A SXSW 2012 New Music Wrap Up

A ton of people people went to SXSW this year.  For the rest of us who didn’t make it, here are some of the highlights of this year’s festival as told to us from ‘the kid’.  Let us know which artists you like.

***

Alabama Shakes.  You’ve heard us talk about these guys on Filtered Excellence.  Fun, southern bluesy rock shit with a very cool, loud girl lead singer.   Probably going to be the next big thing.

***

Girls.   Holy shit they’re good live.   This is great punk-gospel stuff.  It might just be a live thing, can’t say without listening to the album, goddamn they kill it live. The lead singer is exactly what you want in a rock star too: that drug addict quality, personality problems, a bit egomaniacal, and looks like Kurt Cobain and a great voice.

 ***

Jonny Corndawg. You may remember and love Johnny from our interview with him earlier this year. Solid country gold. I don’t know if he has any mass appeal, but I fucking love this guy. Reminds me of John Prine a bit.

***

War On Drugs. They’ve been described as a mix between Arcade Fire and Springsteen, which pretty much nails it. Just listen.

***

Cloud Nothings. Don’t know much about them, but they were really good. Kind of sound like Radiohead. Experimental cool shit. Check it out.

***

Tanlines.  Think weird LCD-esque beats plus like a explosions in the sky ethereal sound.  They played at  like 2am but never got tired through their whole set. Good chill music.

***

Kendrick Lamar.  This is rap and it doesn’t necessarily fit with the rest of the bands here, but Kendrick is so great that he had to make the list. Witty, smart lyricist, superb flow. All around next great rapper.

***

Lydia Loveless.  She might be next in line after lucinda Williams and Emmylou. I don’t say that lightly.

***

***