Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent forged singular paths as solo artists before connecting ‚both musically and personally, in Charleston, South Carolina. Since that moment, Shovels & Rope has been on an upward trajectory, performing their unique style of rowdy and rootsy folk-rock. Energetic and copious live shows have played a large part in building Shovels & Rope’s reputation among audiences and their peers, the latter of whom voted for the duo in for two 2013 Americana Music Awards, Emerging Artist of the Year as well as Song of the Year (for the vivid, semi-autobiographical Birmingham).

Recently described as “astonishing, unclassifiably original and frighteningly good” by NPR Music, Shakey Graves is one of those rare artists whose music inspires the kind of obsessive devotion that compels fans to spend hours searching for more. In his hometown of Austin, Texas, the Mayor has even given Shakey his own local holiday (February 9th is officially “Shakey Graves Day” in Austin). Armed with just a guitar and a homemade kick drum, Shakey Graves “makes the one-man band approach look effortless” (The New York Times).

“If there is an American rock movement of the now, this acoustic twosome from Charleston, S.C., is close to the nerve center.” —The New York Times