You don’t get pleasure from SXSW—the annual musical gathering in Austin, Texas each mid March. You endure it. You survive it. SXSW may not survive itself with the way in which it’s been spiraling since COVID, and has strayed so removed from it’s soul (extra on that quickly). However in the event you follow the margins and the periphery, you possibly can nonetheless see some wonderful music and uncover one thing new, whereas re-connecting with a few of your favourite artists within the meantime.
Listed here are Saving Nation Music’s largest takeaways from SXSW 2025. For extra protection from SXSW and dwell occasions, comply with Saving Nation Music on Instagram.
Kimmi Bitter
It’s really unimaginable to place into phrases the ability that Kimmi Bitter calls upon to make you’re feeling issues by music that no different soul is able to evoking. The simple factor to do is evaluate her to Patsy Cline. However after watching her carry out, you surprise if future generations can be evaluating the preeminent singers of the time to Kimmi Bitter. Don’t take it without any consideration that this girl has chosen to grace her voice to old fashioned nation.
After not too long ago being picked up as an opener for the Previous ’97s, Kimmi and her band—together with guitarist/companion Willis Farnsworth—have taken the dwell present to even one other degree. This actually is the venture ready to take the world by storm, and her 2024 album Previous Faculty is great. Not sufficient may be mentioned about Kimmi.
Silverada
Silverada is one of the best rattling band in nation music. There’s not a lot else to say. Inform your mates, shout it from the rooftops, go hearken to their data, and if these dudes are rolling by your city, completely DO NOT go up the chance to see them dwell. THOUSANDS of artists and bands descended upon Austin, TX for SXSW. However one of the best band you might see was already there.
It feels bizarre to nonetheless be speaking about Silverada as in the event that they’re undiscovered or up-and-coming. In comparison with many, they’re dwelling excessive on the hog. However there may not be one other band that also has extra upside potential than Silverada. The world continues to be ready to find them.
Jesse Welles
It’s troublesome to unimaginable to be accused of falling into hyperbole when making an attempt to articulate the inventive explosion that reigning Saving Nation Music Songwriter of the 12 months Jesse Welles has been driving upon for occurring a 12 months.
A pioneer of what may very well be referred to as “quick folks” the place he synthesizes present occasions in actual time into extremely intelligent, advanced, and insightful songs, he makes wickedly entertaining music whereas someway overriding the political and cultural binary that so many musicians, pundits, and the general public itself have fallen prey to.
Jesse Welles is without doubt one of the hottest acts in all of roots music in the mean time, promoting out dates as quickly as they’re posted. Don’t go up a chance to see him in small venues when you nonetheless can.
Brennen Leigh / Surprise Girls of Nation
Brennen Leigh and The Surprise Girls of Nation don’t want no guitar-slinging buckaroo along with his smelly toes stinking up the touring coach. Brennen can sing ‘em, write ‘em, AND decide ‘em, all whereas wanting fabulous. She is a Queen of Nation with Kelly Willis and Melissa Carper of the Surprise Girls, whether or not the industrial world acknowledges them or not.
They had been one of many gem’s of Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion.
John R. Miller
John R. Miller’s music consists of listless muses from the underbelly of life, and actual world dispatches from his dysfunctional previous and current. It’s the sound of deserted buildings and damaged down previous rusty automobiles, and bleary spirits from unhealthy selections that need to blame themselves on others, however know deep down they’re self-inflicted.
His music is the act of discovering magnificence within the decay, and perseverance within the wrestle. It’s an appreciation for previous issues that maintain up over time, and discovering a wierd sense of happiness from hapless fates. “A well-travelled wordsmith mapping out the world he’s seen, three chords at a time,” is how Tyler Childers considers him. Many listeners take into account John R. Miller as one of many preeminent Appalachian songwriters of our time.
Nick Garza
Nick Garza isn’t only a spitting picture for a younger Townes Van Zandt, he one among Austin’s premier Western artists, mixing slightly Texas Tejano in with Western themes. It’s music that options accordion and intentional songwriting with a poetic disposition. It’s music for music’s sake that’s refreshingly unpretentious. Should you like what Colter Wall is as much as, try Mr. Garza too. He simply launched three new songs.
Waxahatchee / Katie Crutchfield
Of all of the indie rock tasks that like to tease across the edges of nation music that you just want would haul off and launch a full-blown nation venture sometime, Katie Crutchfield and Waxahatchee must be close to the highest. Initially from Alabama, she’s an ideal songwriter with a powerful voice, and an infectious spirit that’s laborious to withstand regardless of your musical sensibilities.
She performed a shock, unannounced set at Willie’s Luck Reunion.
Ken Pomeroy
Oklahoma’s Ken Pomery has gone from a a precocious songwriting prodigy and facet participant in Kyle Nix’s band The 38s, to some of the promising up-and-coming songwriters within the Americana area. Her Rounder Data debut album Merciless Joke is out Could sixteenth.
Charley Crockett
Forward of the discharge of Charley Crockett’s new album Lonesome Drifter, he performed an intimate acoustic set within the legendary chapel of Willie Nelson’s little Western city referred to as Luck outdoors of Austin. Folks waited hours in line for the chance to see Charley within the tiny area, the place he instructed tales, and performed songs from the brand new file.
Charley defined that the track “Lifetime of a Nation Singer” was impressed by Willie Nelson and the time Willie dwell in Houston, and needed to promote his track “Household Bible” for $50 so he might feed his household.
Julien Baker and Torres
Quite a bit has been made about these two indie rockers recording and releasing a “nation” album collectively referred to as Ship a Prayer My Approach (April18th). One of many first tastes the general public had for simply how “nation” the album can be was at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion. Together with taking part in songs from the album, additionally they performed quite a few covers, together with a fairly rousing model of Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” whereas dressed of their customized made Nudie fits.
We nonetheless want to listen to the total album to find out simply how nation this indie rock duo is, however they did endear themselves to the viewers in Luck, and from the look on their faces, had one hell of a time within the course of.
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