The Grulke Prize

The Grulke Prize®, awarded in three categories, was developed in honor of our friend and colleague Creative Director Brent Grulke, who passed away on August 13, 2012.


Zapp – SXSW 2024 – Photo by Jason Bollenbacher

About The Grulke Prize

 

Brent Grulke had a lengthy career in many areas of the music industry, working as music editor at the Austin Chronicle, sound engineer and tour manager for many Austin bands, and production and sound engineer for clubs in San Francisco. He later moved to Los Angeles to become the manager at Spindletop Records, which eventually led him back to Austin where he became the longtime Creative Director of the SXSW Music Festival.

Brent's love of music and the spirit of the festival is reflected in the three prize categories: Developing U.S. Act, Developing Non-U.S. Act, and Career Act.

The Developing Act Prize is for artists who are breaking new ground with their creativity and show the most promise in achieving their career goals. The Career Act Prize is for an established artist who appeared at SXSW to reinvent themselves or launch an important new project.


2024 Grulke Prize Winners

Developing U.S. Act - Estevie

Estevie – SXSW 2024 – Photo byy Errich Peterson

Sarah Silva, aka Estevie, a proud first-generation Mexican American, spearheads the revival of old Latin sounds in pop. She fuses traditional Latin styles with modern pop, creating an addictive and uniquely evocative sound. Influenced by cumbia sonidera, Estevie artfully blends pop with cartoonish rhythmic layers, Norteno, and Reggaeton notes, creating a unique sound that resonates with both Latin and broader audiences.

Developing Non-U.S. Act - TENGGER

TENGGER – SXSW 2024 – Photo by Diego Donamaria

This traveling musical family made up of Pan-Asian couple Itta (from South Korea) and Marqido (from Japan), create their brand of Krautrock-inspired psychedelic New-Age drone magic through the use of voice, harmonium, toy instruments, synths and electronics. The duo originally performed under the moniker “10”, recently re-naming themselves TENGGER (meaning ‘unlimited expanse of sky’ in Mongolian) to mark a new sonic approach and the inclusion of their (now 11-year old) son Raai into the group.

Career Act - Zapp

Zapp – SXSW 2024 – Photo by Jason Bollenbacher

Since Zapp’s beginnings, its heartbeat has been a joyful family affair, unleashing the vibrant imagination of the three Troutman Brothers – Larry, Roger and Lester. Vibrating with moog bass, electrifying guitar riffs and fresh, clever lyrics, the tight-knit group’s songs demonstrate a wicked sense of humor and an unmatched ability to tell colorful stories. Now led by bandleader Lester Troutman Sr., the band carries on the legacy of a tight-knit group of expert players alongside funk and soul pioneers.

SXSW 2023 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS

Developing U.S. Act: Blondeshell
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Balming Tiger
Career Act: The Zombies

SXSW 2022 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS

Developing U.S. Act: Horsegirl
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Yard Act
Career Act: Dolly Parton

SXSW 2019 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS

Developing U.S. Act: Pink Sweat$
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Angie McMahon
Career Act: The Chills

SXSW 2018 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS

Developing U.S. Act: Starcrawler
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Jade Bird
Career Act: Todd Rundgren

SXSW 2017 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS

Developing U.S. Act: The Lemon Twigs
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Jain
Career Act: Robyn Hitchcock

SXSW 2016 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS

Developing U.S. Act: Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Låpsley
Career Act: Iggy Pop

SXSW 2015 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS

Developing U.S. Act: Leon Bridges
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Courtney Barnett
Career Act: Spoon

SXSW 2014 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS

Developing U.S. Act: Future Islands
Developing Non-U.S. Act: The Strypes
Career Act: Damon Albarn

SXSW 2013 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS

Developing U.S. Act: Haim
Developing Non-U.S. Act: CHVRCHES
Career Act: The Flaming Lips

 

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