Live Music returns–homelessness in Austin getting worse

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Updated: March 20, 2021

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Last night, Jessica and I ventured deep into South Austin to hear Moe and The Mau Mau Chaplains perform at Sam’s Town Point. On the drive there, we drove under the overpass at Menchaca and Hwy 71. In 2018, this exact location is where we shot the video for Under The Overpass and it was shocking to see how a little over 2 years later this location is now full of homeless people. This became a touchy topic for many people in Austin after our City Council made it legal for people to camp in our city in 2018 and it will be on the ballot on May 1st to see if it will be overturned. I hope our local and state leaders can work together to find a solution that works for everybody without making our homeless people criminals.

During the event, you could really feel that people were so glad to be out and enjoying live music again after such a long absence from Covid. Here’s a clip of them performing Under The Overpass:

Time is Running out to Save Live Music Venues–moe featured on spectrum news

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Updated: December 18, 2020

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Music4Life artiste, Alan Moe Monsarrat and Flamingo Cantina owner, Angela Tharp were interviewed about the future of venues in Austin.

Alan Moe Monsarrat has played music his entire life and it is also how he makes his living. As the lead singer for the reggae band Mau Mau Chaplains, his live performances this year look much different.

“It’s difficult for people who’ve worked their whole lives to suddenly be told that they can’t work, and there’s nowhere to work, and there might not be anywhere to work after it’s over,” Monsarrat said.

His band’s usual spot, Flamingo Cantina in Austin, where they have a residency, has been closed since March. For now, the Mau Mau Chaplains have been live streaming performances every week through Flamingo Cantina’s Facebook page.

Angela Tharp, the owner of the venue said the streaming is one way they can continue serving patrons, as they have been bringing people together since 1991. She said she believes the Flamingo Cantina more than just a music venue.

“We’re kind of a community center, if you will, for like-minded people and people who love reggae and world and latin. It gives them a place to be themselves and celebrate life with other folks, and I think it’s got a healing factor to it, as well. I think after these last nine months of being closed, it’s been really a challenge for people to not have that live music aspect,” Tharp said.

You can watch the video and read the full article on their website.

Song of the day on KUTX

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Updated: November 10, 2020

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We are so excited for Moe’s song, Turn The Tide to be picked as Song Of The Day on KUTX today! We found it so interesting that they picked this song to feature from all the songs on album. Thank you so much to the folks at KUTX!

The KUTX team looks high and low for songs and artists that should be on your radar. It’s a no-frills showcase for some of the great music that comes through the “live music capital of the world.”

Amigos perfectos

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Updated: November 8, 2020

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One of the singles from our Agriculture album is called Perfect Friends. Since the song had an obvious Tejano sound to it, I thought it might be cool to do a remix in Spanish. Moe did a great job singing it. It took him less than an hour to cut the lead vocal once we figured out where and what to sing. Big thanks to Karina Nistal for helping us out with the translation and grammar to make an English song work in Spanish too. We also have to thank Joel Guzman for his accordion that just turned out amazing and the Tijuana Trainwreck Horns too.