Austin has its share of well-known artists, of course. But for every Joe Ely or Bob Schneider there's a hundred unknown musicians playing at small clubs and coffee houses. It's not money they're after; there's really none to be made. Instead, an incurable passion compels them to step outside the daily grind and express themselves through music. They pay out-of-pocket for recording and duplicating. They sell a few CDs at shows or online, but most are handed to friends and family with a smile that says "this is me."

The Daylight Titans is one such band. You won't find them anywhere on Austin's A-list, but this self-described "post-punk power pop" trio with influences like David Bowie, the Church, and early REM has quietly built a small but solid following over the last half-decade.

The willingness of bands like the Daylight Titans to step outside the comforts of everyday life and bare themselves before an entertainment-seeking public gives Austin a cultural flair not found in many other U.S. cities. New York may have its "Warhol economy"; perhaps here we have the "Willie economy." Live music draws in a steady stream of visitors and new residents alike, functioning as the lifeblood of the city. High tech may dominate the business headlines, but it's music and the arts that sustain the city's soul while still pumping millions of dollars into the economic engine that keeps Austin both weird and functional.

Local musician and entrepreneur Troy Dillinger is doing his part to keep that engine churning. He leads the Save Austin Music campaign that is rallying business leaders and city officials to bolster the music infrastructure. Dillinger also is calling on each member of the citizenry to commit to seeing at least one local band every month. Live music attendance has dropped over the last decade despite the city's steady population growth. And because of dwindling crowds, numerous venues have been forced to close; those that manage to stay afloat can only pay artists at an averaged rate that hasn't budged in two decades. With ever-higher costs of living and no signs of a slowdown in central Austin's housing market, it's tougher than ever for musicians to make a living.

So if you're here, go out and see at least one show this month. Maybe even this weekend, like the Gougers and Hayes Carll at Threadgill's tomorrow night. Or the Daylight Titans at the Hole in the Wall on Monday. Let's all do our part to support local live music.

 
"Dogshit and Sadness" by the Daylight Titans, from the forthcoming Boom and Chime: