SXSW 2016: Operators

This is the first must-see band for me. Why?  It's got Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Divine Fits.) He can do no wrong in my book.

This song is great.  Someone commented that it's a combo of Handsome Furs and New Order.  Spot on.

Cold Light

SXSW 2016: Astrid S

Not really our sound but Ellie and the kids will love it.  Astrid S is a teenager from Norway that's signed to Universal Music.  This song already has 22M plays on Spotify.

Pop music.  Given ACL's push for the youth I bet she's on the schedule.

Running Out

SXSW 2016: Declan McKenna

It's youth-movement day.  First up is a 17 year-old from England.  Obvious comparison to Jake Bugg.  This is a little more poppy but it's about FIFA corruption and the World Cup so kinda cool.  He won the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition and then things exploded.  He writes his own songs and plays the instruments, too.

Buzz factor at SXSW: high.

Brazil

SXSW 2016: XYLØ

Here's another expected breakout band.  It's a brother/sister out of California.  They're signed to Sony so they'll get lots of publicity.

America

SXSW 2016: My Bubba

With a name like My Bubba of course this is a female folk duo out of Finland and Sweden.  They're playing Pickathon and would fit right in at Old Settler's next year.  They've done a Tiny Desk Concert on NPR and have played KEXP as well so they're getting exposure.

Feverish

SXSW 2016: East of My Youth

Here is a trio out of Iceland.  Not much buzz but KEXP likes them.  I like this song.  Her voice reminds me of Florence and the Machine but their sound is more mellow electronic like Bird and the Bee or Au Revoir Simone.  So yea, right up my alley.

Only Lover

SXSW 2016: George Clanton

Apparently this is the artist formerly known as Mirror Kisses.  Electronic pop that reminds me of Geography or, to go way back, Howard Jones.  Doesn't blow me away but it's a nice sound.

It Makes The Babies Want to Cry

SXSW 2016: Lewis Del Mar

I'll preview two Brooklyn bands today.  First up is a duo that just released their debut EP but they seem to be getting ready for a big push.  They're with the Windish Agency so they'll probably get to play their Mohawk showcase which is always a big deal.

They're compared to Alt-J and Foals.  Their song Loud (y) reminds me of TVOTR.  I like this song.

Wave (s)

SXSW 2016: Waxahatchee

This is the moniker of Alabama-born/Brooklyn-based singer Katie Crutchfield.  She's on Merge Records which is a good endorsement.  This is her 3rd album and she's played SXSW before, including in 2013 for the NPR showcase at Stubbs and last year for the Pitchfork Showcase at Mohawk.  I missed them both times which shows how impossible it is to discover all the good bands out there.

This reminds me of Hospitality but she's also compared to Jenny Lewis.  I wouldn't mind catching a set.

La Loose

SXSW 2016: NAO

This singer from East London just came in 3rd in the BBC Music Sound of 2016 poll.  Pitchfork loves her and she's already very popular in London and Europe.  Expect lots of buzz at SXSW.

Bad Blood

SXSW 2016: SEVDALIZA

This is an Iranian woman living in Rotterdam.  Reminds me of Portishead mixed by William Orbit.  Pretty cool vibe.

Marilyn Monroe

SXSW 2016: Alice on the Roof

I'll preview some European ladies today.  First up is a 19 year-old from Brussels.  I like this song. There's not much about her in English online.  We'll see what shows she gets to see if she's on the fast track.

Easy Come Easy Go

SXSW 2016: DMA's

Another buzz band already getting airplay on KUTX.  It's a trio out of Sydney that's being compared to Jake Bugg and Oasis.  They're definitely going for the English rock sound.  Their song "Laced" is the single right now and it's ok but I like this song better.  "Lay Down" is also pretty darn catchy.

The kids will like them.  A likely ACL band.

Delete

SXSW 2016: Son Little

The SXSW website has the full band list up so I guess it's time to get started with some previews.  The schedules probably won't be up for a few weeks so things will be slow until that happens.  While we're waiting I'll touch on some of the bands that are already getting some buzz.

First up is the moniker of Aaron Livingston, a singer/songwriter from New Jersey that is expected to follow in the footsteps of breakout phenom Leon Bridges.  KUTX is playing his stuff in regular rotation and he's on tour with Bridges right now.  He'll be opening for Dr. Dog and Shakey Graves for two shows at Stubbs in April as well.

This will be the hot ticket at SXSW so probably badges only showcases.  File under "Most likely to play ACL".

Two songs: Catchy "The River" and mellow "Lay Down".

Lay Down


The River