MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“THE BEST FROM THE WEST” SHOWCASE AT AUSTIN, TX MUSIC FESTIVAL

(Winnipeg, Manitoba, March 12, 2009)  Six of western Canada’s premier musical acts will appear at a special Wednesday night showcase at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas on March 18, 2009.

The South by Southwest Music and Media Conference is a legendary festival that takes place every spring in downtown Austin. SXSW attracts talent from around the world, featuring more than 1,800 musical acts of all genres on over 80 stages.

The opening night showcase, presented by the Western Canadian Music Awards, will exclusively display Canadian talent:

• Little Miss Higgins (winner, 2008 WCMA Outstanding Blues Recording) from Nokomis, Saskatchewan
• The Deep Dark Woods (nominee, 2008 Outstanding Roots Recording - duo/group) from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• The Perpetrators (nominee, 2008 WCMA Outstanding Blues Recording, and Outstanding Independent Album Award; winner, 2006 Outstanding Blues Recording) from Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Gordie Tentrees (WCMA showcase, 2008 & 2006) from Whitehorse, Yukon
• Dan Mangan (WCMA showcase, 2006) from Vancouver, British Columbia
• Po’ Girl (nominee, 2004 Outstanding Roots Recording), Vancouver, British Columbia

Details of the WCMA showcase:

            Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 - starting at 8 p.m.
            El Sol y La Luna
            600 East 6th Street, Austin, Texas
            South by Southwest music festival

The WCMA showcase is just one event featuring western Canadian artists. In total, more than 30 artists from the region will be making the trip to SXSW.

The Canadian presence in Austin is a precursor to the 2009 WCMA, which will take place September 17-20 in Brandon, Manitoba. The event is well-known as western Canada’s largest music festival and awards ceremony. The WCMAs are made up of five Industry Associations: Alberta Music, Manitoba Music, Music BC, Music Yukon and SaskMusic.

For more information, contact:

Lisa Saunders, 2009 WCMA Publicist
Sound Strategy Music
204.799-4641
lisa@soundstrategy.ca
www.soundstrategymusic.ca