loading
.
0/110
Artists Discovered
Tell your friends about
The Music Bloggers Guide to SXSW 2018
Tweet this page Share this page to Facebook Link to this page
For some, music is a requisite need; for others, it is simply a soundtrack playing behind their day-to-day routine. No matter how casual or invested one’s relationship with music is, we have all had “Who’s this?” moments.
It is our hope that The Music Blogger’s Guide To SXSW will spark a few for you.
I would like to give a huge thanks to all of our contributing bloggers for shining a light on their favorite up-and-coming artists from this year’s festival.
James Minor
Head of SXSW Music Festival
Brooklyn, NY Rock
The music of Hypoluxo is built at just the right speed for SXSW: the right amount of groove and jangle to keep you standing on your tired feet, plus just the right amount of laid back vocals to pair with your beer and tacos. It was their 2016 album If Language that first caught my ears, and then their 2017 EP Taste Buds that really got me to stick around. Listening to both of those releases as I write this, I keep drifting off to daydream. But that is exactly what I want from my music in 2018. Lose yourself in their stories or your own but Hypoluxo makes music that takes you away for a moment. Catch them live this week—your feet and your mind will thank you.
For over 9 years Brandon Bogajewicz has been rambling about music he like on The Burning Ear. One of his favorite things in the world is connecting people with bands and songs that deserve more attention. Over the years The Burning Ear has hosted numerous showcases at SXSW, a series of live shows in Los Angeles, and even made a few t-shirts. More recently the website has evolved into an analog counterpart called Vinyl Moon which presses the bands he loves most on vinyl every month. He’s been lucky to work with all 5 of the bands he writes about in this booklet, and releases their music on vinyl. Brandon’s favorite part of the music industry is creating a small but happy family of music makers and music cheerleaders.
Las Vegas, NV Rock
Ditching the playful electro-pop of debut LP Ratchet for a record full of emotional introspection, 2017’s Revelations found 22-year-old Shamir Bailey switching up everything that first brought him to the public eye. Originally signed to XL Recording and touted by the press as a new kind of poster boy for the alternative LGBTQ community, Shamir then spent a period of time out at sea once it became clear that his artistic style was moving away from the giddy dance floor pop that made his name. Now, having overcome a personal nadir in which he nearly quit music for good, Shamir is back on a high and working on his own terms. Reconfiguring his sound into something more lo-fi, introverted and personal, Revelations is as surprising and celebratory a return as its title suggests.
Lisa Wright is a London-based music journalist and gig promoter. Having written for NME between the years of 2009-2015, she now works as a staff writer for UK indie magazine DIY with additional bylines in the likes of Time Out, Noisey, The Guardian, The Independent and more. She also curates live events for DIY and runs longstanding club night Antidotes which has seen early shows from the likes of Wolf Alice, Slaves, Fat White Family and more.
Madrid, Spain Rock
Spanish all-female quartet Hinds made waves at SXSW 2016 following their debut Leave Me Alone and now are on the precipice of an even bigger breakthrough. Their second album I Don’t Run is scheduled for release just after SXSW. Judging from lead single “New For You,” the four ladies from Madrid have further honed their jangling, sun-soaked indie rock on this new album. The English-sung lyrics of Carlotta Cosials and Ana Perrote offer the perfect dynamic to their lo-fi garage rock sound. Hinds are a band with big things ahead of them, with SXSW providing the perfect opportunity to catch their rising star.
Matt has written and edited for mxdwn since 2015, the same year he began his music journalism career. Previously (and currently) a freelance copywriter, Matt graduated with a degree in Communications from California Lutheran University in 2008. Born on the Central Coast of California, he is currently a few hundred miles south along the 101 in the Los Angeles area.
Bucharest, Romania Pop
Pop is alive and well in Eastern Europe. It’s just that most of it doesn’t make it out to our ears out west. Moonlight Breakfast, an eclectic trio who met in Bucharest, Romania, comprises captivating vocalist Christine, clarinet and drums-playing producer “Bazooka,” and keyboardist and guitarist Adita. Debut album Shout was more soulful and jazzy, while 2016’s Time following had a more straightforward pop sound. Whether your musical poison is a killer rhythm, a punky attitude, an infectious pop melody, or a smooth and sultry vocal, or maybe even all three at the same time, Moonlight Breakfast offers something for everyone.
Mary Chang has been the owner and editor-in-chief of There Goes the Fear since 2010. Deeply passionate about spreading the word on good music, she has broadened TGTF’s original focus on UK artists, with the Web site now exploring acts from America, Ireland, Australia, Scandinavia, and more. Although based in Washington, DC, Mary has covered gigs and music festivals on three continents, relishing travel to discover music and experience live performances with the locals. She previously wrote for PopWreck(oning), quickly becoming their British music expert; DIY; and ClickMusic. Her favorite interviewee to date? Tom Chaplin. Mary’s day job is in scientific publishing.
London, United Kingdom Pop
North London indie-pop trio Girl Ray brought a ray of lo-fi sunshine to 2017 with the release of their debut album Earl Grey. Penned in part during their school A-levels exams, the record is filled with experimental rays of sunshine about boys, loneliness, and teen angst, expressed with a disarmingly carefree attitude through soaring vocal harmonies and effortless C86-style jangle-pop melodies.
Tim is the editor of London-based new music blog The Blue Walrus, where he has spent more than a decade unearthing new and exciting bands from the UK and beyond. He also currently heads up the music section of new media publication The Descrier, and you will find him at gigs hunting for unicorns in and around the British capital.
Brooklyn, NY R & B
Grammy-award winner Anna Wise first broke through to national audiences with her work on Kendrick Lamar’s highly acclaimed Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and To Pimp A Butterfly albums, but her story doesn’t start and end there. The Berklee trained vocalist catapulted herself from being part of Sonnymoon to a soloist with a relaxed yet at times powerful timbre. She’s spectral in that way, building off of years of training at conservatory schools and dabbling in experimentation. Wise has been more than capable to be a spellbinding singer and songwriter, especially after championing her self-worth on projects such as The Feminine: Act 1. Wise’s voice can fit into any realm and any form of possibility, such as last year’s “Coconuts” that found fun within an R&B/pop styling. Confident and breathtaking as a singer, Wise will lull fans in every time and leave them with a brand new memory every time she exits the stage.
Brandon Caldwell is the editor-in-chief of Day & A Dream, a Houston music & culture website. His work has been featured in Complex, Billboard, VIBE, UPROXX, the Houston Press, Village Voice, DJBooth and more.
Melbourne, Australia Pop
WILSN may be a Nashville-based artist these days, but she cut her chops in Melbourne venues, famously playing her first shows just four years ago supporting late soul legend, Charles Bradley. An impressive live debut for WILSN, no doubt, but it’s no stroke of good luck. It’s all down to the power of the voice and the swagger of the songs, particularly 2015’s breakout hit “Unmeet You”. Fast forward a few years and WILSN’s 2017 ballad “Love Me Back” sees the artist build on the soulful melancholy of her debut and ramping it up a few notches with a modern pop finish. From Geelong to Nashville, it’s clear the evolution of WILSN is one to witness live.
Nastassia Baroni is a Sydney-based music journalist and Head of Content for Evolve Media Australia, parent company of Australian music website Music Feeds. She’s passionate about homegrown Australian music, The West Wing and defending the merits of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Fremantle, Austrailia Folk
After playing with a series of bands in her native Australia, 2017 saw 25-year-old Stella Donnelly strike out on her own with the release of her debut solo EP Thrush Metal. Through her melancholic yet combative songwriting, Donnelly is able explore topics as provocative as sexual assault and slay them aided only by the weapons of her voice and an acoustic guitar.
Tim is the editor of London-based new music blog The Blue Walrus, where he has spent more than a decade unearthing new and exciting bands from the UK and beyond. He also currently heads up the music section of new media publication The Descrier, and you will find him at gigs hunting for unicorns in and around the British capital.
Toronto, Canada Singer-Songwriter
Hailing from Canada, The Weather Station move like frostbitten skin dipped in mercury. Fueled by Tamara Lindeman’s muted, insular vocals delivered in sheepskin soft movements of air, the band creates clouds inside whatever space they reside, like an overcast Toronto afternoon. Their latest record, 2017s The Weather Station, is pungent—it’s thick, syrupy and rife with natural emotion but zero pretension. The band consists of bassist Ben Whiteley, pedal steel guitarist Adrian Cook and drummer Ian Kehoe. The trio provides a crescendo and a tension that hovers on the precipice, with enough pull to coax a listener away from the edge. There is a warmth that hides just above the freezing line, a barrier of sound to block the cold.
Brian Furman is a writer originally from the kingdom of hopeless optimism that is Cleveland, OH. He has been writing professionally for 10+ years with multiple pieces of Fiction published in multiple mediums. He currently lives in Tampa, FL with his beautiful, and patient, wife, two children, dog, and cat. He loves his family, David Bowie, and the Cleveland Browns.. not necessarily in that order.
Vienna, Austria Avant / Experimental
Sometimes the most intriguing music comes out of an act trying to sound different from everyone else, breaking new ground. That’s how Austrian duo Leyya’s percussive-propelled single “Drumsolo” and their unique musical point of view came about. Sophie Lindinger and Marco Kleebauer love pop music, but they have also recognized the need to break out of the all-too-predictably structured pop music of today. Having released their second album Sauna ahead of SXSW 2018, they’ll come to Austin with the “Heat” of Lindinger’s beguiling, punctuated vocals and Kleebauer’s mesmerising beats. Their sound is a combination sure to keep bodies grooving into the wee hours.
Mary Chang has been the owner and editor-in-chief of There Goes the Fear since 2010. Deeply passionate about spreading the word on good music, she has broadened TGTF’s original focus on UK artists, with the Web site now exploring acts from America, Ireland, Australia, Scandinavia, and more. Although based in Washington, DC, Mary has covered gigs and music festivals on three continents, relishing travel to discover music and experience live performances with the locals. She previously wrote for PopWreck(oning), quickly becoming their British music expert; DIY; and ClickMusic. Her favorite interviewee to date? Tom Chaplin. Mary’s day job is in scientific publishing.
Austin, TX Hip-Hop / Rap
While Austin, TX. may be a hotbed for up-and-coming indie artists, the city’s rap scene is just now coming into the Texas spotlight due to a rapper who only recently turned 17 years old. Quin NFN is an Austin native who has only recently begun making music, and in the short time that he has been releasing music—originally made for him and his friends—he has set the streets of the Lone Star State’s capital on fire with his refreshingly organic take on Southern trap music. He is quickly becoming known for his ability to vividly portray the realities of his life in the streets using quick-witted wordplay and hard-hitting metaphors. The young MC has been gaining attention from notable regional publications with the independent release of music videos and singles via SoundCloud. Quin’s social media following has been growing at a remarkable rate due to consistent support from Southern blogs and Texas based artists alike.
Jake Markow is a junior at the University of Houston majoring in Public Relations. He currently writes for Elevator and Dirty Glove Bastard, focusing on up and coming hip-hop artists. Born in California, he got his start in music through playing and tour managing bands. After moving to Texas for college, Jake transitioned into producing for rap artists. Jake’s favorite artists are John Mayer and Young Thug, and he was voted “Most Likely To Be In Your Bae’s Headphones’ in high-school.
Montreal, Canada Rock
Montreal quartet Ought have been steadily building up a fanbase for their idiosyncratic output since the release of 2014’s More Than Any Other Day. Too dissonant and strange to fully feel at home in the indie rock spectrum, but too full of unexpectedly melodic and sweet moments to fully give in to post-punk, it found the group at an intriguing crossroads of their own making. Following it up with Sun Coming Down the next year, they now head into 2018 with the forthcoming release of third LP Room Inside The World. Headed up by the typically atypical contorted journey of “Disgraced In America” and “Desire”—a melancholy offering complete with a 70-piece choir—it’s safe to say Ought won’t be treading the well-worn path any time soon.
Lisa Wright is a London-based music journalist and gig promoter. Having written for NME between the years of 2009-2015, she now works as a staff writer for UK indie magazine DIY with additional bylines in the likes of Time Out, Noisey, The Guardian, The Independent and more. She also curates live events for DIY and runs longstanding club night Antidotes which has seen early shows from the likes of Wolf Alice, Slaves, Fat White Family and more.
Athens, GA Rock
A post-punk label often rides the bottom of many a press release, but no band of late truly exemplifies the style more than Atlanta’s Omni. Through two albums, the band have brandished sharp guitar chops and infectious rhythms that give your heart a jitter and your step a bounce. Although you’d be wise not to entirely trust the group’s spasmic structures, as their last effort, Multi-task found the band expanding their sound, rounding the edges of those sharp chords into stretched out pop gems. Perhaps the best news for you is that the majority of the band’s tracks fall below the 3 minute barrier, and compiled with their frantic live sets, you’re going to get maximum returns watching them perform. If you’ve been dipping your toes in the proverbial post-punk pond, it’s time you take that final leap with the best around.
Nathan Lankford is a 8th Grade teacher by day, and a music writer/record label owner by night. He has been active in the music community both in Austin and beyond since 2002, always trying to promote the music that’s near and dear to him. Nathan fashions himself as a fan of the best unpopular music around.
Bogotá, Colombia Electronic
There is something futuristically cool about MNKYBSNSS that I can’t quite put my finger on. Perhaps it’s because tracks like “Something’s Missing” and “Raindrops” sound as effortlessly apropos for European clubs as they would do for a future Blade Runner movie. Maybe it has something to do with the cinematic quality of their music videos that keeps me hungering for more. All I know is that I’m fan-boying with every new release MNKYBSNSS flawlessly execute with their self-proclaimed “abstract compositions and divergent rhythms”. Hailing from Bogotá, Colombia, this electronic duo have meticulously crafted a set of crazy/sexy/cool tracks that have enticed Sony Music to leap on board and help spread the MNKYBSNSS to the masses. I’m ready to let the smoke and wind machines luxuriate me in the laser synthetics and poptronik sound that MNKYBSNSS promise on first listen.
Raj Rudolph has been an pop music obsessive ever since he heard Madonna’s iconic debut album. When he couldn’t stop playing “Music For The Masses” by Depeche Mode, he instantly knew that electronic and pop music would be his life-long passion. Raj is American born, but has lived in London since 2000. He created EQ Music Blog as a passion project from the ground up having interviewed some of the biggest names in pop like Gaga, Sia, Mika, Kelis, Robyn and every member of the Scissor Sisters. EQ Music is one of the UK’s longest running influential pop blogs, voting in BBC Sound and regularly hosting showcase nights for emerging electronic pop acts in the British capital. Raj is also a Program Manager for MTV/Viacom’s Global Entertainment Group as has freelanced as a digital producer for the likes of Google, Huffington Post, Vogue, GQ and WIRED.
Montreal, Canada Rock
Montreal’s Corridor take familiar elements but assemble and scramble them in a way you may not have heard before. There’s a twin-guitar interplay that recalls the late-’70s mutant new wave of XTC, The dB’s and The Feelies, with a sense of melody that shows a love of ‘60s psychedelia and sunshine pop. Putting a hometown twist on things, Corridor sing entirely en français. Don’t let that put you off though: the creativity and abundance of killer tunes found on their acid-baked 2017 album Supermercado breaks through the language barrier. Corridor are even better live, with a real joie de rock that knows no borders — guitars slash, harmonies soar, bodies a constant blur.
A lifelong music geek, Bill has been writing for BrooklynVegan for nearly 10 years, having lived through electroclash, shitgaze, chillwave, seapunk and and other scenes he only sort of remembers. He is currently BV’s Senior Editor.
New York, NY Pop
Gus Dapperton isn’t the stereotypical rock star, but the rising 20-year-old is beginning to embrace the term. He’s a DIY musician whose music has all the essential elements—timeless songwriting, meticulous arrangements, and an unmistakable voice—but his intangible qualities are even more convincing. Gus has the style, moves, and charisma to become one of music’s next breakout acts, and the 6-foot-3, bowlcut-sporting, gender-bending young man is just getting started. 2017’s Yellow and Such EP, although short and sweet, was a highlight from the year. His music videos for “I’m Just Snacking” and “Prune, You Talk Funny” brought Dapperton’s vision to life. His live performances exude confidence. If you encounter any disgruntled music snobs who say there are no original new voices in music, direct them to Gus Dapperton.
Jacob Moore started Pigeons & Planes in his bedroom in October of 2008. He ran the website independently for years before joining Complex and running the site as an owned and operated property. Pigeons & Planes is a music brand that focuses on discovery, produces live shows, and creates original editorial, video, and social content around new music.
Brooklyn, NY Rock
Nicole Sisti and Shari Page found each other through a Craig’s List post entitled Two Girls One Drummer. That should already shed some light on what this band is like. They’re wild, riotous, and know how to party. But Thick was missing something. Cue Kate Black—originally in Whiskey Bitches, Black added the cherry on top to the chaos. Bonding over their mutual love for Blink-182 and Bikini Kill, the trio have now created the ultimate pop-punk alliance that’s breaking necks and taking names—and by that I mean, there’s always a wall of a dozen girls head-banging and moshing at their shows. Battle wounds are inevitable. Keep an eye out for several new singles this year and their sophomore EP coming soon.
Elena Childers was born & raised in Pittsburgh, PA, by a punk rock drummer from the mountains of Kentucky and a rebellious scientist from the capital of Chile. Now living in Brooklyn, NY—she’s a rebel with no cause needed and a podcast host/ music journalist for BTRtoday and Alt Citizen. Catch her backstage at all the coolest underground shows in NYC.
Windsor, Canada Rock
Why should rock be so serious? Quirky, queer and lots of fun, Partner are a Canadian duo with Mike Myers in their hearts, making softly rollicking ‘70s pastiche complete with guitar solo breakdowns. These are songs about struggling to wake up, getting stoned and chasing crushes to the gym. Their debut In Search of Lost Time is aptly Proustian – a few seconds of “Comfort Zone” will fill you with memories of when Weezer was fun and when skits were something new that people put on records. It’ll savage your cynicism and have you reconnecting with long lost friends in no time.
Andrew Karpan is a writer based in New York. He believes Pavement was the last good boy band.
Sydney, Austrailia Americana
Having made her name as the honey-voiced vocalist of ’00s indie types Howling Bells – an Aussie troupe armed with swooning noir hooks and dark romance to spare – Juanita Stein stepped out on her own last year with debut solo release America. Spinning tales of sorrow and betrayal and turning them into something exquisite, it channels a Lana Del Rey-esque sense of spine-tingling melancholy, guiding you on a sultry trip through the dark side of the American dream. Spending the latter part of 2017 touring Europe’s arenas as handpicked support to The Killers, Juanita’s intimate storytelling might be of a thoroughly different sort to that of her Vegas pals but these songs are no less dramatic. An old soul in the classic romantic tradition, she’s the sepia-tinged antidote to the bigger, brighter, faster headache of the modern world.
Lisa Wright is a London-based music journalist and gig promoter. Having written for NME between the years of 2009-2015, she now works as a staff writer for UK indie magazine DIY with additional bylines in the likes of Time Out, Noisey, The Guardian, The Independent and more. She also curates live events for DIY and runs longstanding club night Antidotes which has seen early shows from the likes of Wolf Alice, Slaves, Fat White Family and more.
Sydney, Australia Rock
Gang of Youths are Australia’s most decorated band of 2017, deservedly taking away four ARIAs (that’s the Australian Recording Industry Association Awards) for their second album Go Farther In Lightness. While accolades aren’t necessarily indicative of caliber, in this instance they’re an affirmation that this Sydney band is on to something uniquely powerful. Though they could, and will, fill stadiums with their epic sound, placing the moniker of ‘stadium’ rock on a Gang Of Youths record would be diminishing. They are reaching for something more—an exploration and expression of the human experience, as told through the cathartic power of rock. From their debut record to its magnificent follow-up Gang of Youths—led by magnetic songwriter and frontman David Le’aupepe—run the gambit of emotions: from heartbreak and despair to yearning, hope and ultimately redemption. As a listener you cannot help come away feeling somewhat healed by the process. It’s also something you, quite frankly, have to experience in a live setting. For Dave’s on-stage sashay alone. Trust me.
Nastassia Baroni is a Sydney-based music journalist and Head of Content for Evolve Media Australia, parent company of Australian music website Music Feeds. She’s passionate about homegrown Australian music, The West Wing and defending the merits of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Brooklyn, NY Punk
If The Talking Heads, Devo and The B-52’s had a baby that was raised on the gritty streets of NYC during the ‘70s punk era and hung around the likes of Richard Hell and Patti Smith, that baby would be BODEGA. The Brooklyn-based group is a dirty art school band with five members and occasionally a wizard to introduce them. Their stage presence is a splurge of different explosions with two drummers, two guitarists, a bassist, and singers that fear nothing. It’s always a sweaty experience, but a satisfying one. This May they’ll be heading out for their first European tour and in June their debut album Endless Scroll will be released on What’s Your Rupture? Records.
Elena Childers was born & raised in Pittsburgh, PA, by a punk rock drummer from the mountains of Kentucky and a rebellious scientist from the capital of Chile. Now living in Brooklyn, NY—she’s a rebel with no cause needed and a podcast host/ music journalist for BTRtoday and Alt Citizen. Catch her backstage at all the coolest underground shows in NYC.
London, United Kingdom Punk
British trio Shopping broke into the post-punk scene in 2013 with their first album Consumer Complaints and have been rocking away since. Guitarist/Vocalist Rachel Aggs, bassist Billy Easter and drummer Andrew Milk make up the London three-piece, recently released their third album, The Official Body, in January. Shopping looks to artists like ESG, Delta 5 and the Au Paris to create their high-energy, mesmerizing sounds. Though claiming they’re not a political band, Shopping also draws inspiration from social topics ranging from their “distrust of capitalism” to society’s idea of the ideal body image. Shopping’s music will have you on your feet dancing from the moment the guitar and drums come in. Their light-hearted, exhilarating sound and spirit is highly contagious.
Sophia Gragg is currently a features writer at mxdwn, social media intern at Fearless Records and a writer for her university’s newspaper The Daily Trojan (USC). She has always had a passion for music and plans to work in the industry. Sophia is always going to concerts, finding new artists to fall in love with, and likes to make monthly playlists that her friends listen to. She listens to a large variety of music genres, but her roots will forever be in indie and rock music.
Charleston, SC Rock
If you’re a fan of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Moon Taxi, and Young the Giant, South Carolina’s Stop Light Observations (SLO, if you’re in the know) might just be your new favorite band. This “southern-retro-electro-rock” troupe includes lead singer William Blackburn; guitarist, pianist and synthmaster John Keith “Cubby” Culbreth; lead guitarist Louis Duffie; drummer Luke Withers; and bassist Will Mahoney.
If you’ve caught these southern rockers before (maybe at Bonnaroo or Charleston’s biggest club, The Music Farm) you already know that shirts and shoes are not required for a damn good performance. These multi-instrumentalists are too busy jamming on fiddles, guitars, and saxophones to be bothered with excess fabric.
Peel off your own layers while you dance to Stop Light Observations’ freak folk. Their albums TOOGOODOO and Radiation should be sampled often. Warm up with “Smilers of the Night” and “Dinosaur Bones.”
Austin-based journalist Cassie Morien has been covering music since 2002. After graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida, Morien served as an editor for Boca Raton magazine until she couldn’t stand one more second of Florida’s swamps and sunburns. She finally escaped to Texas in 2013.
Morien is a staff writer for Indie Shuffle and contributing writer for Teeth Magazine. She also serves as the official blogger for SunFest Music Festival. When she’s not damaging her eardrums, Morien can be found tweeting for tech giants at INK Communications Co. She is madly in love with hashtags, music festivals, milkshakes, synth-pop, and the human race.
Los Angeles, CA Rock
The trio of artists who comprise Lo Moon first collectively emerged in late 2016 with their debut track “Loveless,” and have entranced the indie scene with their evocative soundscapes ever since. Guitarist/vocalist Matt Lowell had recently moved from New York to Los Angeles when his future bandmates — bassist/keyboardist Crisanta Baker and guitarist Sam Stewart —
fell in love with his song “Loveless.” A fateful garage jam session arose, and the rest is history. Together the three talents weave lyrically lush and darkly atmospheric guitar-driven alternative pop-rock. Emerging from anonymity in LA to the attention of tastemakers and the blogosphere, Lo Moon is in demand and anticipating the release of their self-titled full length album, featuring Death Cab for Cutie frontman Chris Walla on production duties. The vibe gives a distinctive nod to shimmery retro synth pop, while retaining the dynamic narrative focus of Lo Moon’s singer/songwriter soul.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Folk
Matt and Sam from Mt. Joy went to high school together in Philadelphia but didn’t connect to make music until years later in Los Angeles. That deep familiarity is a perfect back story to a band that feels like I’ve known their music forever. However, Mt. Joy didn’t coast into my ears until late 2016 with their debut single “Astrovan” and it’s fairly undeniable lyric “You know, Jesus drives an Astrovan”. I was instantly hooked. Their follow up song “Sheep” ended up solidifying my love for them and may still be my favorite from their scant five-song catalog. I got to see them live at last year’s SXSW and it was a total treat to see these fantastic musicians rock a tiny room. I recommend that you take advantage this year and I don’t imagine the room will be as small for very long.
For over 9 years Brandon Bogajewicz has been rambling about music he like on The Burning Ear. One of his favorite things in the world is connecting people with bands and songs that deserve more attention. Over the years The Burning Ear has hosted numerous showcases at SXSW, a series of live shows in Los Angeles, and even made a few t-shirts. More recently the website has evolved into an analog counterpart called Vinyl Moon which presses the bands he loves most on vinyl every month. He’s been lucky to work with all 5 of the bands he writes about in this booklet, and releases their music on vinyl. Brandon’s favorite part of the music industry is creating a small but happy family of music makers and music cheerleaders.
Austin, TX Singer-Songwriter
Last year Molly Burch started off 2017 strong with her debut album Please Be Mine released on taste-making New York record label Captured Tracks. It was a delish retreat to the songwriting prowess found in retro times, given a nice new spin with an Austin-based influence. This makes her a perfect fit for SXSW as a hometown kid and one that carries the spirit of not only the city but also the SXSW festival at large. With only one album under her belt, it’s safe to call Molly Burch one to watch.
Will Oliver is photographer and writer based in New York City that founded music blog We All Want Someone To Shout For. He started the blog 10 years ago as a way to share new music discoveries with his friends and it has turned into something much more in recent years.
Los Angeles, CA Hip-Hop / Rap
Since growing up as a sheltered “Grand Pastor’s kid” in South Central L.A., Jared Lee, aka Duckwrth has been creating his own worlds. This is evident throughout the art school dropout’s rap career, where psychedelic blends of electro funk, rock and soul seamlessly wash into each other as he parties on through the chaos of the world around us.
A cross-platform talent, the 29-year-old has created an aesthetic to accompany his sound through self-designed cover artwork and his daring sense of style, which has had him appearing in campaigns for Levis, Facebook and Rare Panther. His own gender-fluid clothing designs have been featured everywhere from LA Weekly to Nylon.
Last year Duckwrth took his music career to the next level, with a debut album I’M UUGLY that saw him collaborate with Sabrina Claudio, Georgia Anne Muldrow and Hodgy Beats, followed up with an XTRA UUGLY Mixtape in the winter.
When he’s not working on his falsetto in the shower and trying to win rings for the Raptors on 2K, UK-based writer Grant Brydon is Hip-hop editor of CLASH Magazine. Over the past twelve months his adventures have included a late-night drive through Houston with Travis Scott and an afternoon on an Irish golf course with Gucci Mane, both of which graced the cover of the magazine. He also curates CLASH’s Spotify and Apple Music playlists, which will get your thumbs stretching for the fire emoji.
Northhampton, MA Electronic
The rigid drum machines, plastic synths, and eerie vocals of Boy Harsher don’t sound much like what you would expect from an album called Country Girl. Then again, the Northampton, Ma. duo don’t sound much like what you would expect from the town that brought you Dinosaur Jr. and Speedy Ortiz. Boy Harsher combines the production talents of August Muller with the chilly, ethereal vocals of Jae Matthews. The pair are working in the resurgent goth styles of the 21st Century, reclaiming European coldwave with American EBM as compiled on Trevor Jackson’s Metal Dance compilation from 2012. They also incorporate some of the warm, glowing New Wave vibes of Synthpop 2.0. Think recent M83 or The Chromatics. 80s electronic music has a tendency to be rigid and grating—Boy Harsher smooths off the rough edges to help you levitate off into the sunset. Their SXSW appearance is coming hot on the heels of a successful string of sold-out tour dates. They’re sure to be at their tightest.
For Beca Arredondo, music has always been a part of her life. She’s been fortunate enough to be in a career that she loves, where discovering artists, writers, and working with amazing, talented people fuels her blood each and every day. You bet, she’s on the hunt for the next big thing.
Issaquah, WA Singer-Songwriter
SYML is named after the Welsh word for “simple”, yet there’s nothing simple about the complex emotions that seep through the surface of his music. Seattle based musician Brian Fennell, who’s also a founding member and the frontman of indie rock band Barcelona, was adopted, which resulted in a disconnection with his Welsh roots. Soul-searching introspection winds through the find threads of SYML’s gently aching, deeply haunting music, a crossroads where tenderly tormented ambient pop meets contemplative dream folk. Songs like “Where’s My Love” off his first EP Hurt For Me or “Fear of the Water” from his latest EP In My Body are wayfaring sojourns that tug long and efficaciously on our heart strings. We find ourselves absorbed by SYML’s melancholic musings, whose soft gusts and delicate howls remind us — no matter how disparate our pasts, we all suffer the same human conditions, such as sorrow and heartbreak.
Amy graduated with a master’s degree in comparative biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley before discovering how deep her passion for music ran. This never-ending obsession lead her to create I Heart Moosiq, a San Francisco based blog that accentuates exceptional new music and highlights noteworthy artists, bands, and producers from all across the genres. She spends a profuse amount of her time listening to and writing about music. A lot of her spare time is spent attending shows and concerts, particularly ones at intimate venues where emerging artists are showcased. I Heart Moosiq is a rewarding experience and a heartfelt endeavor she hopes to continue for much time to come.
Manchester, United Kingdom Rock
It’s hard not to draw comparisons right off the bat between Pale Waves and The 1975, especially since 1975 frontman Matt Healy co-produced their first two singles. The band also spent the past year opening up for The 1975 on 32 dates across North America, which is no small feat considering how relatively new they are and the fact that they only have four singles released to the public. What really drew us to them in the first place, besides their canny knack for a catchy hook, is their distinct The Cure-meets-Avril Lavigne aesthetic. It’s almost impossible to take your eye off lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie. With their genre-blending cocktail of dream pop and post-punk 80s rock, this 4-piece band of misfits from Manchester are high on our list of acts to watch in 2018. Watch the video for the Matt Healy directed “Television Romance” and be sure to etch them into your schedule this year.
WE FOUND NEW MUSIC is an artist discovery platform dedicated to introducing exceptional artists to music industry leaders and organizations. In the past 4 years, we have helped introduce artists through performance & interview sessions, blogs, radio shows, Concerts & DJ sets with today’s most relevant artists, including Billie Eilish, Kim Petras, FRENSHIP, and Bishop Briggs. We book the artists we discover at LA’s live music concept, The Peppermint Club. This will be WE FOUND NEW MUSIC’s fourth time presenting an official showcase at SXSW, this time, teaming up with The Peppermint Club, to create a unique 12 band lineup at The Palm Door on Sixth Street, on the evening of March 15th.
Athens, GA Rock
First things first, Juan de Fuca is a band, not a man. More importantly, it’s a band you’re going to scramble to catch during this year’s festival. The group recalls early 00s New York, before the hype blew it all out of proportion: the songs on their debut Solve/Resolve carry a wave of emotional crests, whilst still holding onto an effortless sense of cool that seeps through your speakers. But to rely upon those similarities does the band a great injustice, as their music draws from a bevy of influences. Whether you hear the Walkmen, Cursive or Jawbreaker, they’re drawing from the very lifeblood that defines modern indie rock, though they’re fashioning it in a style that is wholly their own. You won’t be able to skip a track on their debut record, so be sure not to skip a chance to catch them in the flesh at this year’s fest.
Nathan Lankford is a 8th Grade teacher by day, and a music writer/record label owner by night. He has been active in the music community both in Austin and beyond since 2002, always trying to promote the music that’s near and dear to him. Nathan fashions himself as a fan of the best unpopular music around.
Canowindra, Australia Pop
Australian native Gordi tore us down and built us back up just two years ago with her EP Clever Disguise. That’s no easy feat: what’s even harder is shining in a genre where it is expected for a beat of a song to make you want to dance. Clearly, she has the ability to create a “pop” song that speaks to your heart and head and contains more depth than the usual lighthearted pop. At the moment it is Gordi who has the best model of blending folk and pop—take a listen to “Can We Work It Out” and see for yourself. Having toured with Asgeri and Bon Iver, we’re hoping that sooner rather than later people will catch on to this distinctive artist and it will be Gordi headlining her own shows.
For Beca Arredondo, music has always been a part of her life. She’s been fortunate enough to be in a career that she loves, where discovering artists, writers, and working with amazing, talented people fuels her blood each and every day. You bet, she’s on the hunt for the next big thing.
San Fransico, CA Rock
Despite their name, No Vacation never fails to whisk us away on a wistful and leisurely holiday with their lo-fi surf rock and bedroom dream pop. The San Francisco transplants, now based in Brooklyn, formed in 2015 as a dorm room collaboration. They released two mixtapes before going on a year long hiatus. No Vacation’s members reassembled last year on a five track EP entitled Intermission, out on Topshelf Records. Standout tracks like “Yam Yam’ and “Mind Fields” are worn and soothing, like a light sea spray on a warm summer’s day. Their wavy swirling sun-bleached pop coasts along intimately, like a chaste heart-to-heart or a sincere pinky swear promise. But No Vacation’s quaint and idyllic music can also exude a brisk and headstrong vitality, like Day Wave or Hazel English’s aching indie rock tucked into Yumi Zouma’s wispy purling dream pop.
Amy graduated with a master’s degree in comparative biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley before discovering how deep her passion for music ran. This never-ending obsession lead her to create I Heart Moosiq, a San Francisco based blog that accentuates exceptional new music and highlights noteworthy artists, bands, and producers from all across the genres. She spends a profuse amount of her time listening to and writing about music. A lot of her spare time is spent attending shows and concerts, particularly ones at intimate venues where emerging artists are showcased. I Heart Moosiq is a rewarding experience and a heartfelt endeavor she hopes to continue for much time to come.
Nashville, TN Rock
In The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic, Jessica Hopper writes of Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna, saying that her voice posted “the bail from my teen grunge prison.” A generation later, Bully and frontwoman Alicia Bognanno are doing the same. While the Nashville outfit definitely takes some cues from modern-day indie rock, Bully are also a standing testament to grunge’s young intrinsic appeal.
Andrew Karpan is a writer based in New York. He believes Pavement was the last good boy band.
Seoul, South Korea Electronic
CIFIKA made her presence known very quickly with the release of her first EP, INTELLIGENTSIA. Even though it was released at the end of 2016, it has crept around and is recognized as one of the strong new voices in electronic music. The genre is filled with many amazing artists and CIFIKA is already making an impact.
Her performance with Naver OnStage proved that her music isn’t stuck inside the studio and experiencing her music live could be a life changing event for her fans. Since INTELLIGENTSIA, CIFIKA has released two singles that show growth and expertise. CIFIKA might be exploring on each release, but she’s creating a stellar discography.
Chris Park is an Editor at Large for Korean Indie. He has been writing about Korean independent music since 2008 and continues to try and introduce new artists and bands to audiences around the world.
Austin, TX Hip-Hop / Rap
Every year, I scour the official SXSW showcase list, listen to the locals and pick out ten to fifteen favorites for an article. During these marathons, dozens of songs make the short list. Only a few force me to reconsider a genre. The opening bass line of Magna Carda’s “The Root” did exactly that. It’s everything I love about hip-hop: exceptional production, neck snapping beats, and lyrics full of power and meaning. Lead MC Megz Kelli’s weaving, wandering flow perfectly complements her smooth, jazzy backing band and keyboardist/producer Dougie Do’s laser guided production. The easiest comparison is pre-“Things Fall Apart” Roots blended with Lauyrn Hill’s honesty and a splash of Left Eye’s unique style. The best thing to come out of Austin hip hop since Riders Against the Storm, Magna Carda is a group that demands your attention.
Jerseyian turned Austinite Bill Tucker writes words for a number of sites and publications. He currently serves as Lead Blogger for The Austinot (hyper-local lifestyle blog), as a columnist for skirmishfrogs.com (retro gaming), and contributor to Texas Highways Magazine. His past credits include the Entertainment Weekly Blogging Community, and penning film reviews for a variety of sites and outlets. He enjoys video games, craft beer, Austin’s incredibly vibrant music scene, and convincing his friends “Dr. Strangelove” is one of the greatest films of all time.
Minneapolis, MN Hip-Hop / Rap
Ness Nite is forging a new path for herself in the underground R&B/Hip-Hop scene. The Minnesota native fits in with peers like Kari Faux + Yaeji while taking influence from more established artists like Kid Cudi. Her newest upcoming project, Dream Girl, is executive produced by Alex Tumay (Young Thug, Metro Boomin) and is a beautiful display of Nite punching above her weight. The first single off of her upcoming full-length, “Expectations,” features melancholy production, baroque backing vocals and Ness’ signature rap flow; while her second single, “Tightrope,” showcases her lighter, more bouncy side. This year will be Ness’ SXSW debut – make sure not to miss it.
Alexandra Berenson works as the A&R for Vinyl Me, Please. She runs the Rising Program and currently lives in Denver, CO.
Boston, MA Rock
For those looking for someone who can relate to all those anxious feelings being pre-middle-aged in 2018 can engender, just head north east. Once you hit Boston, you’ll find Vundabar, a trio of DIY rockers who have been bottling tension on their own Gawk Records since 2013’s Antics. With sounds that jangle deep under the sludge of modern stress, the group does their best to laugh back the absurdity that surrounds us. There’s something oddly comforting in the way they bring their goofy nature to confront all too serious topics, just as their music feels somehow fun despite its darker overtones. Their new album, Smell Smoke, does even more to break down the walls between light and dark, pulling back their mask of kooky charm to reveal a band at their most honest—and most ripping.
Ben Kaye is News Editor for Consequence of Sound, a leading online magazine covering the latest in music, film, and television. Raised just outside Boston, educated on Long Island (Hofstra University), and living in Brooklyn, Ben has been covering music for some seven years now. In addition to helping run CoS’ daily news section, he contributes heavily to live coverage and features with both his pen and his camera. He has also worked in comic book journalism and owns what some would call an obscene amount of comics and memorabilia.
London, United Kingdom Pop
Flyte may be strangers to U.S. audiences, but over the past few years they’ve been steadily building a name for themselves. At first channeling the bright pop of the 80s, the group refined their sound to something delicate that could’ve come out of the 60s. Their smart songwriting is refreshing in today’s world of overproduction. Flyte may just be one of the most overlooked bands going right now but we hope that their first stop in the U.S. at SXSW will allow them to break through in a way that they so clearly deserve.
Will Oliver is photographer and writer based in New York City that founded music blog We All Want Someone To Shout For. He started the blog 10 years ago as a way to share new music discoveries with his friends and it has turned into something much more in recent years.
Los Angeles, CA Rock
Cecilia Della Peruti has been making music as Gothic Tropic since 2011, but as charming as her early rough’n’ready singles and EP were, it was last year’s debut album Fast Or Feast that really distilled her power pop, angular guitar lines, and cheeky nods to Girl Group shimmer and sensual R&B into something special. Punchy yet lighthearted, her songs have an infectious groove – a kind of cosmic indie pop – and yet she’s not afraid to tackle serious subjects; old flames, new loves, and self-assertion are all dissected in her own, unique way.
Several tours as a hired gun – most recently for Beck – have allowed her to perfect her stagecraft; live, the songs fly, a proper band adding real heft to her music. A little polish goes a long way, and from classic 70s melodies to jangly earworms, Fast Or Feast cements her talent as songwriter and guitarist. It might have taken her a while to finally make a record, but it was very much worth the wait.
Derek Robertson is a freelance music writer, editor, and digital journalist with over ten years’ experience contributing to a variety of publications, both in print and online. Having written for the likes of the Guardian, the Independent, the Quietus, Clash, Loud & Quiet, and Le Cool, as well as a three-year stint as the English Editor of PERDIZ magazine, he is now Editor In Chief at Drowned In Sound, where he oversees editorial direction and is involved in digital strategy. He also contributes to Subbacultcha, a Dutch independent music and art platform devoted to emerging artists, and provides content for several internationally renowned festivals.
New York, NY Rock
Vermont isn’t generally considered a hotbed for rockabilly singer-songwriters, but Caroline Rose doesn’t give much of a damn for the generally considered. Hell, she barely cares for the confines of “rockabilly,” as her sophomore album, LONER, completely morphs the genre she so deftly cradled on 2013’s American Religious. While there’s still a clear Americana backbone to the new effort, Rose leans playfully into pop, as on the bombastic “Money” or the plucky soul of “Getting to Me”. If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed, though, it’s her complete control over her artistry. A true DIY master, she produces and arranges all of her own music, and even directs her own videos, often casting herself in multiple roles. In that way, Rose is able to present her sharply satirical look at the human condition in its most honest and electric terms. So consider that.
Ben Kaye is News Editor for Consequence of Sound, a leading online magazine covering the latest in music, film, and television. Raised just outside Boston, educated on Long Island (Hofstra University), and living in Brooklyn, Ben has been covering music for some seven years now. In addition to helping run CoS’ daily news section, he contributes heavily to live coverage and features with both his pen and his camera. He has also worked in comic book journalism and owns what some would call an obscene amount of comics and memorabilia.
Minneapolis, MN Pop
KC Dalager and Brad Hale started writing music together in high school under the moniker Now, Now Every Children. In 2010, changing labels and seeking a fresh start, they shortened the name to Now, Now. After being relatively quiet since 2012’s promising pop-punk LP, Threads, they released a couple of singles last year. “SGL” and “Yours” are far more pop than punk, lush tracks of wanting it all and driving with the windows down. In many ways, Threads, though it surveyed a darker landscape of images (darkness, ice, needles, ghosts), was about the same passions—just racked with crippling obsessions and regrets. “SGL”—short for “shotgun lover”—is past all that: “I was young and undone / But I could have died with you there in the sun / Pick it up, baby, if I’m moving too slow,” sings Dalager. Once young and undone, now Now, Now is picking up the pace.
Peter is a video producer and contributing writer based in Charlotte, NC.
Tijuana, Mexico Rock
Although Estrella Sánchez and Amor Amezua are only in their early 20s, everything about their band Mint Field exudes wisdom and experience well beyond their years. Formed only a few years ago in their native Tijuana, the duo has already accumulated some mileage on their home country’s tour circuit, as well as some forays to international stages including Coachella in 2016. If playing live nonstop isn’t enough, Sánchez and Amezcua worked on their proper debut album Pasar De Las Luces for more than a year now. It’s a document that demonstrates a mature take on 80s post-punk and dreampop as a springboard for their lucid melodicism. Mint Field are a vision conjured from ethereal sound that evokes yearning from deep within the listener’s senses.
Marcos Hassan is a culture journalist and musician based in Mexico City. Currently, he is a regular contributor to Remezcla and Noisey En Español. Since 2007, his work has appeared on Noisey, Tiny Mix Tapes and Daily Bandcamp as well as Mexican publications like Warp, Indie Rocks, Chilango, and Letras Libres, among others. He also records and plays music as Caos Del Té.
Toronto, Canada Rock
As far as discoveries go, it’s always rewarding to hop upon a band with a confidence in its sound that allows them to add new experiments into their modus operandi. SXSW audiences will surely find that out if they make the right choice and catch a set by FRIGS during this year’s festival.
The Toronto band has been cultivating a pitch black take on post-punk and grunge since 2014, with a name change and signing to Arts & Crafts along the way. It’s safe to say they’ve made their proper arrival with this years’ debut-of-sorts LP, Basic Behaviour.
The release most predominantly showcases a mastery of murky mood and grim, death march swagger. Usually served up in the form of the clangorous interplay of jangle-noir guitar and bombastic drums, with an inky slurp of bass punctuation and shiver-inducing vocal rumble, FRIGS make the void a downright exciting place to be.
Colin is a writer, editor, show-booker and not-for-profit worker from Calgary, AB.
While he hates writing about himself, he loves coming up with nice words to say about other people, facilitating opportunities for developing artists, and boosting others up on his surprisingly broad shoulders.
He wrote about excellent bands that are playing this year at SXSW, and would cry tears of joy if you made the time to go see them.
Austin, TX Pop
When I first met Mobley, it was before a rainy outside set at Austin’s Spiderhouse Ballroom. For 15 minutes, he dragged boxes of gear on stage. Loop pedals and samplers. Two guitars, a series of keyboards, and a full drum kit. On a rain-slicked roof of a neighboring café, a tech aimed a projector at the stage. All this for one man playing an exciting, soulful blend of pop, hip hop and R&B. And man, did he put on a show. Ablaze with lighting, TV monitors, and pure theatrics, the small stage exploded into a virtual amphitheater and shook raindrops from the trees. Watching Mobley dash from keys to electric guitar to sampler, all while engaging the audience in wonderful ways, will be the highlight of my SXSW experience. Make it yours as well.
Jerseyian turned Austinite Bill Tucker writes words for a number of sites and publications. He currently serves as Lead Blogger for The Austinot (hyper-local lifestyle blog), as a columnist for skirmishfrogs.com (retro gaming), and contributor to Texas Highways Magazine. His past credits include the Entertainment Weekly Blogging Community, and penning film reviews for a variety of sites and outlets. He enjoys video games, craft beer, Austin’s incredibly vibrant music scene, and convincing his friends “Dr. Strangelove” is one of the greatest films of all time.
Austin, TX Americana
Austin’s own David Ramirez can convey quite a lot with his careful, smoky vocals–joys and burdens, regrets and possibilities, lust and longing. Whether deeply personal or stunningly universal, he writes melodies and stories that dig into your nervous system and remain etched there for a long time. His most recent outing, We’re Not Going Anywhere, is no exception. The spacious, meditative collection of songs reflects on Ramirez’s Mexican American heritage through the lens of our current climate. From the expansive synth-driven sounds of the album’s lead single “Watching from a Distance” to its striking piano-led closer, We’re Not Going Anywhere demonstrates range and maturity from the Americana artist. He’s honed his craft, cut his teeth on the road and written stories that are much larger than a single human experience. He brings all this with him to the stage, making his live performances as gripping as their recorded counterparts. Be sure to catch him for a moment of rumination in a week of chaos.
One of The Wild Honey Pie’s founding members, Lauren has spent the past seven years winding her way through the world of music journalism and marketing. In addition to being a longtime contributor and editor for the site, she has taken on roles within artist management – previously at Red Light Management and currently at Foundations Music, leading their in-house marketing team. All the while, she’s stayed true to The Wild Honey Pie’s ethos of music discovery, promoting up-and-coming artists from across the musical spectrum and absorbing songs and sounds from as many genres as possible.
London, United Kingdom Pop
Having set the Internet alight last year with ‘Something For Your M.I.N.D’, two minutes and forty-five seconds of such brilliant warped and utterly-of-its-time guitar pop, many assumed it simply had to be the work of seasoned pros. But no, this super-group really is an international eight-piece fronted by a 17-year old Japanese girl who they discovered in Maine. That they now all live in the same terraced house in London, scheming and perfecting their musical alchemy, completes the picture of a Millennial hivemind distilling youth culture and weird corners of the Internet into nuggets of pop gold.
And what a glorious racket they make. Fun and carefree, there’s a hazy, cartoonish quality to their songs. Neon bright, they favour a maximalist take on pop – adding layer upon layer, like a musical collage – putting fun to the forefront and eschewing traditional notions of “cool”. And, like much of modern culture, by poking fun at conventions and not taking themselves too seriously, they’ve ended up the coolest kids in town, making music that’s somehow nostalgic and yet so completely 2018 it feels indispensable.
Derek Robertson is a freelance music writer, editor, and digital journalist with over ten years’ experience contributing to a variety of publications, both in print and online. Having written for the likes of the Guardian, the Independent, the Quietus, Clash, Loud & Quiet, and Le Cool, as well as a three-year stint as the English Editor of PERDIZ magazine, he is now Editor In Chief at Drowned In Sound, where he oversees editorial direction and is involved in digital strategy. He also contributes to Subbacultcha, a Dutch independent music and art platform devoted to emerging artists, and provides content for several internationally renowned festivals.
Los Angeles, CA Punk
Inspired by the post-punk art scenes in Southern California, French Vanilla have embarked on a journey in recent years to challenge what they consider the “all dude-rock” dominance in local scenes. Sharp bass lines and shouted vocals ring like calls to action as an almost schizophrenic saxophone plays like battle music. Feminist and poignant social lyricism is coupled with an intense yet playful dance floor energy – reminiscent of locals Mika Miko and Scotland’s Shopping. Their DIY approach to both recording and video production is a pleasant reminder for the locally initiated that advances in tech will never dilute LA’s grassroots cultures and influence. Their debut album is out now on Danger Collective and is required listening for the true music snob.
Justin Bieggar is a music journalist and photographer based in Southern California, currently working as Associate Editor for All Things Go and Creative Producer for Fox Theater Pomona.
Edmonton, Canada Rock
For those who don’t know her yet, Jessica Jalbert’s Faith Healer is one of Western Canada’s most lauded acts of the last few years. That may bring to mind visions of prairies and mountains, but Faith Healer operates in another lane from that type of troubadour.
Her songwriting recalls the past with a mix of wistfulness and humour, touching on soft-rock and psych-pop with the odd guitar freakout mixed into synths and gentle strums. 2017’s Try 😉 (yes, that’s an emoji in the title) she jokes about astrology and lack of motivation over bobbing bass lines, synth haze and varying guitar hijinks. It’s a soothing sound that stays memorable with its wit. That may be in part thanks to forming a permanent band around the project, a comfortable, clearly well-attuned cast including longtime collaborator Renny Wilson. Between their chemistry on stage and comfort coming from time spent playing out since their latest LP, it’s a pretty great time to catch Faith Healer for yourself.
Colin is a writer, editor, show-booker and not-for-profit worker from Calgary, AB.
While he hates writing about himself, he loves coming up with nice words to say about other people, facilitating opportunities for developing artists, and boosting others up on his surprisingly broad shoulders.
He wrote about excellent bands that are playing this year at SXSW, and would cry tears of joy if you made the time to go see them.
Austin, TX Rock
If you thrive on psychedelic rock, Austin’s own The Bright Light Social Hour is likely a staple of your collection. But temporarily hit pause on Space is Still the Place to make room in your prismatic heart for Curtis Roush’s solo endeavor.
TBLSH’s soulful singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist explores new celestial territory with his spellbinding release Cosmic Campfire Music. This quiet, shimmering collection was recorded by Roush in motels, a tour van, and his parents’ spare bedroom. He tracked the album to an analog tape during a chill in 2016, playing every single instrument himself.
While Cosmic Campfire Music will make your body swoon, it is important to note that Roush touches on heartbreaking life experiences on this album, including the suicide of Alex O’Brien, manager of The Bright Light Social Hour and brother to bandmate Jack O’Brien.
Wrap yourself around these brand new sounds and follow Curtis Roush from stage to stage this SXSW. His magic should be experienced in person.
Austin-based journalist Cassie Morien has been covering music since 2002. After graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida, Morien served as an editor for Boca Raton magazine until she couldn’t stand one more second of Florida’s swamps and sunburns. She finally escaped to Texas in 2013.
Morien is a staff writer for Indie Shuffle and contributing writer for Teeth Magazine. She also serves as the official blogger for SunFest Music Festival. When she’s not damaging her eardrums, Morien can be found tweeting for tech giants at INK Communications Co. She is madly in love with hashtags, music festivals, milkshakes, synth-pop, and the human race.
Brisbane, Australia Pop
Harriette Pilbeam made her debut last summer as Hatchie, welcoming us into a nostalgic world etched out of stringy shoegaze and dreamy glistening pop. The multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Brisbane has released two singles, “Try” and “Sure”, and she recently signed to Ivy League Records with a debut EP named Sugar & Spice on the way. Pilbeam is no stranger to the scene. She was previously involved in bands like Babaganouj and Go Violets, but with her solo project, Hatchie swaddles our hearts with a 90s inspired sound, evoking the ethereal haze and willowy rock of Cocteau Twins, The Cranberries, and Wolf Alice. Hatchie’s gauzy shimmering songs inspire us to recall the doe-eyed summers of our innocuous youth, so sweetly and poignantly entrenched in affairs of our jilted hearts. Perhaps it’s a mirage distorted by time, but this trip down memory lane is extra sweet when recollected through Hatchie.
Amy graduated with a master’s degree in comparative biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley before discovering how deep her passion for music ran. This never-ending obsession lead her to create I Heart Moosiq, a San Francisco based blog that accentuates exceptional new music and highlights noteworthy artists, bands, and producers from all across the genres. She spends a profuse amount of her time listening to and writing about music. A lot of her spare time is spent attending shows and concerts, particularly ones at intimate venues where emerging artists are showcased. I Heart Moosiq is a rewarding experience and a heartfelt endeavor she hopes to continue for much time to come.
La Plata, Mexico Latin Indie
Under the leadership of Santiago Motorizado, El Mató a un Policía Motorizado (EMAUPM) is a band like no other. Not because they’ve been working over the past 10 years, but because their arrangements haven’t lost their honesty. They carefully arrange their mixes and constantly experiment with their synthesizers. With garage and krautrock roots, EMAUPM beautifully reflects what every human being has felt in his life with their delicate sounds: that love has defeated us once a while.
Glasgow, Scotland Rock
Looking to London for the next great British guitar band? Shift your gaze north to Glasgow. Catholic Action is a proud product of the Scottish cultural capital’s supportive environment, and frontman Chris McCrory ensured they’d make an album under their own terms. The group’s well-received debut In Memory Of, released in fall 2017, shows off the band’s own brand of glam rock informed by pop. A confident Scottish swagger accompanies the bass-buzzy “L.U.V,” a song just begging you to clap your hands while you sing along to it, while “Propaganda” is a brash anthem about asserting your independence. Make no mistake, Catholic Action’s return to Austin for their second SXSW in a row is sure to be special.
Mary Chang has been the owner and editor-in-chief of There Goes the Fear since 2010. Deeply passionate about spreading the word on good music, she has broadened TGTF’s original focus on UK artists, with the Web site now exploring acts from America, Ireland, Australia, Scandinavia, and more. Although based in Washington, DC, Mary has covered gigs and music festivals on three continents, relishing travel to discover music and experience live performances with the locals. She previously wrote for PopWreck(oning), quickly becoming their British music expert; DIY; and ClickMusic. Her favorite interviewee to date? Tom Chaplin. Mary’s day job is in scientific publishing.
Dagenham, United Kingdom Jazz
Hailing from across the pond comes Zara McFarlane and her golden voice that makes one weep tears of joy, pain, and ecstasy all at once. Her self-produced take on Neo-Jazz jettisons you to a state of pure soulful bliss, like you’re sitting at a coffee shop in a far-off place sipping on the best coffee you’ve ever had. Every one of her track has an almost progressive nature to it, reflecting the spiritual jazz of the 70s blended with a mix of reggae and Afro-beat. Her debut EP IF YOU KNOW HER hit the scene in 2010 and garnered the attention of Gilles Peterson, who promptly helped get her signed to Brownswood Recordings. Since her debut she has continuously released some of the most beautiful music on the aforementioned imprint and melted hearts, minds, and souls all across the globe.
Born on the East Coast with a childhood forged in California, Reese Hayward can mostly be found brunching when he’s not watching kung-fu movies. He’s been a music writer for 3 years and counting and will literally go to any show as long they serve mojitos.
Seoul, South Korea R & B
For an artist so young, Crush has a big presence in the Korean music industry. His list of releases is exhaustive and equal to the number of featured appearances he has made on other artist’s songs. Primarily known for his R&B songs as both an artist and producer, he’s also released a ballad, “Beautiful,” for the drama Goblin.
Moving between genres shows that Crush is able to capture the essence of any genre and only needs the right inspiration to create music. Bringing his talents to the United States again, Crush knows how to connect with audiences and will present an amazing show for anyone lucky enough to watch him live.
Chris Park is an Editor at Large for Korean Indie. He has been writing about Korean independent music since 2008 and continues to try and introduce new artists and bands to audiences around the world.
Toronto, Canada Rock
An ever-interesting experimental art-pop project since its inception in 2007, Meghan Remy’s U.S. Girls always finds an agreeable stride among its noisy loops, gripping beats, house vibes, and sharp melodies. Remy’s 2015 album Half Free—her first on 4AD—was a breakout of sorts, acquiring nominations for a Juno Award and the Polaris Music Prize, and rightly so: tracks like “New Age Thriller” and “Window Shades” reveal the impeccable sense of style and dark drama within Remy’s project. This year’s In a Poem Unlimited has the same art-pop DNA, but trades out some of its predecessor’s noise and ambiance for more direct, straightforward grooves and psych-tinged gestures. What unites all of this work is Remy’s communion with the shadowy, visceral side of pop music, making hers an important voice.
Adam Rothbarth is a music critic and journalist based in St. Louis, MO. After completing his M.A. in Musicology, he joined Tiny Mix Tapes as a staff writer and has been a regular album review contributor to Apple Music; his work on music and film has appeared a number of leading publications and radio stations, including Pitchfork, Spin, Vice, KEXP, and Gimme Radio. Recently, the BBC noted his review of Arcade Fire’s album Everything Now as one of the 7 most scathing record reviews of 2017. Outside of writing, Adam’s interests include baking, classical music, philosophy, Kanye West, and vegan food.
Nashville, TN Rock
With four albums to her name, Tristen has demonstrated her range and revealed her remarkable talent within the Americana space. Teardrops and Lollipops (2009) and Charlatans at the Garden Gate (2011) are both unwavering collections, careening through authoritative strums, razor sharp lyrics and percussion to drive them both. These albums, like the rest of her catalogue, are catchy, but never venture into being easy. Easy to like, yes. But they offer a piercing depth that resonates beyond the often tranquil or appealing melodies. Her next album, Caves, took that same intensity and ventured into a more pop-instrumental territory, with synth sounds and synthetic percussion adding their flourish below her notable vocals. Her most recent release, the remarkable Sneaker Waves, seems to have combined elements from all her previous outings. As synthetic elements meet organic warmth, Tristen is both expressive and intimate, steadfast and conflicted. The songs dive headfirst into a world of interpersonal dynamics and expression, and her live performance follows that same journey. I highly recommend catching her in Austin if you can!
One of The Wild Honey Pie’s founding members, Lauren has spent the past seven years winding her way through the world of music journalism and marketing. In addition to being a longtime contributor and editor for the site, she has taken on roles within artist management – previously at Red Light Management and currently at Foundations Music, leading their in-house marketing team. All the while, she’s stayed true to The Wild Honey Pie’s ethos of music discovery, promoting up-and-coming artists from across the musical spectrum and absorbing songs and sounds from as many genres as possible.
Los Angeles, CA Pop
This young pop phenom broke onto the scene at the tender age of 13 when she uploaded her song “Ocean Eyes” to SoundCloud to share with her dance teacher. Almost overnight, the song went viral and now boasts a hefty 38 million streams across all platforms. This past year we saw the release of her debut album don’t smile at me [Interscope Records], which she co-wrote with her brother Finneas, the other half of the project. With their dark, clever lyrics, undeniably catchy melodies, and Billie’s unmistakable style, this is one act you will not wanna miss at SXSW this year. Wherever they perform, we suggest arriving early because it will no doubt be packed to the brim.
WE FOUND NEW MUSIC is an artist discovery platform dedicated to introducing exceptional artists to music industry leaders and organizations. In the past 4 years, we have helped introduce artists through performance & interview sessions, blogs, radio shows, Concerts & DJ sets with today’s most relevant artists, including Billie Eilish, Kim Petras, FRENSHIP, and Bishop Briggs. We book the artists we discover at LA’s live music concept, The Peppermint Club. This will be WE FOUND NEW MUSIC’s fourth time presenting an official showcase at SXSW, this time, teaming up with The Peppermint Club, to create a unique 12 band lineup at The Palm Door on Sixth Street, on the evening of March 15th.
Detroit, MI Rock
Female songwriters are having a bit of a moment these days and considering all that’s going on in the world, it’s about time. Throw Detroit singer-songwriter Anna Burch into the mix as she just released her debut album Quit The Curse via Polyvinyl Records. It’s an honest first impression of folk songwriting wit, with a smart pop charm that works in tandem to give her songs a sincerity that rings true every step of the way. It’s hard not to be won over by her playful tunes while also find a way to move the needle emotionally.
Will Oliver is photographer and writer based in New York City that founded music blog We All Want Someone To Shout For. He started the blog 10 years ago as a way to share new music discoveries with his friends and it has turned into something much more in recent years.
Melbourne, Australia Soul
Tenderness is at the heart of The Teskey Brothers’ sound, the Melbourne blues band taking proud cues from the likes of soul music pioneers Otis Redding and Sam Cooke and weaving them into something of their very own—a sort of folk blues born out of Melbourne’s Yarra Valley, well over 9,000 miles from Memphis. Thankfully, music travels both time and space. The Teskey Brothers’ 2017 self-produced and independently released debut album Half Mile Harvest swings with all the hallmarks of 1960s blues—the yearning in album standout “Crying Shame”, the tangible melancholy of “Pain and Misery” and the undeniable groove of “Louisa”, for example—all underscored by frontman Josh Teskey’s whiskey-soaked vocals. Keep an eye on these Yarra Valley lads, they’ve got some yarns to spin.
Nastassia Baroni is a Sydney-based music journalist and Head of Content for Evolve Media Australia, parent company of Australian music website Music Feeds. She’s passionate about homegrown Australian music, The West Wing and defending the merits of the Eurovision Song Contest.
New York, NY Rock
Formed in 2014 in New York City, Public Access T.V. has been infusing the local scene with new wave embellished post-punk. Since then they’ve toured with The Strokes, The Pixies, and many more of the greats. They hold a special place in the East Village, New York City as their studio and home went up in flames during the 2015 explosion of 123 2nd Avenue. They’ve done work to heal their community as well as develop their sound since.In 2018 we expect to hear a groovier and lo-fi approach to their music, teased by their re-release records like “Lost in the Game” we hear broken-down-beats and care free trumpets that form a youthful ballad.
Stasia de Tilly is an audio-visual artist and contemporary arts academic who also loves music journalism. She grew up in Hong Kong and moved to NYC in 2015. She writes for Alt-Citizen as well as for herself in her bedroom late at night.
London, United Kingdom Pop
“I’m a 19-year-old female from the future trying to make America cyberpunk again.” That’s what Suzi Wu told Pigeons & Planes when we asked her to introduce herself for a feature published in January of 2018. Stylistically, her music is more pop than punk, but there’s an unapologetic, raw energy to the songs on her 2017 EP Teenage Witch. Unlike so much of the pop that dominates radio and charts, Wu’s modus operandi is in-your-face and unkempt, but in the most charming way possible. Just watch the video for “Taken Care Of” and you’ll get it. Suzi Wu is making music that’s catchy enough to be accessible on first listen, but she’s got an edge that really sets her apart. She’s the badass that pop music so desperately needs, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
Jacob Moore started Pigeons & Planes in his bedroom in October of 2008. He ran the website independently for years before joining Complex and running the site as an owned and operated property. Pigeons & Planes is a music brand that focuses on discovery, produces live shows, and creates original editorial, video, and social content around new music.
Barcelona, Spain Hip-Hop / Rap
As Bad Gyal, vocalist Alba Farelo celebrates her deep love for dancehall, riding rhythms that mutate into irresistible melodic dispatches from her mind, sung in her native Catalan as well as Spanish and English. Garnering international notoriety thanks to her 2016 rework of Rihanna’s “Work” — titled “Pai,” her own slang word for money — Alba slowly delivered a stream of catchy-as-hell club singles, soaked in digital sheen and deep bass rumbles. With a fresh EP under her belt, she’s already made a huge impression at international festivals, where her shows inevitably turn into sweaty, smoke-filled parties; it’s here that Bad Gyal’s warbled auto-tuned vision comes to life.
Marcos Hassan is a culture journalist and musician based in Mexico City. Currently, he is a regular contributor to Remezcla and Noisey En Español. Since 2007, his work has appeared on Noisey, Tiny Mix Tapes and Daily Bandcamp as well as Mexican publications like Warp, Indie Rocks, Chilango, and Letras Libres, among others. He also records and plays music as Caos Del Té.
New York, NY Rock
If you’ve ever wondered what the members of Sonic Youth are up to these days, look no further than Kino Kimino’s debut album Bait Is For Sissies. The Brooklyn-based grunge pop project, fronted by guitarist and performance artist Kim Talon (Eagle and Talon, Jan), combines a quirky-cute Bratmobile vocal style with post-punk backing. The album features none other than drummer Steve Shelley and guitarist Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth. Their signature dark, chugging rhythms add a sly twist to her offbeat-on-purpose melodies—an interesting play on the usual indie rock outfit, think Fugazi meets Sleater-Kinney. Kino Kimono is a mismatch of genres paying homage to female rock bands of the 90s and 00s and the result is a completely original sound.
Kellie MacDougall is a 21 year-old artist living in East Nashville, Tennessee. She moved there from Boston in 2015 to pursue an education in audio engineering and have since graduated with an Associate’s degree. She volunteers at DIY punk venues around the local scene and works as a stagehand setting up at arena concerts. She came into music journalism through zines and live photography. Some artists that inspire her work are Joan Didion, Kathleen Hanna, and Bob Gruen. In her spare time she paints, plays electric guitar, and works part-time as a dog walker.
London, United Kingdom Rock
Goat Girl understand that rock & roll has always been at its most visceral when rolling around in the gutter. Their music has plenty of primordial sludge, but they forgo the short sharp blasts of punk for echo-heavy, reverb-drenched tunes that groove, the bastard children of garage rock and 1950’s Girl Group gold.
Debut single “Scum” didn’t make it past the two minute mark; in fact, only one of their first four songs did. They don’t like to waste words, delivering concise jabs to both the gut and the brain. But they have smarts and humour too, plus plenty of sleaze. “Touch my body, touch my soul / Touch that deep and disused hole” drawls singer Lottie on ‘Country Sleaze’, her deadpan, dead-eyed delivery all part of the charm. And when they’re taking inspiration from the likes of The Slits, Patti Smith, and Billie Holiday, you know they have impeccable credentials.
Derek Robertson is a freelance music writer, editor, and digital journalist with over ten years’ experience contributing to a variety of publications, both in print and online. Having written for the likes of the Guardian, the Independent, the Quietus, Clash, Loud & Quiet, and Le Cool, as well as a three-year stint as the English Editor of PERDIZ magazine, he is now Editor In Chief at Drowned In Sound, where he oversees editorial direction and is involved in digital strategy. He also contributes to Subbacultcha, a Dutch independent music and art platform devoted to emerging artists, and provides content for several internationally renowned festivals.
Nashville, TN Rock
Sophie Allison, aka Soccer Mommy, is poised to become bedroom-pop’s newest star—she cultivated a devoted fanbase through Bandcamp and released her first record with Orchid Tapes, the NYC label that launched (Sandy) Alex G, Julia Brown, and Ricky Eat Acid. Her musical lineage is enviable, as an NYU student by way of Nashville—home of two most vibrant music scenes in the country. We love bedroom pop because it’s confessional and interior, like our own secrets sung back to us. Soccer Mommy delivers that to us in spades (“You smell like cigarettes and how chocolate tastes/It makes me wanna die but I guess I can wait” she sings in “Death By Chocolate”). But she also brings an unabashed bite to a genre that has been almost exclusively defined by some element of softness and shyness. “I don’t want to be your fucking dog,” she declares on a track from her upcoming album Clean. The song makes lo-fi anthemic, recalling “Fuck and Run”-era Liz Phair. It’s hard to create music that can embody both of these seemingly contradictory things, and if Soccer Mommy can do that this early in her career, there’s no limits on what she might deliver.
Nikki Barnhart lives and writes in New York City, where she works in book publishing, and reminisces about her glory days as the music director of her college radio station.
Philadelphia, PA Rock
There’s a sort of dizzying effect to Palm’s 2015 debut album, Trading Basics. However, this is where the Philadelphia band goes right—dissonance and confusion allow the listener to completely dive into their brand of surf rock, creating a musical rabbit hole free of outside distraction. Their latest track, “Composite”, jumps between different rhythmic meters, inviting the listener to a “catch me if you can”” challenge. The chorus of the track sounds like a kaleidoscope looks—a plethora of colors spawning out, dazzling and invigorating.
It’s important to note that none of the members of Palm—Eve Alpert, Kasra Kurt, Hugo Stanley, and Gerasimos Livitsanos—were formally trained on their instruments. Their self-training leads to organic creation, unaware of rules they should or should not follow: it is unadulterated, honest rock. Hard to categorize, they jump between experimental, twee, surf rock, and jangle pop—they write what feels right. Palm is a band for those who feel jaded by what reminds them of another band. Their brand of rock is refreshing and original, as are the people behind the songs.
Their new record, Rock Island, is sure to please, a curated set of new, dynamic, certainly unpredictable adventures, perhaps more subdued and tranquil ones, as it was recorded in a farmhouse in upstate New York.
Virginia has been writing since her freshman year of college, penning her admiration for Best Coast and Leslie Knope via online zine Pop Culture Puke. Her work has appeared in Treble Zine, The Le Sigh, Westchester Magazine, and Paste Magazine. She is a staff writer at Impose Magazine. In October, she rewatched the Office and documented every use of Wegman’s products, which you can find on her twitter.
Los Angeles, CA Rock
The first time I saw NoMBe live was about 3 years ago in a tiny record store in Los Angeles with about 14 other people crammed in between the stacks. It was intimate and magical, and I quietly sang along to the few songs he had released so far. In December of last year I caught him headlining a packed show in Los Angeles and got to sing along with hundreds of other people in the room. Man, did he bring it! He brought the energy. He brought the enthusiasm. He brought the songs! Which is not a surprise if you have been following NoMBe’s 2017 as he released one song a month for 12 months. He capped off that torrent of jams with the release of his debut album on Valentine’s day this year. It is a record all about the women in his life and it is a treat to witness.
For over 9 years Brandon Bogajewicz has been rambling about music he like on The Burning Ear. One of his favorite things in the world is connecting people with bands and songs that deserve more attention. Over the years The Burning Ear has hosted numerous showcases at SXSW, a series of live shows in Los Angeles, and even made a few t-shirts. More recently the website has evolved into an analog counterpart called Vinyl Moon which presses the bands he loves most on vinyl every month. He’s been lucky to work with all 5 of the bands he writes about in this booklet, and releases their music on vinyl. Brandon’s favorite part of the music industry is creating a small but happy family of music makers and music cheerleaders.
Distrito Federal, Mexico Electronic
Mexican bands give it all on stage every year at SXSW. If we are going to talk about ‘giving it all’ and Mexican culture, you have to keep an eye on Centavrvs. This band, from Mexico City, knows how to combine powerful beats with Mexican folklore perfectly. If you feel like yelling “¡Viva México” and dancing ‘a la Pancho Villa’ but with mid-tempo beats, you have to listen to Centavrvs and their ‘Mexican Revolution’ vibes. That’s how they roll.
Gold Coast, Australia Pop
Australian singer/songwriter Amy Shark wears her heart on her sleeve. Her frank and personal lyrics have been likened to Lorde’s, and carry a nostalgia that traces back to adolescent loves and existential prom nights spent staring at the stars. Her mega-hit “Adore” that garnered her the #2 spot on the Triple J Hottest 100 in 2016 was just the beginning—Amy’s debut EP Night Thinker displayed a sharp tongue alongside her breathy vocals and guitar. Shark’s debut LP is on the horizon and she’s amassed a handful of tunes with which to show off her guns. She’s also been in the studio with Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus, and if that isn’t enough to convince you of her impressionability, I’m not sure we can be friends.
I’ve been covering the L.A. music scene for half a decade. When I’m not hunting down talent, I’m writing about it and talking about it.
Oslo, Norway Electronic
Oslo’s Sassy 009 don’t seem like they care whether you dance, sing, flail or do all at once. They are making music their way and you can get involved or get out of their way. Dissonant beats, fuzzed out rapping, and floating flute solos are just some of the oddball elements you can expect on their debut EP, 2017’s Do You Mind. “Pretty Baby” is a throbbing hangover of a dance song that makes you want an Advil and a double shot in equal measure. Conversely, “Are You Leaving” is that elastic cloud you float on after that double shot. I’ve never seen them live and have no idea what to expect but there is no way I’m missing a chance to see them live at SXSW. I want to see that flute solo live.
For over 9 years Brandon Bogajewicz has been rambling about music he like on The Burning Ear. One of his favorite things in the world is connecting people with bands and songs that deserve more attention. Over the years The Burning Ear has hosted numerous showcases at SXSW, a series of live shows in Los Angeles, and even made a few t-shirts. More recently the website has evolved into an analog counterpart called Vinyl Moon which presses the bands he loves most on vinyl every month. He’s been lucky to work with all 5 of the bands he writes about in this booklet, and releases their music on vinyl. Brandon’s favorite part of the music industry is creating a small but happy family of music makers and music cheerleaders.
Brisbane, Australia Pop
Grace Shaw’s rap alter-ego Mallrat has been taking over my playlists for the past few years, not to mention radio play in her home of Australia (Triple J) and my home of Los Angeles (KCRW). Grace refers to herself as the “Hannah Montana of the rap game” but that says more about her goofy personality and still being a teenager than anything remotely Disney-approved. She raps about what she knows, including the double life she lived recording her early songs while still in high school. Going to class by day and the recording studio by night, lame parties with lame peers while bigger things lay just on the horizon. There is actually something quite universal in that and I can’t think of anything better than witnessing Grace rap her heart out to us all this week.
For over 9 years Brandon Bogajewicz has been rambling about music he like on The Burning Ear. One of his favorite things in the world is connecting people with bands and songs that deserve more attention. Over the years The Burning Ear has hosted numerous showcases at SXSW, a series of live shows in Los Angeles, and even made a few t-shirts. More recently the website has evolved into an analog counterpart called Vinyl Moon which presses the bands he loves most on vinyl every month. He’s been lucky to work with all 5 of the bands he writes about in this booklet, and releases their music on vinyl. Brandon’s favorite part of the music industry is creating a small but happy family of music makers and music cheerleaders.
Toronto, Canada Electronic
The best new discoveries can be the hardest to describe. Lido Pimienta’s sound is one of explorative psychedelia on top of Colombian folk on top of dance electronica. Layered creatively and with purpose, Pimienta’s 2016 record La Papessa communicates beyond language. Organic and electronic percussion intermingle seamlessly, complex harmonies carrying sonic weight where the whole is greater than any of the individual ideas playing part in Pimienta’s story. The Toronto based artist was recognized with 2017’s Polaris Music Prize—it’s a great sign of global multiculturalism when Canada’s top award goes to a record that isn’t in English or French. Of the hundreds of artists listened to so far, Lido Pimienta ranks among the top in terms of being consistently interesting, especially with multiple listens—an indicator of a SXSW artist that is going to have heads turning come March.
Kevin McStravick started Operation Every Band in 2010, a site dedicated to reviewing every showcasing SXSW artist before the conference kicks off each March. Pairs well with spreadsheets, headphones and soul.
Melbourne, Australia Rock
Perhaps the most special thing as a music fan is to stumble onto something so special that it defines the way you listen to music from that day forth. And with that, go to a quiet place and take a listen to the debut album from RVG. The Australian band are crafting a sound that seems predestined if you spent any time listening to the Go-Betweens; the song structures are similar, especially when it comes to the textural layers the band apply to each track. But, the power of the music seems to pour from the lyrics penned by Romy Vager. Lines like “staring at the ceiling/feeling numb” or “I wasn’t sad, but I wasn’t happy” seem as if they could have been written by any one of us; this makes their music personal, and yet common to all of us. Thus, great songs with lyrics will leave listeners with something special to take home with them when this week has passed.
Nathan Lankford is a 8th Grade teacher by day, and a music writer/record label owner by night. He has been active in the music community both in Austin and beyond since 2002, always trying to promote the music that’s near and dear to him. Nathan fashions himself as a fan of the best unpopular music around.
Birmingham, AL Hip-Hop / Rap
Hailing from Birmingham, Ala., YBN Nahmir is a 17-year-old viral sensation who has been taking the internet by storm. The young rapper began to see what many would claim as overnight success after he released the music video for his record “Rubbin’ Off the Paint”, and has kept his name in the mouths of fans, major artists, and blogs alike ever since. Currently his viral single has 81 million YouTube views and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 46. His chart-topping single received remixes from both Vince Staples and Danielle Bregoli aka Bhad Bhabie, as well as public cosign from Chris Brown. Nahmir’s viral success has taken him from playing video games with his high school friends to turning down record deals from major labels and performing at major festivals such as Rolling Loud. At such a young age, YBN Nahmir’s career is looking very bright as he may be the biggest ‘SoundCloud’ rapper to emerge out of the South in 2018.
Jake Markow is a junior at the University of Houston majoring in Public Relations. He currently writes for Elevator and Dirty Glove Bastard, focusing on up and coming hip-hop artists. Born in California, he got his start in music through playing and tour managing bands. After moving to Texas for college, Jake transitioned into producing for rap artists. Jake’s favorite artists are John Mayer and Young Thug, and he was voted “Most Likely To Be In Your Bae’s Headphones’ in high-school.
Baltimore, MD Rock
Vocalist-drummer Ed Schrader has been accosting ears for nearly 10 years, with bassist Devlin Rice joining shortly after the project’s formation. Coming out of Baltimore’s DIY haven Wham City, the pair had a fortuitous start in cahoots with fellow Baltimorean Dan Deacon.
In the time between their origins and the imminent release of Riddles, Schrader and Rice made their name on a catalogue that veered between primordial blasts of savagery and ruminative baritone mantras, all while keeping a continuity of jagged minimalism.
While their ethos remains on the transformative Riddles, it marks a new era with Deacon as collaborator throughout. Lead single “Dunce” is a bluesy grind with gritty heft, the title track an ebullient release, and “Humbucker Blues” a dusky pout. The Music Beat are a band on the other side of a creative breakthrough with a can’t-miss spring in their step. Now may just be the ideal to witness them in person.
Colin is a writer, editor, show-booker and not-for-profit worker from Calgary, AB.
While he hates writing about himself, he loves coming up with nice words to say about other people, facilitating opportunities for developing artists, and boosting others up on his surprisingly broad shoulders.
He wrote about excellent bands that are playing this year at SXSW, and would cry tears of joy if you made the time to go see them.
Brooklyn, NY Rock
BOYTOY is a New York City band that combines east coast and west coast vibes with punk rock and The Spice Girls. Their chaotic fuzzed-out sound and painfully stylish looks will make your ears bleed and your heart throb. Created by surfing and smoking buddies Saara Untracht-Oakner and Glenn Van Dyke in 2013, they’re now joined by drummer Chase Noelle from Thelma & The Sleaze and just finished recording their sophomore LP with Lena Simon, bassist of La Luz. These are some rockers that know how to handle a goddamn instrument. It’s the kind of music you don’t take home to mama, but you do anyways. Swing your hips along and let yourself go postal for BOYTOY.
Elena Childers was born & raised in Pittsburgh, PA, by a punk rock drummer from the mountains of Kentucky and a rebellious scientist from the capital of Chile. Now living in Brooklyn, NY—she’s a rebel with no cause needed and a podcast host/ music journalist for BTRtoday and Alt Citizen. Catch her backstage at all the coolest underground shows in NYC.
Austin, TX Rock
The term “shoegaze” is a nebulous genre. Any band with a whiff of 80’s goth, moody new wave or breathy, dreamy vocals tend to get plunked into the category. Less My Bloody Valentine in favor of early Death Cab, Hovvdy creates grand sonic landscapes from simple instrumentation, hushed vocals, and layer upon layer of lo-fi fuzz. Songs like “Petal” and the folky “Cranberry” lift the veil to reveal simple, emotive acoustic guitar and rhythm tracks while “Pretend” and “Left Out” layer the angst with electronic backbeats and far off electric squall. The result is like wrapping up in a warm blanket on a dour, grey morning. Comforting, dreamy, and full of breathless anticipation for the clouds to eventually part.
Jerseyian turned Austinite Bill Tucker writes words for a number of sites and publications. He currently serves as Lead Blogger for The Austinot (hyper-local lifestyle blog), as a columnist for skirmishfrogs.com (retro gaming), and contributor to Texas Highways Magazine. His past credits include the Entertainment Weekly Blogging Community, and penning film reviews for a variety of sites and outlets. He enjoys video games, craft beer, Austin’s incredibly vibrant music scene, and convincing his friends “Dr. Strangelove” is one of the greatest films of all time.
Pajala, Sweden Pop
Having captured our black heart emoji hearts with their pop punk anthem “Sad Girls Club”, The Magnettes are onto something mischievously fun in bringing their special blend of Swedish sass to our ears. Their album Ugly Youth dug itself deep into our soundscape last year and it’s singles keep punching their way onto our Spotify playlists. We like to think of The Magnettes as “Icona Pop for the deep thinkers”. If Josie and The Pussycasts are Riverdale’s answer to hometown music heros, then think of The Magnettes being Westerburg High School’s pin-up girls with the Heathers as their biggest fans. Gearing up for their SXSW appearance this year, the renegade pop prowess of The Magnettes is most certainly one of our top picks for must-see shows this year in Austin. They’ve been favorited on our SXSW GO app for months.
Raj Rudolph has been an pop music obsessive ever since he heard Madonna’s iconic debut album. When he couldn’t stop playing “Music For The Masses” by Depeche Mode, he instantly knew that electronic and pop music would be his life-long passion. Raj is American born, but has lived in London since 2000. He created EQ Music Blog as a passion project from the ground up having interviewed some of the biggest names in pop like Gaga, Sia, Mika, Kelis, Robyn and every member of the Scissor Sisters. EQ Music is one of the UK’s longest running influential pop blogs, voting in BBC Sound and regularly hosting showcase nights for emerging electronic pop acts in the British capital. Raj is also a Program Manager for MTV/Viacom’s Global Entertainment Group as has freelanced as a digital producer for the likes of Google, Huffington Post, Vogue, GQ and WIRED.
Austin, TX Americana
Soda shop soul with a sweet, delightful tone, Charlie Faye & the Fayettes transcend the term “retro act”. A 60’s era girl group plucked straight from a DeLorean, Faye and her trio of tender vocalists weave authentic soul through tight arrangements and beautiful harmonies. Tracks like “Sweet Little Messages” burst with the innocence and blushing love found only in Archie comic books and reruns of Happy Days, while “Coming Round the Bend” speaks to the changing tides of life via a Ronettes-style thumper. It’s not all bubblegum and chocolate malt—like the best of the genre, Charlie Faye attacks tougher topics like neighborhood gentrification and the tangled emotions of failed love. Their music may seem trite to the jaded, but in a world full of doom and gloom, the Fayette’s sound is refreshing, infectious and welcome.
Jerseyian turned Austinite Bill Tucker writes words for a number of sites and publications. He currently serves as Lead Blogger for The Austinot (hyper-local lifestyle blog), as a columnist for skirmishfrogs.com (retro gaming), and contributor to Texas Highways Magazine. His past credits include the Entertainment Weekly Blogging Community, and penning film reviews for a variety of sites and outlets. He enjoys video games, craft beer, Austin’s incredibly vibrant music scene, and convincing his friends “Dr. Strangelove” is one of the greatest films of all time.
Nashville, TN Rock
Sun Seeker’s debut EP Biddeford falls cleanly in the category of psychedelic alt country, waves of Laurel Canyon folk emboldening the newcomers’ impressively strong songwriting. Their songs find enough bounce and swing to grab a tight hold, but are built on the back of quieter, front-porch traditions. Acoustic and slide guitars are intertwined with strings and breezy harmonies (see dreamy, 60s pop infused “Churchill” or the Shins-like title track), a seamless mix that is rarely captured with this much resound. Released on Third Man Records last summer, the Nashville quartet created a collection that grows with each listen, a delicate touch assisted by excellent production work from local Buddy Hughen. If this is a first step, Sun Seeker should be on their way to headlining in short time – lookout for a SXSW breakout if their live gigs are as together as they sound on record.
Kevin McStravick started Operation Every Band in 2010, a site dedicated to reviewing every showcasing SXSW artist before the conference kicks off each March. Pairs well with spreadsheets, headphones and soul.
Washington DC Folk
Multi-instrumentalist Odetta Hartman is difficult to categorize, and rightfully so. She presents twangy images of old country that often build into a gorgeous uproar of sounds, each instrumental moment more beautiful and complicated than the last. There’s no need to rely on genre boundaries when the compositions you create mark territory not often travelled.
The songs on her debut album, 222, are oftentimes brief but pack an emotional, visceral punch, either building dynamically over their brief lifespan, gleefully tumbling through crunchy fuzz or maintaining an illusive sweetness throughout. All along, strings and electronic touches wrap these songs in a gorgeous haze, one that compliments her vocals as they warp and bend to meet the song. As a Manhattan native perhaps Odetta Hartman’s exploration of sound draws from the eclectic, unyielding energy of her hometown. The moments of clarity and harmony are often met with a stunning cacophony of musical friction. Most things in life have multiple sides and Odetta Hartman has mastered the art of expressing hers.
One of The Wild Honey Pie’s founding members, Lauren has spent the past seven years winding her way through the world of music journalism and marketing. In addition to being a longtime contributor and editor for the site, she has taken on roles within artist management – previously at Red Light Management and currently at Foundations Music, leading their in-house marketing team. All the while, she’s stayed true to The Wild Honey Pie’s ethos of music discovery, promoting up-and-coming artists from across the musical spectrum and absorbing songs and sounds from as many genres as possible.
Bronx, NY Hip-Hop / Rap
A heart-leading storyteller, Kemba’s music has evolved into a unique lane, a mix of rapping and singing over thoughtful, diverse beats. Formally known as YC the Cynic, Kemba has a conversational style, keeping a serious, artistic angle to his craft. His chameleon flow gives his songs robustness, adding a sense of adventure from verse to verse. Smooth rather than manic, Kemba is able to switch hats without sounding jumpy. The progression from record to record is obvious and encouraging as well, peaking with a couple of recent singles “LoveGoes” and “Delivert”. Mixing experimental foresight with 90s-and-older-school soul, this zone is ideal for Kemba and a place he sounds clearly comfortable. Political and cultural themes anchor 2016’s reinvention Negus, a sign that SXSW 2018 will be a ripe stage to try out what’s now for an artist that sounds like he’s right in the middle of his stride.
Kevin McStravick started Operation Every Band in 2010, a site dedicated to reviewing every showcasing SXSW artist before the conference kicks off each March. Pairs well with spreadsheets, headphones and soul.
Oxford, United Kingdom Rock
If the internet is believed, Gaz Coombes is known more for his former facial hair choices than his musical accolades. Some would tell you this form of media flattery is meek and fake, and in this instance, they may be correct. Yet those muttonchops of the past would sport well on Coombes as he flexes his muscle on his upcoming solo album, World’s Strongest Man. Coombes has experienced a carnival’s worth of spectacles in his storied musical career: the potential to be a model and a television personality among them. So one has to assume that his latest release takes its name from his steely resolve to stay on the true path as musical ringmaster. He has tamed mod fashion, bucked pop trends, and carried the Britpop torch when many tried to extinguish it. You may have missed it leering at those sideburns; do not make that mistake twice.
Justin Spicer has been a music journalist for 15 years, writing and editing for various websites, including Tiny Mix Tapes (Cerberus), KEXP, Bandcamp, and Brainwashed. When not writing about music, Justin covers games (video and board) and is currently chasing a Masters degree in Learning Design and Technology. He also has two young daughters sure to grace a SXSW showcase stage one day if their current songwriting acumen pans out, and a lovely wife who puts up with his many varied hobbies and pursuits. Justin would also like to take this opportunity to thank the myriad bands who are helping to redefine the music business in the 21st Century, especially those that continually send him their LPs, cassettes, CDs, and digital links. Justin would not be able to contribute to great happenings such as SXSW without the many musicians who keep his passion for music alive and well.
Nashville, TN Rock
Once you start exploring the introspective, soft depths of Liza Anne Odachowski, it will be difficult to resurface to other, louder noise.
This brilliant indie singer-songwriter has been thoughtfully creating music for most of her life. Liza Anne picked up a guitar at 10 years old and released her first album, The Colder Months, when she was just 19. Her 2015 sophomore album Two remains revered by critics and outlets. For fans, it’s been a humbling experience to wait for more.
Hours before SXSW begins, Liza Anne will finally release her third album, Fine But Dying. Her 11 latest treasures, including two new enthralling singles “Closest To Me” and “Paranoia,” were recorded in the La Frette Studio in Paris.
Fans of The Oh Hellos should race to see this young musician as she kicks off her sweeping North American tour in Austin. But first, listen to “The Colder Months” and “Take It Back.”
Austin-based journalist Cassie Morien has been covering music since 2002. After graduating with a degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida, Morien served as an editor for Boca Raton magazine until she couldn’t stand one more second of Florida’s swamps and sunburns. She finally escaped to Texas in 2013.
Morien is a staff writer for Indie Shuffle and contributing writer for Teeth Magazine. She also serves as the official blogger for SunFest Music Festival. When she’s not damaging her eardrums, Morien can be found tweeting for tech giants at INK Communications Co. She is madly in love with hashtags, music festivals, milkshakes, synth-pop, and the human race.
Stockholm, Sweden Rock
Stockholm based ShitKid has been (not so) quietly putting out some of the most disruptive indie rock we’ve heard since 2016. The PNKSLM album brings you into a punk basement show with influences that range from The Ramones to The White Stripes. ShitKid started her career in an all-female punk outfit that has definitely informed her current vehicle. Her enigmatic presence and unique sound also helped her win the “Best Rock Album” at Sweden’s 2018 independent music awards. If you want to get your face rocked off, make sure to check her out this SXSW.
Alexandra Berenson works as the A&R for Vinyl Me, Please. She runs the Rising Program and currently lives in Denver, CO.
Smallfield, United Kingdom Singer-Songwriter
A singer-songwriter from London whose songs sound like they could be straight out of the American heartland, Jade Bird is an artist we are extremely excited about. In 2017 we saw the release of her debut EP Something American [Glassnote Records], a vibrant, emotional collection of Americana, folk and country-tinged songs that speak straight to the soul. Her voice is so real and so powerful, it’s hard to not let yourself be transported to the exact place she was when she wrote them. You can check out her latest single “Lottery” below and be sure to catch her around town this SXSW.
WE FOUND NEW MUSIC is an artist discovery platform dedicated to introducing exceptional artists to music industry leaders and organizations. In the past 4 years, we have helped introduce artists through performance & interview sessions, blogs, radio shows, Concerts & DJ sets with today’s most relevant artists, including Billie Eilish, Kim Petras, FRENSHIP, and Bishop Briggs. We book the artists we discover at LA’s live music concept, The Peppermint Club. This will be WE FOUND NEW MUSIC’s fourth time presenting an official showcase at SXSW, this time, teaming up with The Peppermint Club, to create a unique 12 band lineup at The Palm Door on Sixth Street, on the evening of March 15th.
Cancun, Mexico Hip-Hop / Rap
Although this is not LNG/SHT’s first time at SXSW, this rapper is “must watch” material. A long time ago the artist from Cancún, Quintana Roo, made a statement saying that his role will be different from everything and everyone. Now, he proves it. From topics that range from social classes to pop culture, his powerful lyrics will stay on your mind and make you think about life. LNG/SHT has become popular not only for his music, but for his performances that feel like you are in a stand-up comedy show as well as a concert, a complete experience we recommend 100 percent.
Los Angeles, CA Pop
Leave it to Los Angeles’ The Marías to sell red sunnies as their march. After all, it takes a band with a poolside retro chic aesthetic to make that kind of eyewear fashionable. Everything about The Marías seems to come out of a period specific movie script: they were formed when Josh Conway did sound at a solo show for the band’s future vocalist María, inviting her to work at his home studio. That led to fall in love, and since then, they’ve made sweet and easygoing pop that draws on everything from 60s soul, bossa nova, and psych, like the first volume of 2017’s Superclean. Their videos give a sense of old Hollywood glamour that blends perfectly with their sound, which creates the perfect setting for their audience to fall in love with each other, if only for the duration of their show.
Marcos Hassan is a culture journalist and musician based in Mexico City. Currently, he is a regular contributor to Remezcla and Noisey En Español. Since 2007, his work has appeared on Noisey, Tiny Mix Tapes and Daily Bandcamp as well as Mexican publications like Warp, Indie Rocks, Chilango, and Letras Libres, among others. He also records and plays music as Caos Del Té.
Los Angeles, CA Rock
Los Angeles’ Tracy Bryant is a thoroughbred of rock. Raised at home on 50’s and 60’s classics and forged in an era of punk and post-punk, his music floats seamlessly between nearly every iteration of rock. Naturally, he’d fall in with hometown heroes Burger Records. His album progression from 2014’s self-titled through 2016’s Subterranean to 2017’s A Place for Nothing and Everything in Its Place highlights his extensive depth of rock knowledge and his ability to blend it all together superbly.
Tracks like 2014’s “Want” showcases 60’s rock fuzz and grit, whereas 2016’s “Hey Spaceman!” calls to mind goth-pop dejection and 2017’s “A Crowded Room” calls to underbelly Americana akin to Velvet Lou (R.I.P). All in all, his sound incorporates tinges of lonely hearts cruising quiet highways through Nowhere, USA. His chautauqua across all three albums hints at love and self-discovery in the seeming emptiness.
Joshua Chiang’s music appreciation runs the gamut. The uniqueness of any and all sounds finds a place within his ears. He is, however, more inclined to the gloomier, moodier, and darker corners of music. As a writer, photographer, and underground promoter, he spends much of his time keeping his eyes and ears on the next big thing as well as what has been under everyone’s noses the whole time.
Phoenix, AZ Metal
Gatecreeper are one of the most exciting up-and-coming death metal bands on the scene today. Like the lovechild between Dying Fetus, Death and Crowbar, Gatecreeper know when to groove, when to ratchet up the technicality and when to dial it back into the swampy, nether regions of sludge and doom. Most importantly, they slam—and they slam HARD. See them live and you’ll instantly understand why they’re one of the most buzzed-about bands of 2018.
New York, NY Latin Rock
Combo Chimbita is one of the hardest working bands you’ll ever see born and raised out of NYC. New Yorkers are already extremely ambitious, but combine that with the power of first-generation Colombians and you get a sound that’s already living in 2040. They take traditional sounds of Cumbia and combine it with synth, powerful vocals, and a guacharaca. The live experience will take you on a trip to the future where light shows penetrate your brain, intense melodies invade your body, and music unites us all. After SXSW the group will be continuing their tour to the west coast and eventually making their way back to NYC—you’re not going to want to miss Combo Chimbita.
Elena Childers was born & raised in Pittsburgh, PA, by a punk rock drummer from the mountains of Kentucky and a rebellious scientist from the capital of Chile. Now living in Brooklyn, NY—she’s a rebel with no cause needed and a podcast host/ music journalist for BTRtoday and Alt Citizen. Catch her backstage at all the coolest underground shows in NYC.
Seoul, South Korea Pop
Multiplatinum Korean-American hip-hop superstar Jay Park has been a fundamental presence in the cross-cultural K-Pop movement of the past decade. With multiple platinum records, two label imprints — AOMG, based in Seoul, and the internationally-focused H1GHER MUSIC — Park has garnered esteem for his own music, along with recognition for his curated sounds. He is a singer/songwriter, rapper, producer, and choreographer, with roots in Seattle and the competitive b-boy scene. Park’s youthful passion for dance as a member of the Art of Movement b-boy crew inspired his ascension in the hip-hop community, and shaped the mogul he is today. Jay Park’s most recent studio album, 2016’s Everything You Wanted, charted #3 on Billboard World and iTunes U.S. R&B. His most recent release Forget About Tomorrow, a synthy electronic collaboration with Los Angeles producer Yultron, hit #1 on the South Korean charts. Despite his Renaissance man abilities to create dynamic hip-hop and pop music with wide international appeal, reverence for his cultural roots remains firmly at the heart of Jay Park’s work.
Compton, CA Hip-Hop / Rap
23-year-old Simmie Sims, aka Buddy, has been working his way through the industry for a minute now. Breaking through last year with a pair of well received EPs, he’d been working towards a career in performance since hitting the stage in musicals such as The Wiz and Dreamgirls from the age of seven. The Compton rapper spent his teenage years as the protege of Pharrell Williams, signing to his i am OTHER imprint and releasing the Idle Time mixtape, which included features from an all star cast including Kendrick Lamar, Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke.
In 2017 he demonstrated his artistic maturity through the uplifting melodies of ‘Shine’ and two subsequent EPs, Ocean & Montana produced by Kaytranada and Magnolia with Mike N Keys. Collectively the releases showcase Buddy as a diverse vocalist, applying both rapped and sung vocals to soulful beats that pay homage to his West Coast hip-hop heritage while embracing the youthful, carefree spirit of a late afternoon absorbing the Californian sun.
When he’s not working on his falsetto in the shower and trying to win rings for the Raptors on 2K, UK-based writer Grant Brydon is Hip-hop editor of CLASH Magazine. Over the past twelve months his adventures have included a late-night drive through Houston with Travis Scott and an afternoon on an Irish golf course with Gucci Mane, both of which graced the cover of the magazine. He also curates CLASH’s Spotify and Apple Music playlists, which will get your thumbs stretching for the fire emoji.
Austin, TX Hip-Hop / Rap
Austin’s Kydd Jones is the hometown favorite, an eclectic rhymer and producer who found his footing and hasn’t bothered to slow down. There’s no true definition to how Kydd Jones operates. At times, he can incorporate moody bass lines that live in darkness. In others, he could rap and sing and defer to light and airy production. It shouldn’t shock anyone that Jones, who ventured out to Atlanta to hone in his sound even further was hand picked by Chuck D himself to open for Public Enemy. He writes in the role of a dreamer, never satisfied and always striving to find a new creative peak. Songs such as “W R U” with Kirko Bangz found a way to work in Jones’ singing voice and swamped it with an ovure that modern R&B is enamored with. More and more, Kydd is operating at a level that he hadn’t discovered yet when he first performed at SXSW. Now he’s a well-rounded performer and one of the best rap talents the city ever produced.
Brandon Caldwell is the editor-in-chief of Day & A Dream, a Houston music & culture website. His work has been featured in Complex, Billboard, VIBE, UPROXX, the Houston Press, Village Voice, DJBooth and more.
Silsbee, TX Folk
Singer-songwriters are two-a-penny these days, but there is something about Hannah Read’s spartan, less-is-more sound that simply captivates listeners. As the guiding force in Lomelda, Read specializes in thoughtful songs detailing the steady search for meaning in life’s travels and the complicated connections that exist between us all. A cultishly adored reputation has been built, thanks to the 2017 sophomore album Thx, which features Read’s emotive voice and economical instrumentation throughout, from the strong hook-laden grower “Bam Sha Klam” to the desperate howls of “Only World.” Always understated but intricately woven, Lomelda’s songs—performed in a five-miles-an-hour style—sound timeless, but oddly familiar, adding to the sweet intrigue of Read. As she croons “Do you know me yet?” on Thx’s opener “Interstate Vision,” we must concede that we don’t, but we won’t stop trying. Undefinedly magnetic, Lomelda is an unpolished gem of a performer to be cherished.
David Nadelle is a record collector and writer for Tiny Mix Tapes. He lives with his family in Ottawa, Ontario.
Nashville, TN Bluegrass
Nashville’s Becca Mancari is 1/3 of the band Bermuda Triangle (with Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard and Jesse Lafser), and she’s also a solo artist who released her debut album Good Woman in 2017. The album was produced by Kyle Ryan of Kacey Musgraves’ band, and it got a nice amount of attention in country circles, but it was sadly overlooked in indie rock circles where it would probably go over pretty well. Becca’s voice, songwriting style, and production style recall a handful of folky indie rock contemporaries, including Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Big Thief, and others in that realm. When she does have traditional country signifiers, she usually throws in a twist, like how her pedal steel player uses effects and reverb, creating an air of psychedelia. She strikes a really nice balance between sounding familiar and innovative, and I have a feeling she’s going to have no trouble winning over crowds at this year’s SXSW.
Andrew Sacher has been writing about music at BrooklynVegan since 2010, but he’s been obsessing over it since hearing The Beach Boys at age 6. In addition to writing, he’s helped curate events and playlists. He has represented BrooklynVegan at SXSW for the past five years, as well as at music festivals like Firefly and Lockn’, and on BBC Radio 1. He is currently a senior editor at BV and living in New York City.
Los Angeles, CA Rock
Indie pop is best characterized by the combination of every sentiment; it covers love, loss, friendship and memories, all spun in a whimsical fashion. It also carries an emphatic musical punch of jangling guitars and steady drumming that swells into infectious choruses that forever stick in your head. This is precisely the band that Rat Fancy has become. One listen to the group’s hook-laden hit “I Can’t Dance to the Smiths Anymore” will surely have you swinging your arms about in the air whilst a huge grin creeps across your face. Elsewhere on the band’s Suck a Lemon EP you’ll find buzzy guitars backing huge melodies or endearing ballads that seem infinitely inescapable. You’re going to find yourself carried away by the natural charm of this LA group; you’re going to lose yourself in the emotions; you’re ultimately going to run off and tell all your friends how much you love this band!
Nathan Lankford is a 8th Grade teacher by day, and a music writer/record label owner by night. He has been active in the music community both in Austin and beyond since 2002, always trying to promote the music that’s near and dear to him. Nathan fashions himself as a fan of the best unpopular music around.
Auckland, New Zeland
New Zealand-born, Berlin-based singer, musician and producer Noah Slee is an astounding talent. Combining traditional soul influences whilst experimenting with electronic production, the up-and-coming artist effortlessly blends an array of genres ranging from future beats and contemporary soul, to progressive RnB and indie-electronica.
His debut album OTHERLAND, released on Majestic Casual Records last year, focuses on many life-changing moments as Slee becomes more open about his sexuality, explores the Berlin nightlife, ponders on religion, pays homage to his Tongan roots, and grapples with his artistry across the incredible 17-track body of work.
With a disarming personality and engaging live show, Slee is proof of what we all know to be true: music is a healer.
“Donna Arendse is lover of the finer things in life, such as Rooibos tea, digestive biscuits, and golden retrievers. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication from The University of Newcastle (Australia), with a major in Public Relations.
Donna joins her love of music and PR with agency Lekker Collective, where she harnesses her skills to conduct digital campaigns for new music releases, and provide management services and support for emerging artists. Since the birth of Lekker, it has branched out into curating intimate soul events, artist development, and playlist curation.
Donna also creates music in her future-soul project, The Septembers, writes for publications Indie Shuffle and C-Head Magazine, and works as a product and community manager at tastemaker label and curator platform Majestic Casual.”
Houston, TX Hip-Hop / Rap
With youth and plenty of guile on his side, Tedy Andreas reps the newer class of Houston rappers. Storytelling and stacking metaphors are two of Andreas’ biggest strengths. Not long after he broke out with “Mercedes” in late 2015 did Andreas venture further out West, riding a style of production that felt dreamlike, almost entirely lucid. It’s a hazy kind of rap style to boot, making Andreas a rapper who is at ease cultivating a lifestyle of flourish. Most of his songs make mention of trying to make it as a bit of an outcast, from driving his sister’s Civic to hustling up and down busy commerce sections of the state’s biggest city. What he brings to SXSW is a clever outlook on not just rhyming but relaxed, focused songwriting. In a city where everyone believes they have next, Tedy Andreas is shifting names out of the way and doing his best to put his name at the top of the list.
Brandon Caldwell is the editor-in-chief of Day & A Dream, a Houston music & culture website. His work has been featured in Complex, Billboard, VIBE, UPROXX, the Houston Press, Village Voice, DJBooth and more.
Athens, GA Metal
Double Ferrari make the music you always dreamed of making in your bedroom growing up in the ‘80s; it’s all about the guitar! Two of them, to be exact, as the name implies, usually playing together in glorious, harmonious twin leads. The band’s name really does say it all: this is music you could crank while screaming down a California highway in a super-fast sports car, watching the palm trees whiz by, hair whipping in the wind. With a fresh wave of ‘80s nostalgia currently sweeping the globe, Double Ferrari evoke retro vibes without going full-on down Nostalgia Lane; their music retains a fresh and modern sound.
London, United Kingdom Electronic
Siblings are common in bands, sure, but how often do you come across cousins making music together? Mike Sharp and Joel Roberts are East Anglia-bred, London-based duo Otzeki, part of the burgeoning electronic/rock/pop genre sweeping Britain at the moment. The pair initially turned heads with their 2016 debut EP Falling Out, featuring the uber-catchy “Hope in Hell,” successfully combining vocals oozing beautiful desolation with a driving beat. Singles such as “True Love” and “All This Time” and EP Sun is Rising followed, showing their aptitude in fusing irrepressible electronic beats, R&B infused vocals, and alt-rock guitar into something truly intriguing.
Mary Chang has been the owner and editor-in-chief of There Goes the Fear since 2010. Deeply passionate about spreading the word on good music, she has broadened TGTF’s original focus on UK artists, with the Web site now exploring acts from America, Ireland, Australia, Scandinavia, and more. Although based in Washington, DC, Mary has covered gigs and music festivals on three continents, relishing travel to discover music and experience live performances with the locals. She previously wrote for PopWreck(oning), quickly becoming their British music expert; DIY; and ClickMusic. Her favorite interviewee to date? Tom Chaplin. Mary’s day job is in scientific publishing.
Sydney, Austrailia Rock
Ethereal, bellowing guitar melodies characterize one of the most exciting rock acts to come out of Australia in quite some time. Death Bells hit you in the mouth with their brand of distorted guitar riffs and distinctly melancholy vocals. Their ability to arrange each piece of their band from synths and drums to guitar and bass so effortlessly really elevates their releases to the next level. Their most recent album, Standing at the Edge of the World, was released in 2017 but could have come out in 1987—the way their guitar rhythms kind of fade into the distance and then aggressively return like that of a new-wave band. One can dive in the middle and mosh, or simply stand in the back and smoke a cigarette—there is enjoyment to be had for every person at a Death Bells show.
Born on the East Coast with a childhood forged in California, Reese Hayward can mostly be found brunching when he’s not watching kung-fu movies. He’s been a music writer for 3 years and counting and will literally go to any show as long they serve mojitos.
Montreal, Canada Singer-Songwriter
Common Holly sounds like a siren song bleeding its way into a fugue state. The album Playing House (2017) is hallucinatory but alert, a dream that leaves one haunted even in a state of being half-remembered. In more concrete terms, Common Holly is the work of singer-songwriter Brigitte Naggar, a singer blessed with an arresting vocal ability that turns a thought into an event. She has a depth of phrasing that makes her ease of elegance in accompaniment maddening. The approach to guitar instrumentals is understated, familiar, but stirring in its restraint and lack of cliches. It’s how a private conversation between strangers feels to a listener.
It’s not fair that one person should both be a top-tier vocalist and operate a guitar-based indie song vehicle so naturally. For every Stevie Nicks, we suffer a thousand Sheryl Crows. For every Mount Eerie, we endure a billion typewriter poetry Instagram accounts. We don’t deserve the level of execution offered by Common Holly, but we might as well just be thankful we wound up with it.
Colin is a writer, editor, show-booker and not-for-profit worker from Calgary, AB.
While he hates writing about himself, he loves coming up with nice words to say about other people, facilitating opportunities for developing artists, and boosting others up on his surprisingly broad shoulders.
He wrote about excellent bands that are playing this year at SXSW, and would cry tears of joy if you made the time to go see them.
Dokkum, Netherlands Rock
The folly of youth is often offset by a conviction in following one’s chosen path and being unafraid to do things your own way. And so it is with The Homesick, three cheeky young scamps from The Netherlands. They’ve perfected a set of gritty, noisepop vignettes with real steel; songs about Dark Age Christian martyrdom (St. Boniface), food habits (Eater Of Meat), and teenage religion (The Best Part Of Being Young Is Falling In Love With Jesus) wouldn’t be most band’s idea of cracking the mainstream, but like I said. The folly of youth.
The trio have cannily repurposed a lot of classic, off-kilter music, mixing bratty garage rock with a sense of the absurd, all the while displaying remarkable pop nous for ones so young. And, like all great pop, they take aim at several targets and hit pretty much all of them on their debut album Youth Hunt; party anthems, giddy hooks, and distorted noise all surface at some point, judiciously used and wonderfully executed.
Derek Robertson is a freelance music writer, editor, and digital journalist with over ten years’ experience contributing to a variety of publications, both in print and online. Having written for the likes of the Guardian, the Independent, the Quietus, Clash, Loud & Quiet, and Le Cool, as well as a three-year stint as the English Editor of PERDIZ magazine, he is now Editor In Chief at Drowned In Sound, where he oversees editorial direction and is involved in digital strategy. He also contributes to Subbacultcha, a Dutch independent music and art platform devoted to emerging artists, and provides content for several internationally renowned festivals.
Brooklyn, NY Folk
Max Clarke has a background in graphic design, so it should come as no surprise that his musical persona—Cut Worms—is imbued with a sharp attention to detail, and a keen understanding of the lineage of his craft. On his debut EP, Alien Sunset, out last October on Jagjaguwar, vocal melodies and guitar lines settle in casually alongside his songs of love and devotion like colors on a poster. A splash of the Everly Brothers’ innocence here, a sprinkling of Roy Orbison’s melancholy there. It seems simple, but, just like the best graphic design work, there’s a lot going on—and above all it feels extraordinarily timeless. (Good taste never goes out of style.) Clarke is preparing his full-length debut on Jagjaguar, set for release later this year, but when it comes to music that could be from any era, it’s worth the wait to ensure that it’s from yours.
Nate Rogers is the editor-in-chief of FLOOD Magazine. He lives in Los Angeles, where he was born and raised—and will truthfully likely die. He is the magazine’s foremost expert on Nicolas Cage and Guided by Voices, as well as the frequent, understated intersection of the two. He still hasn’t seen Joan Didion in person but he looks for her everyday.
Chicago, IL Hip-Hop / Rap
Drool opens up with a lonely horn line, inviting a raw African drum line to set up a psychedelic, hazy layer for Nnamdi Ogbonnaya’s experimental rhymes to hit with maximum headiness. Mixing singing and rapping into a stream-of-consciousness flow, Ogbonnaya sounds like he comes from another planet, stretching the genre with a journeyman’s eye. Even though Ogbonnaya has a few solo records and various band releases, Drool is an excellent introduction to the eclectic artist – far reaching, strongly produced and refreshingly confident. Vocally, Ogbonnaya has a surprisingly rich range, often stretching octaves, as much an audio manipulator as a singer in a traditional sense. It’s a weird listen for sure, but one that pays off for anyone willing to take a windy road instead of charging straight ahead.
Kevin McStravick started Operation Every Band in 2010, a site dedicated to reviewing every showcasing SXSW artist before the conference kicks off each March. Pairs well with spreadsheets, headphones and soul.
New York, NY Rock
Bedroom pop, doo-wop and early-50’s rock blend together most pleasantly, courtesy of The Shacks. Like a blast from the past, the duo of Max Shrager and Shannon Wise pay tribute to New York’s soulful history and then throw on a modern indie twist to create welcome disparity in an arguable sea of sameness.
Shannon’s timid voice adds an extra element of je ne sais quoi. At once shy, deep, and entirely full of young love, there’s a youthful hope that seeps sweet as honey and butter through each of their songs (hear: ‘Follow Me’). On top of that, Shrager’s production and the band’s dispersed jam sessions serve listeners a healthy helping of soul, catchiness and fortuitous flair (hear: ‘Orchids’). The Shacks debut LP Haze is out March 30, 2018 on Big Crown Records.
Joshua Chiang’s music appreciation runs the gamut. The uniqueness of any and all sounds finds a place within his ears. He is, however, more inclined to the gloomier, moodier, and darker corners of music. As a writer, photographer, and underground promoter, he spends much of his time keeping his eyes and ears on the next big thing as well as what has been under everyone’s noses the whole time.
New York, NY Pop
Annie Hart is perhaps best known as a founding member of sophisticated dream-pop trio Au Revoir Simone, but during the band’s five-year hiatus the Brooklyn-based artist quietly found her own voice and finally released her debut solo LP in 2017, the critically acclaimed Impossible Accomplice. Hart’s post-new wave synth-pop sound will feel familiar to fans of her previous work, but on her own the music is more intimate and defiantly vulnerable.
Tim is the editor of London-based new music blog The Blue Walrus, where he has spent more than a decade unearthing new and exciting bands from the UK and beyond. He also currently heads up the music section of new media publication The Descrier, and you will find him at gigs hunting for unicorns in and around the British capital.
Toronto, Canada Rock
Canadian experimental music and art collective Yamantaka // Sonic Titan formed in 2007 by then-Montreal art students Alaska B and Ruby Kato Attwood. Just over ten years later, after multiple appearances on the Polaris Prize shortlist and some changes in personnel, they’re releasing DIRT, their third album. It’s the continuation of a discography marked by the collective’s tendencies towards extreme and disparate inspirations, sonic and beyond: from heavy metal to dream pop, psych to industrial, prog to J-pop. They also cite Buddhism, science fiction, anime, and manga as influences. Y//ST’s expansive vision extends into aesthetics, too; they’re known for their theatrical, intense live shows, complete with dramatic makeup and art and lighting direction. They even have a name for their unique style, “Noh-wave,” taken from Noh theatre and “no wave” music. At their best when they transform a dark venue into fully realized stage-show, Y//ST’s memorable sets are sure to cut through the clamor of SXSW.
Amanda Hatfield is a photographer and writer from New Jersey. She’s contributed to BrooklynVegan in a variety of roles since 2010, and currently as photo editor and social media manager.