We continued our second season of Mood Live on August 7th, with a soulful performance from Aaron Stephens at Opal Divine’s Austin Grill. Because Austin Music Foundation (our presenting partners for the series) had recently named Aaron Stephens their “Artist of the Month,” they deemed him the perfect choice for our August showcase. Great timing, since he’s just about to release his highly-anticipated sophomore album, Focus.
Donning the stage solo, his smooth yet powerful voice (often compared to legends such as Bill Withers and Steve Wonder) and sharp, intricate guitar work captivated the audience from the first note. Aaron’s passion for performing stems from a desire to connect with people through music, and his relatable, heartfelt lyrics certainly made an impression on our team that afternoon.
He kicked off the performance with the bluesy “Yesterday’s Favorite (Old News)” from his 2014 debut album Hard Times, Straight Lines. His memorable nine-song set also featured a preview of his upcoming release, with songs such as “More Than Fine,” “Always Hiding,” and “When I Don’t Need You.” Get a taste of his incredible Mood Live performance with this video of his 2017 single “Satisfy My Mind.”
Before heading to Opal Divine’s Austin Grill, we sat down with Aaron to learn more about what drew him to Austin. While attending Texas State University, he frequented Austin and was impressed by the music community’s small town feel despite being in a big city. After college, it was only natural that Aaron settled in the Live Music Capital of the World. Watch our interview below to hear more of his thoughts on our wonderful city and the process behind his forthcoming album.
In addition to releasing Focus on August 22nd, Aaron will be playing a number of shows around Central Texas this fall. Visit his tour schedule and make plans to hear his new album live!
Go ahead and click HERE for more photos from the event along with recaps, photos, and videos from both seasons of Mood Live. Mood Live is presented by Mood and the Austin Music Foundation and made possible due to generous support from Cultural Arts Division, LoudMouth Rentals, YETI, Miller Imaging & Digital Solutions and Opal Divine’s Austin Grill.
– Submitted by Jessica Reed and Brad Bond, Marketing