Shakey Graves performing at the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre in Austin, Texas on April 2, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Shakey Graves is an American Americana musician from Austin, Texas. His music combines blues, folk, country, and rock and roll. Shakey received his stage name at Old Settler's Music Festival in 2007 after a stranger, apparently high on LSD, rambled "spooky wagons". Then he and his friends jokingly gave each other Native American guide names over a campfire. After an inspired night of playing music, he decided to keep the name.
Before being known as Shakey Graves, Rose-Garcia had acting roles in Friday Night Lights and the Spy Kids franchise. Shakey Graves became known for his one-man band set up and most of his 2011 self-released debut album Roll the Bones features him playing solo. This set up originated after he grew tired of having to borrow kick drums and high hats in order to perform. His solution consisted of a modified suitcase that functions as both a kick drum and a tambourine stand built by a close friend.
His unique style of performance led to him being asked to be the official “busker” for the Edward Sharpe and Mumford & Sons Railroad Revival Tour in 2011, where he played music for patrons entering each venue.
After being courted by multiple labels, Shakey Graves signed with Dualtone Records. When he began working on the album, he added other musicians to his recording process and live set, including multi-instrumentalists Patrick O'Connor, Jon Shaw, and Chris Boosahda, who produced the album.
In 2015, Shakey Graves won the Best Emerging Artist award at the 2015 Americana Music Awards. On February 9, 2012, Lee Leffingwell, the Mayor of Austin, proclaimed a "Shakey Graves Day."
Shakey is an absolutely mesmerizing performer, with every note that he plays exuding a genuine passion and love for his craft. I've seen a lot of artists perform, and I don't think a single one has matched his level of magnetic energy on stage. This guy's the real deal.Shakey Graves was the main act at the Nutty Brown Amphitheatre, with guest Dancey Jenkins. Shakey Graves continues across the United States with the last stop at the Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on August 21, 2021.
Shakey Graves such a vibe. What stuck out to me was how amazing of a story teller he was. You were instantly involved in every moment and inside joke he told. Every lyric meant more than the time you heard it before. One of the best and most unique shows I’ve seen in awhile.
Shakey Graves is the singer songwriter who writes music with a whole lot of grit, with the instrumentation of just a hollow body electric guitar, and a drum kit. The sound is definitely quite a thin sound but they manage to fill a room with it regardless. Opening with the song “If Not For You” this audience are up off the feet dancing around this room and singing along to this indie sensation that is Shakey Graves. “Dearly Departed” is a little bit more lenient towards a mainstream sound even if it sounds as though it was written in the mountains. They use quite a lot of dissonance in the guitar, despite the slightly infectious sounds that they make. The humble audience really do get behind it, with smiles on their faces as they sing along. I also must acknowledge that I’ve never seen an audience with so many beards and denim shirts!
Every time I see Shakey Graves, I become an even bigger fan. Despite some technical issues (not sure if it was the guitar, wireless guitar system, or what), Shakey Graves and his band put on a phenomenal show. His presence was charming, funny, and a joy to watch. He played songs off of his debut album, sophomore follow-up, and newest album, too. He played a few songs acoustically, some with just his electric guitar, and the rest with the backing band. The Wild Reeds were a fantastic opening act- their voices harmonized wonderfully live and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Fantastic night all around!
Took my 11 year old son for his birthday. This was by far the best show I’ve ever been to, as well as the best Shakey Graves show I’ve been too over the last several years. What an incredible night we will remember forever!
Shakey Graves
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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