Bands Across America: Texas

St. Vincent – St. Vincent (2014) & Ryan Bingham – Fear and Saturday Night (2015)

Our summer road trip rumbles into Texas—the Lone Star State, where musical legends roam just as freely as longhorn cattle. From the genre-blurring art-pop genius of Dallas native Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) to the dust-worn Americana storytelling of Ryan Bingham, our two stops this week show just how wide the Texas soundscape can stretch. We get funky, fearless, and a little bit heartbroken as we explore the albums that put these artists on the global map while keeping one boot planted firmly in Texas soil.

What’s Inside:

• St. Vincent’s self-titled album — bold, surreal, and genre‑defying: avant‑garde pop hooks wrapped in guitar wizardry and sly cultural critique
• Ryan Bingham’s Fear and Saturday Night — an intimate, roots‑driven journey through loss, resilience, and hard‑earned hope
• Our takes on standout tracks, production approaches, and how these records’ legacies continue to evolve
• Deep questions, click‑bait headlines, and a spin of the Wheel of Musical Discovery to see where the road takes us next

Diggin’:

• Lifeguard – Ripped and Torn (2025): Chicago post‑punk youth movement at its wiry, dance‑punk best
• Dio – Holy Diver (1983): Heavy metal classic of cosmic redemption and immortal riffs
• The Armed – The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to Be Destroyed (2025): Detroit’s anonymous hardcore collective adds melody without losing fire
• Tom Odell – A Wonderful Life (2025): Piano-led indie pop with cathartic swells of hope and despair

Podcast Shout-Out: Check out Music Notes with Jess — your weekly guide to what’s trending in music, with insider insight and infectious enthusiasm.

Join the Conversation! What’s your favorite Texas album? What are you spinning lately? Drop us a line on Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky, and Threads @albumnerds, or email us at [email protected].

Thanks for riding with us—next stop: Pennsylvania!