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AUSTIN, TX- Austin’s SXSW is a playground for musical discovery, but sometimes the real gems shine outside the official lineup. It was at one such event, hosted by Paste Magazine and Illegal Mezcal, that I stumbled upon City of the Sun, a band that effortlessly blends the ethereal with the earthy, crafting a sonic experience that’s as mesmerizing as it is exhilarating.

Hailing from New York, City of the Sun isn’t your typical rock band. They operate in the realm of instrumental music, creating landscapes of sound that speak without words. The trio—John Pita (guitar), Avi Snow (guitar), and Zach Para (percussion)—has a knack for blending various musical influences, drawing on everything from flamenco and jazz to indie rock and world music. Their sound is an alchemy of cultures, a fusion that feels both intimate and grandiose.

As I arrived at the venue, they were just finishing setting up. It wasn’t long before I spotted a familiar face in the crowd—a friend from Los Angeles who’s always got her finger on the pulse of emerging talent. A quick hug and a chat later, she was raving about City of the Sun, telling me how their music sets a mood that’s impossible to shake. With that endorsement, I knew I was in for something special… from Los Angeles… in Austin. The expectations were high.

City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.

The moment they began to play, their music filled the space with an energy that was both sensual and meditative, each note carefully placed yet flowing with an organic ease. The guitars weaved intricate melodies, evoking the sun-drenched streets of Spain and the vibrant pulse of Latin America. The percussion added a heartbeat, grounding the ethereal strings in a rhythmic earthiness that made you want to sway, dance, or simply close your eyes and let the music wash over you.

It’s this blend of styles—Latin influences meeting indie rock sensibilities, jazz improvisation mingling with flamenco’s passionate intensity—that sets City of the Sun apart. They’re not just playing music; they’re telling stories, painting pictures, and inviting the listener into a world where genres blur and cultures merge. In a city as vibrant and diverse as Austin, City of the Sun’s music feels right at home. It’s a reflection of the city’s own eclectic spirit, a place where different cultures come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

As the last notes faded and the crowd erupted in applause, I knew I had witnessed something special. City of the Sun had cast their spell, and I was more than happy to be under it. Their music is a reminder that sometimes, it’s the unexpected moments—the unplanned encounters, the serendipitous discoveries—that leave the most lasting impressions. And in a festival known for its chaos and cacophony, City of the Sun provided a welcome oasis, a place to pause, to reflect, and to simply be.

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City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
City Of The Sun at SXSW for Ilegal Mezcal and Paste Magazine at East Austin Block Party 3/15/24. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@DKLPHOTOS) for www.BlurredCulture.com.

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