SXSW BANDS TO WATCH | 2012
According to the official South by Southwest Music Festival (SXSW) stats, there were 2,000 + bands from 45 different countries who played in roughly 100 + different music venues. SXSW is known as premier venue to showcase up-and-coming acts. Having seen over 60 of them in a whirlwind 5 days, here is the Record Dept. list of some the most interesting acts to catch over the next year.
ALABAMA SHAKES | Athens, AL
This quartet is making waves with their own brand of 60’s southern soul and R&B embellished with garage rock type electric guitar; their shows were some of SXSW’s best.
THE APACHE RELAY | Nashville, TN
These energetic acoustic indie-roots rockers call upon a range of influences from Motown to Springsteen for their catchy brand of music.
BAHAMAS | Toronto, CA
Toronto songwriter Afie Jurvanen and Jason Tait (drums) are garnering Polaris and JUNO award nominations with their first two albums Pink Strat and Barchords for their chilled out indie rock.
BLOOD ORANGE | New York City, NY
Producer and songwriter Dev Hynes – formerly of the dance punk band Test-Icicles and also known as Lightspeed Champion – turns out glorious early 80’s pop rock ala Prince.
BUXTON | Houston, TX
Hailing from Houston is the folk infused indie rock playing sextet well known on the local music scene for their live shows, experimentation, and scrappy determination.
THE DARCY’S | Toronto, CA
Toronto based shoegaze/art rockers show their great range with their ambitious studio trilogy which includes a track-by-track reinterpretation of Steely Dan’s AJA.
DIAMOND RUGS | Various Locations
This supergroup/collaboration unites the mighty talents of members of Deer Tick, Dead Confederate, Black Lips, Six Finger Satellite and Los Lobos.
THE FAREWELL DRIFTERS | Nashville, TN
This Nashville based quintet merges pop arrangements with lovely acoustic strings and swelling harmonies.
GARY CLARK, JR. | Austin, TX
This Austin indie rocker and guitar prodigy is poised to bring raw blues to a mainstream audience by incorporating rock, jazz and pop into the mix.
HEY MARSEILLES | Seattle, WA
The folkestral septet continues to win critics over with their sincere, lush symphonies of guitar, piano, trumpets, cellos, accordions, and sousaphone with dynamic melodies and smart lyrics laid atop.
HOWLER | Minneapolis, MN
These Minneapolis based surf/garage rockers took a break from the studio to play at SXSW; they can be seen live on stage in the UK fronting The Vaccines later this year.
MICHAEL KIWANUKA | London, UK
This young British soul musician gained fans through local gigs and MySpace. He was all over SXSW and will soon be all over the charts with his authentically soulful and acoustic sounds.
THE LUMINEERS | Denver, CO
The trio’s brand of folk rock is driving and raw, making their shows a catchy set of foot-stompers set to guitar, drums and piano.
THE MILK CARTON KIDS | Eagle Rock, CA
This duo does everything in twos: voices, guitars, and beautiful harmonies, bringing a sparse yet highly crafted sensibility to their brand of indie folk.
THE MINUTES | Dublin, IRL
Fresh from the Irish gig scene is the Dublin power rock trio who combine the energy of garage rock with gospel and blues.
MOTOPONY | Seattle, WA
Seattle based four-piece produce poetic pop gems with crafty beats that flow seamlessly between soul, funk, rock and folk.
NOW, NOW | Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis trio generated a lot of buzz at SXSW and their new Chris Walla produced album of expansive sonic soundscapes, Threads, is landing them at the top of critics’ lists.
OF MONSTERS AND MEN | Reykjavík, IC
This Icelandic indie-folk six piece made a splash in 2010 winning the country’s battle of the bands (Músíktilraunir) and followed-up with their highly praised debut full length.
PSYCHIC ILLS | New York City, NY
NY based experimental rockers draw upon diverse elements from electronica and drones to ethnic music for their signature sound.
SAINT MOTEL | Los Angeles, CA
This film school band brings a cinematic perspective to experimental pop, bringing live energy and fun showmanship to the stage.
TREETOP FLYERS | London, UK
Country soul has found a welcome home in the London quintet known for their gorgeous melodies and harmonies and infectious hooks.
MIREL WAGNER | Espoo, FIN
The 23 year old Ethiopian born Finn is a singer-songwriter who specializes in sparse acoustic gloom folk characterized by her haunting, deep, weathered voice and fingerpicked guitar.
ZEUS | Toronto, CA
Toronto indie rock quartet (who also back Jason Collett) made the long list for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize and with their one record a year pace are set to win over more critics and crowds.