David Beck & The Well Dressed Thieves "Grand Island"

I first met David last October at the 36 D Management "Come For The Boobs, Stay For The Music" all day event at beautiful White Water Amphitheater in New Braunfels, TX to benefit the Susan B. Komen Foundation. Matt King was debuting a brand new band that night and David Beck was on upright bass. We got introduced and started talking. The next day, I listened to some tracks he had written and recorded, and then we met to discuss. The last 6 months has been a productive period for him, culminating in a 6 song project which is almost ready to be unveiled. And as of a few months ago, David Beck has started to play around Austin with his band The Well Dressed Thieves to thunderous applause. They are young, they are tight, and they are soulful.

David is still gigging with Matt's band, The Cutters. We had them play back to back for our Music Fog showcase in Austin, which made the equipment shuffle just a bit easier. Saturday of SX was the day. Every set was true to itself. We were wrapped in the magic of it, so stoked ALL DAY LONG. This is the very beginning of the story. Here is the title track from his forthcoming EP, Grand Island.

-Jessie Scott

Elliott BROOD "West End Sky"

I'm such a fan of Elliott BROOD, the Canadian boys that make that sweet foot-stomping music from a suitcase and tiny instruments. It was just last September when they recorded with Music Fog on the bus in Nashville, but they've since managed to bag several gigs for the Olympics and record their first soundtrack. Grown Up Movie Star is a film set in Newfoundland which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. They've jumped several career steps in just a few months and show no signs of slowing down as they are currently working on a new album due out in 2011.

You might think that all of this sudden high-profile attention would easily go to their heads. But when I met all three members of Elliott BROOD (Casey LaForet, Steve Pitkin, and Mark Sasso) at our showcase during SXSW last week, I was struck by how down-to-earth they are and that they are still eager to learn. They showed up early and then hung out after their set, watching the other artists intently with respect. I made a special request, but they said they first wanted to play a new song off of the Grown Up Movie Star soundtrack, "West End Sky." Exclusive? Oh hell yeah, lucky us! And now...lucky you!

-Denise

Stonehoney "White Knuckle Wind"

We have been chasing each other around the country, the Stonehoney boys and the Music Fog crew. It almost happened on the bus in Memphis, as they might have come on board to support the Keep The Light Alive project, to which they contributed. But it didn't happen then. Dang, we got SO behind in Memphis anyway! I was so happy that we could make it work for Austin, now home base for the band. And what with a new CD imminent, well it was indeed the perfect time. They created quite the buzz at the Folk Alliance in Memphis in 2008. The band relocated to Austin from LA in the winter of 2009, where the scene is growing organically and they are a dead on fit. We can't wait, as Stonehoney is about to deliver their first official solo recording, and are making plans to tour this summer. Catch them now in all their glory!

-Jessie