Scott Ellis

Hugh Masterson

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Hugh Masterson

Hugh Masterson participated in Southwest: On The Rise to Luck Reunion 2018.

"I'm proud to say the experiences I've had have made me the person that I am today."

Lost + Found is an apt title for Hugh Masterson's first solo effort. The six songs cover a heartfelt journey through surviving loss and life changes while gaining self-awareness through experience. His self-deprecating way of viewing himself is endearing, and his songs are deeply personal. "I use songwriting as therapy," he says. "I think other people will relate to these songs. Finding happiness daily is not an easy thing." Growing up in Wisconsin, Masterson explains. "The bar was the meeting place. The parents would take the kids there so people could socialize and listen to whatever music was playing on the jukebox." Their dad's ultimate favorite was The Band, which was a constant in the Masterson household, along with the Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones. The title track tells the story of Masterson getting mugged one night in Milwaukee. He was hit in the head with a tire iron and his jaw was broken in two places. For Masterson: "It's about when you feel like you're not sure why things happen to you. You're not sure how to navigate life the best way that you possibly can, because you're not seeing the signs that you need yet."

Watch the video for "Lost and Found"

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Thomas Csorba

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Thomas Csorba

Thomas Csorba participated and rose to the top in Southwest: On The Rise to Luck Reunion 2018.

"All of the musicians I really love are all road warriors–they’re playing shows and connecting with people."

Thomas Csorba is an Americana artist from Houston, TX who grew up listening to artists like Townes Van Zandt, Buddy Holly, and Woody Guthrie. Soon after immersing himself in these artists' work, he felt compelled to start making music of his own. He released his debut EP Kentucky in the spring of 2014. With this release, he secures his place among the storied voices of folk and Americana music. Melancholy and nostalgic, these songs were written for old souls. With the release of his sophomore album Hard Truths and Noble Lies the following year, Csorba continues to show his skills both lyrically and vocally. His debut full-length record From the Foxhole hit the streets in March of 2017. This record, being Csorba's first complete work, is a record intertwined within itself. It isn't just a collection of songs, but instead, Csorba crafted one cohesive record. Csorba's songs throughout all of these releases-rustic, honest, and as mournful as they are sweet - recall the best of the artists he admired as a kid. His tunes, in that great tradition, are the offering of a man both weary and hopeful, a traveler on a long journey home.

Listen to "Harvest"

Thomas Csorba takes the stage at Luck Reunion

Watch the interview with Thomas Csorba

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Kirby Brown

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Kirby Brown

"The feelings and faces that have peopled the places I’ve been are the cornerstone of my songs."

Kirby Brown was born in Deep East Texas, raised in the Ozark foothills of north central Arkansas, and has since spent much of his life traversing an orbit between New York City, Nashville, and his mother state of Texas. From the idyllic, religious farm family he grew up in to the literary, creative communities of NYC, Brown's music is a synthesis of seemingly-disparate influences. His writing channels the long narrative of the American songbook without nostalgia—it bears the torch of traditional form while simultaneously showcasing an entirely original artist. His upcoming record, Uncommon Prayer, finds Kirby at his finest—at-once affable and conversational, while insightfully peeling back the layers of himself and the world around him. A "Poet Laureate for the Everyman," Kirby's writing proves to cast an uncommon redemptive hue onto a seemingly common world.

Watch the music video for "Joni"

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Broke Royals

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Broke Royals

Broke Royals participated in Southwest: Destination Red Rocks in 2017.

"A lot of our songs are influenced by travel and include elements from many genres."

The Broke Royals was founded in 2014 by band members Philip Basnight and Colin Cross and combines elements of alt rock, pop, and indie in their music. The sound is similar to Coldplay with its blend of building, climactic beats and simple, yet powerful lyrics and vocals. Basnight and Cross play off each other's strengths to highlight the best of each of their distinct styles. The group is motivated by universal themes that resonate with a broad range of people, but their songs specifically touch upon the ephemeral nature of adulthood and personal growth from a variety of experiences.

Watch Broke Royals Live at 35

Watch Broke Royals Live at 35 Interview

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Sundressed

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Sundressed

Sundressed participated in Southwest: Destination Red Rocks in 2017.

"I love music out in Phoenix–there’s a lot of opportunity and you can really make a difference."

Sundressed is an emotive indie rock band based in Tempe, Arizona, that features band members Trevor, Garrett, and Forest and friends. Their sound is a modern resurgence of 90s pop-punk bands. The group distinguishes themselves by their ability to combine poppy melodies with deeply personal narrative lyrics that appeal to many. The group cites heartbreak, toxic relationships, struggles with depression, and the difficulties of life’s transition periods among its chief inspiration, but they frame the lyrics in a comprehensive way so that the impact can be understood by many. Additionally, while the lyrics may reflect a kind of inner turmoil, the accompanying music is upbeat and with heavy punk and alternative rock influences.

Watch the Sundressed Live at 35 Video

Watch the Sundressed Live at 35 Interview

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Pom Poms

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Pom Poms

Pom Poms participated in Southwest: Destination Red Rocks in 2017.

"Our music is heavily influenced by us being an LA-based band, with surf elements and old Hollywood feel."

The Los Angeles based group, the Pom Poms, were founded in 2015 and are led by singer-songwriter Marlene Gold. The group’s primary inspiration is early girl groups from the 1960’s, which is most distinctly heard through Gold’s monotonous harmonies and the toned down use of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound recording technique. Their songs initially seem to have a very retro sound, but manage to incorporate new styles that give the music a modern edge. The Pom Poms regularly play the LA music scene and released a single called "Gimme You."

Watch the Pom Poms Live at 35 video

Watch the Pom Poms Live at 35 interview

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