SXSW 2015: Cathedrals

Another electro-pop duo, but this one is from San Francisco. A "breakout act" at CMJ, they are also on Spotify's Emerge shortlist.  Lots more on the band in this Paste profile "Best of What's Next".  So expect more hype for SXSW.

This song has some bits of Tune-Yards, Chvrches, and Phantogram.  It starts rocking towards the end, though.

Harlem

SXSW 2015: Blue Hawaii

A mellow song to start.  This is a duo originally from Montreal.  They played CMJ and are now making their way down to Austin.  I like this one.

Get Happy

SXSW 2015: BØRNS

Here's a future hit. BØRNS is the moniker of Garrett Borns, a Michigan-born, currently LA artist.  The EP is out on major-label Interscope so expect lots of PR behind him.  Radio airplay soon to come.

A nice summertime song to get us through this cold snap.

10,000 Emerald Pools

SXSW 2015: Ballroom Thieves

Here's a band out of Boston on the road to try and make ends meet.  It's two guys on guitar and drums with a female cello player.  No, not the Lumineers.  Yes, they sound like a cross between them and Civil Wars (and Shovels and Rope). But totally different.  Maybe.

Down by the River (Not a Neil Young cover)

SXSW 2015: Alvvays

The third list of bands has come out which means it's time for me to get going on band discovery.  This always starts as a trickle since we don't know the showcase or day party schedules yet.  I'll start with some of the bands I've already come across that could have a big SXSW this year.  Might as well go alphabetically to start.  First up:  Alvvays.

This is a band out of Toronto that has toured with Peter Bjorn and John and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.  Poppy indie-rock.  Their album came out in August and went to #1 on the college radio charts and is on a few top-10 of 2015 lists.  Her voice is really nice.  Reminds me of Kathleen Edwards if she fronted Real Estate.

This is a great song.  The whole album is good.  It's on the server if you want to listen.

Archie, Marry Me