Sonobeat Records

The story behind the short-lived record label and its long-lasting impact on the music scene of the Texas capital.

The music scene in Austin is known the world over, but it can place a considerable portion of its roots in a little-known but prolific indie label: Sonobeat Records. A small, independent label founded by father-and-son duo Bill Josey Sr. and Bill Josey Jr., Sonobeat set the stage for the Capital City's musical legacy. The label's brief but powerful tenure produced an enormous amount of music and directly preceded the progressive country movement and the proliferation of a music scene that would earn Austin the nickname of "Live Music Capital of the World." Musician and author Ricky Stein explores the roots of Austin's contemporary music history through the story of one small but essential label.

"Sonobeat Records connects the nascent Austin music scene of 50 years ago with the bustling circus it is today." —Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle
"Sonobeat Records lives on in [Ricky Stein's] new book." —Sarah Thurmond, Austin Monthly