Brent Grulke had a lengthy career in many areas of the music industry, working as music editor at the Austin Chronicle, sound engineer and tour manager for many Austin bands, and production and sound engineer for clubs in San Francisco. He later moved to Los Angeles to become the manager at Spindletop Records, which eventually led him back to Austin where he became the longtime Creative Director of the SXSW Music Festival.
Brent's love of music and the spirit of the festival is reflected in the three prize categories: Developing U.S. Act, Developing Non-U.S. Act, and Career Act.
The Developing Act Prize is for artists who are breaking new ground with their creativity and show the most promise in achieving their career goals. The Career Act Prize is for an established artist who appeared at SXSW to reinvent themselves or launch an important new project.
2024 Grulke Prize Winners
Developing U.S. Act - Estevie
Sarah Silva, aka Estevie, a proud first-generation Mexican American, spearheads the revival of old Latin sounds in pop. She fuses traditional Latin styles with modern pop, creating an addictive and uniquely evocative sound. Influenced by cumbia sonidera, Estevie artfully blends pop with cartoonish rhythmic layers, Norteno, and Reggaeton notes, creating a unique sound that resonates with both Latin and broader audiences.
Developing Non-U.S. Act - TENGGER
This traveling musical family made up of Pan-Asian couple Itta (from South Korea) and Marqido (from Japan), create their brand of Krautrock-inspired psychedelic New-Age drone magic through the use of voice, harmonium, toy instruments, synths and electronics. The duo originally performed under the moniker “10”, recently re-naming themselves TENGGER (meaning ‘unlimited expanse of sky’ in Mongolian) to mark a new sonic approach and the inclusion of their (now 11-year old) son Raai into the group.
Career Act - Zapp
Since Zapp’s beginnings, its heartbeat has been a joyful family affair, unleashing the vibrant imagination of the three Troutman Brothers – Larry, Roger and Lester. Vibrating with moog bass, electrifying guitar riffs and fresh, clever lyrics, the tight-knit group’s songs demonstrate a wicked sense of humor and an unmatched ability to tell colorful stories. Now led by bandleader Lester Troutman Sr., the band carries on the legacy of a tight-knit group of expert players alongside funk and soul pioneers.
SXSW 2023 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS
Developing U.S. Act: Blondeshell
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Balming Tiger
Career Act: The Zombies
SXSW 2022 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS
Developing U.S. Act: Horsegirl
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Yard Act
Career Act: Dolly Parton
SXSW 2019 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS
Developing U.S. Act: Pink Sweat$
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Angie McMahon
Career Act: The Chills
SXSW 2018 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS
Developing U.S. Act: Starcrawler
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Jade Bird
Career Act: Todd Rundgren
SXSW 2017 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS
Developing U.S. Act: The Lemon Twigs
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Jain
Career Act: Robyn Hitchcock
SXSW 2016 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS
Developing U.S. Act: Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Låpsley
Career Act: Iggy Pop
SXSW 2015 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS
Developing U.S. Act: Leon Bridges
Developing Non-U.S. Act: Courtney Barnett
Career Act: Spoon
SXSW 2014 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS
Developing U.S. Act: Future Islands
Developing Non-U.S. Act: The Strypes
Career Act: Damon Albarn
SXSW 2013 GRULKE PRIZE WINNERS
Developing U.S. Act: Haim
Developing Non-U.S. Act: CHVRCHES
Career Act: The Flaming Lips