5 SXSW Bands To Watch In 2012
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Austin’s music showcase, South By Southwest (SXSW), is the place to be for emerging artists. With over 2,000 artists performing at 90 venues around the city, SXSW is one of the largest music festivals in the world. Music sites like Pitchfork and major record labels like Ghostly International host parties to showcase new talents to music lovers. From March 9 to March 18, 2012, countless bands will get a chance to have their big break in Austin.
The 2012 lineup is better than ever. If you can’t make it to Texas this March, BANGSTYLE has you covered. Here are five SXSW bands to watch in 2012:
1. Grimes
Photo credit: Júlia Soler
Grimes is music from the future. Pitchfork said Grimes music has an “eccentric, dreamy sound, which draws upon everything from dubstep to disco, Eastern music to 1990s R&B.” Sound confusing? That’s because you can’t quite pin down the 23-year-old behind Grimes, Claire Boucher. Her haunting voice veers from a ghost-like whisper to a powerful, enveloping sound. Listen to the single “Caladan” off of Grimes’ debut album Geidi Primes below.
2. Beach Fossils
The young shoegaze band from Brooklyn draws their influence from 90s favorites like New Order and Dinosaur Jr. Beach Fossils‘ gentle vocals are match by warm and powerful instrumentals. Their 2011 EP, What A Pleasure, send the blogosphere buzzing about a band that has brought a nostalgic sound into the current music scene. Listen to their single “Face It” below.
3. Trust
Trust or TRST are a band from Toronto that bring the goth vibe to indie music. The synth-pop duo are an updated Crystal Castles–emotive and extreme, yet incredibly mellifluous. They’ll have you dreaming of dancing in underground nightclubs in Berlin c. 1986. After SXSW, everyone will have a little faith in Trust. Listen to their single “Sulk” below.
4. Zulu Winter
It is only a February, and Zulu Winter is already one of the most buzzed about new bands of 2012. Five guys from London make up a band that sounds like Interpol mixed with Beach House. Their vocals and instrumentals have a raw quality of 90s grunge, but you will want to get up and dance to their single “We Should Be Swimming” below.
5. Oh Mercy
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Oh Mercy has a sound that would make any music enthusiast swoon. The four-piece group uses a pop sound mixed with folk instrumentals. With classic rock influences and a modern sound, 2012 will be the year for Oh Mercy. Listen to the single “Stay, Please Stay” below.
