End of Semester Wrap Up

Music will forever be heard in the heart of the hill country

As I said in my vlog post, I started this blog because of a class–but it has turned into something I really enjoyed and would love to keep up with. I’ve learned a few things about blogging, but most importantly is that it’s not as easy as it may seem. You have to constantly look for material to keep it updated, and on top of that you have to actually sit down and write about it. It’s something that is easy to put off, but the best way to keep viewers coming back to your blog is by maintaining it constantly.

It has also taught me about self promotion, and that there is no shame in doing so. If I want people to read my blog, I have to promote it, or else it will never be seen. So it has shown me how important twitter can be, I’ve also added the blog to StumbleUpon, and I did find that doing so also helped my blog views increase.

These are great things that I know I will use in the future. With an advertising major, you have to look for the best ways to bring an audience to your product–in this case my blog. It has really taught me to get creative and try to find new ways to reach an audience.

For those of you who have been reading, this isn’t the end of this blog–rather just the beginning. If you like what you’ve been reading, don’t forget to share and add it to StumbleUpon as well!

Band Profile: Broke Folks

The other night I had the pleasure of sitting down with the three primary members of Broke Folks–Alicia Harrell, Taylor Robbins, and Clayton Sammons. It didn’t take long for music to fill the small dining room as we talked about the band’s music, inspirations, and goals.

The band is very much a collaboration of the talents between the three artists–each bringing something unique to the table. Clayton often creates his own instruments, Taylor has been playing guitar since he was 10 and has a hip-hop background, and Alicia has a voice that steals the show.

“At the end of a show, people will come up to Alicia and say ‘your voice is great,’ and that’s it,” the band joked.

Because of their diverse talents, they have a sound that is a bit unique.

Left to Right: Clayton, Taylor, Alicia

They struggle to find an exact genre for their sound–they’ve settled with magical gypsy folk rock, high energy folk, and begrudgingly Americana.

“Someone the other day was telling me the new magical word is Americana,” Taylor said as the other members sighed.

It’s easy to see that they are a tight knit group that genuinely cares about supporting each other. When Alicia criticized her personal song-writing skills, the other members were quick to jump in and tell her otherwise.

“We play one of her songs at every show,” they assured her more than me.

The mutual support and quirky chemistry between the members makes them entertaining to talk to–something that will easily translate on stage.

If you are interested in hearing more from Broke Folks, check out their Soundcloud, tune into KTSW, or look out for them playing around town.

Venue Spotlight: Gruene Hall

A fun night with friends at Gruene Hall

Just a few short miles down the road from San Marcos is the beautiful historical town of Gruene, TX. The tiny town is fun to venture to for many occasions–including food and drinks–but in the center is Gruene Hall, which is both a restaurant and music venue.

A little tip to all the men reading this blog, Gruene Hall is ideal for a date night with someone you are trying to impress. After you enjoy a meal, and try to eat outside because of the view, you can head over to the other side of the Hall where there is usually a show playing.

If a popular country artist isn’t putting on a show–don’t worry. The Hall also has a place to two-step and enjoy Two Tons of Steel, a live band that has played every Tuesday at the venue for over twenty years. If you’re interested in seeing what Gruene Hall is all about, check out their calendar of events and grab your favorite pair of cowboy boots.

Vlog: What Inspires Me

Hey Y’all!

I thought I’d put a video out there about what really inspired me to create this blog. I’d love to know how music has impacted your life. Send me your videos!

“The Other Side of Radio”–KTSW

KTSW’s Promotional poster board during Mass Comm Week at Texas State

If you’ve hung around Texas State University enough, you’ve probably heard of their local radio station KTSW 89.9–and if not, you should be glad you’re reading this post.

KTSW’s slogan is “the other side of radio,” and with good reason. The station has an entirely different vibe than many other radio stations. Not only does it play underground music, they also have unique segments that are not commonly found on the radio anymore. You can view their programs and times on their website–and even stream the station live online if you are not in range.

KTSW also hosts several events around the city. It is often that you will see them setting up outside of the LBJ student center on campus providing students with free music as they go about their day. They also host My Radio Fest which includes participation from many local businesses. It’s relatively new, and still growing. Look out for it in April.

Truly the other side of radio–they participate in the community, and have unique programming available. If you haven’t tuned in yet–you’re running late.

The San Marcos Music Scene For Every Preference

Triple Crown–For the performers. The self-proclaimed music capital of Texas. Live music is booming every night and they host an open mic night every Tuesday.

Wake The Dead–a coffee shop that doubles as a music venue. Local bands often play, and open mics are held the first Friday of the month.

The Marc–formerly a country dance hall, recently reinvented into one of the city’s most popular electronic music venues.

The Green Parrot–For those who enjoy a laid-back bar with live music on San Marcos’ famous Square.

Cheatham Street Warehouse–A country music venue where artists like George Strait have played in their early careers.

San Marcos is a city that definitely hosts many different styles of music. These are some of the most popular venues in each genre that can cater to any mood you are in. If you find one you are interested in, make sure you check out their website:

• Triple Crown
• Wake The Dead
• The Marc
• Cheatham Street Warehouse
• Green Parrot

Event Showcase: Music For Missions at Tantra Coffeehouse

Leave it to San Martians to host a showcase on a Sunday that not only promoted talented Texas artists, but worked towards a good cause. The showcase was for Music For Missions, which works toward the goal of inspiring members of the community to create a positive impact in their community.

The Lovely Venue

The venue was the beautiful Tantra Coffee House located in central San Marcos. With a large outdoor seating area, guests were welcome to enjoy some of their delicious beverages outdoors and appreciate the music. The crowd was packed full of students, locals, supporters, and dogs–and the music did not disappoint.

Although the event was promoted primarily by religious groups on campus, persons from all walks of life were welcome join. The artists were full of talent, and the music not overly religious. One of the bands in attendance named Wildhart definitely rocked the show.  Overall, This is just one of the many examples of how San Marcos is a city that boasts with talent and a supportive music community.

Wildhart at Tantra Coffeehouse