Out the Other's ACL Previews: Matisyahu, Jose Gonzalez, Paolo Nutini and More
We're having a yard sale today so I can raise a little extra spending money before I head down to Austin next week (I'm already doing well, and I've been calculating how many crunchy chicken cones I can now buy at the festival). But I thought I should run inside between customers to give you your daily dose of ACL previews. Remember you can check out the full list of previews on my ACL Artist Previews Page.
Asheba - Born in Trinidad and now based in Oakland, California, Asheba has been performing for children since 1998 - incorporating a rich tradition of Caribbean and reggae into neo-folk children's music. (full preview)
Joe McDermott and the Smart Little Creatures - Returning to the Austin Kiddie Limits Stage this year is Joe McDermott, a children's entertainer who has even opened his own preschool in Central Austin, the Phoenix School. (full preview)
The Biscuit Brothers - The Biscuit Brothers are the stars of the Emmy-nominated PBS program of the same name, and their "educational barnyard jamboree" returns to ACL this year. (full preview)
Matisyahu - This Hasidic Jew rapper is not a novelty act, and his electrifying live performances and contemporary reggae mixed with rap, rock and electronica definitely prove it. (full preview)
Jose Gonzalez - After lending his music to both an episode of The OC and a mesmerizing Sony Bravia commercial, I personally think Jose Gonzalez should contribute the beautiful combination of his hushed voice and finger-picked classical guitar to a movie. (strong)
Paolo Nutini - The ladies love 19 year-old Paolo Nutini, and it's not hard to see why - the one-two punch of good looks and a beautiful voice (think James Blunt meets Adam Levine) would knock any girl out. (full preview)
Patrice Pike - While she didn't win Rock Star: Supernova, Austin's Patrice Pike certainly made an impression by ending up as one of the top seven finalists this season, and I'm sure this won't be the last we hear of her. (full preview)
Ween - Ween is another group that could be easily dismissed as a novelty act, but as my friend JD says, the joke's on us - because they are as talented, witty and relevant as ever. (full preview)
Joy Davis - Actually the younger sister of Patrice Pike, Davis has appeared at ACL before, but only as a backup singer. Now that she is working on her own country/folk debut album, she will return this year to hold a stage of her own. (full preview)
Marah - Marah's loose, rootsy brand of American rock displays both a sense of musical playfulness and a serious dose of talent, and with thirteen years of practice under their belt, I imagine their live show shouldn't be missed. (full preview)
