A new music community rooted in Austin unites performers and fans through handpicked live events, exploration, and genuine connections.
We’re constructing an environment where every participant has a stake. Artists gain recognition. Members find their place. Bonds develop. Fresh talents emerge.”— Blake Thomas, Founder & CEO, AMPD Music
Austin is overflowing with live performances. Yet, some of the region’s finest tunes and most skilled musicians remain undiscovered and unheard.
AMPD Music offers an alternative route to uncover them by pairing original performers with inquisitive audiences in unconventional venues crafted for listening, bonding, and togetherness.
Not just another evening event. A fresh entry point.
Established as a private membership circle centered on original music, AMPD hosts intimate, handpicked live events across Austin. The performer stays hidden until attendees arrive. The venue shifts. The event evolves. Yet the mission remains steady: strip away assumptions, welcome exploration, and let something significant unfold.
For Founder and CEO Blake Thomas, the concept originated from a personal memory.
“As a child, my folks would take us on Mystery Trips,” Thomas said. “We had no clue about the destination. That was the highlight. There were no preconceptions, just wonder, excitement, and the sense that something unforgettable lay ahead.”
Years later, that memory returned as Thomas pondered his next venture. An entrepreneur, brand expert, guitarist, songwriter, and music enthusiast, he envisioned something more substantial than yet another concert format.
“I kept circling back to one idea: music carries power, but community sparks the real magic,” Thomas said. “Place a talented original performer in an unlikely spot, fill it with people eager to listen, engage, and explore, and you’ve crafted something beyond a simple gig.”
Founding Partner and Chief Music Officer Brian Lee, an Austin-based singer, songwriter, and performer with a 30-year career, selects AMPD’s artists and guides its artist-focused approach.
“Brian doesn’t observe the music world from a distance,” Thomas said. “He’s been immersed in it for three decades. He knows the performers, the venues, the connections, and the remarkable skill here. His musical authority and insight are vital to our mission.”
“Austin is full of incredible artists who merit more than just background music,” Lee said. “They warrant spaces where audiences are attentive, curious, and fully engaged. Our role is to choose those artists with care and let the music genuinely resonate.”
Founding Partner and Chief Production & Operations Officer Darrell Dragoo contributes extensive live sound and staging expertise to AMPD. As a composer, guitarist, and lyricist, Dragoon manages production, converting unconventional venues into deliberate listening atmospheres.
“Darrell knows exactly how a space should feel and sound,” Thomas said. “He offers deep technical know-how, yet he approaches production as a musician and creator. We’re not just hosting events. We’re crafting experiences.”
Collectively, Thomas, Lee, and Dragoo bring three unique viewpoints to AMPD: vision and community building, artist selection and support, and live production and atmosphere.
For members, this means access to top-tier local talent, original compositions, unique locations, and a purposeful community focused on exploration. For artists, it translates to engaged audiences, fresh supporters, and a setting where original music can truly shine.
AMPD events might unfold on rooftops, in galleries, lofts, historic buildings, private homes, or other surprising Austin spots. Members get early notice, while the featured performer and event theme stay under wraps.
“Mystery draws people in differently,” Thomas said. “You arrive without fixed notions about liking the artist. You simply show up open-minded. That transforms the room’s vibe.”
AMPD will unveil its concept at a private Austin launch event on September 24, preceding its inaugural member gatherings.
“We’re building something where everyone involved has a stake,” Thomas said. “Artists are heard. Members belong. Relationships form. New discoveries happen. That yields something far more valuable than just another concert series. It builds community.”
Created for music fans. Designed for artists.
For more details, visit AMPDMUSIC.CO.
About AMPD Music
AMPD Music is an Austin-based private music community uniting original performers and music enthusiasts via curated live events in surprising settings. Focused on discovery, connection, and an artist-first ethos, AMPD is forging a fresh framework for experiencing and championing original music.
Blake Thomas
AMPD Music, LLC
+1 847-571-5480
email us here
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
