If you had already been onto one of these five bands, that’s great, feel free to hipster shame me online or in person since your music radar supersedes my own. However, if you haven’t gotten down with any of these beautiful gems, then I beseech you to bathe in the purifying waters of SXSW discovery. The music from these bands will undoubtedly supplement your music playlists like an anabolic into the gluteus maximus. 

Memory Keepers (Austin, TX) Fuzzy, scuzzy and psychedelic with a strong undertow of addictive melodies, Memory Keepers is a local band that has flow stealthily under the radar yet clearly has the goods to emerge as a force.  Literally the first band to play on a 30 band bill at Hotel Vegas for the Side One Track One vs. Austin Town Hall showcase, Memory Keepers played an amazing set that impressed the eight people present.

Castlecomer (Sydney, Australia) First appearing like a burned out and haggard arrangement of Aussie musicians nursing a hangover, Castlecomer ended up being a daytime highlight at the Aussie house.  Power pop with winding guitars and a pulsing rhythm section, Castlecomer emanated charisma and a livewire energy that started a dance party in an unlikely place.

Drama (Chicago, IL) Heaven is waiting until 1am at an obscure SXSW venue and then getting hit with the best performance of SXSW 2019.  DRAMA is a soul electronica duo that I knew I would like within 30 seconds of their first song, but ended up worshipping by the end of their set.  Had every other note of music at SXSW been terrible, this set would have made the hell week well worth it.

Haiku Hands (Melbourne, Australia) Brash and bawdy with afrobeat rhythms cascading around Spice Girls-esque delivery, Haiku Hands brings in your face power pop with some feminine thunder from down under (meaning Australia). A high energy stage presence with dance-laden beats gave this trio an extra glossy sheen at the Do512 showcase at Barracuda.

Bixiga 70 (Sao Paulo, Brazil)  A 9-member group crammed onto a tiny stage at Lucille on Rainey for the Brazilian showcase ended up being one of the most bombastic and funkadelic performances at SXSW.  Afro-Brazilian dance and an empowered horns section brought an urban and unfiltered energy which caused a pseudo-samba dance party bursting with posi-vibes.

This month Barrio Manouche released their newest single, “El Joven” and the song is another fantastic hit. With "El Joven," Barrio Manouche does what they do best: invigorating Spanish gypsy jazz all with beautiful backing, from trumpets to the cajón, lots of sax, beautiful guitar work, and plenty of reason to get up and dance. Check out their video and go see them in San Francisco April 13th or 20th at Club Deluxe, and April 26th at The Chapel! - Lucille Faulkner

 Some of the most intricate sounds and exciting artists will be emanating from the African continent for SXSW 2019. A diverse contingent of musicians, from every corner of Africa, will be bringing high-energy performances to Austin, and these five acts listed below are a great reason why you should get out and see them.

Kokoko! (DRC) 

Sprung from the ghetto and downtown clubs of the Congolese capital, Kinhasa, Kokoko! had to createin between the government-imposed power cuts. Strong ideas combine with DIY and constructed instruments to create a powerful and unique vehicle for their sound.

Siimba Liives Long (ETH)

A third culture kid raised in New York, New Jersey and Ethiopia, SIIMBA SELASSIIE is just as familiar with the streets as he is with the jungle. Since planting roots in Brooklyn, NY, Siimba has headlined his own national tour and supported artists like Rae Sremmurd, Ty Dolla Sign and Cam’ron.

Alternate Sound (NIG)

The band's meticulous panache and deft instrumentation has been paired with many of the best African talents and featured on the most prestigious stages across the continent.

Jojo Abot (GHA) 

A Ghanaian artist expressing herself through music, film/photography, fashion, literature and performance art. She uses music as an ongoing project to explore the self and as a provocative tool in the discovery, exchange and evolution of her identity.

Stoneybwoy (GHA) 

Livingstone Etse Satekla is a Ghanaian Afro-pop artist, from the Volta region, who integrates dancehall and reggae influences to create an upbeat sound.