This band out of Mexico City is playing Paste on Monday the 16th at 3pm. They are also playing SXSanjose tomorrow (Thursday the 12th). No time yet.
The SXSW bio just says: "Psychedelic Punk in Spanish. Forced Jazz meditation."
Here they are live on KEXP. They're also playing the Downright on Tuesday the 17th at 2pm as part of KEXP's El Sonido Live! day party.
Nice chill sounds.
This artist is playing the Paste Party at 2pm on Monday the 16th. Per the SXSW bio:
Buddy Red is the Southern blues artist delivering the raw, cinematic sound of the Black American experience. A vocalist, guitarist, and preacher of truth, he stands where the cosmic mystique of Jimi Hendrix meets the uncompromising funk of James Brown and the psychedelic scope of Pink Floyd. A fixture of Atlanta's legendary Northside Tavern, Buddy is a vital voice recognized for his visceral guitar work and impassioned storytelling.
This interview says:
Many first met him as Messiah Harris, son of hip-hop legend T.I. and stepson of Tiny Harris, on their reality show T.I and Tiny:The Family Hustle. Now, Buddy Red makes it clear he isn’t building his brand on anyone’s name but his own.
In our conversation, he opens up about what it means to be a rocker raised in a home rooted in R&B and hip-hop, how he carved out space for a sound that didn’t match his surroundings, and how picking up a guitar — and stepping fully into blues, rock and psychedelic funk — helped him find his voice, his purpose and his freedom of expression
"When I Dream" is live. Definitely a Hendrix vibe. He jams at the end.
This is good, too.
This is another recommended artist from the Statesman. According to Wikipedia:
Tasmin Nicole Stephens (born 2003), also known as TTSSFU, is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Manchester. She[a] played guitar in the post punk band Duvet and has since gained prominence as a solo artist in the shoegaze and dream pop genres.
The Statesman article says:
she’s from Wigan, England. She creates wispy-voiced, ethereally arranged, industrial rock with a ‘90s edge. Crack Magazine notes it captures the malaise of what it’s like to live in Wigan, partying in dives.
She plays the Paste Party Monday the 16th at 1pm.
"Forever" is good. Right in my wheelhouse.
This is her most streamed song. Could be a good way to start the day.
The Statesman came out with their "12 breakout artists our critics say you need to see in Austin". I posted a few of them already. The others are not in my wheelhouse. I'll skip most of them.
The Statesman article says:
The Cardiff, U.K. band mates are passengers boarding the garage rock revival train that Fontaines D.C. and Turnstile already ride. Their 2025 EP “Spider Rock Forever” is an appropriate successor to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, especially the songs “Foggy” and “Gwyllgi.”
They play two day shows we could see: the Paste Party on Friday the 13th at 12:20pm and BME at Palm Door on Monday the 16th at 2pm.
The SXSW bio says: "The Family Battenberg have perfected a filthy, fuzzy psychedelic sound that they’ve coined as “spider rock.”"
"Anteater" is definitely a filthy, fuzzy psychedelic sound.
This is a little better. Has a harder "Heavy Heavy" feel.
This is a band out of Chicago that's playing Radio/East and Meanwhile Brewing on Saturday.
"Scenic Drive" is a nice mellow tune.
This is a good song. A fun Saturday afternoon band.
This artist is playing the British Music Embassy. He's also playing Waterloo Records. SXSW says he's: "A 21 year old singer/songwriter/producer based in Sunderland, England."
"Never Good Enough" is a nice song. He looks 12 in it.
This is from his new EP.
This band out of Toronto is playing Downright Monday the 16th at 2pm right before Los Lobos does an acoustic set at 3pm. The SXSW bios says they bring:
an exhilarating new breath into the world of post-punk and modern psychedelia, a listening experience that is equally cathartic and introspective.
They've played Levitation. They are also playing Hole in the Wall Sunday on what looks like a really good lineup. It's a benefit for ACLU of Texas.
"Erase My Mind" is chill. They remind me of Raveonettes.
This is their most streamed song.
This artist is playing Waterloo Records at 1pm on Friday the 13th. She has quite a story. From this article:
"Sometimes you have to walk away from something to come back to it and know it for the first time,” Grand Rapids indie singer/songwriter Brie Stoner told Revue last month, 12 years after she graced the cover of our annual Music Issue for the first time.
She was in Michigan then moved to L.A. then Nashville then back to Michigan for marriage, kids, divorce, a Masters in theology, and now back to music.
The SXSW bio says:
Raised in Madrid, Spain, and now based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she channels her multilingual life into indie dream-rock that feels both intimately personal and impossibly vast. Her upcoming LP "Matador" (releasing 2026) is a California-themed love letter, lush and cinematic, featuring orchestral arrangements by acclaimed arranger Kelly Pratt (St Vincent, Beck, and Beirut) and produced by David Vandervelde (Father John Misty).
"Hungry" is her most streamed song. Has a Mazzy Star feel. It was mixed by Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman).
She released an EP in 2026 but I don't see anything from the LP. Maybe the songs on the EP will be on the LP.
This is one of her most recent songs. Reminds me of Lana Del Rey.
Another one of KUTX's "One's to Watch". It says:
Minnesota-born, Austin-based neo-soul artist Lew Apollo knows how to set a mood. Inspired in equal parts by Prince, Leon Bridges and the Arctic Monkeys, Apollo’s sultry R&B soundscapes are engineered for late-night lounges or poolside hangs.
He's playing quite a few shows including Colton House at 6pm on Saturday the 15th.
"Let the Light In" is sultry R&B.
This is fun.
KUTX came out with their "7 Ones to Watch" bands to see at SXSW. They say this about this artist:
Genre-bending Argentine artist Marilina Bertoldi is a rock ‘n’ roller with a New Wave heart. Bertoldi deftly weaves between the kind of big, stadium-ready rock found on her award-winning 2016 album, Sexo con Modelos, and the angular, synthy post-punk on her most recent, Latin Grammy-nominated album, Para Quién Trabajas Vol. I .
She's playing quite a few big shows including KUTX in the morning, Waterloo, and SXSanJose.
"AUTOESTIMA" is 80s inspired. synthy post-punk is an apt description.
This is more new wave. It's good.
This artist is playing Waterloo Records Thursday the 12th at 3pm and Continental Club Monday the 16th at 12:50pm. According to this bio:
Raised in a small agricultural town outside of San Francisco and now rooted in Los Angeles, Haylie Davis writes songs that feel lived-in and hard won...Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Karen Carpenter, the early 1970s songwriting greats hover gently in the background, but Wandering Star never feels like an exercise in nostalgia. These are gorgeously melodic, soft-focus confessionals that land with emotional precision. It’s Laurel Canyon by way of 2026: classic in feel, yet unmistakably of the present.
Her debut album is coming out June 6th. She has opened for Nude Party but it looks like she won't be the opener for their Friday show.
"Wandering Star" is the title song. Definitely a throwback.
"Young Man" has an Emmylou/Gram Parsons feel.
This is good.
Playing Paste on Sunday at 1pm. She's also playing Mohawk on Monday the 16th and Waterloo Records on Tuesday the 17th at 5pm.
The SXSW bio says:
meg elsier is an indie-rock singer, songwriter, and visual artist based in New York City. One of the most exciting new voices in the indie-rock scene, meg juxtaposes sweet vocals and opulent melodies with grungy guitars and weighty production...meg's debut album 'spittake' blends elements of grunge, contemporary pop, folk, and indie-rock, and showcases meg’s ability to create dynamic, versatile, and effortlessly catchy music.
According to this interview she's from about 45 minutes outside of Boston. After college in Boston (Berklee College of Music) she moved to Nashville to get started but is now in New York City.
"iznotreal" is fuzzy rock.
"oldnews" is pretty good.
This is her most streamed song. It's good. It reminds me a little of Rilo Kiley, especially "Portions for Foxes"
Playing Paste on Sunday. He's also playing White Horse on Friday night with quite a lineup (including Boomershack.). We'll be at Nude Party.
Per Wikipedia:
Jonathan Russell Fritz, formerly known as Jonny Corndawg, is an American alternative country musician who was born in Missoula, Montana. He has released four albums, two under the name "Jonny Corndawg" and two as "Jonny Fritz".
I'm pretty sure he's been on bills at festivals we've attended. I seem to recall him playing with Deer Tick or one of their side-projects. You may remember better. I don't have him on my list of bands seen, though.
According to Wikipedia, for his 4th record:
Jonnys' 4th record Sweet Creep was released in 2016. Produced by Jim James and recorded over three days using a makeshift outdoor studio in the Montecito Hills of California. The entire record was recorded outside and featured Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes (band), playing multiple instruments, including guitar, bass, and keyboard, his brother Griffin Goldsmith on drums, Joshua Hedley of fiddle and My Morning Jacket's prolific front man Jim James also lending his voice, and guitar to multiple tracks.
Lots of big names on there. His 5th album just came out, 10 years after his last.
"Slow Down" is good. That's Joshua Hedley on violin (We saw him at Robert's in Nashville).
"Debbie Downers" is timely:
This is a cool live performance.
Playing Paste on Sunday. She's also playing SXSanjose as well as quite a few evening showcases. She's going to be busy.
Flood Magazine says:
Horsepower is the new project of NYC-based songwriter and (mostly) reformed horsegirl Charlotte Weinman.
Flood says of the song "Are you Blushing":
Translating a background in theater and a prior musical career indebted to aiding other songwriters into a personal statement of her own, the track sees Weinman channeling the elegant balladry of Mitski and a modern dream-pop sensibility into a song about the involuntary thoughts that tend to come with a prospective romance.
This is her most streamed song. In the singer-songwriter style of Mitski/Phoebe Bridgers/boygenius.
Playing Paste Sunday. They're also playing Cheer Up Charlie's and Tweedy's on Saturday and Hotel Vegas on Sunday. Per the SXSW bio:
Good Flying Birds is a jangling, noisy guitar-pop group based in the Midwest, USA...The influence of jangly lo-fi/DIY heavyweights who came before like Guided By Voices (their namesake), Beat Happening, DLIMC, Talulah Gosh (partly their namesake), and The Vaselines, is prevalent, but they carry a unique charm all their own. It’s the sound of looking at a crumbling world with rosy cheeks and wide eyes, a tambourine by your side.
"Down on Me" is a 90s college radio throwback.
"Fall Away" is good.
I like these guys.
This is their most streamed song.
Playing the Paste party Saturday. They are also playing the British Music Embassy and SXSanJose. Per the SXSW bio:
Still Blank’s sound is a unique blend of shoegaze haze, folk intimacy, and emotionally raw ambient alt-rock grit. Ben and Jordy met by chance in Liverpool 2 years ago sparking a lightning-in-a-bottle creative partnership.
This article says it is a duo "Formed by Hawaii-born singer/multi-instrumentalist Jordy and Manchester guitarist Ben". It also says:
Despite a whirlwind journey, including Jordy’s unexpected deportation during the album’s creation and a move to Los Angeles following their signing to National Anthem (HAIM, Chvrches), Still Blank have quickly established themselves as one of the most compelling new voices in alternative music.
"What about Jane" is good. Right up my alley.
This is good, too. I'd like to see them.
Playing the Paste party on Saturday. The SXSW bio says:
Sassy 009 is the shape-shifting project from Oslo-based producer, songwriter and vocalist Sunniva Lindgård...Steered by freshly distorted vocals and elements of grunge, shoegaze, ‘90s beatronica and gauzy hyperpop, the album is a record of self-discovery and self-effacement at once, studded with guest contributions from Blood Orange, BEA1991 and Yunè Pinku.
This looks to be her only day party.
Gauzy hyperpop is a good way to describe "Enemy".
Same with "Butterflies"
This song features Blood Orange. It's good. He's not in the video, though.
Playing the Paste Party Saturday. The SXSW bio says:
The Haunted Youth is the band of Joachim Liebens and the biggest Belgian indie rock sensation of the last few years...Frontman Joachim Liebens blends dreamy guitars, nostalgic synths, and deeply personal lyrics into songs that, while dark in theme, offer comfort and connection.
This looks to be the only day party they are playing but they're playing quite a few evening showcases including at the British Music Embassy despite being from Belgium.
They have over 300K monthly listeners on Spotify.
"Broken" is really good. Mix of The Cure and MGMT.
This is good, too. May have to check them out.
This band is playing the Paste party Saturday. This article says the band is originally from L.A. but is now based in Portland. It says:
The band first cut their teeth together in high school before scattering for college then reconvening in Portland to make music years later. Over time, they have managed to hone an engaging and engrossing sound and stage-presence that feels seasoned, yet not settled.
They are described as post-punk.
"Paystub" sounds like a mix of old Pretenders and DEVO.
In this article the band says of this song:
“‘Isochronism’ is a physics term describing how a pendulum takes the same amount of time to complete a swing, regardless of the starting point,” the band explains. “The song reflects on the cyclical nature of life, the passage of time, day and night, and we felt the term captured these concepts well.”
They also remind me of Jane's Addiction.
This artist is playing the Paste party on Saturday. He'salso playing White Horse on Thursday and maybe even Friday. They haven't released times for those yet.
Before the half-Cajun Earl became one of country music’s most vital voices, he was raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana. After his parents’ divorce, he convinced his dad to send him away to a school in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Two weeks later, Hurricane Katrina hit and he was shipped back to Lake Charles. It wasn’t long before Katrina would reach Louisiana and, to prevent Earl from missing the school year, he wound up in Subiaco, Arkansas—a priory with a population of about 600, founded as a monk-missionary settlement in the 1800s and named by Pope Leo XIII after an Italian city where St. Benedict started his first monastery. It’s a place Earl wants to protect in his music, making mention of it for a select group of people.
Good country music.
"White Painted Trees" is a throwback.
So is "Outlaw Country". Listen to the lyrics.
This was my favorite.
Paste finally came out with their bands (still no times yet) and this band plays Saturday. They are also playing the British Music Embassy and SXSanJose.
This article says:
Spanning experimental jazz, hip hop and neo-soul, it’s the unexpected dichotomies that make Dublin five-piece special.
It also says:
Composed soley of self-taught musicians, Bricknasty’s debut EP Ina Crueler centred on Fatboy’s childhood in Dublin’s deprived Ballymun neighbourhood. It’s in many ways a hip-hop story, recorded in the very same council estate fire escapes and bedrooms that the project deals with thematically, but, sonically, it’s much harder to box in. With organic and layered compositions that stretch from experimental jazz to soul, Ina Crueler isn’t disillusioned kids venting their problems over Soundcloud instrumentals, it’s a collection of genuine musicians seizing the means of production to tell their own story.
"Vinland" is chill.
"Mouthy" reminds me of Bon Iver mixed with hip-hop.
"Boyfriend" is live. I wouldn't call that hip-hop. Jazzy in the Sting style. I like it.
This is their most streamed song. It's good, too.
This band is playing Waterloo Records Saturday at 7pm and also is playing the BMI Yeti Day Party on Friday at 1pm. They are also playing Pershing on March 20th. From this bio:
Raynes is a British-American trio formed when North Dakota natives Mat Charley and Joe Berger discovered UK singer Mark Race on Instagram. After connecting online, Mark joined them in the U.S. to start the band. Since their debut, Raynes has signed with Sony Music Publishing, released multiple singles and EPs, performed at BottleRock Festival and venues across the U.S. and UK, and accumulated millions of streams.
It also says:
Known for complex harmonies, unique instrumentation, and poetic lyrics, Raynes blends folk, rock, chamber pop, and world music into a distinctive sound that defies easy categorization.
That covers a lot of ground.
"American Waters" is their latest single. Not really up my alley.
This is their most streamed song.
This artist is playing the British Music Embassy as well as the KCRW Day Stage on Friday the 13th. He also plays ABGB on Saturday as part of a day show called "Sign of the Times". I don't recognize any of the other bands, though.
Steven Bamidele is a Nigerian-born, London-based singer, songwriter, musician and producer. His isolated upbringing has shaped the introspective nature of his songwriting, which pairs with his distinctive reverb-drenched falsetto, synth textures, and syncopated beats to create a forward-thinking soulful sound. Citing the influences of contemporary musical storytellers and genreless creators such as Frank Ocean and Tyler the Creator, to Solange, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino, Steven puts social commentary and artistic narratives at the forefront of his music.
"Sitting in the Dark" is his most streamed video. Smooth.
This is his latest release.
This musician is playing the Lone Star day party on Saturday the 14th and Colton House on Sunday the 15th. Both have good lineups.
Per this bio:
Born into the confines of Canyon Country, broken through in the Northwest’s emerging enclave, and currently carving out her own niche in Nashville, Mac Cornish embraces all the parts of her journey as she approaches her songwriting. Growing up surrounded by the Santa Cruz mountains, Cornish spent her youth under the canopy of the Redwoods and exploring the expanses of her grandfather’s cattle ranch in the North Bay. Early years found her drawn to the voices that had emanated from the Laurel Canyon legends, cementing a deep love for Linda Rondstadt, Joan Baez, and Gram Parsons. Though she’s boxed her belongings more than a few times in pursuit of country’s muse, her roots in the California.
Here she is playing a set at Dee's Lounge. Good traditional country music.
"Mama Yes I Do" is a two-stepper.
This is nice.
This Austin artist is playing Waterloo on Thursday the 12th at 5pm. He's also playing Colton House on Friday the 13th.
The Austin Chronicle has a good article about him. He's got quite a story. The subtitle sums it up: "Running back-turned-filmmaker reflects on the whirlwind journey that finally got him to songwriting"
"Middle Aged Lazy" is humorous.
This was probably my favorite.
Waterloo Records just dropped their in-stores for SXSW. This is the first artist on the first day. She plays Thurs. the 12th at 1pm. She was at SXSW in 2016 (preview here) promoting her 1st album. Per this article:
Nashville artist Aubrie Sellers has officially announced her third studio album ‘Attachment Theory’ which is set for release on March 20 via Casual Records and Carnival Recording Company. This collection represents a significant sonic evolution for the self-proclaimed garage country pioneer as she leans further into a darker, cinematic rock sound.
She's also playing Sagebrush on the evening of Thursday the 12th (Shakey Graves headlines). She's also playing Saxon Pub on Monday April 27th.
"Little Rooms" is good.
Here is the first release from that new album.
Another Nashville-based country/blues artist for today. She's playing the Lone Star day party on Saturday, Colton House on Friday, as well as a showcase at White Horse and a gig at Devil's Backbone.
Here is her background from this interview:
I’m just kind of this feral rat kid that came from rural western Connecticut. Our little town had one real store, called Eastern Village. It sold sub sandwiches and wraps. There was an antique store, and not a stop light but a yellow blinking light at the time. Growing up it was all we had, so we spent a lot of time in nature. There was a post-Woodstock group of folks who migrated from upstate New York over here. And my mom was a native New Yorker. She moved to Connecticut because my grandparents had moved to Connecticut to kind of restart life in a more rural environment. My grandma was a playwright in New York City, but retired out of it as I grew up. She had some notable plays. Her biggest was called, Seven, which toured internationally. She wrote books too.
She's led quite an adventurous life on the road. It's worth a read.
Saving Country Music says:
Similar to other fast-rising country and roots musicians of our era such as Charley Crockett, Sierra Farrell, and Melissa Carper, Eliza Thorn is slightly less interested in “genre,” and more attune to how “era” can help define how her songs unfold, using a wide array of sounds to capture the ideal mood for each one of her original tunes.
Commenters compare her sound to Melissa Carper.
"Fool" is a good two-stepping honky-tonk song.
She did a live session at Dee's if you want to listen to a 2 hour show.
"Moonshined" has an old Sierra Ferrell feel.
Here she is live at Acme Feed & Seed.
I'll stick with female country artists today. She plays Colton House on Saturday the 14th. Here is the lineup:
Emily NenniTheo LawrenceKristina MurrayThe MellowsPossessed By Paul James
Georgia-born artist Kristina Murray has been a leading light in the underground East Nashville traditional country music scene for over a decade. From performing at the legendary dive joint downtown, Santas Bar, or being one of the earliest artists to perform at, and put Honky Tonk Tuesdays at The American Legion on the map, she has remained steadfastly true to country music.
I just realized I previewed her last year but we didn't see her. She had signed to New West Records. Here's the preview. I shared "Watchin' the World Pass Me By".
Here's a sad breakup song.
Colton House has a pretty good lineup on Friday the 13th. No times yet:
Rattlesnake MilkScott BallewSUSTO StringbandOlivia Ellen LloydPatton Magee (of The Nude Party)Eliza Thorn
I assume this artist will go on in between Patton Magee and SUSTO Stringband. This bio says:
Olivia Ellen Lloyd will try anything once. From flight attendant school in Dallas to producing theater in New York City and teaching in Guatemala, Lloyd sought an adventurous life, but struggled to find a greater sense of purpose. That is– until she found her way back to music. Lloyd channels her restless spirit into songs that pay homage to her Appalachian roots while charting fresh territory for a sound that is uniquely her own. Her debut album, Loose Cannon, has been streamed over 1 million times while Olivia has been crossing the country playing shows, winning songwriting contests (like Kerrville in 2023) and generally eating life down to the rind.
It also says:
Heavily influenced by country, folk, and indie rock, Lloyd’s sound combines the rooted sounds of her traditional Appalachian upbringing with the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants nature of her current life. She is inspired by the rich sounds of New York City, the peaceful quiet of her small hometown, and everything in between.
"Do It Myself" is good.
"Loose Cannon" is the title track of her debut album. That link is an acoustic version. Here it is with her full band.
This is from her latest album. It was her Tiny Desk entry. A humorous breakup song.
This artist is playing a lot of the country/Americana parties including Colton House, Sagebrush, and the Dainty Dillo. I'll post more about those when they announce their schedules but here is her schedule.
This site says of her:
Reilly Downes has long been known as the Sad Cowgirl of Chicago. An Americana artist hailing from the Texas Hill Country, she cut her teeth as a session musician in Nashville, singing behind some of Americana’s favorite singer/songwriters.
In this interview she says:
Q: Chicago has its own Americana sound (i.e., Wilco), and so do Austin and Nashville. How do these various Americana “moods” differ, and how do you bring these influences together in your own music?
A: Like I said, I’m a lot more indie in the Americana genre, think early Noah Gundersen or David Ramirez (an Austinite himself!). They were huge influences for me, but as I’ve grown as an artist and come to respect old country more, you’ll see a lot of that influence in my newer work.
Here is a live set. The third song "Another Sad Waltz" is good.
Her cover of "Wicked Game" is pretty faithful to the original.
This is one of her few music videos. It's good.
This band is playing quite a few shows so far including the British Music Embassy and the KCRW day show on Friday the 13th at 2pm. Per the SXSW bio:
Adult DVD, the Leeds based six piece have become known for their relentless output of euphoric hooks and grooves along with a relentless touring schedule that has taken them to Glastonbury, Greenman, End Of The Road and several European festivals this Summer.
They are signed to Fat Possum Records. Wikipedia calls them dance-punk and dance-rock.
"Real Tree Lee" is their newest release. One comment compares them to Fontaines DC. Probably not your cup of tea.
"Dogs in the Sun" is compared to Kraftwerk.
This is their most streamed song and I think their set closing song. They don't have a video for it so here it is live.
Hailing from Brisbane, Radium Dolls have built their reputation on explosive live shows that feel uncontainable, fueled by a deep love of 70s-inspired rock and a sharp, modern lyrical bite. There’s a physicality to Radium Dolls’ music that’s sweaty, loud and unapologetically alive, that has made them one of Australia’s most exciting live rock acts. After a run of back-to-back sold-out shows across the country this year, the band is charging toward 2026 with undeniable momentum.
"Daddy" is catchy.
"Scorching Heat" is a good rock song.
"Rat Song (For a Film)" is the one I bet you will like the best.
This is one of their older songs. I like it. The video is good, too. Very Australian. Warning: the ending goes to 11.
This band out of Adelaide, Australia is playing a bunch of shows, including the Paste party and the Winspear party at Cheer Up Charlies. According to this article:
This was the second time in just over a week that I had the opportunity to see the Adelaide four-piece – Venus O’Brion, Maxwell Elphick, Jack Medlyn, and Josh Doherty – play; the first being in Sydney for SXSW Sydney, where they won the awards for Best Performance and Best Emerging Artist. The two awards are well deserved. The former, a no-brainer, playing with such pure energy and excitement, watching them live is a joy, and the latter, an affirmation of my prediction that they’re going to be the next big thing to come out of Australia.
Swapmeet (formerly known as Soursob) is a band based on unceded Kaurna land. With an ever changing energy and aesthetic, Swapmeet’s sound is at once light-hearted and raw. With indie rock foundations, characterised by sonic experimentation, and a punk spirit, Swapmeet are known in the Adelaide circuit for their playful, chaotic onstage presence.
They don't have many videos. "Ceiling Fan" is one of their bigger songs. Probably their set closer. I like it.
"Collision" is also good. I wouldn't mind seeing them.
This is the one video they have. It has as Spoon feel.
This artist is playing all the big shows: Paste, KCRW Day Stage, and Winspear @Cheer Up Charlie's. She has 203K monthly listeners on Spotify. Rolling Stone says:
When we speak at the end of 2025’s long summer, runo plum is settling into her new home in the city of Minneapolis. The story behind her emergence as a special new songwriter and upcoming debut album, patching, takes place in a polar opposite setting though.
At the onset of the COVID pandemic, plum left the city for her family’s base in the Minnesota wilderness. As she describes it, her writing desk looks out over 40 acres of woodland. “There’s a creek that runs along, and there’s a beautiful trail that goes through the woods. It was the inspiration for a lot of my songs,” she smiles.
While her earliest material was written and performed alone on acoustic guitar, transmitting the woods-y feel of her surroundings, debut album patching – announced today – fleshes out her sound and sees her digesting and processing a period of personal upheaval.
It’s done through frank and open-hearted lyrics, with the added instrumentation giving her words even greater heft.
"creek" is one of her acoustic early songs. It's nice.
"Sickness" is a new one. For the boygenius fans.
This is a little more uptempo. It's off her new album. Reminds me a little of Camera Obscura.
Playing BMI at Yeti on Thursday the 12th at 1:50pm. It's a band out of Adelaide, South Australia. Per this article:
We’re calling it now. The Tullamarines are going to be the next biggest export out of SA, armed with anxious pop tunes and safety blankets.
They have 121 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify. Impressive.
"Idiot" is them live. Reminds me of Vampire Weekend mixed with The Strokes.
This is their most streamed song. Catchy.
Playing BMI at Yeti on Thursday the 12th at 2:40pm is this Seattle-based singer-songwriter. According to this article:
Active since early 2021, 22-year-old Cochrane is becoming increasingly known for her expressive lyrics, captivating performances, and queer-anthem storytelling. 2024’s widely praised standalone single “Existential Crisis at the Tennis Club” showcased her vivid ideas and fearless authenticity, inviting listeners into her world with courage, honesty, and unfiltered self-expression.
Here is "Existential Crisis At The Tennis Club" for an NPR Tiny Desk Contest submission.
Below is her breakout single. For something completely different this is the same song stripped down. I think you'll like it better: "Shapeshifting on a Saturday Night (Alone in My Bedroom Version)". It has a Lana Del Rey feel.
Playing BMI at Yeti on Thursday the 12th at 3:30pm. From this article:
Easy Honey has been bringing their joy-soaked, cleverly-worded rock tunes to the church of live music ever since Austin met fellow songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Darby McGlone alongside drummer Charlie Holt while attending Sewanee in the Tennessee mountains.
By 2019, the band had relocated to Charleston, called by its lively music scene and surf culture. 2022 saw the group gain Webster Austin (Austin’s brother) on bass, just in time for touring to really kick off as Covid restrictions were lifted.
They did a Jam in the Van live. I like them. It says:
Living up to their name, this group is a powerful power-pop band that you have to hear for yourself. Every song they play is a perfect blend of traditional rock ‘n’ roll combined with the alternative charm of the 90s, sounding totally fresh.
This is a nice chill tune. Cool video, too.
This band out of L.A. plays the BMI showcase at Yeti on Thursday the 12th at 4:20pm. They are also playing the just announced SXSanJose. Per this article:
LA six-piece The Sophs have shared plans for their debut album ‘GOLDSTAR’.
The much-hyped group have made a plan, and stuck to it – The Sophs crafted those pivotal early demos, and cold-called Rough Trade Records, sending them to label heads Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee before they ever even played a show.
Promptly snapped up by the influential imprint, a golden run of singles – ‘I’M YOUR FIEND’, ‘SWEAT’, and ‘DEATH IN THE FAMILY’ – have laid out the blueprint for their live-wire sound.
2026 is set to be a massive year for the six-piece, with debut album ‘GOLDSTAR’ set to land on March 13th.
There are comparisons to The Strokes.
" GOLDSTAR" is the title track. It's ok.
"DEATH IN THE FAMILY" is good. Has a Weezer feel.
I like this one, too.
Playing BMI at Yeti on Thursday the 12th at 5:20pm. According to this article:
If you’ve ever wondered what it might sound like if The Avett Brothers and Modest Mouse birthed a hybrid music child, meet Timmy Skelly.
The BMI bio says:
Timmy Skelly is a singer/songwriter from Sandwich, Illinois, known for his distinctive “Midwest Y’alternative” sound, a genre-spanning blend shaped by the environments and music of his upbringing.
"Soul on Fire" has an Avett Brothers sound.
Here's a Jam in the Van live show. He does the songs posted here but I think they're better live. The last song "Dear Depression" is a good tune.
This is a newer song.
BMI is back at Yeti with two day parties on Thursday the 12th and Friday the 13th. This artist closes out the Thursday party at 6:10pm.
She's from Brixton. According to this article:
the singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who has just unveiled a triple-track EP as a powerful introduction following her recent signing with BMG. Notably, this new music marks a complete departure from her previous releases. It’s clear that MEEK has significantly refined her songwriting and artistry, having spent recent years penning hits for the likes of Rita Ora, Alex Gaudino, Charlotte Plank, and more.
It compares her to Chappell Roan.
"Brixton" is a good song.
"I want love, but not that much" is poppy.
This definitely has a Chappell Roan feel. It's her breakout hit. I bet she'll be at ACL Fest.
Luck Reunion artist. He's playing the Visit Ft. Worth stage. Google AI says this about him:
Brandon Marcel is a Fort Worth-based R&B singer, songwriter, and musician known for his work with Leon Bridges and his own soulful releases like The Audition and Alone, Etc. Influenced by his father, Cameo bassist Aaron Mills, Marcel combines strong vocals with poetic, hip-hop-influenced lyrics.
Here is a live show
"Spaceship" is one of the two videos on his Youtube page.
This is the other. Nice R&B tune.
Luck Reunion artist. She's playing on the Visit Ft. Worth stage. According to Rolling Stone:
When the bellwether bands in the Red Dirt scene, Cross Canadian Ragweed and the Turnpike Troubadours, announced the latest installment in their Boys From Oklahoma tour de force, they put a brand-new name on the lineup. Shelby Stone will join Ragweed and Turnpike on Feb. 28 at the Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia.
She has opened for Turnpike before and has also opened for American Aquarium. The article also says:
Stone dropped her debut full-length album, Silveryear, in August. But there was a catch: The record was only made available in physical format and via digital download on Stone’s website. She’s not releasing the project to streaming services until April 2026. The move was very intentional. Early adopters of Stone’s music paid for the record and she sees this as a gesture of thanks.
"Each Other" is good. Her voice reminds me of Florence Welch.
This is her latest single.
Luck Reunion artist. He's playing the Visit Ft. Worth stage. That's the side stage by the Reunion stage off the beaten path. It's a good spot to hear bands without a big crowd.
This is a Ft. Worth native. According to this bio:
I took a lot of inspiration from people I saw performing around town. Guys like Guthrie Kennard, Scott Copeland, Vince Emerson, and Leon Bridges.
"100 Miles" is live from Sagebrush.
Good honky-tonk music.
Luck Reunion artist. The third songwriter in the BMI Songwriter circle. According to this bio:
Emma Ogier is a Houston-raised, Nashville-based musician and singer-songwriter blending Americana and Alternative styles. Influenced by artists like Joni Mitchell, The Indigo Girls, and Jackson Browne, her sound is marked by raw delivery, honest lyrics, and dry humor that shines in her live performances.
"Too Young for That" is catchy.
"First Base" is a mix of Lucy Dacus and Olivia Rodrigo.
This is her most streamed song. Poppy.
Luck Reunion artist. He's on the BMI Songwriter's circle. His bio:
Leon Majcen is a musician whose story is one of resilience and determination. He grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the son of Bosnian war refugees who had fled their homeland in search of a better life for their children. From a young age, Leon was drawn to the power of storytelling through music, particularly the work of artists like Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Bob Dylan, and Guy Clark.
After some time in New York City and Florida he's now in Nashville.
This Rolling Stone article says he has opened for Turnpike Troubadours, Margo Price, Sam Barber, and American Aquarium.
"Highway One" is good.
This video tells a timely story.
Luck Reunion artist. She's playing as part of the BMI Songwriter's Showcase. According to this bio:
Raised on classic country and the blues, Julianna Rankin finds herself influenced by a spectrum of artists ranging from Keith Whitley, Bobbie Gentry and Waylon Jennings to Bonnie Raitt, Carole King and James Taylor. Her journey into the industry began in 2018, when she took a headfirst dive towards discovering her artistry while attending Texas A&M University. Since then, Julianna has made her home in New Braunfels, TX, to which she credits a strong circle of talented musicians and local collaboration for recent successes. In the past year, the young singer-songwriter has found herself opening for artists such as Robert Earl Keen, Stoney LaRue, Randall King, Django Walker, Adam Hood, Jason Eady, William Beckmann, Midnight River Choir and more. With her strong vocals and soul-penetrating lyrics, Julianna demands attention from the growing audiences that are lucky enough to catch her sets.
She has signed with Big Loud Texas (Miranda Lambert's label) so expect big things.
"I'm Trouble" is good. I like her voice.
"Miss Me When I'm Gone" is good, too.
This is her latest single. It was highlighted in Rolling Stone. The article says it was featured on the "Landman" season finale but I can't find any reference to it on the Landman soundtrack guide.
Her voice and vocal inflections remind me of Nikki Lane.
Luck Reunion artist. According to this article:
Inevitably music will be inspired by personal experiences and Tom Jenkins has a fascinating dual work situation. On the one hand he’s a sheep farmer in South Wales and he revels in his family history of running a farm in rural Wales. But he’s also a wonderful singer-songwriter and to date he’s released two highly praised albums and a range of shorter EP-length recordings still pitched as albums.
He has been in other bands and toured but soured on the scene. Per this article:
After a few years on the road and feeling uninspired by his own music, Jenkins would eventually end up in the outback of New Zealand, to pursue his passion of sheep shearing, Shepherding and ranching. Cut off from the world, sometimes weeks at a time with only a landline that would receive calls, the isolation and beautiful landscape that surrounded Jenkins would provide the right time and place to write his debut solo album.
He returned to Wales and connected with producer (and Austin-based) Elijah Ford (Gary Clark, Jr. bandmate) to make new music. He now has a new album out. He opened for Ryan Bingham on his tour of Ireland.
'It Comes In The Morning, It Hangs In The Evening Sky' is an older song. It's more rocking than his newer stuff. Reminds me a little of Jeff Buckley.
"Stay and Work the Land" is about his life farming. It's a good song and video.
This is his most streamed song.
Luck Reunion artist. This is a crazy story in the vein of "Searching for Sugarman". This artist originally from Georgia released an album in 1978 that never got popular so he moved on with his life and became a house painter. The album developed an underground cult following and in 2009 Mexican Summer asked if they could re-release it on vinyl. They then asked him to come perform. Per this article:
Folsom—with a backing band of Jacksonville locals, mostly members of his church group—played at the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on a bill for Mexican Summer’s showcase during the once-juggernaut music industry convention CMJ. It was Folsom’s first time in New York City.
As Robert Lester Folsom stood before a crowd who sang his songs back to him, songs he’d written and recorded almost forty years before, songs he hadn’t played live in over three decades, he was overjoyed.
It's a great article. He has since released songs he had saved up over the years and at 71 is now playing Luck.
"Music and Dreams" was also the title of the album.
The article describes "My Stoves on Fire" as a mix of Boz Scaggs and Todd Rundgren.
This is him live last year. Nice tune.
Luck Reunion artist. According to this article:
The sound of Atlanta rock band Penelope Road forces you to look back. Listen to the track “Tired of Love,” and you’ll hear a mix of Otis Redding and Christopher Cross. Then, there’s the gospel-tinged soul of “Mercy” or the slow-groove R&B of “So It Goes” that’s reminiscent of Robin Thicke in his prime.
Here is "Mercy" live. Good to see the kids embracing old-school genres.
It says they signed a record deal with Warner Brothers last year.
"Out Tonight" is a nice tune. Good outdoor festival daytime music.
Another nice song.
Luck Reunion artist. Another one with hardly anything online. I can't find any articles on her. Her bandcamp page says she is out of London. It says:
Luna Roja is a singer-songwriter blending Latin music with the spirit of the Wild West. Her sound fuses multiple latin genres with Spaghetti Western vibes. Through soulful vocals and poetic lyrics, she evokes love, longing, and the rugged frontier, offering a timeless journey through heartache and hope.
The only place I found a bio was on this podcast which says she was born in Italy. Her father was a pianist and guitarist who encouraged her to play.
She has a Spotify page but it has no music posted and 0 monthly listeners. hmm.
Her Instagram page has some music clips of her performing but that's about it.
The only videos I found are her performing live at the Mayflower Pub in London.
"Huesos Rotos" is a nice mellow tune.
She has a song on TikTok called "Austin, Texas, San Antonio" so maybe she has a local connection.
Something is going on behind the scenes for her to be on the Luck schedule. May have to see what's up.
This is pretty good. It has 246 views.
Luck Reunion band. They're from San Antonio and this article states:
Launched during the pandemic, the band started as a nostalgia-embracing one-off collaboration between friends Baldemar Esquivel and Miguel Guzman.
No longer a one-off, the band now has six members. More:
And, the band’s sound?
Esquivel still calls it Tejano dream-pop, which is pretty spot-on in its own right, but the music also has a lo-fi, stoner, punk aspect at its core. Maybe it’s the lyrics, frequently embracing blissful abandon, maybe it’s the group’s restless energy and refusal to sit still — literally and figuratively.
"Cien Novias" was their first single.
"Disco Y Salieri" is a nice mellow tune. It's the closest to dream-pop I found.
This is fun.
Luck Reunion artist. She lives in Maui and is friends with the Nelson family. From this article:
The official music video for “My Mama Marched” features cameo appearances by Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson, and was created by filmmakers Todd Soliday and Leah Warshawski of Inflatable Film. The project also included animation by Micah Nelson and creative collaboration from Swanson’s close friend Annie Nelson.
It was produced by Micah.
Below is the only video I found.
I did find this song that is a duet with Willie: "The One that Got Away"
Luck Reunion artist. There isn't much online written about him. I found an article from a college website with this:
Just three months into his senior year, SUNY Oneonta Music Industry major Franklin Mastrangelo has signed a multi-album record deal with Mercury Records.
Mastrangelo, of Orient, NY, shared with his hometown newspaper, The Suffolk Times, that he will release music under the name Frank Mastra and plans to relocate to Nashville to pursue his music career full time.
That article was in January (last month) so he probably hasn't even started recording yet.
I found the article from his hometown paper they reference. It said:
In his first interview since landing the deal, the Greenport High School graduate — who will be releasing music under the name Frank Mastra — said Tuesday, Jan. 6, that he signed with the label on Nov. 15, 2025, just three days before his 21st birthday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Universal Music Group, the parent company of Mercury Records, did not respond to a request for comment.
A multi-album major label deal and now he's playing Luck Reunion. I assume they're expecting big things.
I see lots of TikTok clips but no original videos. He doesn't even have Spotify or Youtube pages yet.
Here is a clip from a cover of Leon Russell's "Song for You" on Instagram.
Here's Al Green's "Let's Stay Together". Soulful voice on piano. He has 35 posts on Instagram and 1,395 followers. I'm sure that will change soon.
I found one video under his moniker Franklin Angelo. It was in 2019. He was 14 years old. Damn. What a voice.
Luck Reunion artist. Per this article:
Singer/songwriter Agalisiga Mackey, or "Chuj" as he's known, cuts quite the country figure. With his long hair tucked under a wide-brimmed hat, he's strumming through three chords and the truth, voice cresting in a delicate yodel, as he covers Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." But there's a catch: Mackey's singing in Cherokee.
Mackey, from Oklahoma, is the only artist writing and performing country music in the ancient Cherokee language, which is so endangered that only 2,000 native speakers remain.
The article is a good rundown of the loss of native Cherokee speakers and how he is trying to keep the language alive. He teaches it to children when not performing.
"Tsitsutsa Tsigesv" was submitted for NPR Tiny Desk Contest last year. I like his yodeling.
"Usvdona Itlugv (The Hollow Tree)" is his submission to the contest this year. I like the "No Flute Zone" sign behind the stage.
This is good, too.
Luck Reunion artist. According to this bio:
Deloyd Elze, aka Jacob Henry Allen, is a genre-blending artist and poet from Jacksonville, Florida, whose music fuses traditional American songwriting with experimental and electronic textures...Now based in Los Angeles, he’s creating music that speaks to life’s many layers, drawing from his family’s history and his own journey of self-discovery and survival.
His moniker was his great-grandfather's name. He tells a good story about his great-grandfather meeting his wife here. The kicker:
They ended up staying at the same hotel, if by chance or design is still unclear. From what my family told me he apparently payed the bellhop to ride up and down the elevator all day until she finally got on. The bellhop asked for her name and then told her “Virginia, this is Deloyd. Y’all two have now been properly introduced”.
They got married three days later and ended up having seven kids, one of which was my grandmother.
It's quite a story. Worth a read.
"Rite of Passage" reminds me of Bon Iver.
It looks like he has just released an EP and a few singles. His new EP comes out March 6th.
This is with another Luck artist, Angela Autumn.
Luck Reunion artist. According to this website, their debut EP:
"Sweet Southern Summer" fuses the singer-songwriters southern rock, country, and folk influences together effortlessly.
It lists quick facts:
Full name – The Band Loula comprised of Malachi Mills and Logan SimmonsHometown – Gainesville, GeorgiaCurrent city – Nashville, TennesseeLabel – Warner Music NashvilleCurrent Project – Sweet Southern Summer EP (as of date of article: 8/25/2025)
Major label backing.
"Marshall County Man" is a good murder ballad. I like her voice.
"A Little At A Time" is pretty good, too.
This is more of a toe-tapper.
Playing Luck Reunion. She's a folk songwriter from Portland. She has opened for Watchhouse, Hayes Carll, Courtney Marie Andrews, Gregory Alan Isakov, etc. We've never seen her, though.
She just released her 7th studio album.
According to Wikipedia:
Anna Tivel is an American indie folk artist from Portland, Oregon who is critically recognized as "one of the finest songwriters of her generation." She is noted for being a "masterful storyteller" with her music often compared to that of Big Thief's Adrianne Lenker, as well as Elliott Smith and Paul Simon.
Damn. High praise. I'm not sure why I've never heard of her before. I guess she's more of an artists' artist.
Very mellow tunes. They could put her in the Chapel.
Here is her NPR Tiny Desk Concert.
This is off her latest album.
Playing Luck Reunion. They are listed in the email lineup but aren't on the poster. They are also the KUTX artist of the month for this month (Black History Month. Guess no black artists to highlight this month).
Their journey took an unexpected turn when their music reached the ears of Grammy Award–winning producer, songwriter, and Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach. Auerbach first heard them by chance, their music floating from an open hotel window and stopping him in his tracks. Captivated, he made a note to track them down, and within a year that chance encounter led to something bigger.
Now signed to Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound label, The Animeros are preparing to release their debut album later this year, produced exclusively by Auerbach himself.
It says their name was "inspired by Colombian shamans who would usher lost souls to peace."
It also describes their sound: "crafts a genre-blending sound that drifts between the lush jungles of Colombia, the palm-lined streets of 1960s coastal Mexico, and the dusty cantinas of West Texas."
Waterloo Records filmed their in-store performance. It is here. (I wonder if they film all the in-stores now?)
Here is their first single. Good festival music.
Another Luck Reunion artist. She has a Wikipedia page. It says:
Hannah Cohen was born in San Francisco, CA and comes from a family of musicians and booksellers. Her grandfather, Bertie Rodgers, was a poet. Her father is the jazz drummer Myron Cohen. Cohen left home as a teenager, soon finding herself in New York and becoming something of a muse to the city's art scene.
She has put out 4 albums over the last 15 years over long intervals. Her latest album is getting rave reviews. One post on reddit calls it "shades of 70s rock, country, giallo, dream pop, folk and funk."
"Mountain" has a Fleetwood Mac feel.
Here is her live on KCRW.
This is good.
Playing Luck Reunion. According to this bio:
Angela Autumn is from old, weird Appalachia. Raised in the hills of Pennsylvania, she now calls Nashville home. The ‘ Rose of Appalachia,’ or ‘Roving Jewel’ as fans call her, turns her hand to clawhammer banjo and guitar.
Savingcountrymusic says:
Similar to piping up the music of Colter Wall, Sierra Ferrell, and so many other rising artists in independent country and roots, her music is like passing through a time portal. It’s like opening up an old attic trunk, or stepping into an abandoned mill or frontier cabin and beholding its wonders from a place and time distinctly foreign from our own.
"Shooter" is good.
"Electric Lizard" is, too. It's her most streamed song on Spotify.
Her voice sounds a little like Nikki Lane in this one.
