Grace Woodroofe

Here's someone that's set to go places.  Just 21, she moved from Perth, Australia to L.A. and was taken under the wing of Ben Harper.  He produced her album and she toured with him last year.

This song is perfect for today's theme.  It reminds me a little of Portishead.  Her other music is more blues and rock.  I wasn't too impressed by what I heard but maybe it will be better live or after repeat listens.

She has 2 showcases, one Friday at Club 606 and one Saturday at Maggie Mae's as part of the Australian BBQ.  Doubt we'll make either of them.  She's also doing a segment on KUT at 8am Wednesday.  Doubt we'll make that, either.  No day shows but I'm sure that will change.

Battles

Ramona Falls

Today is melancholy song day.  Maybe it's the weather.  Maybe it's because we just finished "The Wire" and this music suits the mood.  Maybe it's because I like these songs.  


First up is Ramona Falls, a side project of Brent Knopf of Menomena.  This is their 2nd album.  This is a good quote about this song: 


 “I like the idea of someone refusing to feel lonely, 
despite how utterly alone they might actually be,” Knopf explains the 
song. “It’s a form of rebellion.”

They play their showcase Thursday at Red Eyed Fly.  If we can't get into Mohawk it's an option.  They also play a day show Friday at Red Eyed Fly.

Spore

Marcus Foster

File this under "not so sure".  London-born Marcus Foster has all the connections: friends with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, protege of Mumford and Sons.  He's even had a song on the "Twilight" soundtrack.  The music is called a cross between Tom Waits and Neil Young.  I'm not so sure.  This song is okay but it tries too hard.  Y'all may love it.

His main showcase is Wednesday at Maggie Mae's, right before the Apache Relay.  He also has a day show Thursday at the Music For Listeners party, playing before...wait for it...the Apache Relay!

Shadows of the City

Ed Sheeran

The next pop wonder from the U.K. is Ed Sheeran.  This song blew up the charts and the 21 year-old became a teen heartthrob.  I don't know if he's Britain's answer to Justin Bieber or not but this song has a little more depth to it.  He's signed with Atlantic Records and managed by Elton John.  Not too shabby.  Here's a Telegraph article on him.

Right now he's playing the Wednesday Warner Bros. showcase at La Zona Rosa along with future star Gary Clark, Jr.  He's also playing the Filter party Friday right after future stars Of Monsters and Men.  Oh, and he's opening for Snow Patrol on their tour and will be back at Stubb's on May 17th.

The A Team

Michael Kiwanuka

Today will be British hitmakers coming across the pond to entertain us at SXSW.  First up is the winner of the BBCs Sound of 2012.  He's being compared to Bill Withers and Otis Redding according to this BBC article.  His first album, produced by Dan Auerbach at Ray Davies' studios in London, comes out in the U.K. March 12th and later in the U.S.

He has a showcase at 12:30am at St. David's on Friday and a day show at the Convention Center (badges only).  I'm sure he'll be on a bill with Springsteen or some other huge act as well.  He's destined for stardom.

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