In our conversation with open mic host Arturo Barz, we ride the high-energy wave of his birthday reflections to uncover what makes “The Art of Open Mic” at The Dakota such a special event.
Born into a life surrounded by and centered on music, Art's life of percussion, rhymes, and performance may have been preordained. But hosting? He didn't see that coming. Still, if Art is going to do something—be it percussion, poetry, or promoting an event—he’s going to give it 150%.

Join us for a little vocab, a little beef, and a lot of laughs as we get a look at what makes this “conscious burst of fire” tick.

• Arturo Barz
• The Dakota East Side Ice House & The PourBox
• Radio Tierra
• I35 Connekt (explicit)/Mind Assailant
• Los Nauhuatlatos
• Joaquin Muerte
• Combo Cosmico
• The Incomparables
• Caldo
• Craig ‘BBC’ Long
• The Magnolia Project
• Guacharaca
• The Tre Flip Funk Video
• Float Tank
• Cake Thieves

Check out this episode’s companion playlist curated by Arturo Barz!

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In our conversation with Brizzo Torres, we get schooled on what it’s really like to be on the go. “Occupied” is one thing, but multiple hats in multiple entities in multiple countries?

This is a new level of busy.

From nursing, to picking up junked cars, to running bands, to running a guitar school, to changing young lives in three cities separated by 3,400 miles, Brizzo's journey is one of education, and she has learned something from every stop along the way.

So, whether she’s traveling from San Antonio to NYC, hopping campuses to empower young minds, or merging her favorite parts of Aretha, The Stones, Selena, and Karen O, the result is the empowerment of the next generation.

Important People, Places, and Things Mentioned:

• The Pourbox
• The Dakota East Side Ice House
• Brizzo Torres
• La Huerta
• The Good Good Collective
• La Bandera Molino
• Cheetos Deja Tu Huella
• Baruch College
• Billboard Latin Music Week

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During today’s chat with Erica Monzón (aka: Ila Minori), we learn about Erica’s journey from open mic night to national tours, the significance of mentorship and community support, and why you should be practicing right now.

As a self proclaimed late bloomer in a family full of musicians, Erica walks us from being the good drama-free kid through cadging chords from her musician friends to keeping her band fed on the road. She takes us through her musical genealogy on route to finding her own voice.

As an adult who spends her time in the classroom and her weekends in the studio and on the road, this episode packs a punch for the artist who is thinking about starting and/or maintaining a career in music.

Important People, Places, and Things Mentioned:

• The Pour Box
• San Antonio College
• The Dakota East Side Ice House
• Sancho’s
• Ila Minori: ICU

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In our conversation with venue owners Janell and Santos Martinez, we cover the transformative power of open mics, the audacity to be genuine, and converting the economic woes of a worldwide pandemic into a dream-made-real.

With good humor and a kind of genuine humility, Janell and Santos guide us from the death of normalcy through trials and tribulations to the of creation the Deco District gem, Dulce Sueños - so much more than your friendly neighborhood coffee house. This episode is an inspiring story of kindness and preservation and just what that can get you, quantifiable and intangible alike.

Important People, Places, and Things Mentioned:

• Dulce Sueños
• The PourBox Coffee Cantina
• The Dakota East Side Ice House
• "Mannish Boy" - Muddy Waters
• Yes Man
• Brizzo Torres

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Join us for the end of this two-part conversation with Joaquin Muerte, the multi-talented musician whose life and work embody the spirit of San Antonio. From his early heartbreak to the ingenious Fredericksburg Road Taco Tour, Joaquin recounts pivotal moments, musical influences, and the profound impact of mentorship on his artistic evolution. Plus, listen as Joaquin turns the tables and asks Joshua and Justine their go-to karaoke songs and their biggest onstage bombs.

Want more Joaquin? We've released the unedited version of this two-part interview for FREE on our brand-new Patreon! Experience the full, unfiltered conversation with Joaquin, just like the audio style of Joaquin's Xicanx Versus Aliens podcast.

Important People, Places, and Things Mentioned:

• Dulce Sueños
• Joaquin and the Glowliners
• Los Nahuatlatos
• Combo Cósmico
• Xicanx Versus Aliens

Click here for a companion playlist curated by Joaquin himself!

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“I never thought of it as, ‘I’m gonna be super successful right now.’ I always thought like, ‘This is gonna be fun!’”

Join us in the first episode of this two-part journey as we explore the diverse realms of Joaquin Muerte - musician, activist, and paranormal enthusiast. This episode takes you behind the scenes of Joaquin’s creative process and his philosophy on musical collaborations. Joaquin also shares insights from his podcast 'Xicanx Versus Aliens,' reflections on the impact of COVID-19 on his life and art, and an unexpected reason why he wanted to study music.

Note: We're releasing an unedited version of this episode on our brand-new Patreon page! Experience the full, unfiltered conversation with Joaquin, just as it was recorded, capturing a kind of authenticity that Joaquin champions with his podcast.

Important People, Places, and Things Mentioned:

• Dulce Sueños
• Joaquin and the Glowliners
• Los Nahuatlatos
• Combo Cósmico
• Xicanx Versus Aliens
• Juan Tejeda
• OBS
• Mozart’s Requiem
• Science Friday
• Felipe Jr

Click here for a companion playlist curated by Joaquin himself!

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Embark on a sonic adventure with us in the latest episode of Who's Next SATX!

We're joined by Olen Sluder, a seasoned sound engineer currently running sound for TuNesday, San Antonio's longest-running open mic. As we uncover the intricacies of sound engineering and open mics, Olen shares tales from his musical journey, influenced by everything from Buddy Holly to avant-garde composers like John Cage.

The episode takes an unexpected turn as we delve into the ambient wonders of music history, explore the fascinating world of modular synthesis and experimental rock, and learn what song Olen would perform for his first open mic on the stage.
Join us for an eclectic mix of music, stories, and tips for open mic performers, and become part of our vibrant community celebrating the power of performance and the diverse soundscape of San Antonio's open mic culture.

Important People, Places, and Things Mentioned:

• Dulce Sueños
• TuNesday at The Pigpen with host John Whipple
• Butch Morgan & The Blast
• Robert "Robar" Adams
• Olmos Pharmacy/Bharmacy
• Casbeers
• Kerrville Folk Festival
• Banana plugs
• Herrnsdorf guitars

Click below for an eclectic companion playlist curated by Olen himself!

• Spotify
• Tidal

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"I didn't even have a Dollarita."

Saddle up for a ride through San Antonio's open mic circuit with seasoned open mic host Brian Heckler. From his early days of unexpected hosting to the communal spirit of George's Keep, Brian's stories are the perfect harmony of nostalgia and insight.

Strap yourself in; it's not always smooth sailing in the world of live music. With seven years of experience, Brian shares some wisdom on creating respectful, supportive spaces for artists to flourish, plus his experience handling the occasional disruptive performer. And before we wrap up, we hear Brian's... unconventional choice for his ideal final taco.

Join Joshua, Justine, and the incomparable Brian Heckler for a memorable journey to the heartbeat of the city's open mic nights!

Important People, Places, and Things Mentioned:

• Dulce Sueños
• George's Keep
• Francis Bogside
• Blayne's Bar
• Jandro's
• Cherrity Bar
• 502 Bar
• "Little Black Submarines" by The Black Keys
• Who's Next SATX

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