Best Of SXSW A-Z: "N"

A famous dead person once said "You can tell a lot about one by the company one keeps". Or something like that. Jason Chung, otherwise known as Nosaj Thing, has shared the stage with Flying Lotus, Daedelus, Architecture in Helsinki, DJ Krush, and many others. He recently won Turntable Lab's remix competition featuring MF DOOM. If you like any or all of the above mentioned bands, you're likely to enjoy Nosaj Thing's thing - squelchy electronica, with beats and blips.

MP3: Nosaj Thing - 1685


The Nouvellas are a new-soul group fronted by Jaime Kozyra and Leah Fishman, backed by a three-piece band, and all five are from the recently broken-up band Dansettes. Those with a keener ear will have heard Jaime & Leah contributing vocals to recordings of that other new-soul band of the year, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. If you like them, you'll be sure to like this.

MP3: The Nouvellas - Satisfied


Personally, I'm really glad that the music world seems past the infatuation it once had with acoustic singer/songwriters - I never got onto the Ben Harper/Jack Johnson bandwagon; at times, it seemed to me they were essentially one and the same. That said, Toronto's Justin Nozuka takes acoustic pop, adds soulful vocals and a catchy chorus, and comes up with something palatable. I guess that's a backhanded compliment, but it's a compliment nonetheless.

MP3: Justin Nozuka - Golden Train

BEST OF SXSW A-Z: "M"

Well "M" was littered with great singer-songwriters, but the props really have to go to My Brightest Diamond, the alias for Shara Worden. Previously she honed her craft as a member of Sufjan Stevens' band, and if this ethereal cut is anything to go by, he's had a positive influence. Hers is a music of dreamy haze and layered harmonies given an edge by her lyrics and potent voice.

MP3: My Brightest Diamond - Disappear (String Quartet Version)

The band's moniker is a deceptive one, you'd hardly call this pop 'mini', dreamy perhaps, but it doesn't sound small. Minipop create wide-eyed vistas on which Tricia Kanne's airy vocals can waft and shine against, they sound a little Aussie to these ears - Ladyhawke comes to mind - which is no bad thing in our book.

MP3: Minipop - Like I Do

Noting that The Most Serene Republic are signed to Canadian indie label Arts & Crafts, home to Stars & Broken Social Scene, is a good place to start. They contain the same textured sound and rock orchestra elements of their label-mates: boy-girl vocals, wordy lyrics and an intriguing sound that rewards on repeat listens.

MP3: The Most Serene Republic - Present Of Future End

Best Of SXSW A-Z: "L"

Elizabeth Powell, founder of Land Of Talk, is yet another story of the classically trained musician who found the world of Bach & Vivaldi constricting their creativity. With echoes of PJ Harvey and Dinosaur Jnr, Land Of Talk make a good mix of punk, pop and rock.

MP3: Land Of Talk - Speak To Me Bones


Le Loup are a band from Washington DC with a French name, and their album is titled "The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millenium General Assembly". Honestly, I don't blame you if the hipster-isms haven't turned you off already. But have a listen to the infectious chorus and wonderful layering of sounds on We Are Gods! We Are Wolves!, and you might have just found an indie hipster band you don't feel guilty for liking.

MP3: Le Loup - We Are Gods! We Are Wolves!


Sounding as if it was recorded in someone's bedroom, The Lovely Sparrows' Chemicals Change is an example of a beautiful song created through simplicity, with singer/songwriter Shawn Jones' vocals barely audible above the haunting guitar.

MP3: The Lovely Sparrows - Chemicals Change

BEST OF SXSW A-Z: "K"

Hailing from Bordeaux, France you'd be forgiven for assuming that Adam Kesher would just be more Gallic electronica, but you'd be wrong. They mix aggressive rock rhythms with dance beats and buzzing synths to electric effect. It's the kind of thing you can imagine getting pretty chaotic, if not blindingly fun, in a live setting.

MP3: Adam Kesher - P-Katherine

Mixing lyrics and themes about nature with progressive influenced rock doesn't sound too good on paper, but in actuality, five-piece Kaddisfly pull it out effortlessly. Despite a seven year history the band have happily strayed the edges of popularity, allowing them room to evolve and change at their own whim. Talent can only go unnoticed for so long though.

MP3: Kaddisfly - Empire

No prizes for guessing which part of America these two young lads are from, or even for how the band sound: plaintive acoustic guitar against a haunting backdrop of piano and downbeat harmonies. Kid Dakota have a melancholy about them that suits their deep vein of Americana as well as their modest songwriting.

MP3: Kid Dakota - 10,000 Lakes

Best Of SXSW A-Z: "J"

Only one mentionable band for "J" - it was bound to happen sooner or later...

Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong are helmed by ex-drummer of The Pipettes, Joe Van Moyland, and after forming in early 2007, have already supported the likes of Babyshambles and the Kaiser Chiefs. Their debut album was scrapped before it was released, but not before review copies had been circulated to the London music press, with NME giving it 8/10. That said, the NME gives anyone who hasn't released their debut yet 8/10 provided they have indie cred. Which these guys apparently do.

MP3: Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong - Lonely Buoy

BEST OF SXSW A-Z: " I "

Iglu & Hartly's press statement proclaims "Never follow, always lead the pack with new unbelieveable hot shit." Not a bad philosophy really, and if this cut is anything to go by, that means eclectic genre-hopping with an anthemic hook to keep it all together. 'In This City' smells distinctly of summer... and also MGMT, which is no bad thing.

MP3: Iglu & Hartly - In This City

It's probably a good indication of just how long it takes to get through an A-Z list when a band splits in the time it takes to get to their name. Synth-pop duo I Was A Cub Scout, of English heritage, mined a lovely melodic vein with a kind of rag-tag sound, their genetic make-up indebted to indie songwriters and electronic leaning blips and bloops. Alas they split back in June, leaving behind a debut album - "I Want You To Know There's Always Hope" - full of potential.

MP3: I Was A Cub Scout - Pink Squares

Fronted by boy/girl combo Simon and Julia Indelicate (is it just me or is the matching surname a little passé now?), the two had previously met at performance poetry meetings before hitting off as a band. If their artwork is anything to go by, they've got a great sense of humour despite their high-brow contentions to 'raise the bar' of the British music scene.

MP3: The Indelicates - Julia, we don't live in the 60s

New Passion Pit Video: "Sleepyhead"

MP3: Passion Pit - Sleephead

New Feist Video: "Honey Honey"

Best Of SXSW A-Z: "H"

On Jussayin', H.I.S.D. (HUEston Independent Spit District) remind me of LA hip-hop outfit People Under The Stairs in the best way possible. Subtle production, with beats that could not possibly swing more, and samples and brass hits in all the right places make this track a perfect summer track. Their debut album, "The District" is available now.

MP3: H.I.S.D. - Jussayin'

I never knew there was a Jamaica in New York, but there is, and that's where HEAVy is from. They cite their influences as ranging from Minnie Riperton to N*E*R*D, and Sam/Sam's Return makes good on their promise - crisp beats mixed with soulful vocals make a track that is just the right side of jazz hip-hop.

MP3: HEAVy - Sam/Sam's Return

Heavy Claws have a song with a sweet analog synth hook. What more can be said? Except for the fact that they categorised themselves as electronic/dance/DJ, which is kind of a misnomer.

MP3: Honey Claws - Shout Out

Department of Eagles Do Daytrotter

In Ear Park has been on heavy rotation lately, and I must say, I almost like it more than Daniel Rossen's other, more well-known band, Grizzly Bear. Good news then, that Daniel and Fred have recorded some cuts from the album (plus two unreleased tracks) for the Daytrotter guys.

MP3: Department of Eagles - Daytrotter Session