SXSW 2016: Jamie Isaac

One more South London singer.  Super mellow chill-out music.  He released his debut album on Marathon Records (Courtney Barnett).  "Un-thinkable" is nice, too.

Vice wrote: "This is the quintessential "sitting at home and smoking weed with your friends" record."


Find the Words

SXSW 2016: Jacob Banks

Another U.K. singer.  He's originally from Birmingham but is now in London.  It says he's 20 years-old but he has one song that's 4 years-old so he started early.  Reminds me of Seal, especially his song "Worthy".


Monster 2.0

SXSW 1017: Hugh

I'll cover some U.K. bands today.  This is a quartet out of South London that cites Beach House as one of their inspirations.  Nice dream pop.  The male-female vocal harmonies remind me of Haelos.

Look Back in Laughter

SXSW 2017: Au/Ra

Every blog posting about this singer says she's Ibiza born, Antigua raised.  And that's it.  I have no idea what her name is or what she looks like as the only picture released has her face covered by her long hair.  I guess it's mystery marketing to drum up suspense.

This is the debut single. Reminds me of Lorde.

Concrete Jungle

SXSW 2017: Hello Nico

Here's a band from Taiwan that is blowing up in China and Asia.  They've been named "Best new band" and their concerts sell out in seconds in China.  I doubt they'll be touring the U.S. with such demand overseas so SXSW is probably the only time to ever see them in Austin.

They're compared to the XX.  They sing in Mandarin and use Chinese characters so I'm not sure if the song title will show up.

接下來如何

SXSW 2017: Tei Shi

I'll go international today.  First up is a singer that Gorilla vs. Bear posted about today.  She's originally from Argentina but now lives in Brooklyn.  Her debut album comes out March 31st on Interscope Records but she has already had major exposure, including a collaboration with Glass Animals.

Nice song.

Keep Running

SXSW 2017: Alice Jemima

Another possible under-the-radar artist.  She's a 22 year-old from Devon, UK.  She has lots of plays on Spotify but there's not much media attention online.  Her first album comes out March 3rd, right before SXSW.

"Liquorice" is a good song but it's only on Spotify.


Dodged a Bullet

SXSW 2017: The Fontaines

Next up is a brother and sister originally from Texas but now in L.A.  They have an EP out and seem to have a following in L.A. but I don't see much online about them.

I like this song.  Her voice reminds me of Jenny Lewis.  Their other songs are more rocking than this.

Headstand

SXSW 2017: Wesley Jensen

Today I'll look at some lower profile bands that have songs I like.  This singer-songwriter is originally from Northern California but now lives in Denton.  He has 3 kids and performs in his spare time.  I didn't find much publicity about him or news articles but I like his sound.

Indie pop.  Reminds me of Dan Croll.

Carpenter

SXSW 2017: WAFIA

Another international sensation.  Wafia Al-Rikabi is 1/4 Dutch, 3/4 Arab born in Holland but raised  in Brisbane.  She was in Med school and sang to alleviate stress when her music career took off.  Her first single has over 2.5M plays on Spotify.  She's even done an NPR Tiny Desk Concert.  Oh, she's only 22 years-old.

"Love Somebody" is pretty good, too.

Heartburn

SXSW 2017: Middle Kids

Here's a top pick.  It's a trio out of Sydney that has already played World Cafe  and is getting airplay on KCRW and KEXP and even has a fan in Elton John.  They played shows in L.A. and NYC in September but SXSW is really their U.S. debut.

Expect big things.  Below is their first song but I also like "Your Love"

Edge of Town

SXSW 2017: Alex Lahey

The Australian Open is coming to a close this weekend so in honor of that I'll preview some Aussie artists.  First up is a singer-songwriter from the Open's host city Melbourne.  Pitchfork raved about this song.  They describe her as a cross between the Strokes and Courtney Barnett.

You Don't Think You Like People Like Me

SXSW 2017: Mt. Wolf

Americana/Folk music from the U.K.  This is a trio out of London.  Reminds me a little of the Head and the Heart.  They played SXSW last year (Continental Club) but this is the first I've heard of them.  Their other stuff is also pretty mellow and leans more toward dreampop than folk.

They have an EP on Soundcloud called "Red" that I like.  


Golden

SXSW 2017: BIRTHH

I'll stick with European acts today.  This is the moniker of  20 year-old Alice Bisi of Italy.  She was at SXSW last year.

This song reminds me of Foals' "Spanish Sahara".

Chlorine

SXSW 2017: IDER

Prediction: here's a SXSW Breakout.  This is a duo out of North London.  They posted their first song on Soundcloud in April and it exploded in the U.K.  They've only had a few live shows, including opening for Tegan and Sara in London. They don't even have an album out yet.  SXSW could be their coming out party.

This is a great song.  Nice harmonies.   "King Ruby" is more poppy but also really good.


Sorry

SXSW 2017: Future Elevators

One more for today.  This is the moniker of Birmingham musician Michael Shackleford, who played all the instruments on the album.  Nice indie-pop on this song.  Alabama Song is more mellow but also good.


Machine Maker

SXSW 2017: Cameron Avery

Here's another one from Australia.  He's the touring bassist for Tame Impala and just released a solo album.  This song is straight-up Father John Misty.

C'est Toi

SXSW 2017: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever

Today I'll preview some bands fronted by men.  This is a quintet out of Melbourne on Sub Pop.  They're labeled as beach-punk but I hear a mix of Strokes and Real Estate in this song.  I have a feeling they'll be one of the big draws this year.  Pitchfork gave their EP an 8.0.

Julie's Place

SXSW 2017: DYAN

Here's another one of my top picks.  It's a trio out of Winnipeg, L.A., and Cincinnati.  They originally wrote film scores but decided to form a band.  KCRW has been playing their stuff.  Really nice mellow sound.  Turn up the headphones and chill.  "St. James" is another song of theirs that's really good.

Looking for Knives

SXSW 2017: pronoun

This is the moniker of Alyse Vellturo from Boston but now in Brooklyn.  Reminds me of Psychedelic Furs.  Her album just came out at the end of the year so the buzz is still building.

just cuz you can't

SXSW 2017: Joana Serrat

To commemorate the Women's March tomorrow I'll highlight a few female bands today.  This is a singer out of Barcelona that sings Americana/folk.  I like her sound.

Cloudy Heart

SXSW 2017: Klyne

Another one of my favorites so far.  This is a duo out of the Netherlands.  Reminds me of the XX mixed with Jungle.

Water Flow

SXSW 2017: Charlotte Day Wilson

Here's another one I really like.  She's out of Toronto.  Old school soul/R&B.  Lots of comparisons to Sade.

Find You

SXSW 2017: TENDER

Wristbands just went on sale so time to start the previews.  I've been listening to quite a few of the bands so I've got a big list to go through before the schedules are posted.  I'll start with one of the best I've heard so far.  It's a duo out of North London.  They have 2 EPs on Amazon Music if you want to listen to more.  I've liked everything I've heard.

Reminds me of Haelos.

Lost