Hailed as Austin’s best one-man band, Shakey Graves is an artist of understated power and overt mystique. His bio simply reads, “Shakey Graves is a gentleman from Texas.” Perhaps that’s all you need to know before stumbling into his music — and stumble you should.
Rooted in the darker side of the folk tradition (think Townes Van Zandt), Shakey Graves magically balances lyrical depth with lighthearted accompaniment that creates an awe-inspiring, accessible sound. His two albums — Donor Blues EP and Roll The Bones — expertly capture the juxtaposition of a lo-fi aesthetic and energizing stage shows. The Donor Blues EP (released in 2012) catalogs previously unreleased home recordings using a subpar mic and 4-track recorder, whereas 2011’s Roll The Bones runs the gamut of charming folk tunes andhaunting deliveries masked in up-tempo beats.
he true beauty in Shakey Graves as a performer is his ability to captivate an audience with subtleties. Armed only with a guitar, a soulful voice, and a kick drum fashioned from an old suitcase, his performance is not that of the passive singer-songwriter. From the moment the first drum beat sounds, you’re consumed by the experiential nature of his music.
After touring across the country and experiencing growing critical acclaim, Shakey Graves takes the stage at ACL Fest this fall for a performance that will solidify the native Austinite as a mainstay in the Live Music Capital. “I remember standing in that dusty field watching the first ACL unfold while I was still in high school,” he says.