.

.

.

KING STINGRAY // Photo – Ian Laidlaw

.

Prolific party-throwers, Secret Sounds, are returning to Austin’s SXSW this year with a crew of boundary-pushing musicians in tow. The 2023 Secret Sounds SXSW Showcase, in partnership with Sounds Australia and G’Day USA, will have them takeover Australia House on Thu 16 March with a lineup of six music treasures from Australia and beyond.

From leading festivals such as Splendour in the Grass and Falls to tours and live shows of all sizes, Secret Sounds has been shaping the way Australians experience music since its humble beginnings more than 20 years ago. Now, they’re returning to SXSW for the first time since 2019 to show America what’s good.

The showcase includes King Stingray, who were touted by Rolling Stone Australia as “one of the most exciting rock bands to emerge from this country in a generation.” Joining the indie surf-rockers is trailblazer Jaguar Jonze, beat puncher JESSB, gritty and innovative pop duo Foley and the amorphous Folly Group.

.

JAGUAR JONZE

.

Propelled by the instant success of debut track Hey Wanhaka in 2020, King Stingray soared to unexpected heights in record time. Hailed as one of the most exciting acts in the country, the boys from East Arnhem Land took out triple j’s ‘Unearthed Artist of the Year’ and Rolling Stone Australia’s ‘Best New Artist’ award all before an album was released. Their debut 2022 LP King Stingray saw them nominated for a whopping five ARIA Awards and shortlisted for the prestigious Australian Music Prize.

Jaguar Jonze‘s shows are a love letter to music, the untold story of what has carried her to this moment, and her rallying cry for change. Emerging as one of Australian music’s most important cultural voices, she’s blazed new trails when it comes to her visionary blend of art and pop. Named as one of The Australian’s 100 Cultural Leaders List 2022 and Vogue Australia’s 21 Women of 2021, Jaguar Jonze refuses to be silenced and has used her voice to advocate for systemic change in the music industry.

.

JESSB

.

Since emerging as a dynamic breath of fresh air in New Zealand’s hip-hop scene in 2017, JESSB has taken that momentum and whipped it up into a whirlwind; becoming a force to be reckoned with. Building a tight touring profile as both a headliner and special guest for the likes of Ladi6, SIX60, Lil Simz, Stormzy and YG, JESSB is leading the charge for a whole new generation and is putting NZ hip hop back on the global map.

Gritty, dance-able and fearless, innovative pop duo Foley have arrived as fully formed contenders on the world stage. The multi-instrumentalist team of Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett galvanize with their forward-thinking sound. A singular organism in duo form, their boundary-pushing formula bears all the gleaming hooks, infectious rhythm patterns and deft arrangements.

On stage, Folly Group is the sum of drums, percussion, bass, guitar, vocals and a sampler. Elsewhere, Folly Group is an amorphous creative entity; a group of friends whose practice spans a spectrum of disciplines. Folly Group is a way to mess with form, structure and signifiers. They interrogate the job of the band; it’s an allergic reaction to stasis and complacency.

This official SXSW showcase is open to festival registrants and wristband holders. With an intimate venue capacity of just a few hundred, you won’t want to be late for your music date with this showcase of exceptional talent. Pop it in your calendar, set your reminders and gather your crew for Secret Sounds’ first time back at SXSW since 2019!

.

.

Secret Sounds 2023 SXSW Showcase

In partnership with Sounds Australia and G’Day USA!

LINEUP:

8pm – Folly Group
9pm – Foley
10pm – Jaguar Jonze
11pm – King Stingray
12am – JessB

.

FOLEY

.

Follow SECRET SOUNDS
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter

.

FOLLY GROUP

.

AMNPLIFY – DB