We went to SXSW this year to scout out the best upcoming BBQ spots in Austin, and perhaps check out a few new acts while there – after all it is a long flight.
Of course we are kidding – SXSW is a hotspot of musical creativity, so it’s not surprising that we discovered a handful of amazing artists that we fully expect to see breaking through in a big way over the next few years.
While this list could have stretched to 50 artists, we kept our list of recommendations to these eight fine finds, who you’ll be hearing a lot more from soon. Enjoy!
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Live Out Land Band
Less of a traditional band and more a collective of musicians with varied and impressive skills, Live Out Land Band hail from Texas, and have been doing their genre fusion for over a decade, building a massive local following that is close to tipping over into other markets. I heard them from the street, they had this amazing reggae/rap sound. I walked in and noticed what seemed to be a million people on stage, and they never felt crowded or uncomfortable. It was a super tight super party – and it’s hard to make a showcase into a party.
Joel Sarakula
Sarakula’s soulful pop echoes the music coming from the twin powers of San Fran and London during the late ’60s. I discovered this guy on the Sounds Australia stage; he has a Britpop sound – really tight, but confusing considering the stage he was on. He soon cleared up this mystery: “I’m from Sydney Australia but have lived in London for many many years, that’s why I have a weird accident, these are not alternative facts, this is the truth.”
Powers
This Los Angeles pop duo make shiny, sleek pop which belongs all over radio. They have the power of The Agency Group behind them, so it won’t be long before they are scoring chart hits. Their unabashed pop sound won’t please the more snobbish indie fans, but holy shit, this duo rocked!
Mobley
Mobley is a perfectionist, who scrapped two complete albums before landing upon something he deemed worthwhile. In the past few years he has landed tracks on HBO, Fox, and NBC, and toured America with Mutemath, Robert Delong, and Wavves. I met a random guy who told me to check Mobley out, and he was spot on! He was the full package, playing guitar, keys, and drums with a glitchy production songs not worlds away from Thom Yorke or James Blake. Usually it’s very clumsy and bit awkward when an artist transitions from instrument to instrument, but he was a one-man band and did it all so smoothly – it was inspiring!
Chill Moody
This is the second year in a row this West Philly rapper has performed at SXSW. I caught him performing to almost nobody, which was a great intimate experience but also a shame, as he was by far the best new rapper at SXSW. Bringing back early ’00s conscious hip hop. Great lyrics, great presence, fantastic flow.
Starley
Her breakthrough hit ‘Call On Me’ has been streamed on Spotify an amazing 220 million times – which means this Australian artists has already captured the ears of an international audience. Now it’s time to watch her ascent, and brag about how we totally called it. There is no other way to say it, but she’s a pop star. It was the biggest crowd she has ever played to, and she looked very, very comfortable.
Running Touch
This Melbourne dance producer was one of the 50 most played artists on Triple J Unearthed last year, despite keeping a mysterious profile among fans and media alike. Musical genius, no other way to say it.
Jade Bird
A beguiling blend of blues and country, and wielding nothing more than a guitar and the best voice at SXSW. She just signed to Glassnote, one of the best tastemaker labels in the States, and managed to render the usually-chatty showcase room completely silent during her song ‘Cathedral’.
Kate Nash
Why Kate Nash you asked? Well it might not be news, but she’s completely transformed her image. Her set opened with her jamming out on an electric guitar with a full all-female rock band. AND THEY ROCKED!!!!
