by Susie Pulse
We had such a great list of artists we wanted everyone to see during SXSW 2020 this month. Sadly, the world health crisis forced SX to be canceled for the first time ever in it’s 34 year history. We are proud that many musicians call Austin home- we hope you will still go check them out!
White Denim: If you had to pick a genre to describe this multi-talented band it would be “good music”. Shifting easily between rock, soul and blues, this Austin group gives a great live show and has developed a strong following across the country.
Curtis McMurtry: Yes, he’s one of those McMurtry’s. Being the grandson of the cherished Lonesome Dove author Larry McMurtry and son of Choctaw Bingo musician Larry McMurtry makes Curtis McMurtry dang near Texas royalty. His lyrics capture the spirit of the West and his music has a decidedly Texas feel.
Whitney Rose: This alt-country dynamo is a current resident of Austin but is from Prince Edward Island, Canada. The Mavericks’ Raul Malo produced her sophomore album.
The Bright Light Social Hour: The energy these guys produce at their live shows could be considered an alternative energy source. Their unique version of psychedelic rock fills venues around the country, but their favorite place to play is here at home.
Deanna Wheeler: Wheeler is a California transplant turned Austin native. She has a fiery and powerful voice that pushes country rock to a soul-stirring level.
Jackie Venson: Electric guitar aficionado and Berklee College of Music pianist, Venson is a musician’s musician. Her brand of soul and blues is often compared to Gary Clark, Jr. and is generating attention across the globe (and she plays with him too).
Ume: This Austin based band melds together punk and pop and delivers it with an exhilarating live show.
Bourgeois Mystics: A collective of multinational Austin-based musicians that has been described as, “genre-defying dance party waiting to explode”.
PNTHN: Comprised of a 10-man collective of rappers, DJs and producers, PNTHN (pronounced “pantheon”) hails from San Marcos-just a few miles down the road. One cannot help but make comparisons to that other rap collective from San Marcos, Brockhampton (and there are some similarities). But PNTHN has their own sound- one that adds a little more rap to the sauce.
Tone Royal: Austin resident Tone Royal, is a hip-hop artist and winner of the 2019 ATX Hip-Hop Award for Album of the Year. Often writing lyrics during his Uber driver shifts, Tone Royal (real name Ray Villareal) delivers a smooth sounding frat rap flow with a subtle Eminem-ish vibe. Austin, your driver has arrived!
Check out the SXSW site for the complete artist list.
