Creative Strategies in Americana at SXSW Music 2016

NPR Music's Ann Powers sat down with musicians Robert Ellis and Sarah Jarosz and their teams – John Allen (New West Records), Denise Stiff (DS Management), Clidd O'Sullivan (Rounder/Sugar Hill Label Group) and Amanda Hale (Vector Management) – during the "Creative Strategies in Americana" panel at the 2016 SXSW Music Conference.

Ellis and Jarosz, multiple Americana award nominees, share stories about the development of their sound and stepping beyond the boundaries of blue grass and identifying with Americana. The panel explores "Americana" as more of a movement than it is a genre and the ever-evolving definition of the term. Other topics discussed include relationships with radio and new media, how O Brother, Where Art Thou was a pivotal moment in helping define Americana, artists' creative freedoms in their records and marketing strategies.

Watch the video above for the full session from Wednesday, March 16 at SXSW Music. Browse more 2016 Keynotes, Featured Sessions and more on our YouTube Channel. Stay tuned to sxsw.com/music for continued coverage of the 2016 SXSW Music Festival and Conference.

Photo by Richard Mcblane/Getty Images for SXSW