Editor’s note: We love getting in the mood for the festival by previewing the best artists to watch. This post is the first of a series covering the best talent at the fest. Listen now, then add these acts to your festival schedule. This first round of artists to watch comes from @SXSWISLIFE.
Dena
After the drop of her crazy-cool “Cash, Diamond Rings, Swimming Pools” berlin native and pop/rap artist DENA was clumped with artists like Kreyshawn. She has been perfecting her musical style ever since. Her new track “Another Love” still has a 90s feel, but is straightforward pop.
Great Good Fine OK
Jon Sandler and Luke Moellman make up the brooklyn duo Great Good Fine OK. Passion Pit meets How To Dress Well meets Prince. Whatever the comparison, they are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Brooke Candy
Vogue magazine recentley called Brooke Candy “fashions latest pop muse.” I couldn’t agree more. She is the definition of her newest single “Opulence.” Raised on the streets in southern California and a former stripper, her goal is nothing less than pop superstardom.
HOLYCHILD
Liz and Louie call HOLYCHILD ‘brat pop,’ but I also think it’s like if Katy Perry, Andy Warhol, and Robyn had a ménage-à-tryst and popped out a perfect pop baby for adults only.
Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice is a rock band from North London, UK formed in 2010. Clash Magazine described Wolf Alice as “the lovechild of folk and grunge.” However, the band describes their music as “rocky pop”.
Why Alice, what big tunes you have …
Son Lux
Ryan Lott aka Son Lux, is an American musician who was born in Denver and is based in New York City. He is the dark, operatic middle ground between Owen Pallett and In Rainbows-era Radiohead.
Raury
18-year-old Atlanta native Raury has been nourishing his craft of singing, songwriting and production since the age of nine. He is is a mix of hiphop, funk, R&B and guitar riffs. If you had to bet on an emerging artist becoming a big star, there are worse bets.
Catfish and the Bottlemen
Catfish and the Bottlemen are a Welsh four-piece indie rock band that formed in the UK and have heritage in Australia. Their music is easy on the ear, with grand guitar hooks that are unapologetically catchy, gritty, and full of swagger.
Father
Father is a 24 year old rapper from Mississippi. He is pretty new on the scene and already has his own label, Awful Records, with longtime friend Makonnen. He has effortless rhymes about girls and drugs, over slow hitting, heavy-based beats.
Lion Babe
Lion Babe is a duo. Jillian Hervey brings the soulful vocals, and, Lucas Goodman adds the jazzy production. They recently told VIBE: “We’re looking to combine music that we’ve been inspired by in the past, and, kind of give it a new life, and we also love dance—and really strong visuals.”
