KRTUFest 04-13-24 Review

By Madyson Martinez

As Saturday evening approaches over San Antonio, hundreds of music lovers flock to Stable Hall where KRTU Fest 2024 is about to begin. There is expectation in the air as audience members find their places in the crowd—and pre-show jitters in the air as the musicians get ready to play for them. In the second annual KRTU Fest, Dylan Lee, Retro Cowgirl, INOHA, and Volcán all took the stage and gave impressive performances for an enthusiastic crowd.

Dylan Lee kicked off the festival with her soft and sweet acoustic set. In contrast with the other performances, Lee stood on stage with only her guitar, her mic stand (outfitted with a vine of sunflowers), and herself. However, the absence of a full band allowed her vocals to truly shine. Her crystal-clear voice was the perfect fit for her country music set, and she ended her show with a cover of Miranda Lambert’s “Gunpowder & Lead.”

Next to take the stage was Retro Cowgirl. Their rocking and groovy tunes weren’t the only highlight of their performance. Perhaps even more so, the band’s stage presence was gripping. The lead singer, Lucky Steele, knew how to get the crowd engaged and completely made the stage her own, while the lead guitarist came down and got up close and personal with the crowd.

KRTU Fest’s third act was indie rock band INOHA. Characterizing this set was the audience’s reaction to the fast-paced rocking tempo of the band’s songs. Looking around, it seemed that established fans and new listeners alike were rocking to the beat, and the energy was electric throughout. The members’ talk in between songs also revealed a sense of real friendship and brotherhood among them, and this connection comes across in their music.

To wrap up the night, Volcán gave an energetic and exciting performance culminating in involving audience members in their music and dance. It was difficult to find anyone not dancing along. In the front row, friends and strangers danced together while Volcán expertly played instruments ranging from accordion to trumpet. The vitality in Stable Hall was almost palpable as Volcán played us out and brought KRTU Fest 2024 to a close.

Jonah Kagen + Vincent Lima @ Paper Tiger

Twin Productions presents Jonah Kagen and Vincent Lima in concert
Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Paper Tiger (side room).
Doors at 7 p.m. and Show at 8 p.m.

Purchase tickets here

Jonah Kagen: 23-year-old singer and songwriter, Jonah Kagen, grew up in Savannah, Georgia. He took up guitar at the age of six, diving deep into the instrument’s technical aspects after his musician grandfather showed him performance videos. He further found inspiration in the music of guitarist Andy McKee, whose finger-style technique lit a creative fire within. “He opened my eyes to what an acoustic guitar could be,” he recalls, as he dove deeper into creating music on his own. “If you can bring somebody something with your music that they can’t get anywhere else, there’s nothing better than that.” Jonah’s debut EP, ‘georgia got colder,’ was released in December 2022 on Arista Records. He’s already cut impressive figures with over 140M+ global streams, a US tour supporting Maisie Peters, ~2 million Spotify monthly listeners, and was included on Shazam’s 2023 predictions list. An exciting new voice bringing undeniable energy and sincerity through his multifaceted sound, he is undoubtedly on the rise.

Vincent Lima: Currently based out of a small town in California called Los Angeles, Vincent Lima is a zero-time Grammy winning musician who has been heralded by the associated press as “probably not the next big thing” and “who? how’d you get this number?” So what does the future hold for this complete and utter anomaly of a man? Perhaps he'll buy a ring light on Amazon prime and skyrocket to overnight internet superstardom, resulting in a massive world tour with Olivia Rodrigo or Taylor Swift or Nickelback.

CONCERT REVIEW: HOCKEY DAD @ PAPER TIGER

By Parker Parent

Hockey Dad is an Australian surf rock duo consisting of Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming, who are, in fact, very Australian. The duo formed after the two childhood best friends found themselves without waves to surf and time to spare; so, they turned to surfrock and quickly began to write their own songs. While the group originally formed in 2013, they’ve kept up releasing music including their new single, “Base Camp” released this year. Hockey Dad is currently on tour traveling from here in San Antonio all the way back to Australia to close out the tour. Their tour hit San Antonio on February 23rd 2024, at the Paper Tiger, with the band, Mind’s Eye, opening up the night. 

Mind’s Eye are a five piece progressive rock band consisting of Vince Lopez, Kelli Kumiko, Andrew Scott, Jack Duda and Jacob Cambra. This group brought a lot of energy right away as lead singer, Vince Lopez, egged on the crowd to form a mosh pit, unfortunately to only partial success. Still, according to Lopez it was much better than the El Paso show, where they didn’t even open up a pit. Throughout their performance the group continued to include the audience, from moshing with them to calling out fans directly. One of the most memorable moments was when Lopez questioned a front row fan's use of Snapchat during the show, ultimately culminating in a message from Lopez to this fan’s boyfriend critiquing his absence. This band not only rocked the house through fan interaction but also put on a show with their rhythmic style and high energy. This group will be following Hockey Dad during the North America leg of their tour, so if you want to get groovy and see fans get called out, I recommend checking them out. 

As for the headliner, Hockey Dad brought a chill vibe to the stage from the beginning, arriving shortly after the Mind’s Eye closed, which I always appreciate. I studied abroad in Australia last summer and hearing drummer, Billy Fleming, open with “are yous ready to have a good time?” brought me right back. Contrary to their openers rowdy crowd work, this duo emphasized a relaxation and appreciation of the music. A suggestion that the crowd embraced as they stood intently listening and bobbing their heads. One thing that stood out to me from this band were the vocals, lead guitarist and singer, Zack Stephenson, led the charge, but the backup vocals were also on point. Subpar vocals can easily bring down a band, but this band’s vocals elevated their performance to another level. The group played some unreleased songs coming out later this year and will continue their tour throughout 2024. if you’re looking for a chill Aussie vibe, check these guys out.

Hockey Dad @ Paper Tiger - 02-23-24 

Mind's Eye @ Paper Tiger - 02-23-24 

Eclipse Utopia 2024

UTOPiAfest is a 14 year, and counting, festival community.
The fest returns to Four Sisters Ranch in Utopia, Texas for Eclipse UTOPiA on April 7-8, 2024.

Tickets and info available HERE!

Mild Bill's Radio Hour with Bill Baird

By Madyson Martinez

I had a chance to talk with KRTU host Bill Baird about his show, Mild Bill’s Radio Hour, himself, and his involvement with KRTU.

Q: Who are you?

A: I'm a musician, writer, TX master naturalist, sometime teacher, tinkerer, vegetarian, museum docent, father, and lover of life. I've released 35 albums of music, written a number of chapbooks, and generally had a wonderful life so far.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A: Hiking, cooking, hanging out with my family, swimming in rivers and springs, reading books, writing songs.

Q: Can you give a description of your show?

A: Each week I delve into a single artist, album, or genre, trying to go in depth and provide some context and explanation. I strive to play stuff that's unusual but enjoyable and something you won't normally hear on the radio. Past shows have included Big Star, John Cage, My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless," numerous Kraut rock albums, classical works, and more. The genre varies, but the music is always compelling.

Q: How has your radio show shaped your music taste or vice versa? What does music mean to you?
A: Music is everything to me. I'm a lifer.

Q: How did you come up with your show?

A: Quickly.

Q: How do you decide which songs you want to play? And the order?

A: If I pre-record the show, it's usually more edited and concise. If I'm doing it live, it rambles a bit more.

Q: Do you have a playlist I could link? Or a sample of what you would play on your show?

A: I think there's a number of old shows archived online.

Q: When did you first start listening to KRTU? How did you get involved? Why did you want to get involved?
A: I got involved through Kory Cook, station director. He's a wonderful drummer and human.

Q: Why do you support KRTU's mission?

A: Mainstream commercial radio is a wasteland. We owe it to the world to inspire and explore.

Q: What are your hopes for KRTU's future, your future, or our community?

A: Just continue inspiring fellow music lovers.

Q: Anything else you would like to include?

A: "Radio radio!" - Elvis Costello

Listen to Mild Bill’s Radio Hour every Thursday from 11:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on KRTU, and watch as he hosts the most recent installment of What’s On My Turntable?

Concert Review: The Struts @ The Aztec Theatre

Luke Spiller - The Struts

By Sabrina Enriquez 

Pretty Vicious, The Struts’ new album was released on November 3, 2023, three years after the band’s previous album, Strange Days. Pretty Vicious is a brilliant and energetic rock album that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The band was formed twelve years ago and have opened for rock icons like the Foo Fighters, Guns N’ Roses, and The Rolling Stones. With the release of their new album, The Struts have been touring all across North America on the Remember The Name tour. On November 16, 2023, The Struts performed at the Aztec Theatre. Lead singer, Luke Spiller, guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliot, and drummer Gethin Davies put on an amazing performance and rocked the house!

The band, Hot For Crime, opened up the show with their wild and energetic presence. Then, Mac Saturn, an up-and-coming rock band from Michigan performed. Lead singer, Carson Macc, captivated the audience with his dynamic stage presence, leading them with every move he made. Mac Saturn has a glamorous rock vibe, similar to The Struts. “Mr. Cadillac” and “Diamonds” are two of their songs that immediately made it onto my playlist. As Mac Saturn wrapped up their set, which ended with the lead singer bringing out maracas, the crowd anxiously awaited The Struts to take the stage. 

When Adam, Luke, Gethin, and Jed walked onto the stage, the audience was mesmerized by them and their glittery outfits. Luke immediately started singing the opening lyrics to “Dirty Sexy Money,” and the audience sang along with him. The Struts have such a magnetic and mesmerizing stage presence that I’ve never seen before. Luke, especially, knew how to work the crowd and get people dancing. They sang some of their most popular songs like, “Pretty Vicious,” “Could’ve Been Me,” and “Body Talks.” From their onstage banter and electrifying energy with the crowd, this concert is definitely in my top five of all time. After the concert, both Mac Saturn and The Struts stayed to talk to fans and take photos. If The Struts are ever playing at a venue near you, I one hundred percent recommend you go see them live. Their stage presence is unlike anything else!

Mac Saturn

Concert Review: The Japanese House

By Sabrina Enriquez

The Paper Tiger on St. Mary’s is filled with fans in merch waiting and anticipating for The Japanese House. The venue has a very intimate and laid-back feeling to it, making the whole experience a lot more close and personal. The show began with the opening act, Quinnie, who set the evenings ambiance alight with her captivating performance and down-to-earth personality. She sang songs like “touch tank” and “get what u get.” Her performance set the perfect tone for the rest of the night. As Amber Bain came out for her set, you could see the excitement in the room rise. As the opening chords of “Sad to Breath” began playing the whole venue was entirely focused on Amber. 

In The End It Always Does, Amber’s second album, was released earlier this year in June. It includes popular singles like, “Boyhood” and “Sad to Breath.” As an alternative pop star, Amber’s second album is filled with beautifully crafted indie pop songs that are sure to be a hit with anyone. Personally, “One for sorrow, two for Joni Jones” is my favorite on the new album, with its hauntingly beautiful vocals and lyrics. With the release of this album, Amber has begun touring all across North America and the UK. San Antonio was extremely lucky to have The Japanese House play on November 11th at The Paper Tiger, and to be able to listen to this new album live. 

The show ended with “Sunshine Baby,” bringing the whole experience to a wrap. The song, which includes backing vocals from The 1975’s Matty Healy, is the perfect dream pop song to end the show with. From the crowd, to the music, to the energy, and to the lighting… everything about this show was captivating. The Japanese House really put on an amazing show that left the audience yearning for more. 

Hexa: Beyond Digital Environs with Zach Smith

By Madyson Martinez

Oftentimes, there is more to people than meets the eye. The Starbucks barista who makes your coffee could sell their original paintings at art shows on the weekends. The professor teaching your advanced physics course could lead a beginner ballet class in the evenings. Or the IT engineer working in San Antonio could host a weekly radio show featuring techno music. Today, we get to hear his story.

Zach Smith is the host of KRTU’s Hexa: Beyond Digital Environs.

“Hexa: Beyond Digital Environs is strongly rooted in the intersection of ambiance and techno focusing on cutting edge productions,” he said. “[It also highlights] various voices in the Texas community who may not have a chance to be broadcast for various social, economic or various other reasons.”

Smith likes to feature a variety of music in his sets. He may begin with ambient music, then transition into faster and darker projects.

“I follow many labels online and catalogue a lot of physical releases I’ve picked up and save rave fliers from my travel and use websites such as Discogs and Resident Advisor,” he said. “Recently I’ve started the past year reaching out to artists over Instagram to get unreleased recordings. Some of my favorite labels include my online teacher Erika’s IT label (Detroit), Ewan Jansen’s Red Ember label, Svreca’s Semantica label and finally the heavyweight Delsin Records from Amsterdam, Netherlands.”

Attending South by Southwest in Austin for years gave Smith the opportunity to network with international crews like the Red Light radio group. His experience going to warehouse events in Detroit also influenced his decision to host local artists and guests back home in Texas. However, Smith’s first experience with techno music was in 2016, and he has since learned much about the history and inner workings of the genre.

“To me techno is chaotic and organized somehow,” Smith said. “But socially these raves and events have given me connections that may have only been possible with the beating, click track (repetitive) soundtrack.”

Labels such as Rudiment and Natural Sciences have featured Smith’s recordings and tracks under his artist name Mt. Borracho. Last year, he appeared alongside artists like Stanislav Tolkachev, Speedy J, Surgeon, and Dasha Rush.

“To me 2023 is a very special crossroads of electronic because so much is being produced and technology is at an intersection of affordability and often esoteric design since many techniques are more accessible such as time stretch/algorithmic sequencing,” Smith said, “and because of salient sequencing from manufacturers such as Elektron with the model series, Digitone and Octatrack products.”

Aside from hosting his show, Smith has an affinity for electronic music and photography.

“My room is filled with various Roland, Korg and Akai gear, as well as analogue and digital cameras, including the rare Hassleblad 500cm and a Fuji 100XT,” he said. “I use my photography for digital art, rave fliers and other projects, including silver gelatin print making. It is a subtractive process: building up and building down with my art.”

A lifelong listener of KRTU, Smith believes the station is a great community resource for both music and news. He hopes KRTU will continue its program of excellence in the future, including outreach projects and creating opportunities for Trinity students.

“It is a historic voice in the San Antonio musical landscape and will be forever with its dynamic jazz and indie overnight programming,” Smith said. “It is a central source of pride for native and non-native San Antonians.”

Hexa was first broadcasted live on KRTU in the summer of 2022. Now, listeners can catch Zach Smith and his show Wednesdays from 11:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on KRTU. Check out Mt. Borracho’s latest mix here, and stay tuned for upcoming announcements about a live Hexa for the public coming soon.

Stable Hall Announces Debut Event Calendar

Stable Hall - San Antonio’s newest music venue opening January 2024 at the Historic Pearl!

Stable Hall will feature performances from an eclectic mix of local and national bands including Black Pumas, Portugal the Man, Saint Motel and much more!

Tickets and information on the complete Stable Hall 2024 Debut Event Calendar is now available!