Americana music has experienced a major revival in recent years, with groups like Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers topping the charts with their music based in traditional American genres. Hot Club of Cowtown, the Austin-based trio of Elana James, Whit Smith and Jake Erwin, are no bandwagoners, having played their hybrid of western swing and hot jazz firmly rooted in the American tradition since the 1990s. Yet, as the rest of the music world turns its eyes to Americana, the group has decided to explore their other biggest influence, the Gypsy jazz of 1930s Paris, on their current U.S. tour and upcoming album.
Twelve months ago the guys in British rock back Alt-J had a very simple goal: To release an album.
Winners of the 2013 Brit Awards, announced Wednesday:
British music put on a confident show at the Brit Awards on Wednesday, celebrating a resurgent industry whose bands and artists are topping charts around the world.
iTunes' Official Music Charts for the week ending Feb. 18, 2013
There will be a British invasion of the main stage at Bonnaroo this year.
The Grammys spread the love. Fun., whose anthemic and semi-dark jam "We Are Young" dominated the charts in 2012, won song of the year. Gotye's massive and oddball pop hit, "Somebody I Used to Know," picked up record of the year. And folk-rockers Mumford & Sons won album of the year for their platinum-selling "Babel."
Mumford & Sons wrapped up a completely unpredictable Grammy Awards with perhaps the most surprising win of the night, taking home album of the year.
Unlike last year, when the Grammys became the Adele show, each of the leading nominees in a diverse and eclectic field got a chance to bask in the spotlight of music's biggest night.
