to host an epic show at Stubb’s on Saturday, March 16 from 12-4 p.m. featuring legendary emo band, Sunny Day Real Estate, who are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their seminal album “Diary.” The show will also feature The Get Up Kids and local band Die Spitz. Tickets can be purchased online.

Formed in 1992, Seattle’s Sunny Day Real Estate are known as the godfathers of Emo. They released their debut album,” Diary,” on Sub Pop Records in 1994 to critical acclaim (topping the “40 Greatest Emo Albums Of All Time”). 2024 sees the band celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album with a tour, a re-recorded version and their first new song in 10 years. 

#2 Old Heavy Hands

Old Heavy Hands will be playing The Continental Club on Thursday, March 14 from 1:00-1:50 a.m.

Greensboro, NC’s, “y’allternative” outfit Old Heavy Hands just released their new album Small Fires, which lives at the inspired intersection of southern rock, Muscle Shoals Americana, alt-rock, and youths wasted on punk rock ambitions. Now grown men, collectively they’ve built families, survived cancer and beat addictions. It’s this raw tenacity and musical prowess that’s allowed them to share stages with acts like Jason Isbell, John Moreland, Lucero, Joshua Ray Walker, Tyler Childers and many more.

Small Fires was produced by Danny Fonorow, engineered by Ted Comerford & legendary producer Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Pavement, Wilco, Drive-By Truckers) at The Fidelitorium. Additional recording was done at Earthtones Recording Studio with Benjy Johnson (Eric Gales, King’s X, Mike Watt) and mixed by Henry Lunetta (Machine Gun Kelly, Bring Me The Horizon, 5 Seconds Of Summer). Then mastered by Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone (Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Taylor Swift, Bon Iver).

#3 Native Harrow

Native Harrow is a Philadelphia-based, folk-soul duo composed of Devin Tuel and Stephen Harms. They’ve released five studio albums, with their sixth album to be announced in March. The duo have toured internationally, in more than 20 countries, to critical acclaim, including supporting The Eagles and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss at BST Hyde Park in London.

Performances:

Thursday, March 14 @ 12 p.m. — Music For Listeners Dayparty 

@ Lazarus Brewing, 1902 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

Thursday, March 14 @ 4 p.m. — Nine Mile Records + Export Memphis Dayparty 

@ The ABGB, 1305 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704

Friday, March 15 @ 8 p.m. — SXSW Official Showcase

@ Stephen F’s Bar at The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel, 701 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

Saturday, March 16 @ 1 p.m. — Sign of the Times by To’Morrow Records + Rocky and The Hair Dayparty @ The ABGB, 1305 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704

Saturday, March 16 @ 3:30 p.m. — New West Records Dayparty 

@ Sagebrush, 5500 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745

#4 Audrey Nuna

Audrey Nuna, the inimitable R&B and rap artist, has officially joined the SXSW lineup at the FRIENDS: FOREVER showcase, the largest Asian-centric music event to hit the festival this year! She’ll join the likes of thuy, SE SO NEON, Rei Ami, Alice Longyu Gao, Reality Club, mui zyu and TENGGER & more during the two-day showcase at Empire Control Room & Garage. 

Audrey’s set is scheduled for Friday, March 15 at midnight. 

#5 Bones and Jones

Australian alt-rock band Bones and Jones recently dropped their new EP “In Blue,” and the band will head to Austin this March to showcase at SXSW 2024.

“In Blue” sees Bones and Jones lean into the indie rock facet of their sound following the unique fusion of folk and garage heard in their previous work. Trading their signature slide guitar sound for synthesizers, the latest EP marks a new stage for the band that they are thrilled to share with old and new fans alike. Catch them on Tuesday, March 12, 6:00–6:40 p.m. at the International Day Stage.

#6 Sinkane

Renowned Sudanese musician Sinkane is heading to SXSW on Thursday, March 14, 11:00–11:40 p.m. at Elysium. 

Known for his eclectic blend of genres like electronica, funk rock and Sudanese pop, his worldly music is steeped in poignant political messaging relevant to every dimension of the Sudanese-British-American musician. Following a four-year break that saw multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Ahmed Gallab return to school to redefine his songwriting process, Sinkane is back with a newer, more expansive sound that continues to offer poignant social commentary true to Ahmed’s ethos. The upcoming album We Belong (out April 5), provides a newer, more expansive sound that continues to offer poignant social commentary true to Ahmed’s ethos.

#7 Gary Clark Jr.

Austin’s very own 4X GRAMMY® winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer and performer Gary Clark Jr. will be live at Emo’s Austin on Wednesday, March 13 at 10 p.m.

Renowned for his unparalleled talent and mesmerizing live performances, guests won’t want to miss soul-stirring rock ‘n’ roll. In addition to Gary’s headlining performance, attendees can also anticipate a captivating set from a very special surprise guest. General admission tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online here.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cover Photo courtesy Carlos Alfonso, 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.