AUSTIN, Texas — The 44th annual Austin Music Awards is right around the corner, and the Austin Chronicle is once again hosting an unforgettable night of live music at Antone’s Nightclub.
Caroline Drew of the Austin Chronicle and Ben Kweller sat down with Trevor Scott and Sierra Waggoner to share what fans can expect from this year’s celebration of Austin’s vibrant music scene!
Caroline Drew of the Austin Chronicle and Ben Kweller sat down with Trevor Scott and Sierra Waggoner to share what fans can expect from this year’s celebration of Austin’s vibrant music scene!
Drew said the Austin Music Awards continue to honor the artists, venues, and industry professionals who shape the city’s identity as the Live Music Capital of the World.
Ben Kweller and Austin Chronicle Spotlight 44th Annual Austin Music Awards!
“We had the Oscars, the Grammys, and then the Austin Music Awards! What’s the point of winning something if you don’t celebrate it? So that’s what we’re doing this weekend, March 1st at Antone’s. We’ve got an awesome lineup. We’ve got some indie rockers. We’ve got Gus Baldwin, in the Sketch, Big Bill, Gummy Thing, and then tomorrow, Nfkrz and Antone’s All Stars are kind of taking it away.”
The awards are this Sunday. People can come to enjoy the music and applaud the winners and nominees. Tickets are available at tickets.austinchronicle.com!
The event also benefits the Sims Foundation, which provides mental health and substance use recovery services to Austin musicians and music industry professionals. Drew added, “You know, we like to do as much as we can for the community. So a portion of proceeds goes to The Sims Foundation. I mean, mental health is important. I think we all know that. And Sims does amazing work supporting not just our musicians, but music industry folks and everyone and their families. So we’re just giving back to them as we celebrate all these musicians. We want to make sure they’re around for as long as they can.”
The event also benefits the Sims Foundation, which provides mental health and substance use recovery services to Austin musicians and music industry professionals. Drew added, “You know, we like to do as much as we can for the community. So a portion of proceeds goes to The Sims Foundation. I mean, mental health is important. I think we all know that. And Sims does amazing work supporting not just our musicians, but music industry folks and everyone and their families. So we’re just giving back to them as we celebrate all these musicians. We want to make sure they’re around for as long as they can.”
The awards are this Sunday. People can come to enjoy the music and applaud the winners and nominees. Tickets are available at tickets.austinchronicle.com!
Kweller, who is nominated for Musician of the Year and performing during the ceremony, will also present the “Zev Award,” created in honor of his son, Dorian. The award recognizes emerging young artists and celebrates the next generation of Austin musicians. “So I have an album out called Cover the Mirrors. And it’s been a very emotional and heavy album for me because three years ago, my son Dorian passed away and he was an incredible artist. He performed under the name Zev, which was his middle name, and it means wolf. My wife and I started a charity called the Zev Foundation, which supports young musicians who are like him, not necessarily classically trained, but who really write music and compose something original and unique. Over the last three years, we partnered with the Chronicle to create the Zev Award, which recognizes someone in our community like Dorian, that has that Zev spirit.”
He added, “I’ve always loved the Austin Music Awards! I’m up for an award this year, which is insane. It’s a lot right now, but it’s all really exciting. And, you know, you take the good with the bad, the salty with the sweet, and all we can do is keep moving forward.”
He added, “I’ve always loved the Austin Music Awards! I’m up for an award this year, which is insane. It’s a lot right now, but it’s all really exciting. And, you know, you take the good with the bad, the salty with the sweet, and all we can do is keep moving forward.”
Ben Kweller and Austin Chronicle Spotlight 44th Annual Austin Music Awards!
When asked about upcoming projects, Kweller said, “A lot of touring. So we’re taking the Cover the Mirrors tour on the road overseas this year — a lot of Europe, Japan, Australia, all over. But I’m really stoked because I’m doing Red Rocks for the first time! I’ve never even been there. I’ve never even seen it in person. I’m playing with Bright Eyes at Red Rocks!”
The awards are this Sunday. People can come to enjoy the music and applaud the winners and nominees. Tickets are available at tickets.austinchronicle.com!
The awards are this Sunday. People can come to enjoy the music and applaud the winners and nominees. Tickets are available at tickets.austinchronicle.com!