Bluegrass at SXSW

CMT News alerts us to some interesting Bluegrass that will be happening at the South By South West festival this week.

Click Photos to Hear Music Samples

In an article by Craig Shelburne, 10  Lone-Star artists are showcasing and Shelburne notes that four of the ten are bluegrass acts.

The Carper Family are quite intriguing, although its members aren't actually related. These three gals mix old country, old-time, bluegrass and swing tunes into their original catalog. Their harmonious blend recalls a simpler time, yet one of their numbers is titled "Who R U Textin 2nite."    This particular collaboration has blended stunning three part harmonies into the finest old country, old-time, bluegrass, and swing tunes.   Get dialed into their sound on Saturday at 11 p.m. at Stephen F's.

 

Brennen Leigh is a young woman who sounds like an old soul. A fantastic singer of traditional country music, she's lately been inspired by bluegrass music. She's part of an all-country lineup at the White Horse on Friday night.   Today Leigh is concentrating on a sound closer to bluegrass. She’s taking her love of the honest, haunting sounds of the Louvin Brothers to another level by mixing in unconventional, lifelong literary influences like W.B. Yeats and Shakespeare.

 

Bluegrass fans can pick a few new favorites this year, too. Whiskey Shivers pursue an Appalachian path with their old-time music at Maggie Mae's Gibson Room on Friday at 1 a.m.  Breakneck speeds, killer grooves and impeccable musicianship: it's enough to make Bill Monroe himself do a double-take as he spins in his grave.

 

 

But if you're more of an early-evening listener, seek out Wire & Wood, an enthusiastic trio (or quartet if the banjo player shows up) at the White Horse at 8 p.m. on Saturday.  Mixing in elements of Americana and swing, its healthy dose of original music and traditional bluegrass tunes keep audiences riveted.

 

Click on the pictures to listen to samples of each group