NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Back Porch Records) - Back Porch Records, the eclectic roots-rock label that recently became part of Manhattan Records and the Blue Note Label Group, has announced a special evening at this year's South By Southwest featuring a slate of the label's emerging artists. Included on the March 16 bill are:
Texas native Carrie Rodriguez, former
Tonic lead singer Emerson Hart, blues legend John Hammond, acclaimed newcomer Serena Ryder, bassist-to-the stars Viktor Krauss and special guests. Also making a rare U.S. appearance at SXSW is the highly-touted U.K. artist Seth Lakeman.
Viktor Krauss, who has played alongside such musical luminaries as Lyle Lovett, John Fogerty and Elvis Costello (sister Alison is one of country music's most heralded artists), will perform with music from his Back Porch debut "II".
On her forthcoming major label debut, "If Your Memory Serves You Well," Serena Ryder showcases her vocal dynamics as she mixes original tunes with spot-on renditions of songs from Leonard Cohen, The Band's Rick Danko & Bob Dylan and Randy Bachman. No Depression magazine has already said of her "...a combination of Patsy Cline and Janis Joplin. Add a little Tracy Chapman and Etta James and you've got the picture. Pipes. Presence. Potential."
Emerson Hart begins a new chapter in a career that is already impressive: in the band Tonic, Hart racked up platinum album sales, chart-topping tracks (including the No 1 hit 'If You Could Only See'), and two Grammy nominations. Hart also penned the award-winning theme song 'Generations' from NBC's TV series "American Dreams" and now, with producer Bob Rock, he has made an album that showcases his impeccable songcraft and evocative voice.
Before embarking on a tour with Lucinda Williams, Back Porch's Carrie Rodriguez will play a whirlwind series of nine shows in five days at SXSW, including the label's showcase night. Her album, "Seven Angels On A Bicycle" was co-produced by Carrie and songmeister Chip Taylor.
Special guest performances will include Austin favorite Charlie Sexton and Manhattan Records recording artist Mutlu, whose album produced by Amos Lee, is a clever blend of soul, reggae, hip-hop and Brazilian jazz.
Seth Lakeman, who will also perform at SXSW, is one of the U.K.'s most celebrated young singer-songwriters, nominated in 2005 for the prestigious Mercury Prize, and winner of 'Singer of the Year' and 'Best Album' awards at this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. His new album, "Freedom Fields" will be released on Back Porch in July 2007.
BACK PORCH NIGHT AT SXSW:
Friday, March 16
Cedar Street Courtyard
2008 W. 4th Street
Austin, TX
8:30p - Victor Krauss (with special guest)
9:30p - Serena Ryder
10:30p - John Hammond Quartet
11:30p - Emerson Hart
12:30a - Carrie Rodriguez
