New single release: Relief – Gus Baldwin & The Sketch

Gus Baldwin shares new single and launches Western US tour. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Austin Power Punk artist Gus Baldwin is a 25-year-old singer/songwriter/ex-hippie/part-time punk hailing from Austin, TX. After a stint holding down drums for Dallas surf punk legends Sealion in high school, Baldwin went on to form the Psych Pop combo Acid Carousel, which he led for 6 years and 20 something releases before departing the band on Halloween night 2021. He shares the official video for his new single Relief via Austin Town Hall. (US/THEM group, 2024)

Since leaving Carousel, Gus has made a name for himself as a solo artist in Austin, constantly performing as a singer/songwriter, one man garage band, or with his band The Sketch. Quickly releasing a string of titles on his own GetWithIt! Records imprint, including the EPs “THRILLER II,” “Live Bugs,” as well as a slew of singles, Gus established himself firmly as the godson of Texas rock ‘n’ roll. Splitting his time as a frequent collaborator with The Black Angels, Baldwin also works with the likes of Christian Bland & The Revelators as well as The UFO Club with Night Beats frontman, Danny Lee Blackwell.

Gus Baldwin & The Sketch kicked off their Western U.S. tour this month, which includes a performance at Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas. 

GUS BALDWIN & THE SKETCH LIVE 2024:
5/22 Marfa, TX
5/23 El Paso, TX
5/25 Las Vegas, NV
5/26 Long Beach, NV
5/27 San Francisco, CA
5/29 San Diego, CA
5/31 Los Angeles, CA
6/01 Tucson, AZ
6/02 Phoenix, AZ

Cover art for single Relief. Courtesy photos, used with permission.

Hot Luck Festival in Austin

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Hot Luck Festival, a live music and food festival, will take place in Austin from May 18 through May 21, 2017. Photo: Sandra Cruz

Hot Luck Festival is a live music and food festival that will take place in Austin from Thursday May 18 through Sunday May 21, 2017.  It is a celebration of fire, food, music and camaraderie inspired by tailgates, family reunions, get togethers and potlucks and will be held at various locations in Austin. A portion of the festival’s proceeds will benefit The SAFE Alliance, a merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace, agencies that serve the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation and domestic violence. Tickets are available for purchase online and range from single tickets to music and food events for $12 to $550 for “The Whole Enchilada” package. More information on specific festival events and ticket information is available online. (Hot Luck Festival, 2017)

The festivities will begin on Thursday May 18 with the Black Lips performing. Other musical acts include Black Joe Lewis, Robert Ellis, Rayland Baxter and Shonen Knife at venues such as Barracuda, Mohawk, White Horse and more. One of a kind events include on Friday May 19 when Chef Yoshi Okai of Otoko who was recently named Food & Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chef” of 2017 will serve Japanese fare while fans enjoy the music of Japanese pop-punk band Shonen Knife. Other participating chefs include Elias Cairo, from Olympia Provisions in Portland, Jennifer Tucker from Jeffrey’s, Justin Brunson from Old Major in Denver, Ben Runkle from Salt and Time, Kristine Kittrell from Weather Up and Laura Loomis from Two Bros BBQ Market in San Antonio.