With just a month to go until the SXSW Music Festival gets underway in Austin Texas, God Is In The TV Zine provides an A to Z of artists to check out. The festival gives a platform for music from all genres and all corners of the world. With hundreds of artists already confirmed for the showcasing event, there will be an official weekly announcement by SXSW between now and the start of the Music Festival on 10 March confirming further additions. This is obviously a long way from an exhaustive list but provides a dip of the toe into the waters of this humongous event.
Acid Baby Jesus (Greece)
Formed in Athens in 2009, Acid Baby Jesus merge various influences from Greece’s folk music roots and western psychedelic pop, rock n roll and country. Don’t be fooled by the name, this is no religious love-in. They released their third album, Lilac Days their first for Fuzz Club Records, in 2017. Noda Pappas (guitar and vocals), Markos Mazarakis-Ainian (drums and vocals), Tilemachos Stronis (bass and vocals) and Dale Macdonald (guitar and vocals) are garage rockers and will bring their vibrant energy to Austin.
Big Special (UK)
England’s Big Special released their debut album in 2024. Postindustrial Hometown Blues is a powerhouse of a debut. The duo of Joe Hicklin (vocals) and Callum Moloney (drums) have a bond that is immediately obvious during their live performances. The poetry of Hicklin coupled with his breathtaking vocal and the thunderous beats of Moloney on drums – they really are a match made in heaven. Lyric driven and full of stirring instrumentation that hits hard, their songs “explore the bleak and beautiful honesty of a nation in an ever growing state of depression” . Thought provoking yes, but melancholy no. A talent that once seen never forgotten.
Coldwave (Australia)
Australia continues to be a fertile breeding ground for new and emerging artists. Coldwave will arrive at SXSW in Austin after playing SXSW Sydney and completing their debut UK headline tour. Formed in 2020 Coldwave have released two EPs to date: No Conflict (2023), Same Window, Different House (2023). The band have an indie post-punk vibe with stomping horns. They admit that being democratic in a 6-piece can be a challenge but can also provide a hotbed of creativity. Their music was described by Australia’s Triple J as capturing “the abstract in life’s most mundane moments”.
Delivery (Australia)
More Australian gems with Delivery who released their second album Force Majeure on Heavenly Recordings in January. Delivery were thrilled to sign for the iconic label for their second album, and what an album it is. Be warned, Delivery are party central. This is garage-punk, off kilter with twangy guitars and vocals which demand attention. A rapid fire energy that never stops. Delivery will play at New Colossus in New York en route to SXSW.
Exotic Fruitica (Austin, Texas)
Austin is a music city all year round, not just annually for SXSW in March. Exotic Fruitica harness an explosive sound in their hometown’s post-hardcore / post-punk scene with compressed fuzz guitars, noise, and driving beats. The band was formed in 2022 by guitarist/vocalist Jon French and drummer Aaron Gilligan, two longtime friends. Their self titled debut album was released in August 2024. 11 tracks of glorious noise, scuzzy and feral. Live will be thrilling and perhaps a bit sweaty!
Fuki Kitamura (Japan)
Fuki Kitamura arrived on the scene in March 2023 with debut digital single ‘amaranthus feat. Misaki Umei.‘ Their sound blends dance music, jazz, folk, and electronica, and they were invited to perform at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ’23 on the ROOKIE A GO-GO stage. Beyond their solo work, they have also made a name for themselves through diverse collaborations and projects: remixing tomggg feat. ena mori‘s track ‘Ichigo Miruku,’ contributing to the soundtrack for the TV drama “Chikyu no Arukikata” and DJing under the alias asak. In 2024 they released their debut EP ‘500mm’ a vibrant exploration of dance music. This was followed by a second appearance at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ’24.
Gurriers (Ireland)
Gurriers released their debut album Come and See in 2024. The Irish punks delivered on the promise of their early singles and incendiary live performances. It will be an emotional return to Austin no doubt after the boycott in 2024 due to the controversial sponsors of the festival particularly in relation to the conflict in Gaza. This did result in change and Gurriers will relish the opportunity to showcase their obvious talent. Listen to ‘Nausea’ and ‘Des Goblins’ and you will be convinced.
For more information on SXSW including badges, artists information and schedules please check out the website.
