The KXT Local Show: Los Beckleys, Piper Byers, Matthew McNeal

We are headed full steam into the winter months, but luckily we’ve got plenty of new music out of North Texas to keep us snuggly and warm. Out of Fort Worth,  Matthew McNeal gave us a sneak peek of his new EP, Love Was, with the song “The Hardest Part”and Friend Operation sent in their new song “Portrayal”.  The band says they combine elements of emo, math rock, and post-rock for their unique sound. From Dallas, we checked out the new song from glam rock band The Dirty Shirts and Bob Cummins Jr. sent in a new track from his album Good American Songbook, which was produced at Echo Lab in Denton.

Check out the full playlist after the highlights, and if you are an artist from North Texas, be sure to submit your music here.

Los Beckleys

The Oak Cliff band says they make “sweet music for your ears” and that perfectly describes “Seratonin.” The song is the group’s sole release of 2023 (so far) and sounds fresh and new with a beat you can groove to.

Piper Byers

Byers grew up playing rodeos and country bars in DFW before heading north to attend college at NYU.  Now that she’s back, she isn’t wasting any time. Her new song “Meadow” was even featured in our KXT Insider newsletter.

Matthew McNeal

McNeal is cofounder of Fort Worth’s Matte Black Sound Company in Fort Worth. He recently talked to my colleague Alec Spicer about his new EP, Love Was. We got a sneak peak of the EP ahead of its release with the song “The Hardest Part.”

The KXT Local Show- 11/2/23

Los Beckleys- Serotonin

Pretty Boy Aaron feat. Tesia- Something Good

Piper Byers- Meadow

Matthew McNeal- The Hardest Part

Frankie Leonie- Johnny Cash

Room 13- If The Kids Are United

Friend Operation- Portrayal

Pretty Man- Great Escape

Loren Kole- Medusa

The Dirty Shirts- Midnight Cassanova

Bob Cummins Jr. – Your Gold Chain

Idoljob- Motion Of The Ocean

Chris J Norwood and the Knockdown Dragout- Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song)

Kinsley August- Some Say

Kaatii- Dandelion Puff

The Wee-Beasties- Shred Season

Featured Image: Piper Byers. Photo: Jacob Honescko.

The KXT Local Show is a weekly radio program curated and hosted by Nilufer ArsalaTune in every Thursday from 7-8 p.m. to hear new and classic tunes from North Texas artists spanning a broad mix of genres, including hip hop, Latin, rock, blues, jazz, folk and R&B.

Are you a North Texas musician? Want to hear your work on The KXT Local Show? We’d love to hear from you! Submit your music for consideration here: kxt.org/submissions.


Nilufer is the midday and Local Show host on KXT. She’s also the Manager of Radio Operations for North Texas Public Broadcasting.

Our work is made possible by our generous, music-loving members. If you like how we lift up local music, consider becoming a KXT sustaining member right here.