Tito’s Handmade Vodka Launches Music Program To Support Indie Artists 

Tito’s Handmade Vodka is continuing its support of the music industry with the launch of the music program Sounds Better With Tito’s, which will give independent artists $10,000 tour grants with support from Sonic Guild. The first artists to receive grants include Austin, Texas-based alt-country duo Briscoe; New Haven, Connecticut-based neo R&B artist Aaron Page; and Nashville-based pop trio Moody Joody.

“Tito’s is the vodka that Austin raised, built on the same independent spirit that drives so many artists,” said Tara Fortunato, Associate Program Director of Music at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “Through Sonic Guild’s tour grants, we’re excited to pay that spirit forward, helping independent artists take their music to fans far and wide.”

The acts will be able to use the tour grant awards to purchase essential gear and to help cover travel and lodging. Plus, today’s announcement notes that artists in the Sounds Better With Tito’s program will also receive a custom gear case, exclusive Tito’s branded merchandise, and a Brane Audio wireless Bluetooth speaker.

“It’s amazing,” Page said about being chosen as a grant recipient. “From the people to the experience, being seen and appreciated for what I’m doing in this space means the world to me. It’s a testament to the work we’ve put in and definitely a step in the right direction for where I want to be in my career. To my Tito’s fam, thank you. Being part of this program is something I won’t forget.”

Briscoe, Aaron Page, and Moody Joody all performed at Austin City Limits Music Festival in October and recorded live sessions at influential Austin public radio station KUTX during the event.  Page’s “Lord Knows” and Briscoe’s in-studio performance of “Saving Grace” were featured as “Song of the Day” at the station last week. Stay tuned for Moody Joody’s performance, which is set to arrive early next month.

“We’re incredibly proud to be a part of the Sounds Better with Tito’s Artist Program!” Truett Heintzelman of Briscoe said in a statement. “Regardless of medium, we’re big fans of people that strive to create timeless products at the utmost quality and that’s exactly what the good people at Tito’s have been doing for a long while. There’s nothing that’s better than getting to team up with a hometown company and we’re excited to have that support as we take this show on the road!”

Kaitie Forbes of Moody Joody added, ““We are so honored to be part of the inaugural Sounds Better with Tito’s Artist Program! What a dream to share our music in such good company. Big cheers to Tito’s for putting together this program for developing artists. Their support goes a long way. Thank you!” 

 Tito’s, which is distilled and bottled by Fifth Generation, Inc. in Austin, Texas, first started sponsoring music festivals in the early 2000s. In June, the company made its mark at the annual NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) conference in Milwaukee by announcing a joint marketing sponsorship focused on supporting independent live venues and establishing Tito’s Handmade Vodka as the “Official Vodka of NIVA.” Earlier that month, Tito’s also helped celebrate indie music as a featured sponsor of the 14th annual Libera Awards in New York City.