Best Online Series: Shakey Graves Presents Hello Gorgeous

Shutdown caught Alejandro Rose-Garcia in the midst of building out his new studio, lovingly dubbed Hello Gorgeous just southeast of Austin in Goforth. He then took advantage of the moment to offer up a revealing, endearing series with his bandmates and crew as they establish their new musical sanctuary.

"This is me wanting to film walking into this new house ... and all the songs and moments and time I get to spend in this building and really bring these people I love into it and hopefully make some really weird magic happen," he allowed at the outset of the series in April.

Through three half-hour mini documentaries interspersed with a pair of livestream performances, the troubadour unfolds his aptly titled new EP Look Alive, while geeking out on his recording equipment and process, and presenting freaky music videos and stellar impromptu takes of songs. Behind-the-scenes footage of touring the U.S. pre-pandemic, from L.A. to Levon Helm's renowned Midnight Ramble in Woodstock, can't eclipse thoughtful, sincere commentary on music making, his DIY ethos, and even artistic hardships wrangled by the Austin emissary known to the world as Shakey Graves. – Doug Freeman