Previewing SXSW – 10 Acts to Look Out For in 2010

by Ryan Brodhead in Industry News, Musician Reviews, Opinion Posts, bands to watch

For movie fans there is Sundance.  For sports fans there is the Super Bowl.  For us music nerds, there is the Grammys.  Actually — you know what…scratch that.  For the most part, we were all equally outraged (or at least should have been) by what transpired at this past year’s awards ceremony.  In a perfect world, the Grammys should be able to accurately inform the nation of which artists are currently trending and deserve recognition for their efforts.  Here in the real world, we were just told Taylor Swift’s “Fearless” was the best album of 2009.  Hmm…

There is a light at the end of the tunnel for music geeks everywhere, though.  No, I’m not talking about those of us that are obsessed with Rihanna or that think Drake is the man.  I’m talking about the select few that view music as a complete and utter obsession.  Those of us that still go to our favorite record stores and buy albums.  Those of us that still play in bands even though we know we really can’t afford it.  For us there is the South By Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas.

SXSW is an annual series of lectures and performances geared to music fanatics everywhere.  The lectures consist of conversations and presentations on the state of the music industry.  Everything from new media to recording methods to licensing to touring to trending genres to songwriting, etc., are discussed ad nauseam.  Complimenting the presentations are countless concerts and live events showcasing both new and established artists.  In total there are roughly 1,400 performers playing over 80 venues each year.  By correctly identifying what is current, exciting and deserving of acknowledgement within the music industry, SXSW provides and elaborates on what the Grammy Awards fail to do each year.  With that being said, I’ve taken the liberty of researching some of most buzz-worthy acts that will be playing at SXSW this year.  The list has been narrowed down to ten artists on the brink of success, and their performances at SXSW could very well push them over the edge.  Without further adieu and in no particular order…

1.) Toro y Moi

Riding off of the success of his highly anticipated “Causers of This,” Toro y Moi (aka Chaz Bundick) seems to be the artist with the most to gain from SXSW.  Filled with all sorts of underground and independent buzz, it feels like all Toro y Moi really needs is that one great showcase with national appeal to break.  Bundick’s sound consists of digital experimentation, dabbling in areas of R&B and indie pop.  Toro y Moi is a classic ‘do-it-yourself’ artist, in that his sound is wholly developed and executed by himself.  2009 has been a classic ‘fly under the radar’ type year for Bundick, and it’s looking that his exposure at SXSW may just be what is needed for him to break in 2010.

Noteworthy Tracks (Available for streaming @ myspace.com/toroymoi)

1.) Talamak

2.) You Hid

2.) Neon Indian

Neon Indian has been one of, if not, the ticket to grab this year.  Neon Indian is another up and coming artist that mixes digital loops into their live, full band shows.  To describe their sound is to try and decipher the Big Bang Theory.  Layers of 80’s synthesizers and Atari-esque effects swirl in a dizzying whirlwind of creativity that somehow never gets too chaotic.  Also being thrown around in their tracks are clouds of lo-fidelity distortion and haze, adding a certain psychedelic wrinkle to this electronic rock band.  At the very least, listening to Neon Indian gives you a good chance of feeling like you’re drunk at some Hollywood party in 1984.

Noteworthy Tracks (Available for streaming @ myspace.com/neonindian)

1.) Deadbeat Summer

2.) Terminally Chill

3.) Surfer Blood

With the recent influx of lo-fi rock bands hitting the music scene, it’s difficult to stand out nowadays.  Somehow Surfer Blood has found a way to carve out their own little niche within this growing genre.  Combing aspects of surf punk and indie pop, the band has been turning heads for the past several months and quickly building up credibility.  Imagine a fusion of Weezer and Vampire Weekend, just exploding with youthful energy, enthusiasm and distortion.  It’s an entirely possible that Surfer Blood goes on to be one the best new rock bands for the next five years. 

Noteworthy Tracks (Available for streaming @ myspace.com/surferblood)

1.) Twin Peaks

2.) Floating Vibes

4.) Freelance Whales

It can be argued that one of the biggest acts from 2009 was Owl City.  Seemingly cut from the same mold as The Postal Service — Owl City burst on the scene with distinct, cookie cutter melodies sprinkled over digital keyboards and drum loops.   However, there was a certain polish and glossy finish on Owl City that really hindered legitimate music fans from taking the band seriously.  Enter Freelance Whales, a group that shares the same musical influences as Owl City — but goes about their business in a much more organic and natural approach.  Rather than focusing in digital hooks and voicing, the band incorporates a unique grouping of instrumentation including banjos and xylophones.   But don’t let this indie-folk approach fool you, their songs are just as catchy as Owl City, and yet infinitely more relatable.

Noteworthy Tracks (Available for streaming @ myspace.com/freelancewhales)

1.) Generator (1st Floor)

2.) Starring

5.) French Horn Rebellion

Is there a band out there right now that is more fun to see live than French Horn Rebellion?  The answer is no.  French Horn Rebellion is a two man keyboard team, loaded with pop synthesizers, digital samples and a catalogue of songs that play like an 80’s dance compilation album.  Further boosting their reputation is the fact David Perlick-Molinari (of French Horn Rebellion) produced MGMT’s very first EP way back in 2005…and we all know what happened to MGMT.  The duo, more or less plays by their own rules and simply concentrates on creating fun, upbeat tracks that they can have a good time with.   It’s becoming more and more clear that they are not the only ones enjoying their tunes.

Noteworthy Tracks (Available for streaming @ myspace.com/frenchhornrebellion)

1.) Up All Night

2.) Beaches and Friends

6.) Cubic Zirconia

What exactly is Cubic Zirconia?  Nobody seems to have a definitive answer, yet we’re all listening.  Drawing obvious comparisons to Santigold and M.I.A., Cubic Zirconia is a brilliant trio out of New York City, specializing in, for lack of a better word, club music.  Aspects of hip-hop, reggae and dubstep are all present here, intricately weaving their way in and out of each other.  Singer Tiombe Lockhart’s swagger and confidence effortlessly floats over ridiculously heavy beats and bass lines, while never taking an exact shape or form.  Lockhart’s vocal style shifts between singing, rapping and talking, allowing each song to constantly take on new flavors and twists.  You’ll definitely need dancing shoes and maybe even a glow stick for this one. 

Noteworthy Tracks (Available for streaming @ myspace.com/cubiczirconiamusic)

1.) Joesphine

2.) Josephine (Fgyptrixx Dub Remix)

7.) The Depreciation Guild

Cut from the same mold as the aforementioned Surfer Blood, The Depreciation Guild is yet another upstart lo-fi rock group teeming with potential.  Their sound is equally as hazy and filled with layers of warm fuzz, adding a unique depth to the group’s tracks.  What’s great about The Depreciation Guild is that they also very subtlety add digital effects in a way that is almost impossible to hear at first take.  Whereas the trending fashion is to just inundate electronica into whatever sound a band is trying to create, The Depreciation Guild takes a more nuanced approach.  By cautiously supplementing these ideas into their distortion-heavy tracks, the listeners are rewarded with a cloudy soundscape of colors that continues to grow on you with each listen.

Noteworthy Tracks (Available for streaming @ myspace.com/thedepreciationguild)

1.) Dream About Me

2.) Sky Ghosts

8.) Magic Magic

Hailing from Boston, Magic Magic is one of the most talked about bands that your friends have never heard of.  Drawing lofty comparisons to The Shins and Arcade Fire, the band has developed a devoted following consisting of equal parts nerds and stoners.  However, Magic Magic’s music itself is comprised of wandering musical experiments that both occupy and vacate traditional songwriting styles.  Portions of songs will appear laid back and unassuming, and then all of sudden listeners are hit with thunderous clouds of chaos and confusion.  This is perhaps what Magic Magic does better than any underground band out there — they keep us on our toes, while still retaining their indie-rock sensibilities.  Once you get by and appreciate all of the risk associated Magic Magic’s sound, there is no doubt you’ll be hooked. 

Noteworthy Tracks (Available for streaming @ myspace.com/magicmagicband)

1.) Sleepy Lion

2.) Talking Smoke

9.) Princeton

Could Princeton really be the next Vampire Weekend?  It’s entirely likely.  While the instrumentation is right on par, the pace is much less frenetic.  Perhaps it’s their California roots that are largely responsible for Princeton’s laid back feel?  Whatever the case may be, their take on pop-infused indie rock is nothing short of charming and takes a page out of the 1960’s music scene in San Francisco.  However, their musical capacities appear to be anything but limited.  The Depreciation Guild’s repertoire cleverly varies with strings, vibraphones and looping clap tracks, making each song it’s own relaxing, musical adventure.

Noteworthy Tracks (Available for streaming @ myspace.com/princetonmusic)

1.) Shout it Out

2.) Calypso Gold

10.) MNDR

She’s the one-woman show that has been slowly stealing the hearts of hipsters everywhere.  To see her on stage is something else — tables of computers, keyboards and wires — it looks like some kind of ninth grade physics project.  What blasts out of the speakers are well crafted mixes of electro-pop and dance, literally making it impossible to stand still.   Match this energy with MNDR’s voice, which is both understated and intoxicating, and what you have is the perfect vibe for that basement party you’ve been meaning to throw.

Noteworthy Tracks (Available for streaming @ myspace.com/mndrtronica)

1.) Fade to Black

2.) Jump In