AFTER our analysis of SXSW and the significance it holds for Scottish bands heading to Austin, we’ve profiled TTV’s top tips (outside of Scotland) for the 2015 music conference.
Hailing from far flung locations including the UK, European cities and America itself, there are over 2000 acts who’ll ply their trade in hundreds of official showcases and venues.
An act who’ve been floating around for quite some time now and whose sound has evolved into one of the most revered among modern post punk circles, Cloud Nothings began life as a solo project for lo-fi oriented songwriter Dylan Baldi before evolving into a fully fledged band. Stopping by TTV HQ whilst in Glasgow, the band began their ascent with 2012’s Attack On Memory, cementing their status as one of the US’s most vital acts with last year’s superb Here And Nowhere Else. If you get a chance to check them out in all of their raucous splendour, you’ll not regret it.
Another of Tenement TV’s alumni and one of the most exciting bands to emerge from Spain recently, all-girl outfit Hinds (formerly known as Deers) were formed in response to what they perceived as a lack of great girl bands within the current scene. With a sound so overwhelmingly joyous that it actively uplifts the listener, they’ll be looking to capitalise on what was a very prosperous debutante year as a four piece with great sets at SXSW.
One of the most witty and unique MC’s to emerge from hip hop’s birthplace of New York City in many years, Queens Native Action Bronson is one of the most talked about propositions within the genre today. With a flow eerily reminiscent of Wu Tang general Ghostface Killah, ‘Bronsolino’ laces his verses with a bold mixture of obscure references, foul imagery and all manner of hilarious wordplay. Preparing to release his major label debut Mr Wonderful at the end of the month, SXSW may be one of the last opportunities to see the rapper before he becomes a huge act incapable of playing smaller venues.
A band that have regularly been subject to lofty comparisons to some of the biggest acts ever to be defined as indie rock, Florida’s Merchandise have somehow managed to fly under the radar despite several extremely accomplished records. Signed to UK label 4AD, a good showing at SXSW could lead them to new found levels of fame.
Vic Mensa is one of the most intriguing personalities to explode onto the hip hop scene, due to the fact that he refuses to be defined by any specific niche within the genre. Veering erratically from the unorthodox style that has elevated his SaveMoney collective cohort Chance The Rapper to party oriented rap and even deep house, the 21 year old has all the attributes required to become a superstar. Having already raised his profile for the coming year due to collaborations with Kanye West on ‘Wolves’, SXSW could become the genesis of a new hip hop phenomenon.
Primed to bring their music to a much broader audience during their support slot for The Strokes at Hyde Park, Gengahr are one of the UK’s most exciting new bands who have delved head first into the overcrowded landscape of pysch tinged pop and carved out a sound of their own. Laced with beautiful melodies, intricate guitar parts and splashy percussion, their tracks are likely to go down well in the sun drenched sorroundings of Austin.
One of the greatest bands to emerge on Seattle’s legendary sub-pop imprint in years, the visceral METZ meld elements of hardcore, grunge and post punk into disorienting yet highly enjoyable noise. Returning from a notable layoff after 2012’s eponymous debut, they’ll be looking to pick up from where they left off and continue to grow their fanbase.
Having narrowly avoided death after a hit and run and undergoing a medically induced coma, The London Souls‘ frontman Tash Neal is ready return to the band and continue to release outstanding rock tracks brimming with the essence of the genre’s classic period. Incorporating elements of doo wop, soul and the distinctive sound of bands such as The Byrds and The Small Faces, their music is likely to translate well live and assist them in attaining further acclaim.
Fusing together influences such as Pavement, Dinosaur JR and Talking Heads into an obscenely inventive sound, Massachusetts based four piece Speedy Ortiz have recently re-emerged after a brief hiatus. Led by the cynical vocals of Sadie Dupuis, expect to hear a lot more of them in the event of a great showing at SXSW.
A side project from members of the illustrious pysch group Wooden Shjips, Moon Duo utilise elements of Krautrock and electro alongside a doom laden aesthetic to create a truly fresh and organic sound. With pysch groups experiencing something of an over-saturation and many bands gearing their music toward the blissful textures patented by acts such as Tame Impala, an act such as this who are actively subverting from that will go down a storm at SXSW.
Preparing to realise his debut record in a matter of days, Vancouver’s Tobias Jesso Jr is a songwriter in the classic sense of the word; producing beautiful tracks laced with profound lyricism and delightful melodies. With a sound indebted to artists such as Billy Joel and Wings era Paul McCartney, he’ll be looking to utilise SXSW as a springboard from which he can launch his career.
Led by the extraordinary vocal talents of Alicia Boganno, Bully are a Nashville based four piece with a visceral sound reminiscent of acts such as Babes In Toyland, Mudhoney and closer to home 2014 T Break band DEATHCATS. Having worked with the acclaimed Steve Albini on their recent material and with a spot on Jack White’s Third Man showcase, SXSW could easily be a turning point for them.
Propelled by an infectious sound that delves into electronica and straightforward pop in equal measure, New York based six piece Parlour Tricks have amassed a substantial fanbase during their relatively brief time as a band. Winners of plaudits from esteemed publications such as Village Voice among others, the band are looking to continue their current run of good form with several shows at SXSW.
With a great and unique sound which recalls a wide spectrum of US indie rock including The Screaming Trees and Eels, London based trio Happyness have gained significant plaudits since the release of debut record Weird Little Birthday. Having produced a more confrontational sound upon recent track ‘A Whole New Shape’, their trip to Austin seems to be pivotal in determining their progression as a band.
One of the darker and more subversive acts to be tipped for a successful trip to Austin, Bad Breeding are a punk band drawing influence from the genre’s hardcore heyday, emitting a sound that is steeped in the American scene that produced such as Bad Brains and Agent Orange. Likely to cause a stir among revelers, SXSW could greatly increase their profile.
With SXSW set to be her first ever excursion to the states, Australian songstress Meg Mac possesses a soulful, bluesy voice that is adored by all those with the privilege of hearing it. Having been nominated for Rolling Stones’ best new talent award amid many poppier acts, She is set to have a very impressive showing as she exercises her vocal chords for the first time on US soil.
