REVEL IN THE DARKNESS
(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen Launch Party, Featuring an intimate conversation with Laurie Gallardo and Thor Harris
The Contemporary Austin is proud to partner with KUT & KUTX Studios, bringing you a live recording of their new podcast, (SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen, hosted by the incredible Laurie Gallardo.
Join us on Thursday, October 3rd and celebrate the new podcast from KUT & KUTX Studios, (SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen. Featuring KUTX show host and producer Laurie Gallardo in a live podcast recording with special guest, Austin artist and musician Thor Harris. In the podcast Laurie asks guests just one question – “What is the darkness to you?”
Guests will have a chance to answer this very question in the Song Confessional trailer. Some of these responses will be featured in (SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen Podcast.
The event is from 6-9P, free and open to the public. Doors open at 6P and the live recording begins at 7:30pm down at the amphitheater.
Enjoy signature cocktails inspired by the podcast as well as beer, wine and food available for purchase.
For accommodations, please email [email protected] in advance.
Share and connect! @contemporaryatx, @kut_austin
About (SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen Podcast
(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is the creation of award winning Austin, TX-based producer Laurie Gallardo – radio show host, voice actor and film actor who has taken it upon herself to dive headfirst into darker realms. Really, that’s nothing new for Gallardo, a longtime classic horror fan, brooding beast and "murderino" before that even had a name. Thanks to the lovely badasses of My Favorite Murder, Gallardo is able to better explain the fascination of such morbid subject matter.
When there is time (becoming more rare nowadays with her work at public radio station KUTX 98.9), Gallardo invites guests for a conversation about a subject that could very well prove morbid, frightening, heartbreaking, or life-affirming…or all of the above and more. There is only one question: What is the darkness to you? The answers have been fascinating and enlightening.
About Thor Harris
Thor Harris is a Texas-born musician, multi-instrumentalist, artist, and craftsman, renowned for his versatility and distinctive contributions to a wide array of musical projects. Born in 1965 in La Porte, Texas, and relocating to Austin in 1985, Harris has made a significant impact on the music scene, particularly within the experimental, rock, and avant-garde genres.
Harris was the percussionist for the influential post-rock band Swans, where his dynamic drumming and eclectic instrumentation played a crucial role in the band’s sound from 2010 to 2017. His contributions helped shape the critically acclaimed albums, "The Seer" (2012), "To Be Kind" (2014), and "The Glowing Man" (2016).
In addition to Swans, Harris has been a member of several other notable bands and projects, including Shearwater’s lush, atmospheric soundscapes. He’s also collaborated and recorded with Bill Callahan, John Congleton, Ben Frost, Amanda Palmer, Adam Torres, Devendra Banhart, and more, showcasing his wide-ranging musical abilities on various instruments including marimba, vibraphone, flute, and clarinet, among others.
Today, Harris is the frontman of the ensemble Thor & Friends—a vehicle for experimentation with the conceptual vocabulary of American Minimalism performed by a rotating cast of Austin-based musicians. Thor & Friends has performed at Austin Psych Fest, Levitation Festival, SXSW, Thing In the Spring, Martha Myths, and Sled Island Fest. They’ve toured in support of Xiu Xiu, Wye Oak, Timber Timbre, and Adam Torres, and have shared stages with Faust, Beak>, AJJ, Norman Westberg, Laraaji, and Yonatan Gat & The Medicine Singers, among many others.