As winter slowly fades to spring, Alysia Kraft reminds listeners of those glistening moments of warmth and connection under the summer sun. Detailing that whimsical and freeing moment when love finds you, Kraft’s “Hamilton Pool” is a candid indie-pop reflection of the unexpected beauty of life.
Kraft explains that the track is “about meeting Staci Foster, my partner for nine years and my musical collaborator in Whippoorwill.” Back in 2012, a friend recruited Foster to take Kraft out of the chaos of SXSW in order to explore the lesser-known parts of the city for a little while. “She picked me up and took me to the magic limestone grotto outside Austin that is Hamilton Pool,” she says. Arriving just 10 minutes before the natural area closed, the two decided to stake out their claim and hide while everyone else cleared out. “We had a magical 30 minutes or so of skinny dipping and basically falling in love until they found Staci’s truck in the parking lot and ultimately chased us out,” she explains.
Having amassed devoted regional followings for projects Whippoorwill and The Patti Fiasco as a celebrated songwriter and incomparably magnetic frontwoman, Kraft has sold out most of Colorado’s big stages and directly supported icons Bon Jovi, Blondie, Nathanial Rateliff and Bonnie Raitt on significantly bigger ones. Embracing the complexities of growing up queer on a cattle ranch in small-town Wyoming and choosing to love within a landscape that didn’t always love back, First Light is a triumphant homecoming and a defining solo debut. Smart, retro-influenced indie pop and lush, bioluminescent folk will find crossover appeal with fans of HAIM, Sheryl Crow, Sharon Van Etten, and Waxahatchee. Enlisting close collaborator J. Tom Hnatow & Grammy-nominated Justin Craig to produce and mix and acclaimed engineer, Sarah Register to master, First Light is open-hearted and thoughtfully hook-adorned– with soundscapes as dimensional as Kraft’s western upbringing and the liberated narratives contained therein.
ALEX THE ASTRONAUT is thrilled to announce her sophomore album How to Grow A Sunflower Underwater, out July 22, 2022 via Nettwerk. The follow up to her widely praised 2020 debut album The Theory Of Absolutely Nothing is an intimate exploration of post-traumatic growth, and a body of work affirming Alex as a truly essential songwriter, capable of transforming the way we view ourselves and the world around us. It features singles “Growing Up,” “Airport” and vividly heartfelt new single “Octopus,” which comes with a warm animated video capturing a journey of self-discovery that reflects Alex the Astronaut’s recent Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. The singer, songwriter and storyteller is also confirmed to perform at SXSW 2022 – look for more information on her performances soon.
“A group of octopus can be called octopuses, octopi, or octopods. I like octopods the best,” notes Alex. “Octopods can change colour to blend in with their surroundings, regrow limbs, and decorate their houses with shells. They are amazing geniuses that live amongst us. Growing up we learn that only people that show a certain set of skills can be called clever, or valuable to society. When I was diagnosed with ASD last year I was worried people would look at me funny and think that I don’t fit when they found out, which they do sometimes but I learnt that we all have a different set of superpowers, like our friends the octopods. All of us need a little help from our friends sometimes and all of us have a superpower that could help the world grow. If we stopped worrying about how much everyone does or doesn’t fit I think we’d all be braver, more curious and much kinder.”
On How to Grow A Sunflower Underwater, Alex the Astronaut shares, “I’d written a couple songs that were far more vulnerable than anything I’d done before, and I started to see that I needed to keep being that vulnerable if I wanted to make something that contributed to the world. I like to write songs that have a purpose to them—so even if it felt uncomfortable sometimes I had to tell myself, ‘Let’s just keep swimming.’”
Melbourne-based singer, songwriter, producer and accomplished stage actor Grace Cummings just released her self-produced sophomore album entitled Storm Queen, out now on ATO. The artist will finally hit North America beginning with a line-up of performances and showcases at this year’s SXSW. Following her week in Austin, she’ll hit the road supporting Ezra Furman. Today, she also shares a video for “Heaven,” live with her band from Melbourne.
2022 Tour Dates
3/2/22 – Melbourne, Australia – Melbourne Recital Centre
3/3/22 – Castlemaine, Australia – Theatre Royal
3/4/22 – Meeniyan, Australia – Meeniyan Town Hall
3/5/22 – Canberra, Australia – Canberra Theatre
3/9/22 – London, UK – St.Matthias Church
3/14- 3/20/22 – Austin, TX – SXSW
2022 SXSW Schedule
3/15/22 – ATC Live! British Embassy Showcase – Cedar Street Courthouse
3/16/22 – Sounds Australia – Australia House – 1:00 PM
3/16/22 – All Together Now – Hotel St. Cecilia – 3:00 PM
3/17/22 – Gorilla vs Bear – Las Perlas – 10:00 PM
3/18/22 – Official SXSW Showcase – St. David’s Church – 7:30 PM
3/1/22 – South By San Jose – Hotel San Jose – 1:00 PM
2022 North American Tour Dates
*w/ Ezra Furman
5/19/22 – Los Angeles,CA – Teragram Ballroom*
5/21/22 – San Francisco,CA – August Hall*
5/23/22 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile*
5/24/22 – Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre*
5/25/22 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom*
5/26/22 – Garden City, ID – Visual Arts Collective*
Allydice – Mississauga, Ontario – This hip-hop group of twin sisters Kayla & Kayle Allydice graduated in 2018 with degrees in Criminology. Their single “White Tears” is a call to action in the age of Black Lives Matter. They are working on their first EP. https://www.instagram.com/allydicetwinz/
Dope Earth Alien – Toronto, Ontario – Kenisha Humber is Dope Earth Alien (DEA). DEA advocates for the representation of Black femininity in its multitudes, especially for the low-key and quirky girls who continue to seek mainstream visibility. DEA sings soulful songs wrapped in storytelling. https://www.instagram.com/dopeearthalien/
Flara K – Montreal, Quebec – This duo released their sophomore EP Anxious, Irrational, Fashionable in 2020. They have soul infused pop with addictive vocals. https://flarak.com/
Nova Rose – Montreal, Quebec – Nova Rose is an indie pop artist who has been releasing singles galore recently including “Need Me”, “G.L.I.T.R.”, and “Cause You Make Me Feel Like.” http://bynovarose.com/
Odreii – Montreal, Quebec – Audrey Laurencelle is Odreii. She has played SXSW and opened for Wyclef Jean. The single from her debut album Sweating Gold is called “Heat.” https://www.odreii.com/
Shawnee – Edmonton, Alberta – Shawnee Kish is a Canadian Mohawk Two Spirit singer/songwriter. She is driven to help her Indigenous community at the same time affirming her identity. Her songs include “Warrior Heart”, “Mirror Me”, and “Got It Bad.” https://www.instagram.com/shawneekish/
Still Eighteen – Toronto, Ontario – Still Eighteen includes former Platinum Blonde and Trixie Goes Hollywood frontman, Joey, as the lead vocalist and guitarist, alongside his wife Karen on drums and their daughter Samantha on bass and vocals. Still Eighteen was fortunate to be able to finish their European tour just before the borders closed in March 2020. They performed in Italy, Switzerland, and Austria, headlining at some awesome venues! Since the pandemic, the band has been actively writing and recording new music and also had the exciting opportunity to be actors in a major Hollywood movie, (“Shotgun Wedding”) acting alongside Jennifer Lopez, Josh Duhamel, Lenny Kravitz, Cheech Marin & more! They have released 2 singles based on the pandemic: “I’m Finding It Hard to Believe in Something”, and “Tomorrow.” https://stilleighteen.com/
The Manic Boys and Girls Club – Toronto, Ontario – Siblings Bela and Fernando Ferreira are The Manic Boys and Girls Club (MBG Club). They play indie rock and their EP is layered with lush synthesizers with overdriven guitars. https://www.facebook.com/themanicboysandgirlsclub
Velours – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – velours released her EP Identity last year. She has worked with Ryan Stewart and was nominated for 2 Saskatchwan Music Awards. https://www.veloursartist.com/
Yarro – Toronto, Ontario – Eliza Bronte graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada’s acting program. She has worked in theatre and film. It was songwriting that got her through dark times. Her debut EP Reset came out in March 2020. https://www.instagram.com/_yarro/channel/?hl=en
It’s April. It’s Spring. We’re heading towards 25% of 2021 being done and there are signs of re-opening. SXSW had its first online festival and we’re looking forward to Canadian Music Week doing the same. I’m hearing of national shows coming in October, or earlier where you are. The question is now Festivals. This month we restarted our Festival of the Month area with a big disclaimer: FEMMUSIC is returning to having a Festival of the Month. Currently, we are only listing festivals that are actively selling tickets or are only online. Yesterday I was talking with some photographers and we’re curious to see what rules will exist to shoot live shows when things re-open. Will there be limits on the number of photographers? Will it squeeze out small outfits? There are still many unknowns as we move forward. The good news is we’re moving forward.
If you know me then you know FEMMUSIC is not my only gig. Since before FEMMUSIC started I’ve been involved in the local scene and a local non-profit called The Colorado Music Business Organization. COMBO for short. During Covid COMBO has taken up a lot more of my time. COMBO works to inform and educate Colorado musicians on the business side of the biz. It has been around for 20 years. In 2020 I rejoined the Board of Directors as Secretary. I also work on helping program general meetings. It is unpaid work that benefits the community. I take great pride in it. Post-Covid the local community will come back and we need organizations like COMBO to figure out what the new normal is.
This year SXSW is online. The line-up is still impressive. Featured speakers include Queen Latifah, Chiquis, Mark Mothersbaugh, Wyclef Jean, Andrew Bird, Mary J. Blige, Carole King, Demi Lovato to name a few. Showcasing artists come range from K-Pop, punk rock, rap and more. Here are some of our recommendations.
Awich – Japanese Rapper Awich released her debut EP Partition in 2020. Her singles include “Bad Bad” and “Shook Shook”
Baby Queen – South African Born, London based pop singer Bella Latham released her Medicine EP last year. Singles include “These Drugs”, “Want Me”, and “Raw Thoughts.”
Belako – This Spanish band latest album is Plastic Drama. This quartet is a touring band playing everything from San Sebastian Jazz Fest to Sala Apollo. They are part of the Sounds of Spain showcase.
Ego Ella May – This London artist released her debut album Honey For Wounds in 2020. Her singles include “Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys”, and “Give A Little.”
Enno Cheng – Enno Cheng is an institution. She is an author, playwright, screenwriter, actress and singer-songwriter from Taiwan. She formed the band Chocolate Tiger. She is now known for her solo albums.
Jealous – Paz, Adi & Uri make up this German 3-piece who have a retro rock sound that is part lounge, and part psychedelia. Their single “What’s Your Damage” was released in 2019.
Kee’ahn –Kee’ahn is a proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadth Kes song woman With a name coming from the Wik people, meaning to dance, to sing, to play. In 2020 she released her single “Better Things.” She is part of the Close Up: A Sounds Australia Showcase.
Otoboke Beaver – Otoboke Beaver is a punk rock band from Kyoto. Their latest album is Itekoma Hits. Their latest single is “Dirty Old Fart Is Waiting for My Reaction”
Paupière – This Montreal duo is Julia Daigle and Pierre-Luc Begin. They special is “neo romantic” songs that mix synth-pop with 60’s French style. “Coeur monarque” is their latest single.
Wavy The Creator – Jennifer Ejoke, professionally known as Wavy the Creator, is a recording artist, photographer, fashion designer and film-maker, born in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria and raised in the United States. She is best known for her song “H.I.G.H”
Welcome to Women’s History Month. For FEMMUSIC, it is just another month. February flew by so quickly I felt like I was constantly trying to catch up. Now the marathon begins. SXSW starts in 2 weeks. You will find some SXSW artists featured this month as we work towards our annual preview. Canadian Music Week is not far behind.
In February Facebook banned News in Australia. I was reading how “news” included music festivals and other sites. It made me ask the question, “Is FEMMUSIC news?” If Facebook wanted to do the same thing, would FEMMUSIC go? It is a strange twist to see a private company ban a country. Normally it is the other way around. China banned BBC. Trump tried to ban TikTok. Where and when will it stop?
This month should be insane. I’m spending the last days of February trying to catch up because everything moves faster now.
SXSW is the festival everyone strives to be at. Last year it had over 2200 performing artists from 67 countries. This year it is expected to be at least as big. For info visit https://www.sxsw.com/festivals/music/
Ami Dang – Dang is a vocalist, sitarist and composer with experimental and world music. Her sophomore album Uni Sun came out last year. http://amidang.com/
Au/Ra – She is a new indie electronic artist who attracted our attention before SXSW. http://heyitsaura.com/
Cappa – Cappa is a Nashville indie artist we saw last year. She brings in dark songwriting to an electronic style. Her release Queen of Hearts is addictive. http://www.cappamusic.net/
GGOOLLDD – This high energy Wisconsin band caught our attention a couple of years ago. Led by Margaret Butler this band mixes pop and alt rock in a mesmerizing combo. http://www.ggoollddband.com/
Half Waif – Haif Waif is Nandi Rose Plunkett. Plunkett is a member of the band Pinegrove. Here she expands her music in an indie electronic form. She recently released form/a a 12.” http://www.half-waif.com/
Jackal Onasis – Jackal Onasis is a 3 piece NYC rock band and one of FEMMUSIC’s favorites. They released Big Deal Party in 2016. https://www.facebook.com/JackalOnasis/
Melat – Melat is an Austin original with multiple albums and an R & B sound that draws you in. http://www.beholdmelat.com/
Tkay Maidza – Tkay Maidza is an Australian rap artist who has worked with artists including Charli XCX. Her self-titled album is out now. http://www.tkaymaidza.com/
Yoonmirae – Yonnmirae is a star of the Korean market. She is actually an American with a Korean mother & African-American father. She is a star of Korean hip-hop. She also has a side project called MFBTY with Tiger JK & Blizzy. https://www.facebook.com/t.YoonMiRae/
Tuesday-Sunday March 15, 2016 – Austin, TX – www.sxsw.com
ARTISTS
This year’s SXSW includes a number of faces we’ve seen before including: Diet Cig, Dana Falconberry, Chinah, Powers, Slothruth, Pure Bathing Culture, Moving Panoramas, Oh Pep!, and recently signed to Charli XCX’s label, RIVRS. FEMMUSIC does not like to tread on familiar ground, so we give you profiles of bands and artists you may not have heard of who are playing SXSW this year:
Amber Arcades – www.amberarcades.net Annelotte de Graaf assembled the 5 piece band to explore pop beyond what she’d been doing as a solo artist. Tracks from Turning Light have been appearing this year.
Clara Nova – www.clara-nova.com – Clara Nova is a new project by Sydney Wayser, a French American artist. Her new EP The Bronze Age is in development but what we’ve heard is instantly attractive.
Dawn – http://dawnrichardblog.com – Dawn is Dawn Richard, a New Orleans artist, whose new album Dance is a mix of dance and alternative.
FEMME – www.femmehq.co.uk – FEMME is a UK artist who recently released Debutante and is visiting SXSW for the first time. She had a pop electronic sound.
Sara Hartman – www.sara-hartman.com – This young artist is soaring quickly. She is on tour with Ellie Goulding prior to SXSW and her single “Monster Lead Me Home” is on everyone’s lips
Zyna Hel – www.facebook.com/zynahel – Elizabeth Oswell created Zyna Hel as a new solo project. It caught our attention and we do think it will catch yours.
IS Tropical – https://is-tropical.squarespace.com – This UK band is releasing a new album, Black Anything, at the end of this year. The new songs coming forth are hook friendly.
L.E.J. – www.lucie-elisa-juliette.com – Lucie, Elisa & Juliette are a French 3 piece combining pop into different arrangements
Grace Mitchell – www.gracemitchell.com – Portland artist Grace Mitchell starting catching fire last year with her EP Raceday. She is a pop electronic artist with fancy dance moves.
Ocellot – www.facebook.com/ocellotband – This Spanish band released Jelly Beat as a pop electronic sound. They are part of the Spanish revolution at SXSW this year.
Sara Pi – www.facebook.com/sarapimusic – SXSW is a place where the world comes to the US. A couple of years ago a Spanish group, Hinds arrived and spurred a change. This year’s SXSW has many Spanish artists including Sara Pi, an R & B artist with Brazilian beats.
PHASES – www.phasesmusic.com Berg and the other musicians who make up PHASES have been playing in bands for years. They have a free spirit quality to their rock in their album For Life. They will be touring with Maroon 5 later this year.
Pumarosa – www.facebook.com/pumarosamusic – London 5 piece turned everyone’s heads last year with the release of Priestess. We expect them to do even more this year.
Saint Sister – www.saintsisterband.com – This Dublin band released their Madrid EP earlier this year. They combine traditional Irish Celtic music with 60’s beats.
Eliot Sumner – http://eliotsumner.com – For Eliot Sumner not to go into music would go against the family line (Sting is her father). She recently released Information and is a bold and striking songwriter and arranger who makes us think of Peter Gabriel.
Tacocat – http://tacocatdotcom.com – Last year we caught Tacocat for the first time and were instantly hooked. They are a four piece band that mixes poignant lyrics with humor. Their new album Lost Time comes out in April, when they will be doing a headlining tour.
Tennyson – www.facebook.com/tennysonmusic – Luke Tennyson & Tess Pretty make up this Canadian electronic duo. They are destined for amazing things soon.
The Weather Station – http://the-weather-station.com – Tamara Lindeman is The Weather Station. Her 3rd album is Loyalty. She is touring with Basia Bulat prior to SXSW.
Berklee College of Music is hosting its 11th Annual SXSW Party: Boston and Beyond Presented by Heavy Rotation Records, Vanyaland, Berklee Alumni Affairs and The Red [email protected] Cafe 939.
For 11 years now Berklee has presented the best emerging artists on stage at SXSW. This year’s lineup includes:
Rock Paper Scissors has presented showcases at SXSW for years. RPS handles some of the world’s best artists. This year they have only one woman artist, Mai Nimani but will be showcasing her at 2 events:
Wednesday March 16 – FACE Presents Pakistan Showcase – 8pm – www.face.pk
Riot Act Media handles many artists FEMMUSIC likes to cover. We’ve also covered their SXSW showcase for many years now. This year it includes some new faces. For info visit www.riotactmedia.com
Tangerine – http://tangerineband.com – This Seattle 3 piece has been like a sugar high from first listen. Their album ironically is called Sugar Teeth.
Jess Williamson – www.facebook.com/jesswilliamsonmusic – Williamson released Native State in 2014. It is an introspective piece that awakens the listener.
Dana Falconberry & Medicine Bow – www.danafalconberry.com – Dana is releasing From the Forest Came the Fire this April and has been doing a music tour of national parks.
Mirror Travel – http://mirrortravel.tumblr.com – Mirror Travel is a dream pop band that stood out when we saw them a few years ago. Their new album is Cruise Deal and comes out March 11.
SIR Presents BOOMTOWN MUSIC
Thursday March 17, 2016 – Austin. TX – The 512
This is an entire day showcase featuring Smooth Hand Smith, The Quebe Sisters, David Wax Museum, SIR, Rachel Malin & The Wild Type, Tyto Alba and more. This showcase is being sponsored by SIR (formerly Sarah & The Meanies) & Edison: www.sarahandthemeanies.com & www.listentoedison.com
If you can’t already tell, March is a big issue. In honor of SXSW we went out of our way to make one of the biggest issues. As I write this in mid February I’m still daunted by just how much is in here. The goal is to showcase near 50 artists with profiles, interviews and Soundcloud playlists. On April 1 I’ll know if I accomplished it. I hope you enjoy and look for our next special issue later in the summer.
The Model & The Weird Girl
I was having coffee with a good friend whom I hadn’t seen for years. It was one of the most enjoyable 6 hours I had. She is a performing musician who has learned many, many things. She was telling me about one of her mentors when she brought up the model and the weird girl. I consider it an interesting take on music so I’m relating it to you.
In the music industry, there are 2 types of woman musicians: the model and the weird girl.
The model you know. They are the ones who are strikingly attractive. They do get all the magazine covers and TV, etc… They may be skilled professional musicians, but not always. Some truly do get by on their looks alone.
The weird girl is not that attractive. She survives and thrives in the industry by being a professional musician. She can put on a stage show but all her energy is focused on the music. The weird girl may have a shtick or something that makes them stand out. I often consider the weird girl’s path as a musician to be much harder but the rewards are worth more.
Welcome to March and the beginning of the busy time of the year.
March is the BIG month in the entertainment industry. March is when the recording that happened during the Fall/Winter is revealed. It is also SXSW.
In the 15 years I’ve done FEMMUSIC, I’ve never gone. In many ways I don’t need to. The artists going to and from Austin use it as an excuse to tour elsewhere. Mini tours spring up quickly and instantly. Entire catalogs of artists who disappeared last year around November are suddenly on the move. If you listen close enough, the buzz reaches to both coasts.
What is the importance of SXSW? It is a music, film, entertainment maelstrom in Austin. The majors are sending their top artists to play one or two big shows and mingle. The minors are sending their entire catalogs to play days on end while their managers, publicists, agents are working the crowds. The goal? Touring.
In the internet age where an artist’s song is worth 99 cents, 10 cents, .0003 cents the best place an artist can make money is on the road. Between March and November thousands of artists are on the road playing coffee shops, dive bars, festivals and clubs. They are playing to get exposure, to get gas money, write-ups and sell merch that only sells on the road. People have said for many years that the industry is dying. Go to the merch table at the end of the night at a big show and you will how the tour bus is being paid for.
SXSW is where tour managers, festival organizers, etc…go to watch live music. The big artists don’t need exposure – but their label wants them at Riot Fest or Warped Tour. Did you ever think about why schmucky singer-songwriter #5 is opening for Arcade Fire. Most likely because he played SXSW and made friends.
Good Musicians are nomads. For 9 months (or more) every year they wander the globe. During those 9 months they pay for the remaining 3 months, and hopefully a new recording, and a vacation.
Spin Magazine