Editor’s note: This is the fifth post in a series covering the best talent at the fest. Listen to these artists-to-watch now, and get them on your festival schedule for March. This selection of must-see artists comes from @SXSWISLIFE.
Bear Hands
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, and formed in 2006, Bear Hands are an indie electro quartet consisting of Dylan Rau (vocals and guitar), Val Loper (bass), Ted Feldman (guitar), and TJ Orscher (drums). Their love of pop hooks is filtered cohesively through an eclectic collection of genre elements ranging from psychedelic to punk.
Rae Shremmurd
Rae Sremmurd (pronounced “Ray-Shrim-er,”) is an Atlanta-based hip hop duo, composed of brothers; Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy from Tupelo, Mississippi. They are perhaps best known for their single “No Type”, which charted at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
ASTR
ASTR is an electronic/alternative duo from New York City. The group is composed of Zoe Silverman on vocals and Adam Pallin on production. Blending electronic music and pop melodies, they create a sound that balances underground dance and indie cool. Described as “sexy, electronic yet eerie” their brand of “dark pop” has been compared to The Weeknd and Robyn.
SZA
Solana Rowe, better known by her stage name SZA, is an American “PBR&B” singer-songwriter. Her music is described as electro-soul, haunting, and dreamy, with comparisons to Purity Ring and The Weeknd. SZA personally describes her music as “glitter trap”.
VÉRITÉ
New York singer-songwriter Vérité has only released a handful of songs in her young career, but those entrancing indie-pop tracks have made quite an impression, with praise coming from Buzzfeed, Neon Gold, Pigeons & Planes and more. Her songwriting blends vulnerable, honest lyrics with huge pop hooks.
Nothing But Thieves
Nothing But Thieves are an English rock band trio who originate from Southend in Essex. Made up of schoolmates, they take inspiration from artists such as Jeff Buckley, Foo Fighters and Arcade Fire.
Geographer
Electro-meets-indie pop purveyors Geographer, comprised of singer/multi-instrumentalist Mike Deni, cellist/electronics player Nathan Blaz, and drummer/singer Brian Ostreicher, formed in San Francisco in 2006. SPIN magazine named the Bay Area band as one of the “Three Undiscovered Bands You Need To Hear Now”.
Pell
Pell is a New Orleans-bred and Starksville, Mississippi-based rapper. He is quickly making his mark with a distinctive mixture of rap over an equally distinctive mixture of trap and dubby trip-pop that forms the rhythmic bed for his post-Drake flow.
Clean Bandit
Clean Bandit are a British electronic group founded in Cambridge, England in 2009. The group consists of Jack Patterson, Luke Patterson, Grace Chatto, and Milan Neil Amin-Smith. In 2015, “Rather Be” won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. Their sound can be described as a “fusion” between classical and electronic music. They produce their own music whilst inviting guest singers on their tracks.
Seinabo Sey
Seinabo Sey (pronounced Say-na-bo Sea) is a electro-pop vocalist from Södermalm, Stockholm. Her influences, largely formed by her dual Swedish and Gambian upbringing, are unique, bringing rich vocals packed with soul, personality, and grace.
You can hear all these ‘Must See Artists’ and many more here. Listen to @SXSWISLIFE‘s master playlist to get acquainted with ALL of the music at the festival. For your partying needs, check out the#SXturnt playlist, the #SpotifyHouse playlist, and the #CultureCollideOnRainey playlist.
