Best Of SXSW A-Z: "B"

An interesting note before we begin, there are no less than 21 bands with the word 'Black' in their name... none of which will be featured.

Back Ted N-Ted is actually the musical moniker for producer Ryan Breen, best known for his work with Imogen Heap and Chronic Future. Mixing airy electronica with breezy vocals and some simple put effective guitar work, all of course with a great production sheen.

MP3: Back Ted N-Ted - 999 Buttons


All too often bands are labeled as sounding like a mix of genres, only for the resulting sound to fail to live up that expectation. Big Red Rooster are a terribly generic looking lot, but thankfully their sound is precisely that indescribable mix of styles. Courting elements of R&B, hip-hop and pop in a slick mix of singing, rapping and chunky rock

MP3: Big Red Rooster - How U Like That


Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears will be instantly enjoyable to anyone familiar to the likes of 70's pop acts like ELO, XTC and Supertramp. Although hailing from Brooklyn, New York they seem to be in league with bands doing similar revival work across the pond in England.

MP3: Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears - Imitation Of The Sky

Honourable mentions:

Laura Barrett - Robot Ponies: a great narrative-driven song about 2053's most popular Xmas present

Bearsuit - Steven Fucking Spielberg: taking out the best song title award by a country mile