The Atlantic’s video series “Saturday Night in America” is about uncovering pockets of nightlife across the nation. This episode takes place in Austin, Texas, and profiles a pedicab driver, the owner of a honky-tonk bar, and members of a band called The Octopus Project. Despite a continuous influx of new people into the city, small bands who play live music have always shaped the culture. “Austin without music would just be a really boring college town,” says resident Sarah Yopp. “Local music here is, I think, the star of the city. Without music, Austin would die off.” The film was directed by Ben Wu and David Usui of Lost & Found Films.

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