SXSW Preview: Austin’s Keeled Scales Label a Family Affair

Family is the first concept of belonging we experience as human beings as we begin to navigate our journey in life. A sense of belonging motivates most of us and may influence many of our movements and actions. An innate drive for acceptance that is a basic human instinct. Independent record label Keeled Scales embody the positive aspect of family.

Co-founder of the Austin-based record label/management company Keeled Scales, Tony Presley quietly revealed in conversation the label’s simple business model. With a shared love of good song-writing, a mutual respect for many of the same artists, and a history of experience in the mechanics of touring, PR, management, and even performing,  Presley and label partner Seth Whaland set into motion Keeled Scales in 2014. Signing Austin artists Sun June and Twain early on led to an impressive roster that has grown to over 40 artists the label has added over the past nine years. The company has an artist roster that boasts the likes of Will Johnson, Buck Meek, Lunar Vacation, Katie Kirby, and Knife In The Water, just to name a few.

Beginning as a vinyl release-only concept, Keeled Scales quickly adjusted by adding digital and cassette formats to accommodate the various needs of music fans as well as the ever-shifting landscape of music consumption. Offering every tool, service, and gained knowledge to their artists within their capabilities, Presley and Whaland put into place a business model structured to help the label grow, and grow with their artists.

As Keeled Scales has broadened its roster to include artists from all over the world, with only about a third of the artists Austin based, the impact of the label here in the music-rich community has found its audience. While the music scene has seen its original music roots, historically known for blues, outlaw country, and the occasional indie-rock success expand over the years, the modern indie-folk/folk scene has enjoyed a quiet existence in its wake.

It’s an existence that seems to be finding moderate success as the art of great songwriting with minimal frills finds a new audience on a global scale, with local label Keeled Scales doing its part to bring its own family to the party. And bringing its own music family to the party is exactly what Keeled Scales did during the recent Austin Music Awards show. The label and some of its artists nominated for and taking home a few awards may have made a more impactful impression with the performance of its “family band” featuring members of The Deer, Sun June, and Good Looks delivering one of the more memorable performances of the event. The performance spoke to the community that Presley and Whaland have fostered over the years while vocal acknowledgment from band members on stage only confirmed while Presley watched from the audience.

Keeled Scales will have solid representation at this year’s SXSW with nine artists participating at various events related to the festival.

Keeled Scales SXSW schedule:

Moriah Bailey

March 15 Austin, TX @ End of an Ear (1:00pm, Secretly Distribution showcase)

March 15 Austin, TX @ 13th Floor (9:00m, official KS showcase)

Alex Dupree

Mar 12 Austin, TX @ house show

Mar 12 Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas (3pm; Side One Track One/Austin Town Hall)

Mar 14 Austin, TX @ house show

Mar 19 Dripping Springs, TX @ Chill Phases (2:30pm)

Mar 19 Austin, TX @ Far Out Lounge (8:45pm)

Good Looks

Mar 11 Austin, TX @ Radio Coffee and Beer (4pm; Kerrville Folk Festival Day Party)

Mar 13 Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas (5:15pm)

Mar 14 Austin, TX @ Waterloo Records (5pm)

Mar 15 Austin, TX @ 13th Floor (1:00am; Official Keeled Scales showcase)

Mar 16 Austin, TX @ YETI Flagship Store (3:20pm)

Mar 19 Austin, TX @ The Long Time (5:30pm; Peach Fuzz Magazine Day Party)

Meernaa

Mar 14 Austin, TX @ House Johnson (1pm)

Mar 15 Austin, TX @ Long Play Lounge East (6pm; I Hate Rock N Roll)

Mar 15 Austin, TX @ 13th Floor (11pm; Keeled Scales Official Showcase)

Mar 17 Austin, TX @ Scholz Garten (2pm)

Mar 17 Austin, TX @ Radio Coffee and Beer (6pm)

Mar 18 Austin, TX @ Scholz Garten (3pm; Austin Indie Record Label Mixer)

Mar 19 Dripping Springs, TX @ Chill Phases (6:30pm)

Rae Fitzgerald

March 15 Austin, TX @ 13th Floor (official KS showcase: 7:20pm)

Renée Reed

Mar 15 Austin, TX @ 13th Floor (official KS showcase: 8:10pm)

Mar 17 Austin, TX @ Far Out Lounge (Gar Hole Records showcase)

Twain

Mar 15 Austin, TX @ 13th Floor (official KS showcase: 10:00pm)

Mar 18 Austin, TX @ Sam’s Town Point

Why Bonnie

Mar 13 Austin, TX @ All the Sudden (Howdy Gals)

Mar 14 Austin, TX @ House Johnson

Mar 15 Austin, TX @ Hotel San Jose (5pm)

Mar 15 Austin, TX @ 13th Floor (12:00am, official KS showcase)

Mar 16 Austin, TX @ Lazarus Brewing (Music For Listeners)

Mar 16 Austin, TX @ Feels So Good (7pm)

Mar 17 Austin, TX @ High Noon (Paste Magazine)

Featured photo by Michael Maly