It\u2019s tough to navigate social media these days and not run into artists and songwriters complaining about getting buried in algorithms, not selling enough tickets on tour, not being able to find the traction to keep sustainable careers going, not being able to get past gatekeepers and locked doors in the industry, and how the hustle to become \u201ccontent creators\u201d drains their creative energy for making actual music. <\/p>
The Hook was built to help address these problems by providing a video platform for both established songwriters, and up-and-comers by allowing anyone to be able to sign up for the opportunity to perform a song. Though it\u2019s still early and we\u2019re only up to Episode 5 in Austin, the grassroots community and the kind of conversations that need to happen to build a more sustainable future in music are already taking shape. <\/p>
The special guest performer and panelist for Episode 5 was Grammy-nominated songwriter, guitarist, and banjo picker Tony Kamel, who just released a new acoustic album called Live From The Bunker<\/em>. The former member of the Austin-based bluegrass band Wood & Wire started the show off singing his song \u201cJohn,\u201d and then offered some great insight as a musician who spent nine years of his life in the business full-time, and now balances his musical life with other pursuits so he can be home with his family more. <\/p> The first performer selected randomly was Aden Rackley who made a big impression on Episode 4 with his song \u201cKatydid.\u201d He performed his new song \u201cWrong Side of Sober\u201d to a favorable response once again. You get the sense that Rackly is one of the performers you\u2019ll look back on and say, \u201cRemember when we first saw him on that show \u2018The Hook?’\u201d as his career takes off. <\/p> Brian Tell came up and performed the song \u201cRemembering You From The Future.\u201d Perhaps one of the coolest moments of the entire episode is when he revealed that his performance was the first time he\u2019d ever played guitar left handed. Naturally left handed, he\u2019d been told to learn how to play with his right. But feeling like he\u2019d hit a creative wall, and decided to make the switch. It\u2019s this kind of experimentation and trying things out that The Hook was built for. Brian is also in the band The Loveshakers. <\/p> Boone Carter left a big, boomy impression with his engrossing dark country roots song \u201cThe Woods.\u201d He also has a band called the Gilded Lows that specializes in a unique Gothic country sound. Both his performance, and the song itself received high praise from the panel. He also revealed that he\u2019s been working on the new massive multi-part documentary They Called Us Outlaws<\/a><\/em>. <\/p> Owen Stroud is another artist that you just know is on the brink of breaking out big time. He\u2019s already playing gigs at places like Gruene Hall. Though his primary instrument is a piano, he showed up with a guitar and put a full band\u2019s worth of energy out behind his song \u201cI Want Her Near Me,\u201d capturing the fervent desire of a pining heart. This guy feels like a big stage act just waiting to be discovered.