Summertime, and the living is hell on Earth. Luckily, there’s the tradition of the song of the summer to cope with the blinding, several-shirts-per-day heat of South Texas. To get a soundtrack going, we asked 10 San Antonio musicians what tunes will dominate the next few months of their lives. From Santigold to John Coltrane, Patti Smith to Bomba Estéreo, they didn’t disappoint. As Daecos Omoxi of Calico Club said, “Summer is a feeling.” And we’re feeling pretty good.
Daecos Omoxi of Calico Club — Junior Boys, “Over It”
It’s exactly how I feel about the summer. I love it and hate it at the same time. I want it to stay and I also want it to go away. It’s not even the season. Summer is a feeling.
Gem Hotvet of K23 Gallery — Animal Collective, “FloriDada”
The lead in to this summer has been wet and hot and weird — and not in a good way — and Animal Collective’s “FloriDada” is the song that has gotten me through it. It bubbles and fizzles and sparkles over deep synthetic squelches and burps with vocal harmonies that clearly reflect their love for Brian Wilson. It drips with a sunshine pop vibe and is lyrically rife with optimism. I was sold when the lyrics mention a “bridge that someone’s paying for,” such a welcome sentiment during this bizarre election season.
Joel Turrubiates of Ellis Redon — Angel Olsen, “Intern”
I’m really digging the new Angel Olsen track “Intern”. I felt I could really relate to the lyrics because I’m currently working a 9-5 type job where I have to put on a role that doesn’t correlate with my true self.
But a summer jammer? Probably “Karen Revisited” by Sonic Youth. I’ve been revisiting them a lot lately. Nirvana too.
Daniela Riojas, singer of Femina-X — Bomba Estéreo, “To My Love”
The simplicity of the beats, freeing components of the song and the purity of the hook paint a world love and paradise — lots of yellows and pinks and blue hues dancing around. I’m instantly alive when I listen to it. I dream about going back to Colombia often and this tune becomes the same vision of light, happiness, communion with nature that I experienced in my time there. I think it somehow connects the native spirit of South America with the native spirit of San Antonio, too.
Dane Rousay, Drummer for The Freebies, Baby Bangs —
derek, “Deus Ex Machina”
derek’s Deus Ex Machina addresses most things about the south that are extreme. They mention politics, the fetishization of wealth and the scorching southern heat. No matter what you do, you can’t escape the overwhelming environment of summer in this region.
Deric Wynne, owner of 502 Bar and Limelight — Broncho, “Señora Borealis”
This song has become the Limelight anthem, we love it. “Johnny Cash’s Mama’s House” by Emily Wells — infectious hooks, electro bass-laced with pop sensibility. 3. “Boys Life” by Small Black — I admit my personal bias on this one, we have hosted Small Black a couple times.
Saakred — Empress Of, “Water Water”
Also, “Batuque” by Dom la Nena and “Working For It” by ZHU. For me, these songs are a sonic representation of the nitelife, 6 a.m. European discos, and just not giving two fucks about who’s watching, who’s judging, or who you’re going home with. Recently, nothing has been more representative of my own physical liberation and energetic cultivation than the exploration of dance clubs/dance music and movement in general as a way of processing our everyday URL/IRL overload. These are some of many of the tracks that get me there.
LaJIT — Santigold, “Who Be Lovin’ Me” feat. ILOVEMAKONNEN
“Who Be Lovin’ Me” is def my song to bump in this incredible Texas heat. Though the beat is downtempo, Makonnen and Santigold bring an energy that makes me wanna cook with my tiny shirt and tiny pants on while forgetting I’m sweating profusely. Catch me bumping this song, with all the windows down, chunking the deuce to everyone as if I know them.
Ryan Brummet of Mondo Nation — Patti Smith, “Redondo Beach”
My wife and I would listen to this record over and over huddled over our lone window unit in our old apartment. We spent the day gathering supplies: oysters, champagne and hunting knives. It was just our way of beating the heat.
Kory Cook, Drummer for Royal Punisher, The Mockingbird Express — John Coltrane, “Sun Ship”
I know it’s from over 50 years ago, but John Coltrane’s “Sun Ship” (recorded in August 1965) has been sitting in my car’s CD player since late spring. I have a vinyl copy but a friend gave me his new CD copy. It’s timeless, improvisational music and sounds like it could have been recorded yesterday. It’s blazing and ferocious, like the unrelenting Texas heat. Blast off and escape on the sun ship!
Warning: Not for relaxing beach trips or first dates.
Also, “Delta Kreme” by Dave King Trucking Company. This short, opening track sets the pace for his entire new album, Surrounded By the Night. An instrumental open road, complete with a gorgeous melody that sets the tone for a new lazy, hazy summer.
This article appears in Jun 22-28, 2016.