A group of people playing music on stage.

Joe Fladger – Nothing Else Needs to be Said

December 2022, I am standing against a wall at 3Ten for Jelly’s Christmas bash. We are between bands. The room is packed. A man approaches me and says something. I acknowledge him but clearly my facial expression convey that I didn’t know who he was. It was only 10 minutes later, upon seeing him again, that it was Joe Fladger, a man I had photographed on twelve separate occasions before. He had gotten a haircut. When photographing Brodie Lane, it is easy to get too focused on A.J. Vallejo or Ray Kainz, as they are constantly moving about. I know that from time to time Joe does bust a move. A great bass player and another friend. Joe you are a man of few words but sometimes short is sweet. Talk to us.

1). Who is Joe Fladger?

I grew up in Houston, TX & moved to Austin in 2001. While pursuing my musical career, I have had various day jobs along the way. My first job was selling furniture. Then I began working at ARA Diagnostic Imaging, scheduling x-rays, MRI’s, etc.

2). What are your current projects?

I’ve played in a plethora of bands over the years including the punk band Rubberhead, The experimental jams of The Will Evans Project, George Devore, Micky & The Motorcars & currently Brodie Lane w/AJ Vallejo.

3). Give me your interpretation of the Austin Music Scene of the past, present, and your hope for the future.

The Austin Music scene was popular and thriving when I arrived in 2001. Austin had a blues rock flavor that Antone’s really helped cultivate, There were bands playing at almost every venue you walked past on 6th street. Although the music scene has changed with the rapid development in Austin, venues like the Saxon Pub have helped maintain the music scene that made Austin the live music capital of the world.

4). A.I. and music, your thoughts.

I think A.I. is a great thing, but A.I. in music can take away from the creativity that is uniquely human. We want Gary Clark Jr, ripping a solo, not R2D2.