The History Behind 'Keep Austin Weird'

How the iconic phrase became the slogan of Texas' capital city.

Today, "Keep Austin Weird" is as synonymous for the Texas capital as Willie Nelson and breakfast tacos. But as recently as 20 years ago, that phrase didn't exist. According to CultureMap Austin, it was a phone call from an Austin Community College librarian to a local radio station that launched a thousand souvenirs.

How 'Keep Austin Weird' Got Started

In 2000, Red Wassenich called KOOP's The Lounge Show to make a donation. When they asked him why he was donating, the Austin native reportedly replied: "because it keeps Austin weird." It was then that something in his mind "clicked." Afterwards Wassenich told his wife about it, and they decided to make bumper stickers.

It soon became a slogan for Austin's off-kilter elements, and businesses began using it to encourage people to shop local. But it wasn't until 2003, when the presidents of BookPeople and Waterloo Records used it to fight against a big box store opening in their neighborhood, that the phrase really took off. They created their own "Keep Austin Weird" bumper stickers but with an additional tagline: "Support Local Businesses." To date, they've distributed roughly 400,000.

What's Weird About Austin?

As Texas native Matthew McConaughey says, "The unwritten motto of Austin has been to Keep Austin Weird, adding that "The landscape has changed, but I hope that doesn't change. It's a cool spot. Hopefully it stays that way."

But what exactly is so weird about Austin? The city has a laid-back groove, funky businesses, and a legendary music scene. CultureMap Austin mentions Bingo games run by a real-life chicken at The Little Longhorn Saloon, an actual Museum of the Weird, and turtle racing at Little Woodrow's as famously weird attractions. But mostly, the motto was a call to keep the town from changing too much and losing its character.

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