The Austin Young Show

MC Lars joins The Austin Young Show for a conversation about Edgar Allan Poe, nerdcore hip-hop, ska, punk rock, and what it takes to build a lasting career as an independent musician. Lars is back with the expanded anniversary edition of The Edgar Allan Poe LP, a 19-track lit-hop project that turns Poe's stories and poetry into hip-hop, complete with dark humor, literary deep cuts, and collaborations that bring together some unlikely corners of the music world.

We get into why Poe deserves more credit for his satire and absurdity, the stories behind “The Devil in the Belfry” and “A Dream Within a Dream,” and how Lars approaches bringing classic literature to people who might not otherwise pick up a book about it. He also talks about working with Jaret Reddick of Bowling for Soup, their history going back to a 2005 tour, and the new version of “Wiggle Wiggle Worm.” Along the way, we discuss the Dead Milkmen, Weird Al, Supernova Ska Festival, the Gathering of the Juggalos, and how one artist can move between hip-hop, ska, punk, and nerdcore without worrying too much about genre boundaries.

The conversation also gets into the less glamorous side of making music: streaming economics, Spotify playlists, Kickstarter, Patreon, owning your masters, and why a thousand real fans can matter more than a mountain of anonymous streams. Lars shares what he has learned from more than two decades in the music business, including the importance of staying connected to the people who support your work. If you're into independent music, literary hip-hop, punk and ska culture, or the business of keeping a creative career alive, this one's worth your time.

Listen to MC Lars: https://mclars.com/

The Edgar Allan Poe LP — Special One Year Anniversary Deluxe Expanded Edition: https://mclars.bandcamp.com/album/the-edgar-allan-poe-lp-special-one-year-anniversary-deluxe-expanded-edition

Follow The Austin Young Show: https://linktr.ee/theaustinyoungshow

Produced by Deep Ellum Podcasts. Distributed by Revolver Podcasts.

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Ballyhoo! frontman Howi Spangler joins Austin Young to talk about Bad Summer, the Maryland band's tenth studio album, and why this time around they leaned harder into pop punk and rock without leaving their reggae-rock roots behind. We get into “The Alchemist,” “Blood Money,” and what happens when a band known for laid-back reggae jams decides to turn up the guitars.

Howi breaks down what it was like working with producer John Feldmann, known for his work with Blink-182, Goldfinger, and Avril Lavigne. From recording at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, to Feldmann tearing apart song arrangements and getting the band moving at ridiculous speed, there's plenty here for anyone interested in how records actually get made. We also talk about the band's long road to its tenth album and how years of experience have changed Howi's approach to songwriting and production.

But this isn't just a conversation about studio gear and guitar riffs. Howi opens up about a lawsuit that nearly killed Ballyhoo!, the financial and emotional grind of rebuilding the band, sleeping in parking lots while touring, and finding the motivation to keep going when the music business makes that a whole lot harder than it should be. He also talks about Ballyhoo!'s first European tour, the band's experience playing Japan, and the realization that music written decades ago can find an audience on the other side of the world.

Plus, we get into the upcoming Texas run with Bowling for Soup, the people who help keep independent music alive, and why buying records, merch, and tickets still matters. If you're into pop punk, ska, reggae rock, alternative music, or the stories behind the bands you love, this one's worth your time.

Find Ballyhoo! online at https://www.ballyhoorocks.com/ and https://linktr.ee/ballyhoo

Follow The Austin Young Show: https://linktr.ee/theaustinyoungshow

Produced by Deep Ellum Podcasts. Distributed by Revolver Podcasts.

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Dallas-Fort Worth ska band Pure Genius is back, and after years away from the scene, they're working on new music and finding out that the old songs still have an audience. Austin Young sits down with Nick and Josh to talk about the band's return, their roots in the DFW third-wave ska scene, and what it's like getting back together after spending years doing other things. If you like ska punk, local music stories, and bands that don't take themselves too seriously, this one's worth a listen.

Pure Genius formed in 2003 out of a group of musicians connected to the University of Texas at Arlington. Their early approach involved satire, musical overthinking, and taking shots at pretty much everybody, including themselves. The guys look back at the early days, the years when ska wasn't exactly winning over every crowd, and the reception they received when they reunited for a show at Will Call. They also talk about how the DFW ska scene has changed, why playing shows feels a little different as an adult, and what it's like bringing ska to people who haven't encountered much of it before.

There's new music in the works, too. The band discusses its upcoming four-track EP, how its songwriting has matured without losing that sarcastic streak, and why making music together matters more than trying to make every part technically complicated. Along the way, Nick and Josh offer some strong opinions about what counts as ska, whether horns are essential, and whether skanking is the most ridiculous dance move ever invented. Nick also confirms that a third Sweat Fest is planned, although no specific details are announced in the conversation.

Listen for the stories, stay for the ska arguments, and keep an eye out for what's next from Pure Genius. Find the band by searching for Pure Genius Ska on your preferred music and social platforms, check out their existing recordings, and support the bands keeping the local scene alive.

The Austin Young Show is hosted by Austin Young, produced by Deep Ellum Podcasts, and distributed by Revolver Podcasts.

Follow The Austin Young Show: https://linktr.ee/theaustinyoungshow

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What happens when a group of guys in their 40s decide it's finally time to stop talking about starting a punk band and actually start one?

On this episode of The Austin Young Show, Austin sits down with DFW pop-punk band Tomorrow Fades Away to talk about how the band came together, the story behind their name, their evolution from a four-piece into a three-piece, and finding their sound in the middle of the DFW punk scene.

The conversation gets into their EP More Songs Than Time, the very real story behind “Salt Lake City (Let’s Go Join A Cult),” songwriting, “ADHD,” “I Hate Phil Collins,” and the newer material including “Hey, Candy” and “Wild.” They also talk about recording their upcoming Live at Reno’s release after a show unexpectedly turned into a live album, playing with bands around the DFW scene, and their efforts to get younger people interested in going to punk shows.

There’s also talk of skate parks, acoustic shows, busking, questionable hats, Phil Collins, the possibility of accidentally becoming a ska band, and the advice Tomorrow Fades Away would give to a 15-year-old who wants to start making music.

If you're into pop punk, punk rock, DFW music, Texas punk, or discovering the bands keeping the North Texas scene moving, this conversation is worth a listen.

The Austin Young Show is produced by Deep Ellum Podcasts and distributed by Revolver Podcasts.

The Austin Young Show: https://linktr.ee/theaustinyoungshow

Tomorrow Fades Away — HyperFollow 

Dallas Sounds Amplified busking program: Dallas Sounds Amplified / Dallas Music Office — this is the Dallas Music Office's official busking and professional-development program.

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Mason Adams of Mason Adams Project joins The Austin Young Show for a conversation about music, family, songwriting and seeing life from a different perspective.

Mason talks about his upcoming single **“Tanqueray,” growing up with a musician dad and his lifelong connection to music. We also get into his love of jam bands and how that influence has found its way into his own approach to making music.

But the conversation doesn't stay on music.

Mason opens up about how he views life, the experiences that shape his songwriting, and one of the more unexpected pieces of his family history: his parents were part of a competitive chili cooking team.

From Dallas-Fort Worth music to jam bands, family, songwriting and the strange stories that follow us through life, this is a conversation with plenty of places to go.

Mason Adams Project currently describes its sound as a blend of Americana, folk and rock with Texas twang, and the band's current bio identifies Mason as its founder and songwriter.

The Austin Young Show:
The Austin Young Show Linktree

Mason Adams Project:
Mason Adams Project official website

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Boss Riot joins The Austin Young Show to talk about Here We Go Again, their newest album and a record shaped by some very real challenges. Made during COVID while members of the band were dealing with surgeries, cancer, loss, recovery, heartbreak, fear and hope, the album became a reflection of everything life was throwing at them.

We talk about the song “Don’t Grow Up Too Fast,” the role music can play when things get difficult, the band's roots in ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul, and what it takes to keep a band alive for more than a decade.

It's a conversation about music, getting older, dealing with the hard stuff and finding reasons to keep creating anyway.

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JER joins The Austin Young Show to talk about what it's like being an artist right now, the struggles facing bands and musicians, and the reality of trying to build a life around music.

We get into Supernova Ska Festival, JER's experience as an educator, why music education matters, and the current political climate — including the absolutely bizarre situation where brass instruments seem to have become public enemy number one.

It's a conversation about music, education, politics, and the challenges artists are dealing with right now, with a little ska thrown in for good measure.

JER:
https://linktr.ee/JER.band

The Austin Young Show:
https://linktr.ee/theaustinyoungshow

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Blake Rules joins The Austin Young Show to talk about his new album Synth City, his connection to the Supernova Ska Festival, and his completely unpredictable musical career. We get into ska, DIY music, his work as illustrator and the many strange and wonderful places his creativity has taken him. It's a conversation about music, community, and refusing to stay in one genre.

Follow Blake Rules: 

https://blakerules.bandcamp.com 

https://open.spotify.com/album

Follow The Austin Young Show: 

https://linktr.ee/theaustinyoungshow

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Tim Hildebrand of Catbite joins The Austin Young Show to talk about the band's new Doom Garden EP, working with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump on "Tired Of Talk," Catbite's history with Supernova Ska Festival, and their return to the festival in just a few weeks. Tim also opens up about what's next for Catbite and whether Doom Garden could mark the end of their run with Bad Time Records though nothing is set in stone.

Follow Catbite:

https://catbite.net

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https://linktr.ee/theaustinyoungshow

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King Booty Disco frontman Vic Toruno joins The Austin Young Show for a conversation about disco, music, the DFW scene, and the band's brand-new album, Disco Crush. We get into the band's sound, the creative process behind the new record, and what happens when you combine serious musicianship with a band name like King Booty Disco. It's funky, it's weird, and somehow we managed to keep the conversation from completely derailing. Mostly.

Listen to Disco Crush wherever you stream music, and check out King Booty Disco for upcoming shows and new music.

Follow King Booty Disco:

https://www.instagram.com/king_booty_disco/

Follow The Austin Young Show: 

https://linktr.ee/theaustinyoungshow

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