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