Shakey Graves

Born Alejandro Rose-Garcia in Austin, Texas on June 4, 1987, the Americana singer, songwriter, musician, author, and actor is best known professionally as Shakey Graves. He began his career as an actor under his real name, appearing in the children’s TV series Connie’s Treehouse (1998) before making his jump to films and series such as Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003), Friday Night Lights (2007), Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2015), and more. Already a musician, he spent his spare time playing music and earned the nickname Shakey Graves after a 2007 appearance at the Old Settler’s Music Festival. He issued several self-financed releases before his 2011 album Roll the Bones caught the attention of a wider audience. The album reached number 136 on the Billboard 200 but made more impressive appearances on the Folk Albums (number 5) and Independent Albums (number 21) charts. He also became a one-man live band, performing with a unique set up that included a suitcase that also functioned as a kick drum and tambourine stand. After the release of the Donor Blues EP, Shakey Graves signed with Dualtone Records and released the album And the War Came (2014), which included the hit single “Dearly Departed” (featuring Esmé Patterson). Dualtone then released the Nobody’s Fool EP (2015) and compilation Shakey Graves and the Horse He Rode In On (2017). The following year was a busy one with the release of the album Can’t Wake Up (number 154) and the EPs The Sleep and Night Owl Sessions. He slowed down a bit, only releasing one single in 2019 (“A World So Full of Love”), one EP in 2020 (Look Alive), and a single in 2021 (“Cheers”). In 2023, he issued another compilation CD - Deadstock: A Shakey Graves Anthology - which was closely followed by the album Movie of the Week and the hit single “Ready or Not” (with Sierra Ferrell), which hit number 37 on Billboard's Adult Alternative Airplay.