Brant Croucher

Where’s BRANT CROUCHER? You might wonder, if you’d heard his sweetly sad Blanco County Lights record in 2014, which one critic called a “testimony to high-caliber songwriting.” The Cypress native, 36, has been under the radar since then; he married his sometime duet partner Lainey Balagia in 2015, and they had baby Amelia in 2016. “She’s been our project for the last year.” But Croucher — who pens country-tinged, densely poetic songs as “a profoundly unique way to tell a story” — is raring to get back at it. He’s writing a new solo record, and is set to open for Joe Ely at Discovery Green May 11.

Where’s Brant Croucher? You might wonder, if you’d heard his sweetly sad Blanco County Lights record in 2014, which one critic called a “testimony to high-caliber songwriting.” The Cypress native, 36, has been under the radar since then; he married his sometime duet partner Lainey Balagia in 2015, and they had baby Amelia in 2016. “She’s been our project for the last year.” But Croucher — who pens country-tinged, densely poetic songs as “a profoundly unique way to tell a story” — is raring to get back at it.  He’s writing a new solo record, and is set to open for Joe Ely at Discovery Green May 11.

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Kam Franklin

Even after a busy few months, The Suffers frontwoman KAM FRANKLIN, 29, says the famous Houston soul act is not slowing down anytime soon. The 10-piece band, which releaes a new album this fall, returned from their first European tour this spring only to quickly repack their bags and head to Australia for a series of shows at the Byron Bay Blues Festival. “It was very exhausting,” says Franklin of their time in Europe, “but at the same time, it was the time of my life. All of the crowds were super responsive.” The Suffers’ new album is, appropriately, about what its many members have learned during the transitions from corporate jobs to the life of full-time, touring musicians. “It’s a lot about living your life off the clock,” she says, “and just living your life the way you want to live it.”

Even after a busy few months, The Suffers frontwoman Kam Franklin, 29, says the famous Houston soul act is not slowing down anytime soon. The 10-piece band, which releaes a new album this fall, returned from their first European tour this spring only to quickly repack their bags and head to Australia for a series of shows at the Byron Bay Blues Festival.  “It was very exhausting,” says Franklin of their time in Europe, “but at the same time, it was the time of my life. All of the crowds were super responsive.” The Suffers’ new album is, appropriately, about what its many members have learned during the transitions from corporate jobs to the life of full-time, touring musicians. “It’s a lot about living your life off the clock,” she says, “and just living your life the way you want to live it.”

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Natalie Lin

A New Zealand native who moved to the U.S. in 2007 to study music, violinist NATALIE LIN, 28, found Houston to be unique. Not only thanks to its welcoming nature, but also because something was lacking: Houston was one of the only major cities without a conductorless — meaning collaborative — orchestra. Lin, who’s finishing up her doctorate at Rice, founded Kinetic in 2015 to bridge the gap between traditional chamber music, like a string quartet, and a full orchestra. Her 16-member group is notably without an artistic director who calls the shots. “We make sure everyone has their voice heard and is comfortable speaking up and trying different ideas,” she says. Kinetic closes out its second season on May 6 with a performance celebrating local talent, such as composer Pierre Jalbert, called “Made in Houston” at MATCH.

A New Zealand native who moved to the U.S. in 2007 to study music, violinist Natalie Lin, 28, found Houston to be unique. Not only thanks to its welcoming nature, but also because something was lacking: Houston was one of the only major cities without a conductorless — meaning collaborative — orchestra. Lin, who’s finishing up her doctorate at Rice, founded Kinetic in 2015 to bridge the gap between traditional chamber music, like a string quartet, and a full orchestra. Her 16-member group is notably without an artistic director who calls the shots. “We make sure everyone has their voice heard and is comfortable speaking up and trying different ideas,” she says. Kinetic closes out its second season on May 6 with a performance celebrating local talent, such as composer Pierre Jalbert, called “Made in Houston” at MATCH.

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