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Our annual pilgrimage to Austin for the SX Music Conference is always an exciting adventure for us and this year we have a few of our favorite bands in tow for our showcases – a few longtime favorites and fresh up and comers!
Below is our lineup!
Join us if you will be in Austin and stay tuned for special programming from the fest, including live performances from the bands below!
On Wednesday night, we return to Haven for a night of KCRW favorites, including the SX debut of Baltimore trio Future Islands.
FUTURE ISLANDS
Future Islands‘ new album, forthcoming on lauded label 4AD, is called “Singles” and they are holding nothing back.
Singer Samuel T Herring has a truly unique, raw approach (his influences are Danzig AND 70′s soul singers) and commands any stage he stands on. Theatrical yet completely sincere, he lets loose on topics like love and loss. If the first single is any indication, we’re in for something great.
(The band also played “One Day”, a worldwide radio premiere during their recent visit to the station!)
SAM SMITH
UK singer Sam Smith made a splash as a guest on Disclosure’s debut and will showcase songs from his own highly anticipated solo effort at SX. He’s already huge in his native country and this appearance is part of his inevitable U.S. invasion!
Sam won BOTH the 2014 BRIT Critics’ Choice Award but also the BBC’s Sound of 2014 – the first and only male to win both awards.
KCRW DJ Anne Litt even goes so far to compare him to Adele in his honesty and intensity.
JAMESTOWN REVIVAL
The LA public radio station’s hometown is represented by Jamestown Revival, an incredible live band bursting with energy and the undeniably catchy single “California (Cast Iron Soul)”. The band – fronted by two friends who grew up together in Texas before relocating to the West Coast — released their debut full length “Utah” last week.
Stream this excellent live version of “Golden Age” recorded on Morning Becomes Eclectic! And DOWNLOAD here for a limited time.
BEAR HANDS
Brooklyn quartet Bear Hands’ new album “Distraction” features some supremely poppy moments, coupled with a good dose of punk and riveting rock. A press release calls the 11 songs “perfectly twisted pop nuggets” which is a great description. Full of hooks and a few surprise punches. They’re also playing Coachella!
KINS
Brighton (via Melbourne) trio KINS bring their wistful guitar pop sounds to the streets of Austin. We’ve been pretty partial to “Mockasin’s” but they’ve given us an unreleased track called “‘Untitled #1” to debut!
GLASS ANIMALS
Young British lads in Glass Animals, with the guidance of super producer Paul Epworth (Adele/Foster the People), have crafted a series of dreamy, synthy, surreal songs that are worthy of attention. They’re debut is due in late Spring and they recently released the sultry track “Gooey”. Can’t wait to hear more.