SAN ANTONIO – As SA Vibes wraps up an exciting year, the series has showcased a dynamic array of local talent, from indie rock and country to cosmic cumbia and folk songs about San Antonio’s history.
These artists highlight San Antonio’s vibrant and diverse music scene, and we were also able to showcase some of the city’s amazing music venues.
Mikey Vibe
The inaugural episode of SA Vibes featured the aptly named Michael Carrillo, aka Mikey Vibe.
Mikey is a local singer-songwriter, composer and frontman of San Antonio’s long-standing indie rock band, Deer Vibes, as well as his country-folk project Michael J. & The Foxes.
For more than a decade, Carrillo has been involved and passionate in supporting the growth of the local music scene in San Antonio.
His latest release, under The Foxes moniker, is called “Make Like a Tree & Get Out of Here.”
Caroline Hale
The second episode of SA Vibes featured Caroline Hale, a singer-songwriter from San Antonio currently based in Austin.
Hale has been playing guitar since she was eight. She was discovered at a local rock showcase by Martin Strayer, who has worked with multi-platinum artists like Ariana Grande, Madonna, The Chicks, Soundgarden and many others.
She released her debut album "BFF" (Best Friend’s Funeral) at the end of 2023 and played acoustic versions of a few songs in the KSAT Garden.
Garrett T. Capps
The third episode of SA Vibes featured Garrett T. Capps, an artist who’s kind of a big deal around these parts.
He’s toured both nationally and internationally, and he’s even been profiled by “Rolling Stone” magazine.
You’ll normally catch him with his band NASA Country, and you’ll hear a unique concoction of country music mixed with an electronic sound.
Many in the local music scene clearly agree, as his shows are always packed. Capps also works to bring all kinds of great music from across the U.S. to play at The Lonesome Rose stage.
Anthony Prater
It’s rare to hear a song about the last man who was ever hanged at the old Bexar County Jail, but “Guerilla Historian” Anthony Prater covers that and more in his very unique style of songwriting. This style is featured throughout his 2023 EP "El Camarón."
Anthony Prater is a singer-songwriter who was born in San Antonio and raised a few miles south in Somerset. He has been writing songs and telling stories since forming his first band at age 14.
A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Prater spent his teens and 20s writing and performing with numerous DIY bands, most notably the ska/punk trio ¡Nada Más Basura! from 2009 until 2015.
He also fronts the Irish folk/rock/Americana group The Naggins and is the rhythm guitarist/lead vocalist for the indie/alternative band Hotel Torgo.
Combo Cósmico
A multicultural blend of sound, with an electronic twist and psychedelic visuals, guarantees a musical trip to space when you listen to the music of Combo Cósmico.
The band is a cumbia quintet from San Antonio “who take an out-of-this-world twist on one of the most popular forms of Latin American music. They take traditional cumbia to new heights by incorporating cosmic psychedelic influences to fully immerse audiences and listeners,” a press kit for the band said.
Combo Cósmico started 2024 with a bang when they released and toured in support of their genre-bending debut album “Cumbia Ovnidera.” Since then, the San Antonio-based group has been busy developing new material and revisiting sounds and music that have influenced them over the years.
The Lost Project
Our sixth episode of SA Vibes featured The Lost Project, a band that has been a staple of the local music scene since 2010. They’ve released three EPs and their debut LP, “Far from Where You Are.”
The band also spearheads their own record label, Lost Records. The Lost Project’s live performances are truly an engaging experience.
“Raw, unfettered energy and masterful composition and lyricism have made The Lost Project a favorite of San Antonio’s music community, fans who collectively echo the band’s energy and lyricism right back in their direction,” a statement on the band’s website reads.
The band’s been through some changes over the years, but they’re resuming their place as regulars on local stages once more. They also co-own and operate The Starlighter, a music venue on Fredericksburg Road in the Deco District.
Lacy Brinson
Our seventh SA Vibes was with the talented singer/songwriter Lacy Brinson. Her music is a rich fusion of Southern heritage and diverse influences from Southern rock, soul, bluegrass and Western swing.
She has been part of the local music scene for over a decade. Brinson performs originals inspired by her life and covers songs that people enjoy singing.
Brinson’s latest album, "Gratitude," was released in 2019, but she has been working on new songs over the last few years. We were fortunate enough to record some of these songs for the first time during this SA Vibes session, which was our first time recording at The Guitar Dojo music school.
PRSNT
Our eighth episode featured PRSNT (pronounced “present”), a four-piece band that is producing a distinct and diverse sound. For the band’s lead vocalist and songwriter, the journey to find their original sound began in 2018 after leaving a previous band.
“I was looking to just go back to my roots — and that’s pop and rock and reggae — and I just wanted to combine everything together,” said Chris Talavera.
This mix of genres, combined with earlier influences from Backstreet Boys to Britney Spears and inspiration from dreams, has helped shape the sound of the band. They also have several music videos on their YouTube page.
“Kudos to my guy, Chris, here on really steering the ship and making something that is wholly unique in the amalgamation of what, you know, his influences are,” said bassist Ray Ramirez.
Chavela
Our last SA Vibes of 2024 features Chavela, a band that brings together a hybrid mix of talents and influences to create a sound that’s uniquely their own.
This seven-piece band is a blend of musical backgrounds. Keyboardist Isaiah Masters provides jazz and gospel-like roots to the band, while guitarists Ramón Botello and Cooper Greenberg bring a rock and country flair.
“It’s the diversity of styles that make our sound so special,” says bassist Joseph Cantú. “It’s like every song has a little piece of all of us.”
Chavela’s debut album is in the final stages of production and is set to include eight tracks featuring songs that highlight their mix of influences.
Looking Ahead
Our first SA Vibes of 2025 will feature Vintage Pictures, a band that calls themselves San Antonio’s “emo primos” (and also our “emo tios”), performing a set of super high-energy songs from the KSYM studio at San Antonio College.
We’ll also be featuring R&B/neo-soul artist Carbonlily and alt-R&B songstress Alyson Alonzo.
There are so many bands we would love to spotlight in this series, and SA Vibes is just getting started! If you’d like to send us a pitch, email savibes@ksat.com.
