Your Music in the Park Picks

You’ve probably heard about our new Music in the Park series. Over the next few months, we’re bringing the best of local artists to the Union for Friday evening shows from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

We’ve been having a great time booking bands—the current lineup includes Ruby Jane and the Reckless with Genuine Leather on August 23, Shooks and SWELLS on September 20, and P.T. Banks with Harvest Thieves on October 18. You can get the full details and RSVP here.

We wanted to get the community involved in picking some bands for future shows, and we put out the call asking for suggestions on Facebook and Instagram. As usual, you guys didn’t disappoint. Of the MANY awesome artists that y’all suggested, here are a few we’ve got on repeat:

Zach Person

For people who like: Lenny Kravitz, Prince, Chris Stapleton

Suggested by: herderp

If (like us) you missed Zach Person on American Idol, you should probably start listening to him now. Though Person is technically from Houston, this recommendation was too good not to share. Playing a resonator guitar, Person creates mesmerizing gritty blues/rock riffs that match his hypnotizing stage presence strut—this guy was born to be a star.

Grand Child

For people who like: Vance Joy, The Lumineers, Mountain Goats

Suggested by: am.lane

Grand Child is the best Austin band you’ve never heard of. Started around 10 years ago by Andy Driver, the group has had a rotating cast of members, including Kelsey and Alexander from Wild Child. The current iteration is a noisy folk celebration with guitar, fiddle, and harmonies.  Anchored by Driver’s wonderfully honest lyrics, each song captures a moment and weaves its own story of longing and memory.

Jackie Venson

For people who like: Gary Clark, Jr., Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse

Suggested by: Martha Ydelisa Stinson

When we heard Jackie Venson play several years ago at the opening of the Modcloth store downtown, we should have known she’d someday win the Austin Chronicle Award for Best Guitarist. An Austin native and classically trained pianist, Venson graduated from Berklee College of Music and came back home to refine her killer guitar licks and smokey blues voice. Her latest album, 2019’s Joy, takes things in a poppier direction, with hooks that will get stuck in your brain for days.

Moving Panoramas

For people who like: Best Coast, First Aid Kit, Lucius

Suggested by: Jason Bettini

With hazy psych pop harmonies propelled by a driving backbeat, Moving Panoramas would make the perfect soundtrack for a cross-country road trip. It’s an auditory waterslide, with layers of sound that build and dance around each other without ever getting overwhelming. Check out the awesome KUTX performance the band did when they were Artist of the Month, and you’ll be a fan.

Bright Light Social Hour

For people who like: Jim James, Portugal. The Man, White Denim

Suggested by: Jason Bettini

With trippy video and lights projections wrapped in layers of synthesizer sounds, Bright Light Social Hour would indeed be a great choice for Music in the Park. This psych rock outfit plays with distortion and reverb to swaddle listeners in throbbing melodies that spin in and out of chaos, transporting us to another place.

SIR WOMAN

For people who like: Wild Child, Shiny Ribs, Tamika Jones

Suggested by: Jason Bettini

We LOVE this suggestion! As the funky side project of Wild Child’s Kelsey Wilson, SIR WOMAN throws out R&B/disco-tinged tunes that make you feel good. With jazzy horns and a choir of backup singers, SIR WOMAN makes it impossible to listen without moving your body (or at least doing a little shoulder dip).

Lucas Johnson

For people who like: Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Marcus King Band

Suggested by: Christine Leyden

Lucas Johnson might only be 21 years old, but he’s been playing on stage since he was 12 and recently opened for Boy George and Culture Club at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium (which kind of seems like a weird bill, but good on him for playing the Ryman). Johnson delivers blues rock at its finest—we can’t decide if we’re more impressed by his crazy guitar skills or his rich voice. If you’re someone who likes the guitar to sing ALL the notes, you’re gonna love Lucas Johnson.

Sun June

For people who like: Phox, Lissie, Brandi Carlile

Suggested by: Melissa La Marr

When you first hear Sun June, don’t be surprised if you feel like lead singer Laura Caldwell is crooning directly to you. Largely stripped back to guitars, drums and the occasional keys, this indie quintet sings beautiful, unpretentious songs about finding joy amidst love and heartbreak.

To see all the bands that Eastonites recommended and to add your own picks, check out our posts on Facebook and Instagram.