Lava Records Takes On The Lone Star State!!! Critically Acclaimed UK Artist Embrace and Celebrated Aussies The John Butler Trio Join 2005 SXSW Festivities

Both Bands Hold #1 Album Titles In Their Respective Homesteads

NEW YORK, NY-February 22, 2005 - Aussies John Butler Trio and the British blokes Embrace are headed to Austin for the 19th Annual SXSW Music & Media Conference taking place March 16-20. Both over-seas bands are excited to join the largest music conference in the U.S.; though it is suspected they are just looking to indulge in the infamous Texas BBQ and chili con queso. Both bands will perform at several high profile events at the festival including hipster gatherings such as the Filter Party and BBC Radio2 event (Embrace) and the hot ticket, closing night Esquire Magazine Party (John Butler Trio).

The John Butler Trio will be supporting their highly anticipated U.S. debut Sunrise Over Sea scheduled for release on March 15. The album, which debuted at #1 in Australia, earned the band three ARIA Awards in 2004 (Australia's Grammy equivalent). The lads from down under are garnering huge kudos stateside from industry-ites and tastemakers, and have locked in the opening slot for the first date of the Black Crowes limited engagement reunion run. The band will also appear on the Late Show with David Letterman and A&E's Breakfast with the Arts program.

Joining the John Butler Trio in Austin are five-piece ensemble Embrace who are releasing their #1 chart-topping UK album Out of Nothing on Lava Records May 3rd in the U.S. Out of Nothing went Gold its first day of release in Britain and has now sold over half a million copies across the pond. The album features nine original tracks including the dazzling single "Gravity," which was penned by Embrace pal and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Out of Nothing has been described as "Colossal" by the Evening Standard and "Monumental" by Q Magazine. This must-see band's new collection of tunes is the perfect album for Beatles lovers, Snow Patrol fans and Coldplay devotees!

Lava Artists SXSW Set Times:

Thurs. 3/17 Embrace 2pm @ BPI/Radio 2 at Brush Square

Fri. 3/18 Embrace 3pm @ Filter Magazine Party at Cedar Street *

Fri. 3/18 Embrace Midnight @ Radio 2 Event at Buffalo Billiards

Sat. 3/19 John Butler Trio 4pm @ Waterloo Records In-Store

Sat. 3/19 John Butler Trio 7pm @ Esquire Magazine Party at Stubbs+

*with Magnet, Kaiser Chiefs, The Go

+with Aimee Mann, Sun Volt, Los Super Seven