Austin-based Americana duo Briscoe takes the stage at HI-FI Indianapolis tonight, bringing a Texas folk-rock sound built on a friendship that started at a middle school summer camp. Truett Heintzelman and Philip Lupton, the two musicians who make up Briscoe, will perform with opener Leon Majcen in support of their latest album, Heat of July.
The show, set for Sept. 17 at the Fountain Square venue at 1043 Virginia Ave., comes as the band tours behind a record shaped as much by their college years as by recent tragedy back home. According to WISH-TV, Heintzelman and Lupton formed Briscoe while attending the University of Texas, where they developed a shared passion for storytelling through music. Heintzelman has said Austin was a great musical home base, pointing to the city's legendary history and namechecking Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan as part of that legacy, per the same report.
That college-era momentum moved fast. The pair signed their record deal with ATO Records after recently graduating from the University of Texas, having built a local fanbase through house shows and Austin venue gigs, according to ATO Records. Their early momentum reportedly included sold-out headlining dates at Antone's Nightclub and the Continental Club Gallery, as detailed by Americana UK. ATO released the duo's debut full-length album, West of It All, on September 15, 2023, following sessions with producer Brad Cook in North Carolina.
From College Gigs to National Stages
Before headlining their own tour, Briscoe built stage experience opening for major touring acts, including Dave Matthews Band at The Gorge, Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan, Caamp, and Ruston Kelly, per ATO Records. Their festival résumé has included stops at Bonnaroo, FairWell Festival, and Catbird Music Festival. WISH-TV also reports the band has performed at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, where they shared the stage with Max McNown, and at the Grand Ole Opry.
Heat of July, the band's latest album, was produced by Brad Cook, a Grammy-nominated producer who has worked with Bon Iver and The War on Drugs, per the same WISH-TV report. The record includes Saving Grace, a fan favorite the band frequently performs live.
A Song Born From Disaster
Briscoe released the single The Heart of Texas on July 3, a track with a personal connection to the band's home state. The song was inspired by devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country and benefits Texas flood recovery efforts, according to WISH-TV. Lupton has said the flooding response showed that communities can come together during difficult times.
The Daily Texan discusses the July 4, 2025, Texas Hill Country flood alongside the single's July 3 release, with a percentage of streaming proceeds donated to the Kerr County Relief Fund. Lupton reportedly came up with the song's hook after volunteering in Kerrville following the disaster, according to The Daily Texan. The article also discusses the flooding and response efforts.
An Intimate Venue With Big Plans
Opening the Indianapolis show is Leon Majcen.
HI-FI Indianapolis, the venue hosting tonight's concert, is in Fountain Square.
HI-FI has also enjoyed an unexpected moment in the national spotlight this year. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy was photographed wearing a HI-FI Fountain Square venue T-shirt at the Allen & Company Sun Valley conference in July, a viral tee moment that drew widespread social media commentary. HI-FI remains part of Fountain Square's live music scene.
Tickets for tonight's Briscoe and Leon Majcen performance are available through HI-FI Indianapolis.
