CD Baby’s Official Showcase to feature Black Milk, Sadat X (of Brand Nubian), Oliver the Kid, Chaos Chaos, Summer Cannibals and Doug Burr.

AUSTIN – For the third year running, CD Baby — one of the largest independent music aggregators — will curate an official showcase at the SXSW music festival. From up-and-coming artists self-releasing their first EPs to established major artists who have chosen to start their own labels, CD Baby is home to many of the world’s best independent artists, and is proud to partner with SXSW to bring six of the best to the stage of the venerable Maggie Mae’s Gibson Lounge (widely regarded as one of Austin’s best intimate listening rooms) on March 20^th from 8pm – 2am.

Lineup

8pm: Doug Burr Denton, Texas-based Doug Burr came late to music, but he’s made up for lost time with his candid, thoughtful songs that offers no easy solutions to life’s nagging questions. Mixing country delicacy with electric excess on his new release, Pale White Dove (on long-time label Velvet Blue Music), Burr navigates a course between desperation and redemption as he digs deep in search of the truth.

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_MS30791

9pm: Summer Cannibals Formed in 2012, Summer Cannibals have wasted no time honing their chops. Their 2013 debut brought plenty of praise, and their recent sophomore release, Show Us Your Mind, refines their beautiful rawness. Riffs, hooks, fuzz pedals - Summer Cannibals have them and they’re not afraid to makes them loud and memorable. Featured on NPR’s Austin 100 Playlist.

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_MS30015

10pm: Chaos Chaos Raised in Seattle and now based in Brooklyn, sister Asya and Chloe Saavedra turned away from the indie music that made them famous as teenagers (as Smoosh) to explore the world of synth-pop. On their latest EP, Committed to the Crime release, they’re dealing in very personal lyrics and dance hooks, mixing up New Romantics and hip-hop in an irresistible cocktail.

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_MS29625

11pm: Olivver the Kid Los Angeles-based drummer (and ex-member of The Neighbourhood) turned indie-electro singer-songwriter Olivver the Kid makes alt-pop with an R&B tinge in his music, and already has a sold-out tour under his belt after releasing his debut EP, Freak. But it’s a sound that works just as well when stripped to the bone, as he’s shown in many appearances.

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_MS32367

12am: Sadat X From his beginnings as one of the founders of Brand Nubian, Sadat X has gone on to release 12 albums in a career that’s spanned three decades. His music keeps getting better and going deeper. His newest release, Never Left, is hip-hop for adults, people who’ve grown up with the music and come to it now with a different perspective and fresh understanding.

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_MS29389

1am: Black Milk Detroit-based producer and rapper Black Milk has built a huge cult-like following over his 10 years releasing albums and performing. Rarely does such a respected producer gain such parallel renown as a rapper, and now he can add entrepreneur to the list, as he’s started his own label, Computer Ugly to release his new material. One of the most respected artists in hip-hop, he’s bringing the Nat Turner live band to the stage for what will surely be a transcendent and sweaty close to the evening.

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_MS29181

About CD Baby

CD Baby is – by some measures - the world’s biggest independent music distributor and the home of more than 300,000 artists, providing an estimated 17 percent of iTunes current catalog. CD Baby has a long, established history of supporting emerging acts and their commitment extends to live music. That’s why they’re hosting the Third Annual CD Baby Showcase at SXSW, to be held Friday March 20 in the Gibson Room at Maggie Mae’s, 512 Trinity Street, from 8pm to 2 am. 

Lauded artists like Ben Sidran and Mary Gauthier have been with CD Baby as they’ve built and maintained independent careers (not to mention Macklemore and Ingrid Michaelson), while venerated artists like Latin music legend Eddie Palmieri and drummer Gregg Bissonette have abandoned the traditional label system to work with CD Baby and discover how well independence can work for them.