New Zealand-born songstress Jackie Bristow — who has charmed local audiences in her new hometown of Austin with her combination of pop-folk originals and breathtaking vocals — brings her new album, FREEDOM (February 15), to this year’s South By Southwest, where she will make several appearances.

Jackie Bristow is scheduled to play:
* 1 p.m. Monday, March 14, DMI House, 219 West, 219 W. Fourth St.
* 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, RedGorilla Music Festival, Darwin’s Pub, 223 E. Sixth St.
* 8 p.m. Wednesday, Down Under Sounds, Aussie’s Bar & Grill, 306 Barton Springs Road
* 3 p.m. Friday, March 18, DMI House, 219 West
* 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19, Rusty Spurs, Smoke and Sand (acoustic stage), 405 E. 7th St.

She plays a special Album Release Show set for Thursday, March 10, at Momo’s in Austin, 618 W. Fifth St., and a show Sunday, March 20, at Lakeway’s Iguana Grill. She also plays Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Tuesday, March 22.

Margaret Moser of The Austin Chronicle wrote of the new album in a February Texas Platters column: “… The New Zealander’s soulful dark eyes engage from the cover [of FREEDOM], and her strong, lilting voice entices on the opening title song and the practiced, well-crafted country roots songs (‘Holy Mess,’ ‘Broken Girl’) that follow. … A class act to watch.”

Austin Music Entertainment went further this month online: “... Jackie Bristow sounds like someone who’s always lived in Austin when she sings. Bristow’s third album (and first since moving her career to the U.S.), FREEDOM, ingratiates itself immediately with Bristow’s slinking, sexy voice and her deftly blended rock-country-folk songwriting. She can do Texas rock as well as the good ol’ local boys.”

Bristow is currently on tour opening for Australian guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel, including in Seattle, Portland and Orlando. ChicoER.com said about the pair’s show at Laxson Auditorium in Chico, California: “… The show opened with New Zealand-born singer and guitarist Jackie Bristow. Opening for a musical giant like Emmanuel would seem a daunting task, but Bristow was relaxed as her soulfully seductive melodies reverberated within the auditorium. Her beautiful voice and earnest songs resonated with the audience, and they applauded her eagerly. Near the end of the show, Bristow joined Emmanuel on-stage for an amazing duet that received a standing ovation. …”

For more information, visit www.jackiebristow.com