It’s that time of year again and South By Southwest (SXSW) is just around the corner! We’ve decided to bring back our “50 Acts You Won’t Want To Miss” feature, which will run from today until March 16th, the day before the Music section of SXSW begins! Check out our second installment (acts 11-20, in no particular order) of artists we think you need to check out below! For installment one, click here!
*Note: some acts we’ve included are performing at South By So What?! and not South By South West. However, since the festival takes place during the week of South By Southwest, we’ve decided to still include them in our list!
Down and Outlaws
It’s safe to say that 2015 is a pretty incredible year for Down and
Outlaws. Not only is the band performing at four showcases next week, but they will
also be releasing their highly anticipated debut full length later this year.
Our favorite fun fact about their album? It was recorded at Studio 606, aka the
recording studio owned by Dave Grohl. Needless to say, we can only expect
bigger and better things from this band. Keep them on your radar.
Where to catch Down and Outlaws: 3.17 – 4:45pm – Big Picture Media @ The
Blind Pig; 3.18 – 11pm – Red Gorilla Music Festival Showcase @ Touche; 3.20 –
Noon – Another Planet Entertainment Showcase @ Red Eyed Fly; 3.22 – 5:15pm –
Bon Vivants Showcase @ Half Step.
Uh Huh Baby Yeah!
A little bit Head Automatica, a little bit Escape the Fate, a little bit
pop-punk, Louisville four-piece Uh-Huh Baby Yeah! find their sound by not
allowing themselves to be pigeonholed into just one. While I’m not entirely
sure just exactly what’s happening when I listen to them, that should translate
into an interesting set. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Where to catch Uh Huh Baby Yeah!: 3.18 – The Side Bar; 3.19 – SXSCongress @
Doc’s Motorworks ; 3.20 @ Icenhauer’s; 3.21 – MerchCat Indie Showcase @ Lucky
Lounge
Colony House
From the first time I stumbled across Colony House’s album, I’ve been
hooked. Whether it is the nostalgic lyrics of personal struggles and heartbreak
or the blend of pop, folk, and indie genres, there’s just something about this
band that has me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what they produce next.
It’s easy for me to say I’m jealous of anyone and everyone who gets to catch
one of their sets.
Where to catch Colony House: 3.18 – 10pm – BMI Showcase @ Bar 96; 3.19 –
5:40pm – IFC Showcase/Party Fairground @ Palm Park; 3.20 – 3:45pm – Audiotree @
Licha’s Cantina; 3.20 – 8pm – Rachel Ray Party @ Rachel Ray House; 3.21 – 3pm – Noistrade @ Blackheart.
Mideau
We were introduced to this band not too long ago and they’re one that we
were pleasantly surprised by. This duo, comprised of Spencer Harrison and
Libbie Linton, deliver bright, ambient, hooky tracks to please fans of anybody
from A Fine Frenzy to St. Vincent to Eisley or anywhere in between. The band
creates an oddly hypnotic sound that is both complex and melodic – unusual, yet
beautiful. Judge for yourself.
Where to catch Mideau: 3.20 – 2pm – Powerhouse Party @ Fado’s; 3.20
– 12am – Official Play @ Trophy Club.
Set It Off
When it comes to artists who have progressed and change their sound over
time, I immediately think of Set It Off. From their initial pop punk/symphonic
rock days to their orchestral rock days to whatever you want to classify their
current sound as, this is a band that continues to grow and progress in the
best way possible. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this band a handful of times
and they put on one of the best shows you will ever see. If you can’t make it
out to South By, don’t fret! The band recently announced they would be joining
this summer’s Vans Warped Tour. I suggest that you NOT miss out on their set. You
will hate yourself if you do.
Where to catch Set It Off: 3.20 – South By So What?! @ QuikTrip Park.
Holiday Mountain
This past October, I was able to catch Holiday Mountain perform a short set
at CMJ and was amazed at how energetic and uplifting this trio truly was. As
someone who is (semi) obsessed with the music and fashion of the 80s, this band
makes you want to grab your legwarmers, glitter, and teasing comb and basically
go ham. No complaints.
Where to catch Holiday Mountain: 3.17 – 2:30pm – Paypal Party @ Empire
Control Room; 3.17 – 4:10pm – Big Picture Media Showcase @ The Blind Pig; 3.19
– 2:15pm – Flatstock Stage @ Convention Center; 3.19 – 5:30pm @ Tiniest Little
Bar in Texas; 3.20 – 9:20pm – Clean
Bill Music/Convoy Group Showcase @ Palm Door on Sabine; 3.21 – 2pm – Best of
Austin Party @ Holy Mountain; 3.21 – 6pm – Future of Music Showcase @ Shiner
Saloon.
The Stone Foxes
This San Fran band is fully dedicated to keeping rock engaged and
succulently alive. They achieve this in a multitude of ways including raising
awareness of hunger and homelessness on tour, personally delivering any and all
food that was collected, and by staying true to their roots when creating their
music. The band doesn’t release their new album until August, but in the
meantime, they will be releasing a new song on the first Friday of every month.
Check out the hashtag “#FoxesFirstFriday” to hear some of the new tunes.
Where to catch The Stone Foxes: 3.20 – Party In My Pants @ Little Woodrow’s
Austin;
Frankie
Just a few days ago, Frankie released a brand new track over on Nylon.com
where she is referred to as “the musical embodiment of California.” Now, never
having been to California, I can’t say I agree with this; however, Frankie is
most certainly a breath of fresh air. Not only has she written every song
herself, but also her music is filled with empowerment and energy. If listening
to her music has us dancing in our seats, we could only imagine what it would
be like to see her perform live.
Where to catch Frankie: 3.18 – 5pm @ The Blackheart; 3.18 – 6pm @
Shiner’s Saloon; 3.19 – 4:50pm – SpokesBUZZ Showcase @ 512 Bar; 3.19 – 9pm @
Maggie Mae’s; 3.20 – DeliRadio Party @ The Jackalope; 3.21 – Brooklyn Country
Cantina @ Licha’s Cantina; 3.21 – 8pm – Powerhouse Party @ Peckerheads.
Parlour Tricks
Parlour Tricks are no stranger to playing music festivals. They’re
previously performed at Bonnaroo, Summerfest, Lollapalooza, CMJ, and last
year’s South By Southwest. Self-described as “PRETTY/GRITTY” (AND FROM NEW YORK
CITY), this sextet blends dirty synth, clean rhythms, beautiful vocal
harmonies, and thumping drums into an end-result that is inarguably
irresistible.
Where to catch Parlour Tricks: 3.17 – 8pm – Conflict of Interest @ Hype
Hotel; 3.18 – 5pm – Annual Back Alley Bash @ Tequila Mockingbird’s; 3.19 –
2:55pm – Big Picture Media Showcase @ Bling Pig; 3.19 – 11pm – Bar None Records
Showcase @ Valhalla; 3.20 – 7pm – Rachel Ray’s Feedback House.
Fatherson
Making the trek all the way from Glasgow, these three have been making
waves throughout Scotland, thanks in-part to opening slots for Panic! at the
Disco, Twin Atlantic, and a handful of other notable acts. After the release of
2014’s beautiful debut I Am An Island, it would be wise to check these guys out
while they’re here.
Where to catch Fatherson: 3.17 – 2pm – Big Picture Media Showcase @
The Blind Pig; 3.18 – 3:50pm – Daytime Rock Showcase @ British Embassy; 3.19 –
8pm – APA Agency Showcase @ The North Door; 3.22 – 8:30pm – Conscious
Immaturity Charity Showcase @ Stubb’s.