You’ve probably heard Jake Lloyd’s voice on the radiowaves over the past year, especially if you (like us!) have been taken with his October 2021 release “Cold Summer.” Now, during this very very hot summer, Jake is back for The Drop-In with Geto Gala, a new project hitting stages with co-creator Deezie Brown. Read on to discover Geto Gala ahead of their Drop-In performance!
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DROP-IN 👉 With free music every Thursday, you might want a reminder or two. We can help with that.
1️⃣ Make sure you’re following us @longcenter wherever you get your news to see who’s playing next.
2️⃣ Sign up for weekly notifications so you know when RSVPs open.
3️⃣ Grab your lawn chairs and your buddies and prepare to Drop-In.
MEET JAKE LLOYD
Long Center: We’re so excited to have you back at the Long Center after you played a Good Vibes Only set with us last year. We heard that Geto Gala was kind of a side project for you and your co-creator Deezie Brown — what brought you together and how did this project take on a life of its own?
Jake: Deezie and I have been friends for a while, but in 2019 the friendship turned into a brotherhood when we set up a string of studio sessions to focus on working together.
Naturally, after recording a handful of songs we wanted to release them, so the idea of forming a group was created. The rest is history.
Long Center: We’re halfway throug a second season of The Drop-In, and super pumped for Geto Gala to take the stage with San Gabriel. What’s your experience been like as Austin and the world have opened back up for live music? Does this summer feel different?
Jake: I feel like me and my guys worked so much all the way through the height of the closures that it doesn’t feel that different for me.
We played in person all of 2021, and with all the virtual shows and the few in-person shows we did in 2020, the work hasn’t stopped.
Long Center: You described your sound to us as “southern credo blended with sports-centric story raps” and “imagine if Panini cards made music.” We just have to know more — can you elaborate for us?
Jake: With Deezie and I both being sports fans, the duo gave us room to explore topics we may not necessarily do as much in our solo projects.
Both of us being from Texas and, more generally, the south, sothern rap has played a big part in our lives. GG is an extension of that. I mean, the name itself “Geto Gala” is a nod to the rap group Geto Boys.
Long Center: This season we’ve been encouraging our readers to get back out there and give into their curiosity to discover new artists, hobbies, art, or cool things in the neighborhood.
What have you been curious about? What will you explore next — in your music, in your own backyard, anything?
Jake: Recently I’ve been getting into plants a lot. I’ve always liked the idea of having plants in the house, but lately I’ve really dived into it. I like it and it’s very gratifying.
Musically, exploring is basically my mission statement. I love pushing myself to try new things and new sounds. Continuing to work with artists from across all genres, staying sharp, and keeping an open ear is the plan.
Long Center: Any new projects or albums in the works that you can share with us?
Jake: Geto Gala is working on a follow up to our first record. A single will be coming soon, while Jake Lloyd is also preparing to release a new single in late summer.
Long Center: Can you give us a little tease about what you’ll be playing at your Drop-In performance?
Jake: We’re excited to show off a few of our favorite tracks from the pool of songs recorded for the upcoming project.
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
Last year, President Joe Biden officially declared Juneteenth to be a federal holiday, but this special day has been a Texas tradition for much longer. 157 years to be exact. You probably learned about it in your 4th and 7th grade Texas history classes, but for you Texas transplants, here’s the story:
Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, word that all enslaved people were free in the eyes of the law didn’t reach Texas until June 19, 1865. Things didn’t magically get better when Major General Gordon Granger read the Proclamation in Galveston, TX that day, and we’ve still got work to do, but it’s a day to celebrate the ability to recognize a wrong and work to make it right.
Our pals at H-E-B are supporting Juneteenth celebrations all throughout the Lone Star State as part of their shared responsibility and commitment to create lasting change.
Ross Scott, founding member of H-E-B’s first diversity council and a store director with 31 years of service, understands the importance of community connection. His favorite H-E-B community-supported event is Juneteenth, and he leads the region’s partners each year at the MLK Jr. Parade and Festival.
“It’s an enjoyable time parading through the community and seeing the people that shop at my store,” he said, adding that he appreciates H-E-B’s culture, family atmosphere, great opportunities for advancement, “giving back” commitment to community and fostering of a workplace where everyone belongs.
H-E-B and their employees support many Juneteenth events across Texas, including activities in Austin, Pflugerville, Kyle, La Grange, and beyond. Check out their Event Calendar and join in the celebrations! We’ve got our eye on Austin’s Juneteenth Parade. Follow its historic route on Saturday, June 18th, starting at 10am, and spend the day at the Park Festival with KUTX & the Greater East Austin Youth Association.
This year (and all years), let’s take this time to CARE – celebrate, advocate, reflect, and educate – about Juneteenth, and honor the freedom of Black Americans and the (often unacknowledged) contributions they have made to American culture. In the words of Former President Barak Obama, “Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do.”
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
