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