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From 'Slingshot' To SXSW: Public Radio Favorites Head To Austin

At just 20 years old, Jade Bird sounds like a seasoned Nashville veteran.
Shervin Lainez
/
Courtesy of the artist
At just 20 years old, Jade Bird sounds like a seasoned Nashville veteran.

Last year, NPR Music and NPR member stations across the country launched a new series called Slingshot designed to boost the careers of up-and-coming public radio favorites. Since the beginning of 2018, 22 new Slingshot artists have been announced. Many of them are about to head to Austin, Texas, for next week's South By Southwest Music Festival. To preview the big event, here are a few artist recommendations from the Slingshot series.

Haley Heynderickx

Haley Heynderickx.
Alessandra Leimer / Courtesy of the artist
/
Courtesy of the artist
Haley Heynderickx.

"Oom Sha La La"

Not just any singer-songwriter, Heynderickx takes her nervy and ambitious songs down circuitous, unexpected paths. "Oom Sh La La" starts with a murmur and builds to a scream.

Download " Oom Sha La La" via NPR Music's Austin 100 Mixtape until March 31.

Jade Bird

Jade Bird.
Kate Moross / Courtesy of the artist
/
Courtesy of the artist
Jade Bird.

"Good Woman"

She sounds like a Nashville veteran, but in reality, she's a U.K. singer who's not yet old enough to drink legally in the U.S. "Good Woman" is a rip-roaring blast.

Download " Good Woman" via NPR Music's Austin 100 Mixtape until March 31.

Liz Brasher

Liz Brasher.
/ Courtesy of the artist
/
Courtesy of the artist
Liz Brasher.

"Body Of Mine"

Brasher's voice seems to come from many places and eras at once, from early soul and girl groups to modern pop.

Download " Body Of Mine" via NPR Music's Austin 100 Mixtape until March 31.

Hear the full conversation with NPR's Don Gonyea at the audio link.

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Stephen Thompson is a host, writer and reviewer for NPR Music and Pop Culture Happy Hour. He appears frequently on All Songs Considered and NPR newsmagazines.
Suraya Mohamed is the Executive Producer for NPR Music.