Graphics By Madeline Rosemurgy
Screw Christmas, March is the most wonderful time of the year. Once again, we’re preparing for the annual exodus down to sunny Austin to see what amazing new music and tacos await us. With all these incredible artists making their way down to Texas’ most spectacularly great city, we decided to put together a little list of the bands we’re most looking forward to seeing. Everything from electro to rock to avant-guard pop will be there to feed hungry music fans, but these are the ones you have to make sure to see. — Hannah Angst
Now’s truly the time to catch Los Angeles trio Wildcat! Wildcat! live — the energy will be high yet the performance will still be intimate. This could change quickly, though, as their following is growing rapidly and most likely won’t be slowing down any time soon. With just one EP under their belt, the music of Jesse Taylor, Michael Wilson and Jesse Carmichael has most certainly grabbed people’s attention. Part electro, part pop, and one hundred percent awesome, Wildcat! Wildcat! is producing some of the freshest and most fun music we’ve heard for a while. After a recent tour opening for Alt-J, the band has solidified their reputation for putting on one hell of a show. Not to mention, guess who happens to be hosting a FREE party featuring one of their performances? The Wild Honey Pie! — Andrew Seistrup
Schedule:
Monday, March 11 — 8:00pm @ Whitley/Hype Hotel - #feedthebeatssxsw2013
Wednesday, March 13 — 12:00pm @ Sidebar - Banners
Wednesday, March 13 – 3:00pm @ Maggie Mae’s - B3SCI Party
Thursday, March 14 — 2:45pm @ Red Eyed Fly - New Shapes Party
Thursday, March 14 – 4:30pm @ The Brew Exchange - Free Now! Showcase
Thursday, March 14 – 10:00pm @ The Tap Room - Kitsune Showcase
Friday, March 15 — 5:00pm @ Sonos House - Sonos Studio
Friday, March 15 – 9:30pm @ Bangers - Rachel Ray’s Feedback
Saturday, March 16 — 12:30pm @ Haus of Hipstamatic - The Morning After
Saturday, March 16 – 3:00pm @ Cedar Street Courtyard - Filter Showdown
Singer Molly Hamilton of Brooklyn-based Widowspeak has described their music as being like “moving into a big old house in the woods with sheets covering all of the furniture, and then taking the sheets off.” This depiction fits perfectly with their sound, which feels both nostalgic and fresh. Hamilton’s voice instills a strong sense of meloncholia when paired with the prominent guitar work of Robert Earl Thomas. Their sophomore album, Almanac, may start fairly soft, but it slowly builds into songs texturized by swooping strings and and ghostly hooks. The album has received a lot of well-deserved praise, and hearing it translated onto the stage is an experience not to be missed at SXSW this year. — Andrew Seistrup
Schedule:
Tuesday, March 12 — 5:30pm @ Red 7 – Terrorbird Media Party
Thursday, March 14 — 1:40pm @ Club Deville – Insound and Oh My Rockness Party
Friday, March 15 — 10:00pm @ The Mohawk - Ground Control Touring Showcase
Friday, March 15 — 5:05pm @ Uncorked – The Beehive
Saturday, March 16 — 11:20pm @ The Parish - Captured Tracks Showcase
Scottish electronic trio CHVRCHES may have only released one single in 2012, but they still made just about every year-end list. With the release of their second single “Recover”, they proved that “The Mother We Share” was no fluke. Their keyboard-heavy pop promises for a spectacular show, and they’ll surely be playing giant venues within months of performing at SXSW. The real reason to see them, though — with only two songs out now, you’ll be among the first to hear whatever synth-pop gems they have on the way. – Hannah Angst
Schedule:
Wednesday, March 13 — 12:30am @ Red 7 - The Windish Agency Showcase
Thursday, March 14 — 1:30pm @ The Fader Fort – Fader Fort
Thursday, March 14 — 4:00pm @ Whitley/Hype Hotel – Floating Fest
Friday, March 15 — 2:40pm @ Stubb’s – SPIN Party
Friday, March 15 — 5:30pm @ Red 7 – Laneway Party
Coming out of CMJ last year, the young, Danish electro-pop artist MØ was far and away one of our favorite discoveries. With the larger stage of SXSW and a little more material, though, she’s poised to break out in Austin in a big way. Her brand of electro-pop mixes dance with art and still manages to be incredibly catchy, as her single “Glass” proves. We recommend you attend every MØ showcase — they’re energetic and amazing performances that mix her magnetic stage presence with incredible video collages. — Hannah Angst
Schedule:
Wednesday, March 13 — 4:10pm @ The Empire Control Room - The Danger Village
Thursday, March 14 — 1:00pm @ CTC Garden
Thursday, March 14 – 3:45pm @ Red Eyed Fly - New Shapes Day Party
Friday, March 15 — 12:00pm @ The Mohawk - The Windish Agency and House of Vans
Friday, March 15 – 3:30pm @ Peckerhead’s – My Old Kentucky Blog Party
Saturday, March 16 — 4:00pm @ Club DeVille – All Things Shuffle Party
Saturday, March 16 – 10:00pm @ Whitley/Hype Hotel – Hype Machine Party
While Norway is best known for it’s black metal scene, the next big thing hitting our shores from the Scandinavian nation is about as far from hardcore as you can get. Quirky folk rocker Mikhael Paskalev blends jukebox rock with upbeat, driving percussion and uplifting, shout-along vocals — fans of Dr. Dog, Guided By Voices and even Paul Simon will love this guy (as will you). As the latest addition to Mom + Pop Records, Paskalev joins the likes of The Jezabels, Neon Indian, Flume, Andrew Bird, Freelance Whales, Poliça, and FIDLAR — that’s some pretty impressive company to keep. Make sure you catch his set at our free party on Friday! — Eric Weiner
Schedule:
Friday, March 15 — 5:50pm @ Uncorked – The Beehive
Saturday, March 16 — 11:00am @ Cedar Street Courtyard – American Rag and Filter Showdown
Though their debut full-length, Give In, is less than a month old, ON AN ON is already one of our favorite bands of 2013. Their sound is familiar enough to instantly pull you in, yet unique enough to make you crave more. About the only consistent thing about this record is the reverb and instrumentation — with varying vocal effects and tempo, the music is a bit of bi-polar in the best way possible (see “Ghosts”, “The Hunter”, and “I Wanted to Say More”). We’re not the only ones picking up on these guys. They were recently named iTunes “best new artist” and have their music video in rotation on mtvU and MTV2. — Eric Weiner
Schedule:
Wednesday, March 13 — 3:00pm @ Barbarella - Brooklyn Vegan Party
Wednesday, March 13 – 12:10am @ Red Eyed Fly - ASCAP Showcase
Thursday, March 14 — 3:20pm @ Homeslice Pizza - Music by the Slice
Thursday, March 14 – 11:00pm @ IFC Crossroads House at Vice - Red Ryder & IFC Party
Friday, March 15 — 3:30pm @ Stage on 6th - Paste Party
Friday, March 15 – 6:30pm @ Uncorked - The Wild Honey Pie Presents The Beehive
Saturday, March 16 — 3:30pm @ The Brew Exchange - Beautiful Buzz Presents Freenow
Saturday, March 16 – 6:30pm @ Peckerheads - Baeble Music Party
For anyone hoping to actually experience the Austin music scene while in Austin, Shakey Graves is your answer. A one-man performer with grit in his voice and twang in his guitar melodies, Alejandro Rose-Garcia is the perfect powerhouse of unique, syncopated rhythms and rustic storytelling. With darker themes and often intense instrumentation, this show deserves a focused listen and your undivided attention. So sit down, take in the experience and feel yourself transported outside the city into the Texas hill country. If his debut Roll the Bones is any indication, the journey will definitely be an easy one to make. – Lauren McKinney
Schedule:
Tuesday, March 12 — 9:00pm @ The Parish – City of Austin Showcase
Thursday, March 14 — 1:00pm @ Antones
Thursday, March 14 – 8:00pm @ Willie Nelson’s Ranch - Heartbreaker Banquet
Friday, March 15 — 5:00pm @ The Shiner Saloon - Eye in the Sky’s Future of Music Showcase
Saturday, March 16 — 1:00pm @ Hotel San Jose
Sunday, March 17 — 11:40pm @ Stubbs - Secret Farewell Show
Shout Out Louds’ recently released album, Optica, truly hits the mark. A masterful collection of electro-pop, the new tunes, combined with the band’s already stellar repertoire, will no doubt make for an incredibly fun and danceable live experience. This fact most definitely wasn’t lost on SXSW event planners — you can catch the band performing at a huge number of high-profile parties, alongside other amazing acts like Fitz and the Trantrums, Chelsea Light Moving, Local Natives and Surfer Blood. SXSW is their last stop before returning to Europe till May (and their return tour only hits larger markets), so don’t miss this opportunity to see them perform! In fact, we recommend you catch as many shows as possible. – Lauren McKinney
Schedule:
Wednesday, March 13 — 1:35pm @ Flamingo Cantina - Under the Rader
Thursday, March 14 — 4:00pm @ Cedar Street Courtyard - American Rag and Filter Showdown
Friday, March 15 — 11:30am-5:00pm @ La Zona Rosa - Rolling Stone Rock Room
Friday, March 15 – 5:00pm @ Clive Bar - Gap and Filter Party
Lucky for all attending, SXSW alums PAPA will be back making the rounds again this year. The LA-based rock band are in the process of wrapping up their March tour, so their skills and sound are more honed than ever. If you missed them last year, make sure to catch them this time around — they’re currently playing seven shows including the ASCAP and Kitsune showcases. Their debut full length album is due out later this year, and judging from “Put Me To Work”, it’ll be fantastic! — Sara David
Schedule:
Wednesday, March 13 — 2:30pm @ Sidebar – Banners Party
Wednesday, March 13 — 4:55pm @ Cheer Up Charlies - Echo, Echoplex and Origami Vinyl Party
Wednesday, March 13 – 11:20pm @ Red Eyed Fly - ASCAP Showcase
Thursday, March 14 — 4:30pm @ The Mohawk – IAMSOUND House of Vans
Thursday, March 14 – 8:00m @ Taproom – Kitsune Showcase
Friday, March 15 — 1:30pm @ Red Eyed Fly - Noise Pop & Another Planet Party
Saturday, March 16 — 3:00pm @ Clive Bar – Filter and Brixton Party
Last time Foxygen went to a big conference (CMJ 2012), they staged a fake break-up that ended in one member dumping a soda on the other — the dumpee called the dumper a hipster (how dare he). I’m hoping they stage another skit for your entertainment at SXSW, but this isn’t necessarily why I’m advocating them as a “must see” band. The group has a knack for taking elements of their musical influences and blending them into their unique trademark psych-rock. Elvis, The Beatles and The Bee Gees are just some of the 60s and 70s icons that can be referenced in their sound. Not to mention, their gloriously thick layer of “tongue in cheek” fun, added by sarcastic, conversational lyrics, puts the cherry on the top of the band’s listening flavor. — Nikki Williams
Schedule:
Wednesday, March 13 — 2:00pm @ Stage on 6th – Paste Party
Wednesday, March 13 — 11:00pm @ Whitley/Hype Hotel - Aquarium Drunkard Party
Thursday, March 14 — 2:25pm @ Flamingo Cantina - Under the Radar Party
Thursday, March 14 — 4:45pm @ 1100 Warehouse - Pitchfork Party
Thursday, March 14 — 10:55pm @ Red 7 - JAG Showcase
Friday, March 15 — 3:30pm @ Club DeVille – Rhapsody Party
Saturday, March 16 — 12:45pm @ Old Emo’s – Brooklyn Vegan Party
Saturday, March 16 — 4:00pm @ Hotel San Jose
In the wake of two excellent EPs, LA electronic trio, Superhumanoids, became a staple for straightforward, refreshing pop delivered within an equally palatable and innovative package. On the tails of a incredible 7″ via White Iris, the group took to the road for some heavy touring with Cults, Active Child, Balam Acab, Local Natives, and Cold War Kids. Superhumanoids are a band that have paid their dues and we can’t wait to hear the fruits of their labor on Exhibitionists, their debut record out later this year. – John Ballif
Schedule:
Wednesday, March 13 — 8:00pm @ 508 House – Virgin Mobile Party
Thursday, March 14 — 3:30pm @ Clive Bar - Dts, Slacker and Filter Party
Vienna via London wunderkind, S O H N, recently released his stunning debut EP, The Wheel to much critical acclaim. Early last year, the mysterious producer won over the blogosphere with his compelling use of vocal sampling and structured melody on the EP’s title track. Now, working on a follow up release, S O H N has been playing select shows in Europe and now SXSW. Look out for his newly formed live setup and don’t miss his otherworldly voice. – John Ballif
Schedule:
Wednesday, March 13 — 4:00pm @ BD Rileys – Crack in the Road/Disco Naivete Party
Wednesday, March 13 – 11:00pm Red 7 – Windish Agency Showcase
Thursday, March 14 — 12:00pm @ Hype Hotel – Floating Fest
Friday, March 15 — 3:00pm @ Mohawk – Windish Agency Day Party
Saturday, March 16 — 5:30pm @ Latitude 30 – British Music Embass