SXSW Music Festival follows up its latest update, which was simply massive, with a smaller list of showcasing artist for 2018. This batch is a lot lower-profile, with the only real well-known groups being alt-country veterans Okkervil River, Chuck Auerbach (you’ll recognize him as the father of Dan Auerbach) and those darlings of ’90s alternative radio, Fastball.
Some other bands that have already made a bit of a name for themselves will be performing, including The Buttertones, Cotton Mather, Greys, Grounders, Night Moves, Descartes A Kant – and that’s about it. There’s also Curtis McMurtry, who is folk legend James McMurtry’s son.
There are plenty of groups coming in from outside the United States, with the most interesting-sounding band names being Victim Mentality, Shred Kelly, Los Chinchillos Del Caribe and Kids N Cats.
Other bands with less eye popping names are also coming from abroad, like Zero Balas, Will Varley, TIGA, Silvina Moreno, Sarahmée, Samurai Champs, Sahad and The Nataal Patchwork, Remna Schwarz, NIX, Mr. Paradise, Motel Raphael, Maurice Kirya, Marrón, John Jacob Magistery, KARD, , La Cuneta Son Machín, INHEAVEN, Ghost Twin, DJ DOLLAR SENEGAL, Dizzy, Dimpker Brothers, CASEROLOOPS, Bruno Belissimo, Alice Phoebe Lou, and 1982 (diecinueve ochenta y dos).
Looking through the list for domestic bands at SXSW 2018 with incredible names, there is Bang Data, Bubble Puppy, Sharkmuffin and Sons of Bill. There are some artists who simply go by what appears to be their given name. They include Zack Keim, Whitney Rose, Sara Ontaneda, Ron Gallo, Rita Coolidge, Katie von Schleicher, Julia Lucille, Josh T. Pearson, James Swanberg, Jack Freeman, Ian Moore, Harvey McLaughlin, Harry Zimm, Emma White, Caleb Elliott, Curtis McMurtry, Chelsea Williams, Caitlyn Smith, Billy Strings, Ainsley Farrell. Of course, at least one of those is probably a band named after a person.
Then, there are those monikers where it’s truly hard to distinguish whether it’s a band or a solo artist. Some examples at this year’s SXSW are 3 Hand Stephen, Duncan Fellows, Kay Odyssey, Lee Hi, Little Mazarn, Lizzie No, Mr Gabriel, Pearl Earl, Tank Washington, Torino Black and Belle Adair. Thank goodness for artists like Boss Street Brass Band and Pow Pow Family Band who leave no doubt. Groups like Lauren Ashley and The Trainwreckers, NOX BOYS and Henry Brun & the Latin Playerz.
The rest of the bands from the United States are Benyaro, Breaking Forms, Chico Chico, COllapsing Stars, Common Deer, The Commonheart, Cuddle Magic, Current Joys, Dark Time Sunshine, The Deer, Egrets on Ergot, Girlyboi, Greyhounds, KOLARS, The lagoons, La Misa Negra, LIP, Lo Country, Mako, Mountain Time, NÄM, NITE, Panic Priest, Parsonsfield, Plastic Pinks, Ponytrap, R3LL, Rattletree, The Rubilators, Salomón Beda, slenderboides, Southern Avenue, Special Explosion, Sun Parade, Superfónicos, United Ghosts, Vandoliers, Video Age, Vista Kicks Wilder Maker and Western Youth.
Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat
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