Is old Austin disappearing — or are we just not looking in the right places?

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Bryan C. Parker, executive editor of Austin Monthly and creator of Honky Tonk Fest, for a conversation about two-stepping, live music, DIY culture, local journalism, and why Austin’s honky-tonks still feel so alive.

Bryan grew up in Northeast Texas and moved to Austin in 2001, where the city’s music scene quickly became central to his life. He spent years teaching high school English while writing about music, photographing shows, running a music blog, and eventually building a career at Austin Monthly.

That curiosity later pulled him deep into Austin’s two-step scene.

What started as reporting on places like The White Horse, Sagebrush, Sam’s Town Point, Broken Spoke, Don’s Depot, and Little Longhorn Saloon became an immersion into a culture built around live music, dancing, repetition, community, and participation. Bryan describes the moment he stopped simply observing the scene and became part of it himself.

Adam and Bryan explore what makes honky-tonk culture different from a traditional concert experience. The audience isn’t just there to watch the band. They’re dancing, rotating partners, learning the songs, and helping create the energy in the room. In many ways, the artist is serving the dance floor rather than the other way around.

They also talk about the broader Austin music ecosystem, from punk and indie rock to Willie Nelson and outlaw country, and why Austin still functions as an alternative to more commercial music centers like Nashville.

The conversation eventually turns to Honky Tonk Fest, which grew directly out of Bryan’s reporting and returns for its second year at Star Hill Ranch. Bryan shares how the festival came together, why year one proved there was real demand for the experience, how the new venue adds another layer of Austin and Texas history, and why the goal is to grow the festival without stripping away the intimacy and authenticity that made the scene worth celebrating in the first place.

Key takeaways:

• Austin’s honky-tonk culture is not nostalgia; it is active, growing, and participatory.
• Two-stepping creates a kind of presence and connection that is increasingly rare.
• The best Austin music scenes often grow from grassroots communities rather than top-down industry structures.
• “Old Austin” still exists, but finding it requires more intention than it once did.
• Honky-tonk works because the audience helps create the experience.
• Austin remains strongest when artists, venues, writers, and audiences support one another.

At its core, this episode is about participation.

Bryan’s argument is that Austin’s culture survives when people actually show up — to the small venues, local bands, independent publications, neighborhood institutions, and scenes that make the city distinct.

If you want to understand what Austin still is, one good place to start might be the dance floor.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

Austin has called itself the Live Music Capital of the World for decades. But in a city transformed by rising costs, development, major concert venues and changing nightlife, does that title still fit?

Austin American-Statesman music reporter Mars Salazar joins Adam Flagg for a deep dive into where Austin music actually lives in 2026 — and why much of the most interesting stuff is happening far beyond the biggest stages.

Mars grew up in Austin sneaking into live shows as a teenager before discovering music journalism at the University of Texas. At 19, she walked up to the Austin Chronicle’s music editor after a guest lecture and simply asked for a job. Today, she attends dozens of shows each year, covers the musicians and venues shaping Austin culture, and reports on the economic, political and civic infrastructure behind the music itself.

In this conversation, Adam and Mars explore Austin’s many micro-scenes — from West Campus house shows and the Red River Cultural District to country bars, metal clubs, blues rooms and DIY venues. Mars explains how local bands grow, why social media has changed artist discovery, and what she looks for when she realizes a young band may be on the verge of something bigger.

They also talk about the resurgence of physical zines, Austin’s long tradition of artists building things without waiting for permission, and musicians including Die Spitz, Spoon, Shakey Graves, Dayglow, Black Pumas and others who emerged from Austin’s ecosystem.

But being the Live Music Capital requires more than having a lot of shows.

Mars and Adam examine the economic pressures facing musicians and venues, the organizations helping artists stay in Central Texas, the lack of traditional music-industry infrastructure in Austin, and the tension between major venues bringing world-class touring acts to the city and smaller clubs trying to survive.

Mars also shares what she learned after visiting more than 50 Austin music venues for a new Austin American-Statesman guide — including the places where the city’s older character is still very much alive.

The takeaway? Austin music hasn’t disappeared.

You may just have to look harder for it.

Key takeaways:

• Austin is a collection of interconnected music scenes, not just one.
• Some of the city’s best music is happening far beyond the biggest venues.
• Live shows are often where tomorrow’s breakout artists first stand out.
• Social media can build attention, but talent still has to deliver.
• Austin’s DIY culture remains a major part of its musical identity.
• Rising costs continue to challenge musicians and independent venues.
• Austin has a strong network of organizations supporting working musicians.
• Supporting local music can be as simple as paying the cover and trying a new venue.
• Austin’s older character is still here — you just have to know where to look.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What does it take to make the most of Austin City Limits Music Festival—and which artists should be on your schedule before you even step into Zilker Park?

In this special episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Austin American-Statesman music reporter Mars Salazar for a full preview of ACL Fest 2026, from surviving the Texas heat to finding the artists you’ll be talking about long after the festival ends.

With more than 100 performances spread across nine stages and two weekends, ACL can be overwhelming. Mars shares her advice for first-timers, including what to bring, when to arrive, how to prepare for the heat, why comfortable shoes are non-negotiable, and how to navigate the crowds, food, transportation, and inevitable schedule conflicts.

Then, Adam and Mars dig into the 2026 lineup. They break down the festival’s growing electronic influence, the nostalgia factor behind artists like Kings of Leon and Twenty One Pilots, the strength of its female-led acts, and the notable absence of major country and rap headliners. From Charli XCX, Skrillex, Lorde, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Turnstile, Leon Thomas, Steve Aoki, and The xx to emerging artists that may be unfamiliar today, they share the performances they’re most curious to see.

They also spotlight the Austin artists getting their moment at Zilker—including Grocery Bag, Almost Heaven, Yuvi, The 4411, and Night Traveler—and make the case for arriving early. Some of the most exciting artists at ACL aren’t playing the headline slots. They’re on smaller stages in the afternoon, potentially just a few years away from becoming the names everyone knows.

Mars also reflects on what makes ACL different from other major festivals: its compact setting in the heart of Austin, its connection to the city’s parks, its local food and music, and the way thousands of people come together around artists and sounds they may not have discovered otherwise.

Along the way, Mars shares some of her most memorable ACL experiences—from Paul McCartney and Chappell Roan to mosh pits, mud, unforgettable sets, and a few performances she’d rather forget.

Whether you’re heading to Zilker for the first time, returning for another year, or looking at the lineup wondering who half these artists are, consider this your guide to ACL Fest 2026—and a reminder that sometimes the best festival discovery is the artist you didn’t know you needed to see.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

How do you lead a city that is constantly changing without losing the qualities that made people fall in love with it in the first place?

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Steve Adler, Austin’s 58th mayor, for a wide-ranging conversation about nearly five decades in Austin, eight years in the mayor’s office, and what he sees differently now that he’s outside the political hot seat.

Adler arrived in Austin in 1978 for law school and never left. He built a career as an attorney, became deeply involved in Austin’s civic and nonprofit community, and eventually made an unexpected leap into politics, serving as mayor from 2015 through 2023 during one of the most consequential periods in the city’s modern history.

Adam and Steve explore what Austin felt like in the late 1970s, why the city has always rewarded risk and creativity, and how explosive growth changed both its opportunities and its pressures. They also dig into the realities of being mayor in a city where the person held accountable does not necessarily control every lever of government.

The conversation gets more personal as Adler reflects on the 2018 serial bombings, COVID, homelessness, policing, affordability, public trust, and the decisions he now views differently with the benefit of hindsight. He discusses where he believes the city got things right, where it underestimated consequences, and why listening may be one of the most important lessons he took away from office.

The episode also looks forward. Adler explains why he worries about Austin becoming a “museum of itself,” why affordability and diversity are essential to preserving the city’s creative energy, and why something as simple as music and breakfast tacos gets surprisingly close to explaining Austin’s economic and cultural advantage.

Key takeaways:

• Austin has always changed, but its culture of creativity and risk-taking has endured.
• Being mayor means carrying enormous accountability without controlling every lever.
• Adler reflects candidly on homelessness, trust, and decisions he would approach differently today.
• Austin’s future depends on affordability, diversity, and protecting the people who create its culture.
• Preserving Austin’s magic means continuing to build what comes next, not freezing the city in the past.

At its core, this episode is about the responsibility that comes with loving a city. Austin has changed dramatically since Adler arrived in 1978, and it will keep changing. His argument is that the goal should not be to freeze Austin in time, but to preserve the conditions that allow its next generation of people to make the city their own.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What does it actually take to build community in a city as big and fast-changing as Austin?

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Chloe Chiang at Château Chloé, the East Austin home she designed not just as a place to live, but as a place to bring people together.

Chloe came to Austin for UT, built a successful real estate career through relentless relationship-building, and eventually expanded that work into something much bigger. Through Château Chloé and No Bad Company, she has created a world centered on hospitality, intentional gatherings, community, and the belief that life is better in good company.

Adam and Chloe talk about building a circle of champions, creating spaces where people feel comfortable enough to be themselves, and why she describes her role as “curating serendipity.” They also explore her journey from Division I gymnastics to real estate, why she still believes deeply in Austin, and how repeated interactions can turn strangers into real friends.

Key takeaways:

• Build a circle of people who genuinely champion you.
• Real community grows through consistency, not one-time interactions.
• Great hospitality starts with making people feel seen and comfortable.
• Strong communities are intentional, not accidental.
• Austin still stands out for its culture of generosity and connection.
• Human connection becomes more valuable as more of life gets automated.
• Austin’s magic depends on people continuing to create places to belong.

At its core, this episode is about how we intentionally build the life and community we want around us, and why Austin’s magic may depend on people continuing to create those spaces for one another.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What if some of the biggest business opportunities in Austin aren’t in startups, venture capital, or the next big app — but in the companies quietly keeping the city running?

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Kade Thomas, founder and CEO of Emory Oak Partners and Cerv Property Solutions, to explore the overlooked service economy underneath Austin’s explosive growth. Kade started his first landscaping company at just 13 years old, sold it while attending the University of Texas, and has spent the years since building, buying, scaling, and selling service businesses across the Southeast.

His philosophy is simple: “Sophisticate the unsophisticated.”

But this conversation isn’t really just about landscaping, janitorial services, pest control, or private equity.

It’s about where opportunity still exists in a city where many people feel like they already missed the boat.

Kade explains why the businesses maintaining Austin’s buildings, pools, landscaping, and infrastructure may offer some of the most durable entrepreneurial opportunities in the region — and why building a great company often has less to do with inventing something revolutionary than with assembling the right people, processes, culture, and technology.

Together, they explore:

• Why service businesses remain one of Austin’s most overlooked economic engines
• Why people and process matter more than having a groundbreaking idea
• How AI is transforming traditional service businesses
• Why Austin’s growth continues to create opportunities beyond tech
• How rising housing costs, wages, and traffic could reshape the city’s workforce
• What Austin needs to protect as it becomes wealthier, larger, and more technology-driven

The conversation also explores Kade’s relationship with the University of Texas, his work mentoring students and student-athletes, Austin’s hospitality scene, comparisons between Austin and other fast-growing Southern cities, and why entrepreneurship doesn’t require creating the next unicorn.

For anyone who has wondered whether Austin’s biggest opportunities are already gone, Kade offers a different perspective: the city is still being built, and many of the best opportunities may be hiding in plain sight.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What if Austin’s next great social club isn’t a country club, a gym, or a bar…but a sport most Americans are only just beginning to discover?

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Will Boyce, founder of PADEL39, to explore why one of the world’s fastest-growing sports may have found its perfect American home in Austin.

But this conversation isn’t really just about padel.

It’s about how people build community. Why making friends as an adult can be surprisingly difficult. And how sports, hospitality, and wellness can come together to create places where people genuinely want to stay.

Will shares his journey from growing up outside Paris and coming to the United States through tennis to attending the University of Texas, building a successful digital marketing company, earning an MBA from INSEAD, and working in investment banking in New York City.

After watching padel explode across Europe and Latin America, Will left Wall Street, researched more than 20 American cities, and returned to Austin to build PADEL39.

Together, they explore:

• Why padel is growing so quickly around the world
• What makes the sport easy to learn, social, and addictive
• Why Austin was the right city to launch PADEL39
• How PADEL39 combines sport, wellness, hospitality, and community
• Why many people struggle to make friends after moving to Austin
• How to build a lifestyle brand that is bigger than its founder

The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, career uncertainty, Austin’s international population, the importance of third places, and the mentor who changed Will’s life by helping him attend the University of Texas.

Whether you care about sports, entrepreneurship, community, wellness, or Austin’s future, this episode offers a fascinating look at how a global sport could help create a new kind of gathering place in the city.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What if the future of fashion isn’t being built in New York or Paris — but in Austin, Texas?

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Nina Means, Director of the ACC Fashion Incubator, to explore how Austin is quietly building a new kind of fashion ecosystem — one rooted in technology, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and creative opportunity.

But this conversation isn’t really just about fashion.

It’s about how cities build industries. How creative people turn ideas into real careers. And why Austin’s collaborative culture may give it an advantage legacy fashion cities no longer have.

Nina shares her journey from public health into fashion design, working with brands like Rebecca Taylor and Halston, and helping transform an empty room at Austin Community College into one of the country’s most unique fashion incubators.

Together, they explore:

• Why Austin approaches fashion differently
• How technology is reshaping fashion careers
• Why fashion jobs are becoming higher-paying and more technical
• The intersection of AI, sustainability, and manufacturing
• How ACC is creating affordable pathways into creative industries
• Why Austin’s openness and collaborative spirit matter more than ever

The conversation also dives into career reinvention, Austin style, local designers, creative infrastructure, and what it actually takes to build a sustainable industry instead of just a trend.

Whether you care about entrepreneurship, technology, creativity, or Austin’s future, this episode offers a fascinating look at a side of the city most people still don’t realize is already emerging.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1