Sonic Building Blocks
Music as a World-Building Tool
Words Abby L. Johnson | Photos Baptiste Despois
“Writing about music is like dancing about architecture” has long been known as an annoyingly haunting maxim for music writers. Yet, the interplay between sound and story proves that music can be the ultimate tool for designing a creative universe. From the mysterious melodies of Tele Novella to the universal warmth of Jon Muq and the Chicano soul revival of Midnight Navy, each artist crafts a unique alternate reality where sound becomes story, and melodies transform into immersive experiences. In music, every artistic choice is part of an ever-evolving blueprint.
Midnight Navy
Midnight Navy is revitalizing Chicano soul of years’ past for a modern audience. Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Francisco Jose Rosales, better known by his stage moniker Midnight Navy, was raised in Corpus Christi on a musical diet of bossa nova and jazz. Inspired by the music his family listened to and enjoyed, Francisco picked up the saxophone, his first instrument, in middle school and has yet to put it down.
Tele Novella
A dreamy, medieval-meets-Western aesthetic comes to life in the universe of music duo Tele Novella, where sonic and visual cohesion creates a dazzling vehicle for other worldly storytelling.
Natalie Ribbons and partner Jason Chronis, together Tele Novella, took a deep breath of Small Town, Texas, and exhaled a well-fabricated, intoxicating world in which vampires and rodeo clowns and Shakespearean imagery dance together on the same western soundstage.
Jon Muq
As a universal sunshine-infused pop artists, Ugandan songwriter Jon Muq writes for everyone, drawing on his experiences growing up in Africa and constructing a new home for himself in Austin, Texas.
When 24-year-old Jon first moved to Austin in March 2018, the young musician initially connected with the community by volunteering for East Austin nonprofit Casa Marianella. It was a fitting partnership. The organization helps displaced immigrants by providing shelter, legal services, and strength in camaraderie. Jon lent his musical talents and sunny disposition to one of their fundraisers, excited to throw his abilities towards a worthy cause.
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Austin’s Iconic Venues:
Where Music, Culture, and History Collide From legendary honky-tonks to underground clubs, Austin’s venues have shaped the city’s identity for generations. These iconic spaces have hosted music legends, fostered artistic movements, and built a culture unlike anywhere else. Step inside the stories of the places that keep Austin’s creative spirit alive.
Among the oldest bars in Austin, Historic Scoot Inn has been slinging drinks under one moniker or another since 1871. This Texas treasure retains its Lonestar pride with its western furnishings, while still hosting a diverse array of musicians, and seats up to 800 guests. On off nights, two-steppers might take over the space for dance lessons.
scootinnaustin.com | @scootinn | 1308 E. 4th St.
Sahara Lounge lights up nearly every Saturday night for its signature event: Africa Night. Their house band, Sahara All-Stars, brings Afro Jazz, Afrobeat, and Afropop to this intimate and lively space. Get sweaty, get grooving, and grab a signature cocktail or mocktail to fuel the late-night dance moves.
saharalounge.com | @saharaloungeatx | 1413 Webberville Rd.
Antone’s Nightclub, known as Austin’s Home of the Blues, originally opened its doors in 1975. Despite migrating around Austin, pulled by the changing financial currents of a growing city, the venue has cultivated a reputation for attracting some of the most culturally significant artists at every one of its iterations. antonesnightclub.com | @antonesnightclub | 305 E 5th St.
Home to the DIY, punk, indie and oddballs-of-all-kinds scene, Hotel Vegas is raucous, rowdy, and constantly entertaining. Nearly every night, the dive bar’s three stages are stacked with the best of Austin’s local acts and beyond. texashotelvegas.com | @hotelvegastexas | 1502 E 6th St.
The White Horse is the real life, boot scootin’ honky tonk of stereotypical Texan dreams. This 21-and-up venue is a frequent haunt for country music lovers in search of a place to don their cowboy boots and dance the night away. thewhitehorseaustin.com | @whitehorseatx | 500 Comal St.
IYKYK: Texas Music Museum
While not necessarily a full-time music venue, Texas Music Museum is an incredible resource for anyone looking to further their understanding of Austin’s music history, often hosting free community shows. Wander in on a random weekday evening and you might find yourself in an intimate room, face-to-face with excellent musicians from around the world. There’s nothing else quite like it. texasmusicmuseum.org | @txmusicmuseum | 1009 E 11th St.
What goes better with beer and barbecue than really good tunes? Stubb’s Austin has perfected this holy trinity and cemented themselves as one of the best spots in town to sip on a cold one while dancing under the Texas sky. stubbsaustin.com | @stubbsaustin | 801 Red River St.
More than a world-class racetrack, the massive footprint of Circuit of the Americas is frequently used to host large national acts such as Taylor Swift, Eminem, and, coming this summer, classic bands like Styx. With over 14,000 seats, COTA is among the largest outdoor amphitheaters in Central Texas. circuitoftheamericas.com | @germaniaamp | 9201 COTA Blvd.
Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park is an airy green oasis in the heart of the city. The carefully designed space makes for a lively, yet tranquil, place to commune with the universal language of music. The amphitheater accommodates 5,000 guests and attracts large acts such as Phoebe Bridgers, Goth Babe, and Cake. moodyamphitheater.com | @moodyamphitheater | 1401 Trinity St.
