Italy @ SXSW announces the initiative's return to Austin with a superlative line-up of acts and events. From March 13th through 16th the Italian nation will spotlight its latest talents to the international music business delegates assembled in the Texas capital through a three-pronged effort consisting of: The Italy @ SXSW Trade Show stand; "Aperitivo Italiano", the official Italy @ SXSW music day party; and music festival performances by Joan Thiele, Kalàscima, Moustache Prawn, Brothers in Law, BIRTHH, Go!Zilla and Platonick Dive.

Synonymous with style, Italy @ SXSW shows that Made in Italy applies just as much to sound, showcasing its scene on the global stage at the 30th anniversary edition of the world's leading music industry event.

Organized by FIMI the Italian Music Industry Federation, ITA the Italian Trade Agency and Puglia Sounds, from March 13th through 16th the Italy @ SXSW Trade Show Stand, (stand 1409 in the Austin Convention Center), will serve as the networking hub for Italian music professionals with their counterparts in the global industry. Under the flag of FIMI and ITA, five startups — Multiplay, Travel Appeal, Stylum, Rokivo and Souldesigner — join the Italy @ SXSW Trade Show Stand, showing off Italian innovation at SXSW Interactive for the first time.

On Wednesday March 16th from 2pm - 6pm, SXSW badge holders and VIP invitees can get acquainted over an "Aperitivo Italiano", the official Italy @ SXSW music day party at Numero 28 (428 W 2nd Street), where unplugged and DJ sets combine with Italian food and drink forming a "mixer" with the contemporary Italian lifestyle as a backdrop.

Nighttime SXSW Music Festival showcases running from March 16th through 19th will feature: Joan Thiele a promising singer-songwriter of European and South American heritage who hit the ground running in 2016 with her debut single "Save Me" as well as viral video cover of Drake's "Hotline Bling". Signed to Universal Music Italy, Joan's forthcoming debut EP is hotly tipped in her homeland. The red-hot Puglia region continues its run sponsoring a diverse pair of acts: Kalàscima, whose mix of traditional "Taranta" with modern electronics has made them a festival favorite on four continents garnering critical praise from the likes of the Huffington Post; and Moustache Prawn, an alternative power trio hitting SXSW on the heels of European events such as Liverpool Sound City and the Reeperbahn and Sziget Festivals. With bases in San Francisco and Italy the WWNBB (We Were Never Being Boring) Collective flies their banner of blog favorites with dream-pop band Brothers in Law making their SXSW return after sharing stages with the likes of Slowdive and the Dum Dum Girls and BIRTHH, the new solo project of 19 year old Alice Bisi —"Chlorine" her just released debut single immediately drawing comparisons to The XX and London Grammar. Brooklyn Vegan-cited psychedelic punk rockers and Primavera Sound vets Go!Zilla mark their SXSW debut following a January 2016 Eurosonic set. Rounding out the Italy @ SXSW 2016 line-up are electronic/experimentalists Platonick Dive who have previously slotted alongside Blonde Redhead and Gold Panda.

ITALY @ SXSW TRADE SHOW STAND
Sunday, March 13 – Wednesday, March 16
Stand 1409
Austin Convention Center

"APERITIVO ITALIANO" ITALY @ SXSW OFFICIAL DAY PARTY
Wednesday, March 16 // 2pm – 6pm
Numero 28
428 W 2nd Street, Austin

SXSW MUSIC FESTIVAL SHOWCASES
(check SXSW schedule links for latest info.)

JOAN THIELE
Wednesday, March 16 // 10pm - 10:40pm
Departure Lounge // 311 W 5th St
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS35654

KALÀSCIMA
Thursday, March 17 // 11:00pm - 11:40pm
Flamingo Cantina // 515 E 6th St
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS34319

Wednesday, March 16 // 1am - 1:50am
Russian House // 307 E 5th St
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS35746

MOUSTACHE PRAWN
Thursday, March 17 // 12Noon - 12:40pm
International Day Stage // 531 E 4th St
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS34478

Wednesday, March 16 // 11pm - 11:40pm
Palm Door on Sabine // 401 Sabine St
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS36312

BROTHERS IN LAW
Wednesday March 16 // 8pm - 8:40pm
Tellers // 607 Trinity Street
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS34048

BIRTHH
Saturday March 19 // 9pm - 9:40pm
The Townsend // 718 Congress Ave
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS34129

Go!Zilla
Thursday March 17 // 7:15pm - 7:45pm
Hotel Vegas at Volstead // 1502 E 6th St
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS36817

PLATONICK DIVE
Friday March 18 // 1am - 1:50am
The Hideout // 617 Congress Ave
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS33781