Charitable organization Sonic Guild is thrilled to welcome their 2023 class of Austin artists. Twenty Austin artists will receive tens of thousands of dollars in grant money in Sonic Guild’s tenth year of bolstering the Austin music ecosystem. 

Austin, Texas  – Sonic Guild (formerly Black Fret), a 501(c)3 public charity is pleased to announce their 2023 class of artists. In its tenth year of supporting the Austin music scene, Sonic Guild has awarded grants and payments to local Austin musicians, venues and music businesses totalling over $5M. The twenty Austin artists selected to receive grants at the 10th annual Sonic Guild Ball will all receive grants, mentoring and will be paid for each performance they deliver for Sonic Guild audiences.

The 2023 Sonic Guild Grant Nominees in Austin include: Anastasia Hera & The Heroes, Andrea Magee, Betty Soo, Big Bill, Chief Cleopatra, Como Las Movies, Courtney Santana, Die Spitz, Flora & Fawna, Giulia Millanta, Good Looks, Jane Leo, Luna Luna, Rattlesnake Milk, Ruthie Craft, Sabrina Ellis, San Gabriel, The Stacks, THEBROSFRESH, and We Don’t Ride Llamas.

These twenty artists will perform for our members at private and semi-private events throughout the rest of our 2023 season. All Sonic Guild members enjoy dozens of private events throughout the rest of the year and will have access to exclusive Member seating at the Sonic Guild Ball awards ceremony on December 2nd at ACL Live at the Moody Theater.

“Naming these twenty 2023 Sonic Guild Artists puts us at over 200 individual acts we have recognized with a Sonic Guild grant,” Matt Ott, Co-founder and Executive Director of Sonic Guild Austin said. “Our members, mentors and Sonic Guild Artists from prior seasons all lend their voices and nominate each year’s class of Artists. And it is our member’s dues that make the payments and grants possible. Every member that joins Sonic Guild sends a powerful message to our city’s musicians that their contributions to our culture matters. We must support our music scene as our great city grows to make sure it thrives for generations to come.”

Sonic Guild is based on the belief that our local music is art, worthy of the support of our community, just as traditional art forms such as the ballet, opera and symphony have been supported for generations. Anyone wishing to join Sonic Guild may become a member by joining at sonicguild.org/membership. 

Those who join the Austin Chapter will enjoy almost 30 more events this season, capped with access to member-only seating at the tenth annual Sonic Guild Ball on December 2, 2023 at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Members will get to vote on the allocation of grant funds for this year’s 2023 Artists.

Until May 30th, music lovers from the Austin area can join Sonic Guild for the remainder of the 2023 Season for the prorated rate of $500. Prorated member dues must be paid at one time and 80% of all dues are tax deductible. 

Those who wish to join may also do so for a full twelve month cycle. With three membership levels to choose from and monthly and annual payment plans available to those who join for a full 12 month cycle you can tailor your experience and become a part of a vibrant community that is creating a true scene of support around our local music. Eighty percent of all dues are tax deductible. Full membership details can be found at https://sonicguild.org/membership.

Sonic Guild would like to thank our 2023 National and Austin Chapter sponsors: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Deloitte, Ben E. Keith Beverage Distribution,The Moody Family Foundation, Liaison Marketing, Mad Hippie Cosmetics and others who help make our season possible.

Sonic Guild not only provides grant money to Austin artists but supports local music scenes with chapters in Seattle, the north range of Colorado and a new Ozarks chapter in Northwest Arkansas. To learn more about our chapters visit https://www.sonicguild.org/locations. Become a part of a vibrant music community that is creating a true scene of support around our local music. Full membership details can be found at https://sonicguild.org/membership.

Sonic Guild Class of 2023
Sonic Guild Class of 2023

ABOUT SONIC GUILD
Founded in 2013, Sonic Guild is a 501(c)3 public charity headquartered in Austin whose mission is to build communities to support the creation and performance of extraordinary new music. The organization is an innovative evolution of the age-old symphony patronage model that is focused on supporting popular local music. Together, Sonic Guild’s limited membership has supported musicians and music businesses with over $5 million in grants and direct payments since 2013. In return for annual dues, members enjoy a broad range of private events in a multitude of venues and an incredible annual awards show named the Sonic Guild Ball. Grant recipients are selected annually through a yearlong process where members, advisors and prior grant recipients nominate, lobby for, see performances by and finally vote on their favorite artists. Those who wish to become a member of Sonic Guild can sign up at www.sonicguild.org/join. For inquiries, please email sustain@sonicguild.org and for more info visit sonicguild.org.