Whitney Rose may specialize in retro-country but there's a lightness in her step. She doesn't sweat the idea of authenticity but her affection for the deep wells of Americana tradition are evident throughout. Rose touches upon so many different sounds and styles her music can almost play like an aural travelog, touching upon different sounds and styles from state to state. Whether it's a straightforward slice of barroom country, hopping Tex-Mex, vintage Nashville Twang, gently rolling progressive country-folk, or classic girl group pop, the nice thing about this variety of sounds -- all expertly executed -- is that it never seems flashy. From Rose to her crack band, all the performances are delivered with a casual assurance that gives her music a warm feel that, when combined with sturdy songs from a variety of styles, gives the music the feeling of an old favorite; it feels like music that you've lived with for years, in the best possible sense.

[Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.]