SXSW 2012

Bruce Hughes and the All Nude Army (BHANA) is fronted by life-long Austin musician Bruce Hughes (The Resentments, Jason Mraz, Bob Schneider, The Scabs, Ugly Americans, Cracker, Poi dog Pondering) who gathered some of his favorite Austin musicians to expand his bent pop creations. BHANA consists of Hughes, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Harmoni Kelley, Mark Addison, and John Chipman, and together they create a musical experience Hughes describes as ‘psychedelic soul.’ When not on tour, BHANA can be found Tuesday nights at the Saxon Pub and online at facebook.com/brucehughesmusic.

From Jim Caligiuri, The Austin Chronicle:

With nine members, Big Time aptly describes Hector Ward's large local band. Mixing rock, country, Latin rhythms, funk, and ska into a deliciously swirling mess, it capably draws a line from Johnny Cash to Sublime. 2011's Sum of All found slinky vocalist Cari Hutson acting as the perfect foil to Ward's growl.

This songwriter can sing like an angel and write convincingly of God, honesty, love and all the good things in life. Her childlike acceptance and faith in people is obvious in her musical language and, as a muralist, her paintbrush.

Brian Pounds' voice is the perfect aphrodisiac. It is effortlessly smooth, endearingly honest, and layered with a bite of soul that leaves you breathless. His ability to vividly shape words, and the intensity of his voice, quickly compel us to delve deeper into this elusively impassioned artist. In doing so, we encounter the brave and gutsy beginnings that brought him here.

It will not be long before audiences everywhere will be captivated by the distinctive, yet classic sound of Jane Ellen Bryant. Her music reflects the unique feel of her hometown, Austin, TX, but exhibits a delicate twist of its own. Growing up, Jane’s musical influences were varied. She was enthralled with ACDC’s Back in Black album, but also loved the haunting, lyrical style of Joan Baez. She describes her music as fitting somewhere in between. Jane studies vocal performance and music business at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, and spends her time traveling back and forth between these two music cities. Those who have heard her perform are amazed that such a powerful voice comes from such a small frame. Her songs have an innate ability to soothe, resonate, and speak truth to all ages. Her lyrics are a product of her passion, her understanding, her travels and the conflicts we all face in life and love. Jane’s songs sometimes ask questions that she and other people do not always want to ask themselves. Her songs will leave you thinking, happily humming along, and wishing for more. She just released her first single “Smoke on the Fire” on iTunes, and you can expect to hear her first full album soon.

Based in the bustling music town of Athens, GA, Betsy Kingston & the Crowns is Betsy Kingston, Joseph Dinnan, Bill, Baker, Rackley Davis, and a rotating cast of regional talent.

From Melanie Haupt, The Austin Chronicle:

While David Beck and Paul Cauthen had run in the same musical circles down the road in San Marcos and here in Austin, it wasn't until a weeklong sojourn in Brooklyn in December 2010 that they decided to join forces. They haven't looked back.

"I've tried co-writing with a lot of people, and it just doesn't flow," says Cauthen, all swagger and cigarette-roughened rasp. "All of a sudden, I'm writing better than I ever have with David. It's taken me to another level of writing."

In September, the duo released its eponymous debut, originally titled Beck & Cauthen until the pair got a cease-and-desist order from Beck Hansen. The title and group name changed, but not the disc's pure Americana, bearing pitch-perfect harmonies that have become the duos trademark. Steeped in honky-tonk and co-produced by Grammy-winning producer Lloyd Maines, who also contributed his pedal steel, Sons of Fathers documents two young men who treat their music career as a professional endeavor rather than a lark subsidized by waiting tables. This means waking up early, making calls, sending emails, writing, and rehearsing.

"And then we do it all over again," says Cauthen.

"You cannot stop. You can't expect someone to hand it to you," says the earnest, 23-year-old Beck, son of Bill Whitbeck, bassist for Robert Earl Keen. "It's not like the old days where some record label guy is going to come to your show and give you the world."

As such, Beck and Cauthen are preparing to record a second album with the rest of their band, comprising Regan Schmidt (guitar, lap steel), Dan Cohen (guitar, mandolin), and Dees Stribling on drums. Their manager, Marty Schwartz, who worked with the Eagles in the Hotel California era, came out of semiretirement to sign on with the band. Plus, Grammy-winning engineer Vance Powell (Tammy Wynette, the Raconteurs) will lend his ears to the next album.

Not too shabby for a coupla broke kids.

Micky and the Motorcars, with their own band of Americana rock, bring an optimism and integrity a band only acquires when its been performing so long the only thing left to tell is the truth.
Eight years and five albums after MMC was founded in Challis, Idaho, the band still writes more than 90 percent of its music as it defines the lives of brothers Micky Braun (vocals, acoustic guitar) Gary Braun (vocals, guitars, mandolin, harmonica) childhood friend Mark McCoy (bass), Kris Farrow (guitars, saxophone) and Shane Vannerson (drums, percussion).
Micky and the Motorcars may be self-described as “a little rough around the edges,” but with its rocking sound, MMC shares real thoughts, is full of depth, and has a honest, raw emotion and energy bleeding through Micky’s heart straight out into the crowd. Anyone who has ever loved and lost or loved and drank or loved at all knows exactly where he’s coming from and what he’s talking about in a sincere, piercing way.
It’s also made Micky one of the most sought after songwriting collaborators on the scene, and consequently MMC songs have credits to brother Willy Braun, Randy Rogers, Cody Canada, former Jack Ingram bassist Robert Kearns who now can be seen backing Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as Kevin, Dustin and Savannah Welch. Throughout its tenure, MMC’s Braun front men have been quoted repeatedly as “just wanting to play good songs.”
Now, travelling nationwide more than 200 days year, the most rewarding thing for MMC is watching the crowds they perform for with the same raw emotion from the live release get bigger as Micky and the Motorcars head on down the road. There’s an excitement, Gary says, never really knowing how everything is going to work out. But the ups and downs of the road somehow make it all worthwhile for the Motorcars, who don’t have any plans of slowing down.
There is no stopping these guys, now with 6 albums under their belt. Including one live album, Live @ Billy Bob's and their latest release Raise My Glass. Now, travelling nationwide more than 200 days year, the most rewarding thing for MMC is watching the crowds they perform for with the same raw emotion from the live release get bigger as Micky and the Motorcars head on down the road. There’s an excitement, Gary says, never really knowing how everything is going to work out. But the ups and downs of the road somehow make it all worthwhile for the Motorcars, who don’t have any plans of slowing down.

There is an elusive sweet spot at the crossroads where soul music, country, and rock’n’roll intersect, and the Austin, TX-based band Shurman hits that bulls-eye dead on. The band has gained a reputation as a “must see live act” built on their sweat-drenched live shows and relentless touring schedule. Underneath the raw energy and grit of the band’s performance lie memorable songs that will have you singing along at first listen. Their highly anticipated new studio release, "Inspiration", will be available on their label, Teletone Records, on CD & limited edition 180-gram vinyl February 21, 2012. With this new record the band stands poised to fulfill All Music Guide's prediction that their “songwriting and synchronicity will carve out a distinct place for the band on the contemporary music scene.”

DEADMAN can best be summed up by the mythological story of the Phoenix; a great bird that burns fiercely to ashes from which a new, stronger life emerges. But let's start at the beginning....

BP FALLON & THE BANDITS

Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson, also known as Folk Uke, have been writing and performing together for over a decade. Folk Uke is a unique amalgam of angelic harmonies often wrapped around edgy, surprising lyrics. Folk Uke plays folk music in its truest form with a delightfully wicked twist. Their second album "Reincarnation" was released in November 2011 as follow up to their self-titled debut.

Johnny Nicholas bio

Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel
Bobby Whitlock is perhaps most well known for being a member of the band Derek & The Dominos, recording and co-producing one of Rock and Rolls most important records in history “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs”. He remains the only true writing partner of Eric Clapton, writing memorable songs such as "Tell the Truth", "Keep on Growing", " I Looked Away", "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad", "Anyday" and "Roll It Over".
He represents the true southern blues/soul singer, which is exactly what Eric Clapton needed after the Delaney & Bonnie experience. Bobby had songwriting skills that Eric also admired which me mentions in the introduction of Bobby’s recently released autobiography.
From his time at Stax hanging with Albert King, listening to The Staple Singers record “Long Walk to D.C.”, becoming the first white artist on their HIP Label, to being the original “Friend” with Delaney & Bonnie, to Derek & The Dominos, being part of the core band for George Harrisons massive hit record “All Things Must Pass”, Bobby Whitlock’s life is rich in history.
He and Eric, along with Carl Radle and Jim Gordon were the core band for the most successful solo record by a Beatle, George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass”.
“Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs” celebrated its 40th year in 2011and is considered to be one of the most influential groundbreaking records in the history of rock-n-roll.
In 1998 Derek & the Dominos’ “Layla” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and in 2000, Derek & the Dominos were inducted for their record “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs”. This year 2012, the record is Grammy Nominated once again.
Bobby’s talent for writing has produced hits for artists like Ray Charles (Slip Away), George Jones (Someone You Used to Know), and others. The Allman Brothers continue to play many of the Domino’s songs, as do The Black Crows, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeshi Band, and Sheryl Crow.
In 2001 while promoting his CD “It’s About Time”, Eric joined Bobby again to play a few numbers on the popular television show Later with Jools Holland including Bell Bottom Blues and “It’s About Time” from Bobby’s 2000 solo record of the same title.
Bobby had known CoCo for several years through old band mate, Delaney Bramlett. Bobby knew the moment he heard her sing that her vocals were an exact match for him and that they needed to be together. Her sax, guitar, bass playing and studio skills were an added bonus. After living in various cities around the U.S, they decided to settle Austin. They have been performing every Sunday at The Saxon Pub since. She has produced and co/produced several records
including her own “First Fruit” released in 2010, with ex Delaney Bramlett and all of the Bobby Whitlock/ CoCo Carmel cd’s. Her latest Bobby Whitlock/ CoCo Carmel production, “Esoteric” is due out this March 2012.
In 2007 with friend Stephen Bruton and a formidable band including David Grissom, Eric Johnson, Brannen Temple, Bobby and CoCo performed their smoking version of “Layla” and “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad” for a crowd of twenty thousand at “The Road to Austin” along with Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson and a host of other hand-picked acts.
In September 2008 Bobby and Marc Roberty (writer of over a dozen books on Eric Clapton and noted music historian), collaborated on Bobby’s autobiography “Bobby Whitlock A Rock-n-Roll Autobiography” which was released in early 2011 and has been number one Top Rated book in Rock Music on Amazon for over a year. The book covers Bobby’s life story, from picking cotton as a boy to being one of the most respected musicians in the world. CoCo’s photography has landed her the cover and back of the book as well as gracing the cover of Keyboard Magazine, Hittin’ the Note, Buscadero, Delta Magazine and Where’s Eric online e-zine.
Today, with a new band in place, boasting the finest musicians in town; Brannen Temple on drums, Jeff Plankenhorn on guitar and newcomer to Austin Robbie Venturini on bass, Bobby maintains it is ”The finest band I have played with since Derek & The Dominos”. Shows include many of the Dominos songs as well as tracks off the newest release

VAN WILKS Band is a three-piece power blues rock trio based out of Austin, Texas that has been playing locally and worldwide since the mid 70's. Awards include the Austin Chronicle Hall of Fame, numerous Best Band awards and Best Acoustic & Electric in the Chronicle Music awards 2009.

This third generation Austinite was front man, bassist and songwriter for Spirit on its '72 album, "Feedback". Ditto the Staehely Bros. album for Epic Records two years later. He wrote and performed on "Crazy Like A Fox", the first single for Who drummer Keith Moon’s only solo album. He toured Europe with Nick Gravenites (The Electric Flag) and John Cipollina ( Quicksilver Messenger Service) and recorded the album "Monkey Medicine" with them in Hamburg, which included three of his songs. Staehely's solo album was released in Europe on Polydor Records in '82 and released for the first time in the U.S. in 2011 titled "Al Staehely and 10K Hrs." on SteadyBoy Records. Look for his SteadyBoy EP to be released in the second half of 2012. Entitled "Crazy Like a Fox", it features The Explosives (Freddie Steady Krc and Cam King).

Owing much to their southwestern roots, Guns of Navarone craft a brand of melody-driven alt-country and Americana rock that would've fit comfortably among the forebears of the genre. Formed in the spring of 2009, the quartet immediately began writing songs and playing in and around Austin. In November of 2011, they released their debut full-length album, "Prize and Battlefield." The album was recorded, produced, engineered, and mixed at Premium Recording studios by John Michael Landon and Chris James.

Roger Alan Wade has penned songs recorded by country music royalty including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, Jr.. Wade's "Country State of Mind"recorded by Hank Williams, Jr. became a #1 single and garnered Wade 3 Gold Records and 1 Platinum Record.

As their name alludes, Hellbound Glory is well on their way to proving they are a force to be reckoned with in the country music. Fusing superior song writing and hard living characters with a hard-edged country honky tonk sound. The group is known for its instrumental dexterity, while vivacious frontman Leroy and his compadres are also notorious for their down-home, good-old-boy attitude. This type of attitude and song writing chops, to back it up, have won over fans far and wide. Whether they are playing in front of two hundred or two thousand, Hellbound Glory delivers on their performance and leaves audiences begging for more as they envelop the crowd with Leroy's powerful story telling and showmanship.

Ray Wylie Hubbard writes the kind of songs that make you want to ride along no matter where he’s going,
because you know it’s gonna get strange somewhere along the way. The references to Muddy Waters
being as deep as William Blake (“I really do believe it,’’ Ray says) and lipstick pickups, resonator slides, the
dreams of drunken poets, deceased call girls, opium, wasp’s nests, clouds growing a tail, his ability to segue
seamlessly from primal exclamations of carnal lust into songs about salvation without pausing for irony;
and a craftsmanship that manages to rhyme mescaline and gasoline and Volkswagen with dragon while
painting vivid portraits of characters both real and unreal, all evoke a sense of place that is larger than life
but in no way made up.

I was not even born yet when my father first tried to kill me.

"I am beginning to believe the deals our forefathers made with the Devil not that long ago sealed our fate as well as theirs. How many generations will the Calling seduce and intoxicate? Did any of us have a choice? The salvation of the lonely road country blues fever is passed down, each generation stubbornly as rebellious as the one that infected and inspired it. Thank God for the Curse; the velocity and quality of modern day Roots music is the only saving grace I see in these sorry times and it gives me hope for our children."- Luther Dickinson/North Mississippi Allstars and the Black Crowes

From Dan Oko, The Austin Chronicle:

He can base his outfit in California, plug in his guitar, and rock – really rock – the festival circuit, but when Willie Nelson's son Lukas opens his mouth, that reedy voice makes it hard to forget about dear old dad. Lukas, like his half-sister Paula Nelson, also a musician, is embracing the family DNA, sealing the deal with a bluesy cover of pop's "Peaceful Solution" on his Promise of the Real download, recorded outside of Austin, naturally.

From Jim Caligiuri, The Austin Chronicle:

In the tradition of Guy Clark, Central Texan Owen Temple is a craftsman. His real-life vignettes, finely tuned and remarkable for their ability to transport listeners, made last year's Mountain Home a keeper, featuring stories about eccentrics in small towns and the edges of big cities. Temple has so far succeeded by being tuneful in surprising ways and still judicious lyrically.

Folk Family Revival, comprised of the Lankford brothers – Mason, Barrett and Lincoln – and Caleb Pace, has been described as Americana, folk and country, but their unique sound has influences spanning rock and bluegrass as well. As the primary songwriter, Mason - who is just barely twenty - fronts the band with vocals and guitar, Barrett plays bass, Caleb is found on electric guitar, mandolin and lap steel, and Lincoln backs the band up on drums and percussion. Childhood friends (and brothers), the foursome has already been featured on Fox26 and live radio and has opened for artists like Willie Nelson, Charlie Robison, Ray Wylie Hubbard, The Marshall Tucker Band, Rodney Atkins and Bob Schneider. The first full length album, Unfolding, which debuted July 12, 2011, was produced and mixed by Jeffery Armstreet at Red Tree Recording Studio in Magnolia, Texas – where the band currently resides.

All the listening and songwriting resulted in a unique alt.-Texas country/Texas pop sound laden with rock, soul and roots. At the heart of Moore’s songs are a groove and a melody. “Rather than being a singer-songwriter and writing words and then putting chords to them, I like to intrigue people first with a melody,” he says. “And then whatever emotion it evokes is what I sing about. It’s about the mood and the beat and tempo and vibe. I just rely on my ear. I try to take from everything I hear. I write my own rules.”

Sons of Bill is a five-piece rock band from Charlottesville, Virginia featuring brothers James, Sam and Abe Wilson, as well as Seth Green and Todd Wellons. In 2011, the band joined forces with fellow Virginian David Lowery of 90's alt-rock band Cracker and began working on their new album with Lowery in the producer's chair.

In the year of 2011 five friends gathered out of mutual admiration to play music and get back to the basics of having fun dubbing themselves The South Austin Moonlighters. All stemming from successful Austin Texas bands S.A.M. consist of Aaron Beavers of Shurman, Phil Hurley of Stonehoney, Lonnie Trevino Jr of Deadman, Josh Zee of the Mother Truckers and Phil Bass of Monte Montgomery's Band. After the first live show it was evident that the magic of this line up was potent and quickly gained a loyal and faithful following on their Tuesday night residency at the Saxon Pub. A full length Album will be recorded at the End of March.