You better Watch Out!

The spectacular digital remaster of Lavender Hill Express' Watch Out is here now. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Watch Out is classic Austin rock at its best by one of Central Texas' premiere '60s bands. Originally released as a vinyl 45 RPM single in June 1968, this was Lavender Hill Express' second of three singles for Sonobeat. Our fresh remaster provides previously unheard lead vocal clarity. Get Watch Out now on digital download and streaming services worldwide.

A Picture of Me, reframed

A Picture of Me by one of Austin's hottest college party bands, the Sweetarts, launched Sonobeat Records in 1967 and became an instant garage rock classic. In celebration of the single's 50th anniversary in 2017, we lovingly reframed A Picture of Me in a bright and sparkling Mastered for iTunes digital frame that brings out its original sonic goodness. You'll find A Picture of Me and its country-rock flavored flipside, Without You, on iTunes and dozens of digital services worldwide.

Sonobeat's historical archives

Sonobeat's vault – sealed for decades until Sonobeat Historical Archives opened it up in 2004 – holds Sonobeat's hundreds of original master tape recordings, photographs, and documents that provide an evocative flashback to the dynamic and diverse Central Texas music scene from 1967 through 1976, when Austin was just beginning to stake its claim as "The Live Music Capital of the World". The vault door is open, so join us on a journey back in time.

The Sonobeat family tree

Over a brief nine year span, beginning in 1967, Sonobeat recorded more than 200 Austin, Central Texas, national, and international singers, songwriters, and musicians comprising dozens of group, duet, and solo acts. Trace Sonobeat's "family tree" with our cross-referenced Who's Who artist and act listing. And check out all the songs Sonobeat recorded that we've found in the archives over on our Songbook page.

Austin's music scene started here

Where else but Austin would you find Austin City Limits, SXSW, and an A-to-Z musical night life... Back in the late 1960s, Austin music was already red hot with its own brand of Southern rock, the outlaw country movement, and a solid jazz scene, all fueled by more than 35,000 University of Texas students and a thriving high school garage rock scene. Austin's here and now all started back yonder.

Sonobeat Seasons – Summer 1968

Austin's Sonobeat Records starts summer '68 with national trade journal reviews for its spring Lavender Hill Express, Lee Arlano Trio, and Conqueroo releases, then shifts into high gear, recording Herman Nelson, The Afro-Caravan, Ray Campi Establishment, Johnny Winter, Ronnie and the West Winds, Lavender Hill Express single, and Jim Chesnut. Whew! Let's head over to Summer 1968 now!