Note: This article originally appeared on The Horn.
It’s easy to get swept up in the hype of major names like Kanye West and Prince playing intimate shows during SXSW, but at some point it’s good to remind yourself that the festival has always been for the little guys. We all like to brag about getting into some superstar’s exclusive show at a dive bar, however, SXSW is ultimately a festival about discovery. Given that Austin lays claim to being the “Live Music Capital of the World”, it’s only natural that our fair city be well represented amongst the thousands of acts that descend up our town every March. As music fans we can’t overlook our local scene.
That’s why, instead of trying to be all high and mighty and acting like we can predict “bands to watch” at SXSW, we decided to highlight twenty Austin acts playing this year that we think have some real good things going on with their music. Not only should you support these acts because they’re local, you should check them out because they are people making unique contributions to this town’s cultural fabric. Without them, SXSW never would have existed in the first place. And who knows, maybe some of these acts will be the next big thing. Wouldn’t that be cool?
Considering this Austin band consists only of Carley "Carazy" Wolf on guitar and vocals, and Jonathan "Little Hammer" Wolf on drums and vocals, the Ghost Wolves know how to make quite a ruckus. Carley compliments her defiant, echo-y vocals with jagged, loose blues riffs while Jonathan pounds the skins like his life depends on it. The guitar-drum rock and roll duo has long been fairly cliché, but the Ghost Wolves are bringing something far more dynamic to the mix.
–Neil Ferguson
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When the hipster overlords at Vice call your album “…pleasant as fuck”, it’s not to be taken lightly. Such was the case with Austin’s Abram Shook and his 2014 album Sun Marquee. He may not be known by many at this point, but it’s only going to take the right person at SXSW to hear Shook’s sun-washed psychedelic pop for him to get booked on the festival circuit. With a follow-up to Sun Marquee called Landscape Dreams coming in May, do yourself and favor and catch Abram Shook before all the rest of the hipsters figure it out. -NF
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The buzz surrounding Black Pistol Fire has been steadily building for several years now and it seems they might finally be at a tipping point. Their brand of no frills garage rock may evoke a bygone age, but they don’t seem content to rest on the laurels of the past. Their bluesy, reverb heavy, buzzsaw sound feels forward thinking and progressive in this day of pomp and circumstance. Let’s hope that their SXSW appearances catch the ears of the nation at large. If anyone is ripe for national recognition it’s Black Pistol Fire. –James Roberts
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This New Yorker relocated to Austin in 2008 and since then she’s has been cultivating an Americana sound that fits perfect in Texas. Klein’s vocals and style carry hints of Lucinda Williams, and on songs like “So Fucking Cool” she rocks out with the spirit of a real Texas troubadour. What’s most appealing is that Jess Klein’s music is versatile enough that she could charm an intimate room playing solo acoustic or blow the roof off a club with a charged up full band show. -NF
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Playing a mix of straight up surf rock and indie pop, the ladies of Gal Pals have forged a unique and interesting sound that feels explicitly Austin in nature. Their record, Velvet Rut, is quickly becoming my favorite local record of the year so far. There’s a kind of musical innocence to their vibe that exudes a feeling of friends just having fun playing together. No disparagement intended with that remark; indeed, fun is something that a lot of bands have forgotten how to have. Put these ladies on your radar before they rise too high. -JR
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Call me lame but I just don’t get sick of hearing doom-laden stoner rock, and the heavier the better. This is more or less what Austin trio The Well do, except their sound is equally influenced by drippy psychedelic rock. Think of it like one of those roller coaster acid trips that’s dark and intense yet somehow uplifting. -NF
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On first listen it seems like Bee Caves could easily fall into the pit that is neo-folk, but that would be too simple. There is far more going on with this group’s sound. Between philosophical lyrics and the use of a variety of different instruments to create rich sonic textures, Bee Caves have a sound that is grandiose and exciting. It will be interesting to see what kind of buzz they generate at SXSW. -NF
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Reminiscent of the 60’s California psych-pop scene—with their echo-y guitars and blasé sounding vocals—the Zoltars have been making waves in the local scene for several years. Their latest album, eponymously titled, was released just this week and already it’s won more than a few rounds against my ear drums. There’s a sort of Violent Femmes vibe to their sound that hints at the darkness that lurks behind innocence which can turn on you at any moment. Propelled by simplicity and anchored by rock and roll poetics, the Zoltars are bound to catch the ears of labels and fans at this year’s SXSW. -JR
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This group describes their sound as Southern Dream Pop. That’s not far off, as they seem to have sort of a My Morning Jacket thing going on with an arid desert feel. Whatever it is, I can envision them having an awesome light show and rocking the shit out of a huge crowd. -NF
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10. Chris Catalena & The Native Americans
Chris Catalena’s light-hearted, pop-inflected folk rock is slightly reminiscent of longtime local staples like Lil’ Captain Travis. However, Catalena and his band have a more rustic vibe, and are capable of connecting with that Rolling Stones drunk around the campfire sound, which is totally cool by me. -NF
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Droning psychedelia with hints of backwater blues topped off with a soupcon experimental electronica come together to form a bouillabaisse of sonic sounds that expand the mind as much as they lift the soul. There’s a lot going on in the music of Sungod and it all comes together beautifully. They may be hard to classify but they’re easy to love. -JR
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These guys make jangly garage pop and they’re not afraid to have fun while doing it. With song titles like “Badz Boyz”, “Dream Girlz”, and “Eye Problems” their sound is loose and their tunes are catchy enough to sing or even dance along to. I’m kind of ashamed for not getting hip to Grape St. sooner, but they will definitely be a priority at SXSW. -NF
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For better or worse, it says something about a band when they generate a buzz before releasing a full-length album. Frontman John Dowey commands the spotlight with his fiery red locks and a wailing voice that sounds like it was genetically purposed to sing rock and roll. This power trio’s sound brings to mind a slightly less spooky version of Black Sabbath mixed with other groups like Wolfmother who base their sound in heavy neo-psychedelia. No release date is confirmed, but I can confirm that their record is completed and it will rock your fucking face off. Think No Think are ready to grab us all by the balls, and ideally SXSW will allow them to do just that. -NF
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14. Shane Smith and the Saints
The biggest fear I have for Shane Smith is that he gets co-opted by Nashville bigwigs and turned into just another bro-country truck driver singing about god knows what while riding high on the charts before fading away as just another burnt out has been. As it currently stands, however, he seems poised to walk in the footsteps of Texas country legend Robert Earl Keen; he sings about his life and his loves and exudes all things Texas. He approaches lyrics with a poet’s eye for detail, cutting right to the heart of small town life and all that it entails. Here’s hoping he doesn’t get taken from us. -JR
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Besides putting on a live show that’s fun as hell, this local soul group seems to have a real dedication to the craft and the godfathers of the genre. Plenty of neo-soul groups try to find a vocalist with the smoothest croon around, but not Roxy Roca. Frontman Taye Cannon’s voice is smoky and rough, like he’s spent one too many nights chasing the ladies and knocking back whiskey in dark, dingy nightclubs. Between that and his clear dedication to working an audience like he’s preaching for his life in a sweaty Southern revivalist gathering, Cannon and his incredibly tight band make Roxy Roca the real deal. -NF
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Unabashed punk rock…but what more can you expect from a band who takes their name from a sex toy? They don’t really add anything new to the punk rock canon; instead, they harken back to the days when punk was loud, dirty, obnoxious, and above all, honest. Their old school approach to punk is a breath of fresh air in a genre that’s becoming increasingly farther removed from its original intent. -JR
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Israel Nash actually lives in the idyllic Texas Hill Country just outside Austin (Dripping Springs), and his music reflects his surroundings. In a feature last year I described Nash’s music like this: “Between the omnipresent pedal steel guitar, flourishes of harmonica, and lush psychedelic arrangements, Rain Plans carries strong hints of Neil Young and Pink Floyd circa Meddle, yet would make the perfect soundtrack to a Western.” Rain Plans was my favorite album of 2014 and since then I still haven’t heard anything better. Nash is deserving of attention and he may (rightfully so) get a lot of it at SXSW. -NF
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A self-applied description of “psychedelic bluegrass” feels like something that could only happen in Austin; it also happens to be pretty goddamn apt. You don’t ever really think to apply the descriptor “heady” to bluegrass, but these cats have pulled it off and have more than earned it. In a genre that has viciously resisted progression, Starlings, Tn. have managed to bring new depth and new angles. -JR
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When they’re not backing Steve Earle as part of the Dukes, Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore create gorgeous Americana of their own that explodes with feel good harmonies and thoughtfully written songs. In fact, their 2014 album Good Luck Charm, which received rave reviews across the board, was recorded all in a week off from touring with Steve Earle. The Mastersons stay busy and we’re all better for it. -NF
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Another group that I’m kicking myself for not catching yet, these guys have a punky edge to their sound that recalls groups like The Clash and The Replacements. However, there’s also something infectiously poppy about their music and lyrics about light-hearted girl drama. I’m looking forward to filling my warm soda with free booze and dancing along to Warm Soda. -NF
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SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Festival and Conference takes place March 13-22
For more info check out sxsw.com
Stay tuned to Glide for more coverage of this year's SXSW!
One Response
All these acts are awesome. I’m also really stoked about Coin playing at SXSW. Give their new EP a listen over on Spotify and try to see them live. They’re great.