Carson McHone Credit: Photo by Todd V. Wolfson

Nine Mile Records

Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room

Austin imprint Nine Mile Records, celebrating 10 years, unloads an impressive local soundtrack to start SXSW. Patrick Sweany represents the only act outside Austin, the East Nashville-based songwriter bringing his unique bluesy and soulful roots sound to last year’s perfectly eclectic seventh LP, Daytime Turned to Nighttime. Austin’s sprawling, show-stopping soul outfit the Nightowls follows suit, blasting horns and grooves from last year’s sophomore shot, Fame Sessions, while Uncle Lucius kicks out the Southern jams on The Light, the raucous local quartet’s standout fourth LP of last year. Smooth and smart, they rip through keys and steel-backed roots stomps inflected with touches of Muscle Shoals. Two of Austin’s top young songwriters cement the bill, with Ben Ballinger‘s dusky, weathered vocals matching his emotionally worn ballads in preparation for this year’s follow-up to 2014 sophomore outing The State I’m In. That leaves Carson McHone as the bill’s Loretta Lynn as demonstrated on last year’s full-length introduction, Goodluck Man.

This article appears in March 11 • 2016.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.