(Artist Report)

Written by: Ginny Gaines 

Shakey Graves, born Alejandro Rose-Garcia on June 4, 1987, in Austin, Texas, is a standout figure in American folk, blues, and Americana music. His music mixes genres with an authentic feel that fans and critics love. Known for his early days as a one-man band where he played guitar while playing kick drums and high hats that he borrowed. He got sick of having to borrow kick drums and high hats, so, he asked a friend to make a suitcase that worked as both a kick drum and tambourine stand.

Alejandro Rose-Garcia grew up in the vibrant arts scene of Austin, Texas. His father was a theater manager, and his mother was actor, writer and director which gave him an early love for the arts. Known as Shakey Graves, he was inspired not just by music but also by the lively theater scene in Austin. Before focusing on music, he acted in TV series like Friday Night Lights and Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over. His love for storytelling is evident in both his acting and music careers. At the 2007 Old Settler's Music Festival, Rose-Garcia got his stage name when a stranger, seemingly high on LSD, mumbled "spooky wagons". He and his friends then jokingly gave each other guide names around a campfire. After a night of inspired music, he decided to stick with the name.

Shakey released his debut album titled Roll The Bones in 2011. This album has 10 songs on it that include "Unlikely Skin," "Built To Roam," "Georgia Moon," "Business Lunch," "The Seal Hunter," and "To Cure What Ails." this was a break out in the music scene for him. In 2014, he released his next album And The War Came. This album has 11 songs on it that include "This Is The Beginning," "Dearly Departed," "Only Son," "Family Genus," "If Not You," and "Call It Heaven." Just amazing!

Graves self released his debut album titled Roll The Bones in 2011. This album has 10 songs on it that include "Unlucky Skin," "Roll The Bones," "Georgia Moon," "Business Lunch," "Proper Fence," and "The Seal Hunter." This album was recorded in his garage and showcased his songwriting abilities and distinctive style. He released his next album titled And The War Came. This album has 11 tracks on it that include "This Is The Beginning," "Only Son," "Hard Wired," "Family and Genus," "House of Winston," and "If Not For You." Though Shakey Graves kept his original style, this album had a fuller, more polished sound with drums, electric guitar, and other musicians joining in.

In 2016, Graves released an EP titled Shakey Graves on Auddiotree Live (Session 1). This includes live versions of previously released music that include songs like "Roll The Bones," "Built To Roam," and "Late July." May I just suggest, if you haven't heard "Late July," give it a listen! he also released another EP titled Shakey Graves on Auddiotree Live (Session 2). This also includes live versions of previously released music that include songs like "If Not For You," "To Cure What Ails," and "Where a Boy Once Stood." These are pretty cool live sessions to listen to.

Shakey Graves released his next album titled Can't Wake Up in 2018. This album has 13 tracks on it "Counting Sheep," "Kids These Days," "Excuses," "Cops and Robbers," "Big Bad Wolf," "Foot On Your Bed," and "Tin Man." This album earned praise for its creativity and ambition. In 2023, he released his next album titled Deadstock-A Shakey Graves Day Anthology. This album has 16 songs on it that include "Rotten Ol' Me," "Laughing All The Way," "Who Died," "Trouble by Noon," "Devil May Care," "My El Dorado," and "Good Listener." This album was well received by fans everywhere.

Graves' friends asked him to create music for their film. He worked on it, but the filmmakers felt his writings didn't fit their vision. So, Graves left the project, but he liked many of the songs he had written and used them in his next album. Shakey released this album titled Movie Of The Week using his songs from this project. This album has 13 tracks on it that include "Channel One (Intro)," "Limbo," "Lowlife," "Play it Where it Lies," "Was Here," and "Heartstopper." When this project fell through Shakey Graves found a way to make it work anyway!

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