What does it mean for Austin artists to take the stage at the city’s biggest music festival? This episode features conversations with SL Houser, Geto Gala, and Next of Kin as they share their journeys to Austin City Limits Music Festival, reflect on what it means to perform in their hometown, and talk about what’s next for their music.

Pause/Play is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

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According to the Austin Music Census, 38% of the people who took the survey struggled to find affordable housing.

We take a look at the Metropolis Apartments, a complex that has been providing affordable housing for musicians and creatives for over 20 years.

Pause/Play is made possible by listeners like you. You can support the work that Pause/Play does by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

The full transcript of this episode of Pause/Play is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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The Live Music Fund is about to launch applications for its third round of funding. Hear what’s changed with the fund over the years, and what will be new with this next iteration.

Erica Shamaly,  Division Manager for Music and Entertainment within the Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Division, is featured in this episode.

Find out more on the City of Austin’s Live Music Fund web page.

Find out more information about the Museum of Human Achievement’s Grant Writing Hangouts.

Pause/Play is made possible by listeners like you. You can support the work that Pause/Play does by making a donation at supportthispodcast.org.

The full transcript of this episode of Pause/Play is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post What’s going on with the Live Music Fund? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

In preparation for our upcoming update episode about the Live Music Fund, we revisit this episode from 2022, which tells the story of how the framework for the first Live Music Fund was developed.

Find out more about the Live Music Fund on the City of Austin’s website.

Pause/Play is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

The post BONUS — The city has millions of dollars to support the Austin music scene. But who gets the money? (rerun) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Caren Kelleher, founder and CEO of Gold Rush Vinyl and co-owner of Waterloo Records, shares why she launched a vinyl pressing plant, how her company brings records to life, and what’s next for her growing businesses.

Pause/Play is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

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South by Southwest is changing. The festival has been shortened to 7 days. There is no dedicated music weekend. The convention center is being renovated and won’t be finished for 3 years. So what will music at SXSW 2026 look like? Brian Hobbs, VP of Music at SXSW, sits down to talk about the future of the festival.

Pause/Play is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

The full transcript of this episode of Pause/Play is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

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Terry Lickona, Executive Producer of the Austin City Limits TV show, joins hosts Elizabeth McQueen and Miles Bloxson to talk about how cuts to federal funding for public media are impacting the show.

Learn more about Congress’s decision to rescind over 1 billion dollars it had previously allocated for public media.

You can donate to Austin City Limits by going to austinpbs.org/donate.

You can support Pause/Play by heading to supportthispodcast.org

The full transcript of this episode of Pause/Play is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post BONUS: Terry Lickona from Austin City Limits on what cuts to federal funding for public media mean for TV’s longest running music program. appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

AI is a hot topic right now, but how will it impact music? We discuss everything from fake bands getting millions of listens to a legendary producer vouching for the use of AI to lawsuits by major music groups against AI music generation programs.

In the latest episode, we dive into how Austin musicians are using the tool or staying away. Hear from Chinasa Broxton and Carlos Dashawn Daniels Moore of Tribe Mafia, Walker Lukens, Lauren Bruno, Jonny Johnson, Zeale and Erin Walter share their thoughts on the future of AI and music.

Tell us what you think about AI and Music

Pause/Play is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can support our work by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

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We examine what streaming looks like now and what it could look like in the future. Walker Lukens explains how Song Confessional has found success with streaming. And Lauren Bruno talks about a possible alternative to streaming that she wants to build called Prosper XO.

Learn more about the Living Wage for Musicians Act.

Check out Prosper XO’s surveys

Let us know what you think about the future of streaming.

Pause/Play is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

The full transcript of this episode of Pause/Play is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post Streaming Sucks: The good, the bad and the future of music platforms appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Social media has completely changed how musicians share their work and connect with fans — but not everyone is here for the endless scroll. Some artists are over it and have even ditched it altogether.

In this episode, we dive into the love-hate relationship musicians have with social media. Hear from Chinasa Broxton, Carlos Dashawn Daniels Moore of Tribe Mafia, Walker Lukens, Sara L. Houser, and Robert Ellis as they dish on how they do — or don’t — use these platforms to build their careers and stay true to their art.

The full transcript of this episode of Pause/Play is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

The post Social Media & Music: Love It, Hate It, or Use It? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.