The 3rd annual Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival is just around the corner, as the weather continues to gradually transition into the slightly less blistering temperatures of Texas Autumn. We've been really lucky this year, with lots of rain, and unusually mild August days. I for one am starting to feel the impulse to wear sweaters and make soup coming on! What better way to begin the Fall season than with a local music festival that is distinguished by its mellow, easygoing vibe? 

Needless to say, this is not a music festival that requires a set of earplugs. Graced by a talented ensemble of local and national musicians, the festival features more than 20 daily performances, free and open to the public. Songwriters from all across the nation play “in-the-round”, Nashville-style, which simply means that artists sit in the center of the stage taking turns playing, and telling the stories behind the songs. This is part of what gives the festival a more intimate ambiance, as audiences get a chance not only to experience the music, but to also hear the musicians talk about the craft of songwriting.  

Popular local venues with provide the stages to host the event, all within a safe, easily walkable distance from one another: The Barber Shop Bar, Mercer Street Dance Hall, Mazama Coffee Company, The Mercantile, Hudson’s On Mercer, and of course, our very own, Sidecar Tasting Room!

Here are a few of the artists we here at Sidecar are really jazzed about this year:

Dripping Springs' own Micah Wagner was born and raised in Austin TX, and it really comes through in his music's honest, down-home country feel. Micah’s self-produced debut album, 7 Years, 6 Months Late, was released in 2013 and garnered a positive buzz right off the bat. He has had the opportunity to play amongst the likes of Willie Nelson, Dwight Yokam and Paula Nelson. Micah also played the 1st annual Cookin' for the Cure benefit to raise support for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Wimberly, TX, showing just how big-hearted this local boy really is. You can check his music out at Sidecar on Friday, Oct. 14th at 7:45pm.
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Alyse Black got her start belting Billie Holiday tunes a cappella on the streets of Seattle for pocket change. Since then, she's performed on NPR, recorded a commercial for Target, moved to Austin, won Billboard's Annual Songwriting Contest, had several songs placed in movies and TV shows, and toured the country playing nearly 700 clubs, theaters, festivals, television shows and radio stations. It is evident through her music that Alyse has a deep love for songwriting and the human spirit, and with an aching, soul-touching voice, her award-winning songs will make you feel like you're floating peacefully out at sea. Alyse is currently recording her third full-length album with producer Eric Rosse (Sara Barielles, Mary Lambert, Tori Amos), drummer Matt Chamberlain (Fiona Apple, Sarah McLachlan, Dido), and bassist Mark Browne (Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, Jewel). We can't wait to hear what she has in store for us at the festival this year, and to meet the magnanimous soul behind these beautiful songs. Catch her at Sidecar at 3:30pm on Saturday, Oct. 15th.

Coming to us all the way from Brooklyn, NY, Aly Tadros has performed over 800 shows worldwide since her 2009 debut. Her style can be traced everywhere from her Egyptian roots, to the traditional Mexican vihuela she uses on stage. The San Antonio Current attributes Aly’s unique folk-stylings to her extensive travel, calling her “born to fingerpick and execute a perfect Cuban clave…a musical sponge that absorbs everything she hears wherever she goes.” A self-taught musician, Aly pulls from latin, middle eastern and american pop to create a melting pot of musical influence. She says, “I also appreciate a well-placed F-bomb and I don’t play the kind of folk music you’d hear at a family function (believe me, I’ve tried)”. It’s not yo mama’s folk music. Aly has been featured in USAToday.com, Interview Magazine, Paste, MTV Buzzworthy and TEDxYouth and she was voted “Best live shows to catch in NYC” by The Village Voice. Come see Aly perform live at the Sidecar Tasting Room at 6:00pm on Saturday, Oct. 15th.

​The full festival lineup can be found here.

Performances will take place October 14th-16th. We look forward to seeing you there!