In direct response to the increasing-anticipation of the third and final batch of recording-artists for the forthcoming SXSW Music and Media Conference in March, the powers that be have kindly shared a holiday-taste of sweetness to come.  While the full-third-wave of artists-and-repertoire won’t be officially released until January, eclectic-hitters: Ra Ra Riot, White Denim, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, The Big Pink, and Kevin Gates will all be gracing the venues of Austin, TX with their presence come springtime.

While both the initial-release and second-round of fledgling bouts of talent offer scores of intrigue, January’s final installment should certainly seal-the-deal.  With the promise of a brand-new LP, aptly titled: Need Your Light scheduled to soar the airwaves on February 19, Ra Ra Riot are chock full of menacing new material to bring to the table.

Following the release of their upcoming EP, Empire Underground, slated to hit stores also in February, The Big Pink will dominate their gig with a new chart-topping cut, “Hightimes,” among other refreshing tunes.

Although no official date has been set, Austin’s homegrown: White Denim are eager to reveal a full-length follow-up to 2013’s superb, Corsicana Lemonade.  The indie-outfit will see a host of new live-performances and appearances even before they embark on their set at SXSW.

On the heels of last month’s video teaser for their forthcoming sixth-studio effort, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down will play a New Year’s Eve bash with indie-guru’s, The Decemberists at San Antonio’s own: The Masonic before scaling the hills of Austin.

Courtesy of Atlantic Records and his own imprint: Bread Winners’ Association, Baton Rouge’s Kevin Gates will invariably deliver the soothing rhythm-and-rhymes of a consummate wordsmith, following the debut-release of this coming January’s, Islah.