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Dorothy

Dorothy

Photo: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

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What 11 Artists Did At SXSW 2018 dorothy-brandy-clark-what-11-artists-have-say-about-sxsw

Dorothy To Brandy Clark: What 11 Artists Have To Say About SXSW

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From the bands they heard to seeking out food and inspiration, find out what artists attending the Austin, Texas, music festival got out of the SXSW experience
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Mar 19, 2018 - 4:36 pm

Each year, SXSW brings thousands of artists to town — from artists on the rise to big names at the top of their game. We had a chance to sit down with a handful of these musicians and find out what their SXSW 2018 experience was like.

Austin's South Congress Boasts Vintage Charm

From the bands they enjoyed the most to why this festival is so special, sampling Austin's cuisine, consummating social connections, and more, check out what 11 artists dug about the annual music festival in Austin, Texas.

1. Dorothy

Frontwoman for the Los Angeles-based rock band Dorothy, Dorothy Martin, expressed her appreciation for the sheer volume of music SXSW offers those looking to discover something new.

"SXSW has been crazy and fun," Martin said. "There's so many people here and so much music. You can just go see three different bands if you want every night, or more. It's been a lot. Everyone's tired but it's totally worth it and really eye-opening."

2. Grupo Fantasma

One of the hottest funk bands on the scene, the GRAMMY-winning nine-piece Latin orchestra Grupo Fantasma found themselves onstage following a legendary band.

"Last night we played after Preservation Hall Jazz Band at Mohawk," Grupo Fantasma said. "It's rare that we're concerned about going on after a band but that was definitely impressive. … I'd never seen them and that was really incredible."

As Austin natives, Grupo Fantasma have seen SXSW change over the years, and though they have some reservations about the festival overrunning their town every year, ultimately the music makes it worth it.

"There's great new talent coming into town and Austin, of course, is being exposed to the world," they said. "Every time it comes around there's some apprehension. … But then you get down here and you see some great music and you get inspired, and you're like, 'Yeah, let's run around and see some bands.'"

3. Mallrat

Australian pop singer Mallrat intimated she and her friend were chasing after some specific acts during SXSW, including rapper Smokepurpp and pop singer/songwriter Billie Eilish. But her favorite part of her busy festival experience was taking part in her own show.

"The other day we played a show with a few other Australian acts, and our friend Stella Donnelly was on just after us and she's a really fantastic songwriter from Australia so it was cool to finally see one of her shows," Mallrat said. "Otherwise, it's been a bit busy. We haven't had much time to check things out."

4. The Mrs

Four-piece pop/rock collective the Mrs brought a special mission to SXSW this year: kindness. Unsurprising, their Kindnesspalooza Music Festival to support drummer Andra Liemandt's charity The Kindness Campaign was top of mind for the Austin natives.

"We've been really excited about Kindnesspalooza and talking to all the other artists that are going to come and play," they shared. "[We're] just trying to build it up and bring awareness to The Kindness Campaign and just have fun."

5. Amber Rubarth

Singer/songwriter Amber Rubarth happened to be in town to help support the 2017 film American Folk, in which she starred. While she's been in a filmmaking frame of mind, SXSW stands out to her because it really beings the arts together in a meaningful way.

"I went to the documentary shorts in theaters," Rubarth said. "We walked all the way across the river and just hearing bands in all the different places and then going and seeing these short theater documentaries and how music moves through all of those also. I love how it ties all the worlds together. I think with music festivals you see all the bands and everything but I actually really like that it has all the different worlds — it has the film, it has the multimedia, it has the music — and just how those all tie in and they overlap with each other."

6. Demo Taped

Demo Taped, a producer/rapper from Atlanta, was attending SXSW for the first time. Not only did he enjoy seeing acts such as Duckwrth and playing his own showcase during his time in Austin, he felt right at home in the city.

"It's my first year. It's been very positive," Demo Taped told us. "I've been walking the streets and smiling at people and getting the smile back. Just like Atlanta, I realize we're in the South — you get that Southern hospitality and that's really sweet."

7. Deva Mahal

Daughter of the inimitable bluesman Taj Mahal, blues/soul singer Deva Mahal traversed quite the SXSW journey. She had the chance to visit Willie Nelson's ranch and performed a headlining set at the Miles Davis House. But at the top of her to do list while in Austin was discovering something new.

"The most exciting thing for me is to go and be surprised, find somebody that I've never heard of or never seen before and have a really true and natural experience with what I'm hearing," Mahal shared. "I don't like to be told about it before or told how to feel about something so I feel the same way about artists. I'm excited to discover something I've never heard before, which I think is what [SXSW] is all about."

8. The Marìas

Psychedelic soul duo the Marìas certainly were at SXSW for one thing: the music.

"It's cool to wander around and walk into different venues because you never know what you're going to see," said drummer/vocalist Josh Conway. While Maria added, "And then just seeing all the different genres of music coming together and just mixing."

But they may have left Austin with a more permanent souvenir than just happy memories.

"We have another show, a Doc Marten's show. That'll be super fun," Maria said. "They have free tattoos so I think we're all going to try and get in on that."

9. Aisha Badru

New York singer/songwriter Aisha Badru brought her ethereal vocals to the SXSW stage in advance of the release of her debut full-length album, Pendulum, which drops April 27. As for her festival experience, she looked forward to supporting a friend.

"I have a friend that I met on Instagram," Badru said. "She has a band called LANNDS and she's playing tonight at The Sidewinder and I'm really looking forward to checking that show out."

10. Brandy Clark

Country singer/songwriter Brandy Clark is a seasoned pro on the festival scene. While she had just flown in to perform at the Recording Academy Texas Chapter Block Party, she hoped to find something new during SXSW. And barring that, she had a solid plan in place for Austin cuisine while in town.

"I hope I stumble onto somebody I've never heard that blows my mind," Clarks stated. "Other than that, I love Austin and I might stumble into some tacos later."

11. Vista Kicks

Indie rockers Vista Kicks — Derek Thomas, Sam Plecker, Trevor Sutton, and Nolan Le Vine — spend most of their time in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles in their own studio pumping out tracks. So their SXSW sojourn was all about seeking new inspiration, which they found in spades with bands such as Lukas Nelson, Hinds and Low Cut Connie.

"We've seen an inspiring amount of good bands here and it's been really refreshing and really cool," they said. "People have been getting up there, getting on their instruments and just going. … This is where we're going in music now. There's no tricks. It is looking really good for music right now. The bands we've been seeing have been fantastic and inspiring. That's something that's really unique and cool about SXSW too."

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Mallrat, Pronoun, Deva Mahal: 7 Best New Bands At SXSW 2018

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From innovative electronic pop sounds to soulful blues and one-of-a-kind voices, here are some upcoming artists we heard at SXSW who you don't want to miss
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Mar 18, 2018 - 1:23 pm

Time and time again we've heard that one of the amazing things about the annual SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas, is the wide-ranging lineup of artists that come to town covering the full gamut of genres. Festival attendees get to discover great new music, including hot new sounds from up-and-coming artists who seem poised to break through any minute.

Austin's 6th Street Comes Alive At SXSW

We had a chance to do a little exploring and we caught everything from innovative electronic pop to soulful bluesy stylings and so much more we think you'll want to hear. So with that in mind, here are seven rising artists who caught our ear at SXSW.

1. Deva Mahal

If her last name sounds familiar, you're not imagining things. Deva Mahal, the daughter of GRAMMY-winning blues legend Taj Mahal, is getting ready to release her debut full-length studio album, Run Deep, on March 23. Ahead of the drop, Mahal stopped by SXSW to play a set at the Miles Davis House on March 17 where she wowed the crowd with her soulful voice and poetic lyrics. As Parade wrote, "She powerfully connects with raw honesty, rich musicality and emotionally searing songs of love and loss that convey the true resiliency of the human spirit to triumph over adversity."

2. Pronoun

Pronoun — aka Alyse Vellturo — writes alt-pop tracks that capture the full range of human emotion with a smokey voice. She released her debut EP, There's No One New Around You, in 2016, which she created completely on her own in her apartment following a difficult breakup. She's now preparing her first full-length LP for 2018, which promises more of her relatable, engaging singing, songwriting and production, not to mention lyrics that speak straight to the heart of listeners. "I think what helps is the sincerity and transparency of the lyrics and how genuine they are," Pronoun told Atwood Magazine.

3. Mallrat

Australian native Grace Shaw — who performs under the moniker Mallrat — has self-described her music as "Hannah Montana of the rap game." Indeed, her ingenious pop-based sound incorporates elements of her rap idols, including Kanye West, in addition to an electronic pastiche that grab the listener's attention. She played two gigs during this year's SXSW, and fans can look forward to new music from the 20-year-old artist coming soon on her new EP, In The Sky.

4. Lola Marsh

With a sound described as dream pop, Tel Aviv duo Lola Marsh — comprising singer Yael Shoshana Cohen and guitarist/keyboardist Gil Landau — released their debut album, Remember Roses, in June 2017. The Observer describes their sound as "sweet indie pop in the vein of Edward Sharpe infused with a dash of Lana Del Rey." At SXSW this year, they wowed the crowd with three official showcases, bringing their tunes to a much wider audience. We can't wait to see what blossoms next.

5. Aisha Badru

What's in a voice? In the case of New York-based singer/songwriter Aisha Badru, everything. Her sound is, as OnesToWatch.com writes, "a voice that could seemingly move mountains if she whispered at them." With simple production values accompanying her folk-inspired tunes, her dreamlike voice cuts crystal clear across each track, pulling listeners directly into Badru's world and music. It'll leave you wanting more, just as it did for SXSW attendees during her showcase at 18th Over Austin. Get ready: Her debut full-length album is coming soon.

6. The Marías

Who couldn't use a little psychedelic soul in their life? Enter the Marías, fronted by Puerto Rican native Maria Conway and Los Angeles native Josh Conway. GrimyGoods.com has described their sound as '70s lounge with tracks that will "transport you to someplace where sensuality and ecstasy drip from the lips of those around you." They played three official shows this year during SXSW and fans new and returning can look forward to the release of their follow-up EP, Superclean Volume 2, in the near future.

7. Kweku Collins

It's hip-hop with a lyrical twist. Chicago rapper/producer Kweku Collins comes from a long line of innovative Chi-Town rappers who have a style all their own. "My music might not fit anywhere,” he told Pitchfork. "But if you listen close enough, you can see how it can fit everywhere." Collins' sound incorporates many of his wide-ranging inspirations, including his Latin/African percussionist father and the likes of Tame Impala, Migos, will.i.am, and D'Angelo. He was featured as a SXSW artist of the day prior to the festival, and you can catch his most recent EP, 2017's Grey, for more.

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Keith Urban, K-Pop, Women In Music: Go Behind The Scenes At SXSW 2018

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Check out our daily SXSW Recording Academy updates from on the ground in Austin, Texas
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Mar 19, 2018 - 4:38 pm

Monday, March 19

  • What's SXSW all about for the artists who perform at the festival? We're glad you asked because that's exactly the question we posed to 11 artists at this year's festival. From Dorothy to Brandy Clark and Grupo Fantasma, find out what they had to say.
     
  • Post-SXSW syndrome getting you down? From Keith Urban and T.I.'s standout sets to Rubén Blades' documentary and much more, we've rounded up seven of the festival's top moments.

Sunday, March 18

  • "I do it so women can know anything a man can do, we can do just as well, if not 10 times better," said GRAMMY-nominated rapper Rapsody during SXSW. From standout showcases to thought-provoking panels, and spanning artists from Rapsody to Pussy Riot, we rounded up five ways how the Austin, Texas, festival put women in music front and center.
     
  • There was a ton of amazing music filling Austin this weekend at SXSW. From innovative electronic pop sounds to soulful blues and one-of-a-kind voices, we rouned up 7 on-the-rise artists we heard at SXSW who you should keep on your radar. 
     
  • When you need a little vintage charm, take a stroll through Austin, Texas' South Congress neighborhood, "old downtown." Nestled just south of Lady Bird Lake, the area boasts boutiques, eateries, galleries, and music venues that will take you back in time. We captured South Congress in action during SXSW 2018, giving you just a taste of the best Austin has to offer.

    Austin's South Congress Boasts Vintage Charm

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Saturday, March 17

  • It's "a lot different" according to some natives. Get a taste of what makes Rainey Street a consistent top attraction in Austin, Texas, not only at SXSW but year-round.

    Austin's Deep Cultural History On Rainey Street

  • There was a fresh breeze of kindness at SXSW this year, and four-piece female band the Mrs was a big reason why. We had a front-row seat for the group's Kindnesspalooza Music Fest and learned how drummer Andra Liemandt and her bandmates are all about playing music, being kind and giving back to the world.
     
  • Millions of viewers tune into singing competition shows such as "The Voice, "America's Got Talent" and "American Idol." But what is life really like after the cameras turn off and the show moves on to the next season, especially if a contestant doesn't win? We got a little insight thanks to the panel Now What? Life After Reality TV Singing Shows, featuring former singing compeition contestants Blake Lewis, Cas Haley and Nakia. 

    About to kick off our What Now? SXSW Panel. #lifeaftertv #sxsw #sxsw2018

    A post shared by BLAKE LEWIS (@blakelewis) on Mar 17, 2018 at 11:33am PDT

Friday, March 16

  • Talk about an amazing conversation! Go inside Keith Urban's SXSW keynote discussion during which the GRAMMY winner touched upon his musical upbringing, sobriety to his new album, Graffiti U.

    .@KeithUrban speaking at #SXSW 2018 today! pic.twitter.com/dKb99pI5bZ

    — SXSW (@sxsw) March 16, 2018

     

  • At SXSW 2018, 6th Street once again shines as the "classic" epicenter of the city's incomparable live music offerings, coming alive with street performances, makeshift stages, packed venues, bustling bars, and music of all genres. Get a closer look at what makes 6th Street a destination for musicians and music fans alike.

Austin's 6th Street Comes Alive At SXSW

Thursday, March 15

  • What could be better than great music, food, drinks, and the chance to mingle with creatives from across the music industry on a warm night under the Texas stars? For hundreds of Recording Academy Texas Chapter members and their guests, the annual Texas Chapter Block Party presented just this opportunity. Take a lookg inside the event for yourself and find out what attendees had to say about the networking, SXSW, and the night's live music courtesy of R&B singer Mélat, country singer/songwriter Brandy Clark and Latin funk collective Grupo Fantasma.

    Inside The 2018 Texas Chapter Block Party At SXSW

  • If you've been hesitant to get onboard the K-pop revolution express, now is the time to commit. The latest proof was offered in the form of SXSW 2018's panel How K-Pop Grew Beyond Niche, which illuminated why K-pop is such a revolutionary modern genre, with help from a very special guest: BM from K-pop group Kard. Go inside the panel with our exclusive coverage. 
     
  • Neil Young and Daryl Hannah premiered their new experimental western film called Paradox before a packed house at Austin's Paramount Theatre during SXSW. "We made this in the spirit of lighthearted fun," Hannah announced before the screening, "So we hope you can relax your brains." Open up your mind and check out the full story.
     
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Seeking to spread a little more positivity amid today's turbulent society, the four-piece female band host their annual music bash during SXSW
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Mar 17, 2018 - 6:49 pm

Four-piece band the Mrs — comprising drummer Andra Liemandt, bassist Jenny Mason, keyboardist/singer Larissa Ness, and guitarist/vocalist Mandy Prater — are a force to be reckoned with, and their weapon of choice is kindness. 

During SXSW 2018, the Mrs took the opportunity to harness all the focus on music in their native Austin, Texas. The result? Kindnesspalooza Music Fest at Rio on March 17 to raise awareness and funds for The Kindness Campaign, which was founded in 2015 by Liemandt.

Liemandt was inspired to launch the campaign after seeing the negative impact bullying had on her daughter's peers. As a result, TKC takes an anti-bullying stance and puts action behind the sentiment by providing schools with an innovative curriculum that "empowers students to recognize the transformative power of kindness."

Today is the day! We cannot wait.  RSVP on our website for our show today RIO Austin  with 2 stages full of bands, food trucks and more from 12-6pm.  #SXSW #KINDNESSPALOOZA pic.twitter.com/cDx92767FU

— The Mrs (@themrsband) March 17, 2018

This year's Kindnesspalooza featured two floors of wall-to-wall inspiration, with Irish coffee on tap, a host of merchandise available for purchase to support the cause, a large community coloring wall, a magical positive affirmation mirror, a see-saw, and a crowd that spanned all ages, from parents with young children to adults of all ages. And, of course, there was music.

Singer/songwriter Ian Moore, pop/rock band Joseph King And The Mad Crush, rock duo Love & Choas, singer/songwriter Sarah Sharp, rock band Corbella, singer/songwriter Johnny Goudie, pop artist Madison McWilliams, country singer/songwriter Jordan Cody, rock musician Paul Renna, vocalist Courtney Santana, and the Mrs themselves all took the stage throughout the day to add some music to the proceedings. 

With strong messages leading the charge, The Kindness Campaign has won over plenty of new fans over the years, including Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation. The Kindness Campaign partnered with Born This Way in 2017 — declared the year of kindness by Gaga's foundation — to present a special day of kindness on Dec. 14, 2017, at Austin Independent School District's Cunningham Elementary School.

With their positive message, embodied in the lyrics for their empowering signature song, "Enough" — "I'm enough, I'm enough, "I'm enough" — the Mrs have again proven that music and making the world a better place go hand in hand. 

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Inside The 2018 Texas Chapter Block Party At SXSW sxsw-2018-brandy-clark-m%C3%A9lat-grupo-fantasma-rock-texas-chapter-block-party

SXSW 2018: Brandy Clark, Mélat, Grupo Fantasma Rock Texas Chapter Block Party

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From amazing networking opportunities to a taste of all the great music Texas has to offer, take a peek inside the annual Recording Academy bash
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Mar 16, 2018 - 7:14 pm

What could be better than great music, food, drinks, and the chance to mingle with creatives from across the music industry on a warm night under the Texas stars? For hundreds of Recording Academy members and their guests, the annual Block Party presented just this opportunity.

Inside The 2018 Texas Chapter Block Party At SXSW

Held at the Four Seasons in downtown Austin, Texas, on March 15, the Recording Academy Texas Chapter Block Party proves year-after-year to be one of the hottest parties during SXSW, and this year it didn't disappoint. The party provided a chance for people in the industry from across the country to come together and get to know each other a little better over drinks, food and live music.

"I come to the Block Party every year, this is my third year," said singer/songwriter Vincent Powell. "I come here because I can network with some really talented people that are part of the music business."

"This is my first time here at the Block Party. … The highlight was the connections that I got while I was here," added Amanda Sapp, publicist and KPFT-FM radio station personality. "It's an amazing experience. I got a chance to meet a lot of great people in the industry. I got a chance to meet governors, attorneys. I got a chance to meet a lot of different people who are making major moves in the industry, so it was a great experience for me."

One of the most magical parts about the evening's networking opportunities for attendees was that making new connections often felt a lot like meeting old friends.

"The highlight for me at the Block Party was the networking and the friendship that I've made over this timeframe," said Love Life In Music blogger Veronica Robertson. "[What] I loved the most about is just how personable everyone was to connect with each other. … I loved every moment of it."

For Recording Academy Texas Chapter President David Messier, this is exactly the vibe he hopes the event captures each year.

"This is always a signature event," said Messier. "Outside of GRAMMY Week, this is the other time that members of the Recording Academy from all over the country can come together and hang out."

And while they were hanging out rubbing elbows with peers across all facets of the industry, like any Recording Academy event, live music was still a central element, which is especially apropos in the heart of Austin, a city that boasts the origins of everything from psychedelic rock to outlaw country.

"Being here in Austin, live music is always that beat and that vibe that always brings anyone and everyone together, " said Robertson. "They really encompassed all of that tonight."

Up-and-coming R&B singer/songwriter Mélat was the first performer of the evening, delivering a soulful set that captured the Austin native's ability to blend genres into a unique alternative R&B sound.

For music executive Christopher Williams, who attended his second Block Party this year, Mélat was the standout moment of the evening for him.

"I think one of my favorite acts was actually the opening act … Mélat," he said. "It was soulful, R&B-ish, kind of international sound. She did awesome."

Of course, being in the heart of country music, what would the evening have been without a little country flare? Enter GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Brandy Clark who kicked her set off by rousing the crowd,  taking them on a tour though a wide range of what country's all about, from the heel-clicking romps to the breakup songs.

"Brandy [Clark], the country artist, was amazing," said Curtis Rogers, a transportation consultant. "All the artists were amazing, but she really just killed it. The first song out the gate, everyone was moving and dancing and it was just kind of fun. … We're here for the music industry, we're here for the songwriters, we're here for the technicians, everyone, and she really brought it together and said, 'This is what we're here for.'"

To close out the evening, the nine-piece Latin funk orchestra Grupo Fantasma brought down the house with horn-filled grooves and killer beats that had the whole crowd moving until final call.

"The highlight for tonight was [Grupo] Fantasma," said Powell. "When they started playing, I started [dancing]. I think I actually lost a couple pounds when they were playing. It was so energetic."

For those familiar with Austin and SXSW in particular, there couldn't be a better setting for meeting fellow music professionals while taking in the sounds of a diverse group of artists.

"Austin is special because it has deep roots in music and it has deep roots in music because it has a multitude of people who live here who care about local music and local musicians," said Messier. "SXSW is so special to Austin because another 300,000 from the industry come here to congregate and meet one another and hear new music and experience new things. And they come here because it's Austin."

The annual Block Party is the perfect way to celebrate not only Austin, but the rich musical culture of the entire Texas region.

"Texas Chapter is a region," said Messier. "We have a multitude of genres and a diversity of music that we showed you here tonight on stage. We saw young urban music, we saw country music, we saw Latin music. What's better than this?"

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