SXSW 2014: Streets of Laredo

Three siblings from New Zealand now living in Brooklyn joined a few friends and formed a band.  Of course they're called Streets of Laredo.

This is a nice song. I guess you could compare them to the Lumineers.  Lots of sing-alongs and hand-claps.

Hey Rose

SXSW 2014: Mighty Oaks

We'll finish off Americana week with a truly international band.  It's a trio consisting of an American, an Italian, and a Brit. Based in Berlin.

They're represented by the Windish Agency, which does a good job promoting their bands (Dan Croll, Warpaint, Lykke Li to name a few).  I expect they'll get a good showcase and probably play some good day parties.

Just One Day

SXSW 2014: Humming House

This is a bluegrass band out of Nashville.  A little Avett Brothers sound.

Fly On

SXSW 2014: The Autumn Defense

Can't get more alt-country than Uncle Tupelo and Wilco bassist John Stirratt.  This is a side-project of his in partnership with frequent Wilco contributor Pat Sansone.  The Autumn Defense has been around for years and they just released a new album a couple days ago.  This song is on it.

This song reminds me a little of Johnny Goudie.

This Thing That I've Found

SXSW 2014: Swear and Shake

Another indie-folk band, this time from Brooklyn.  This song has been out about a year.  I could see these guys playing the Heartbreaker Banquet.  (I got a tweet that it's on again this year.  Yes!)

These White Walls

SXSW 2014: The Districts

Some folk-rock from Philadelphia-based The Districts.  Their EP came out yesterday on Fat Possum Records and includes this song that was originally released in 2012.  They are touring with White Denim right now.

Deer Tick fans should enjoy this.  A little Kings of Leon sound, too.

Funeral Beds

SXSW 2014: The Devil Makes Three

Another band that has been around awhile.  It's a trio originally from Vermont and New Hampshire that formed in Santa Cruz, CA.  They are signed to New West so I expect they'll play that party and showcase.  This song is off their new album that came out in October.  Good folk/bluegrass sound.

Stranger

SXSW 2014: Dawn Landes

A nice mellow song.  Dawn Landes has been around for awhile but this may be her breakout year.  She has a new album coming out in February on Western Vinyl Records, according to Brooklyn Vegan.  It includes support from Norah Jones, which you can hear on this song.  She was married to Josh Ritter and this album covers her side of their divorce.

Love Song

It can't be embedded so click above to listen.

SXSW 2014: Escondido

A nice mellow song by a male/female duo from Nashville, although the guy has been playing with LA-based Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Reminds me a little of Cowboy Junkies.

Black Roses

SXSW 2014: Mandolin Orange

This week is alt-country week.  I've been focusing on indie pop so far so let's try finding some good alt-country/bluegrass/Americana bands.  First up is a duo from North Carolina.

This is a really nice song.  This article compares them to a duet between John Prine and Lucinda Williams and I think it fits.  They're signed to Yep Roc so perhaps that will give them some visibility among the thousands of bands in town.  A good choice for Old Settler's.

Waltz about Whiskey

SXSW 2014: Charli XCX

We'll finish this mostly International week with a singer from England.  She's famous for writing and singing on "I Love It", which is a smash hit for Icona Pop (64M views on Youtube).  You can't turn on the TV without hearing it.  They both were here for SXSW last year before it exploded so now Charli XCX, aka Charlotte Emma Aitchison, is coming back riding that wave.

This is a nice pop song to end the week.  A little M.I.A. sound to it.

What I Like

SXSW 2014: Josef Salvat

We'll stay in Australia with another male singer/songwriter.  He was profiled as a new band of the day in this Guardian article.  They compare him to Morrissey but I hear a little of The National in this song.  Mellow pop that should do well.

Hustler

SXSW 2014: Vance Joy

Vance Joy is the moniker of James Keogh, a law school graduate from Melbourne, Australia that decided to pursue a music career instead. This song exploded on the Hype Machine and went triple platinum in Australia.  He's signed a five-album deal with Atlantic Records so expect lots of radio airplay and hype at SXSW.

This reminds me a little of the Shins mixed in with Ed Sheeran.  Prediction: like Sheeran before him, he'll be playing this at the Grammys next year.

Riptide

SXSW 2014: Black City Lights

I might as well stick to International acts this week.  Here's a duo from Wellington, New Zealand that plays what they describe as "dark pop" or "cold wave".  They've toured with Grimes.  Remind me a little of "1984"-era Eurythmics.

Offering

SXSW 2014: Solander

I'll stick with haunting melodies and European bands today.  This is a trio out of Sweden.  They've toured with Junip.

All Opportunities

SXSW 2014: Snow Ghosts

This is a haunting melody.  Reminds me of Bat for Lashes and Zola Jesus.  They're a duo out of Bristol, UK. They've toured with Atoms for Peace.

And the World Was Gone

SXSW 2014: Gossling

Now off to Melbourne, Australia.  Gossling is the moniker of singer/songwriter Helen Croome.  Her album came out in November and now she's venturing here for SXSW.  This song is about a relationship destroyed by infidelity.  Don't let that scare you away, though. It's good.

Never Expire

SXSW 2014: Jungle

This is a very good song.  It could easily be mistaken for TV on the Radio.  It appears to be a duo out of the U.K.  They have been secretive about who they are but are now out touring.  Here's a short interview with them.  You also need to watch the video.  That kid is good.

Another expected breakout band.

Platoon

SXSW 2014: Wild Ones

I'll stick to the mellow tunes today.  Here's a nice song from a band out of Portland.  Reminds me a little of Wild Belle.

From Nothing

SXSW 2014: Glass Animals

Here's a nice mellow tune by a band from Britain.  This song reminds me of Morcheeba.

Black Mambo

SXSW 2014: Panama Wedding

One more 80s song.  The band is from NYC and this is really the only song that has been released.  Another nice summer ditty.

All of the People

SXSW 2014: Little Daylight

I'll post some retro 80s music today.  This is another Brooklyn band.  Very sugary-sweet. Maybe too much for me.

Glitter and Gold

SXSW 2014: NONONO

Here's another future hit. Reminds me of Naked and Famous.  We better see them before the 101X crowds get into them.

This is a trio from Sweden that were a hit at CMJ.  Expectations are big.

Pumpin Blood

SXSW 2014: Only Real

This is just a great song.  If there's any justice this will be a hit. It's a guy from London.  Kind of reminds me of The Streets.  He played the Pitchfork Festival in Paris so he's getting noticed.

The video is so British. Fun.

Get It On

SXSW 2014: Ghost Loft

I'll stick with the ambient, chillwave sound for today.  We'll jump across the fly-over states and preview a band from L.A., where another 30% of the bands at SXSW will be from.

Not much on this band in the ether but it looks like it's a project by producer Danny Choi.  I like this song, though.  Seconds is also good if you want to hear more.  I can see KCRW getting behind this guy.

So High

SXSW 2014: East Forest

Here's a mellow tune to start the day.  Reminds me of Air.  This guy is from Brooklyn.  Probably 40% of the bands at SXSW will be.

By the way, I've got a playlist on the website in the sidebar.  If you want to jump ahead and listen to bands before I post them here go listen to it.  I'll keep adding bands as I find songs I like.

10 Laws

SXSW 2014: London Grammar

Ok here's the first breakout band you'll want to see.  The buzz is huge so expect them to be at the badges-only showcases.  That means we'll need to scour the day parties to find them playing a small out-of-the-way venue.

Straight out of the Florence and the Machine mold, this Nottingham band is signed to Warner Brothers and have already made a splash in the UK and Australia.  They're on the way to the U.S. so expect lots of airplay soon.

Strong

SXSW 2014: Deirdre and the Dark

We're about 8 weeks from the start of SXSW Music so I guess it's time to start researching bands.  My purpose with these posts is to find the bands that are poised to break out.  SXSW is full of great bands and you can't go wrong walking into any venue at any time.  What I like to see is a great band playing a small venue before they hit it big and start selling out Stubbs.  Like seeing Head and the Heart in front of a small crowd at Mellow Johnny's.

Once the showcases and day parties start coming out I'll get more prolific with band profiles but for now I'll just throw up some songs I like.  First up is a band from Brooklyn.  I've been accused of favoring female-fronted indie pop bands so this shouldn't come as a surprise.  This is a sweet song.  Nothing too original about it but it's well done.

Skeleton