experience
vol. 1 is all about music. We've curated a set of Austin experiences based on four of our favorite artists playing at SXSW this year.
?uestlove
Hip-Hop / Rap / Neo-Soul
Drummer, DJ, producer, part of The Roots, and Musical Director for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Questlove’s talent and influence in hip- hop and the entertainment industry knows no bounds. On top of being a 4-time Grammy Award-winning musician, Questlove has also written two books, Mo’ Meta Blues and SoulTrain: The Music, Dance and Style of a Genera-tion, and produced the original Broadway cast recording of Hamilton.
Eat
Dai Due
Dai Due is one of our personal favorites. The local butcher shop & restaurant landed itself in Q’s book Something to Food About for good reason. Also check out their taqueria at Fareground downtown.
Drink
Firehouse Lounge
Walking into a hostel and pulling back a bookcase to reveal this speakeasy still hasn't gotten old. Go for a great cocktail and stay for a seriously amazing hip-hop playlist that always sets the perfect vibe.
Shop
Kicking It
Minimalist gallery meets streetwear shop, this shoe and apparel store has a full-service bar perfect for the quintessential sneakerhead. If you have time to travel to North Austin, the shop is worth it.
Event
Church on Monday
Head over to the Continental Gallery on South Congress for Church on Monday with Elias Haslanger and friends for an evening of unforgettable jazz. Monday, March 11 at 8:30 pm.
Oh Sees
Psychadelic / Garage / Punk
Psych-punk psychic warrior, ear worm-farmer, and possessor of many stamped passport pages John Dwyer does not let up. His group Oh Sees (aka Thee Oh Sees, OCS, The Oh Sees, etc.) have transmogrified to fit many a moment — from hushed druggy folk to groovy demonic pop chants to science fictional krautrock expanse and beyond — to suit his omnivorous whims. Brain-stem body rock meets cerebral expanses, and their now du jour prolifically feeds a labyrinthine garden of well-hewn tunes.
Eat
El Primo
San Francisco has Austin beat by way of burritos. but when it comes to tacos, El Primo takes care of you. The typography on this trailer could inspire their next LP cover.
Drink
Little Brother
Late nights, early mornings. No regulars. Say no more. This is a great spot to grab coffee, beer, or both and watch the owner hit the mini ramp on his motorcycle.
Drink+
Rosewood
The anytime bar in the Rosewood neighborhood. This Buffalo, NY inspired bar has a laid-back attitude and all you can't eat, delicious coney dogs.
Shop
End of an ear
John Dywer's mantra is f*ck CDs. End of an Ear is home to the best garage, psych, punk, and experimental metal vinyl collection in town. They have CDs too, but f*ck it.
Her's
Indie / Surf / Pop Rock
Her's are Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading. Liverpool's premier crank-pop duo are responsible for birthing a catalog of tunes that's spread an epidemic case of the jives on both sides of the Atlantic. A wistful tenderness inhabits the architecture of their perfect oddball pop. If Her's vibe is your metaphoric cup of tea, the pastiche of contemporary and off-beat Mod-inspired culture created by these few must-visit spots might just perfect your Her's immersion here in Austin.
Eat
June's ALl Day
Chill, sophisticated neighborhood wine bar with a Wes Anderson/Parisian cafe flair. Go for brunch, go for happy hour, stay for late-night vibes and pink neon lights.
Drink
Cheer Up Charlie's
Queer, and artsy, and kewl. As Cheer Ups puts it: Wunder-Pilz Kombucha on tap, Fresh Squeezed Juive Cocktails, Local Brew, Creative Events, Rad Friends, Vegan+Queer.
Art
Mass Gallery
MASS Gallery is a lo-fi but world-class, artist-run gallery space for cultivating and engaging a variety of interests and acts of art making.
Shop
House of St. Claire
The East Side boutique delivers an au courant collection steeped in contemporary takes on classic silhouettes. House of St. Clair is crafted in the USA with the utmost attention to detail.
Feels
Electronic / Dance / Pop
Feels are Perth-based classically trained percussionists and electronic producers Elise Reitze and Rosie Taylor, who blend live percussion and melodic synth patterns to create infections and obscure sound worlds.
Eat
Gelateria Gemelli
A cold treat during springtime feels appropriate when listening to the Feels. It's said the best way to consume gelato is with a Negroni or an amaro (always neat)—you decide. Might as well grab a med-day espresso here, too.
Shop
Switched On
Switched On is a synthesizer dream-space, storefront and spa for broken music electronics. It's become an international destination of musicians, producers, sound designers, and creatives alike.
Groom
Cute Nails
The "magic rainbow nail art studio & aesthetics happiness space" on East 7th Street. Drop in for a tooth gem, body hair coloring, or for one-of-a-kind nail art.
Art
Museum of Human Achievement
The Museum of Human Achievement is a milt-disciplinary arts space with the tagline,"Think less night-club, more cult." It isn't odd to catch a gallery opening, modular synth set, and drag show all in one day.