The Sounds of SXSW

Discover an international contingent of artists and bands during this year’s conference.

By Daniel Azneer , Photo by Steve Moakley

South by Southwest is a crazy time here in Austin, and deciding what bands to scope out at this year’s festival is a tough decision. Below is Austin Woman’s list of must-hear female artists and female-led bands that will bring some not-to-be-missed international, local and unique performances to Austin this March.

Wild Child, Austin, Texas

Wild Child is the quintessential Austin band. They don’t quite fit into any specific music genre, borrowing from folk, country, rock and indie pop. However, this eclectic blend makes for an exciting band that you absolutely can’t miss. NPR described co-lead singer Kelsey Wilson’s voice as “a jazz-age Broadway baby, all coos and hiccups and shivers.” Their album, The Runaround, although released in 2013, continues to be a must-listen for this indie talent.

Dawn and Hawkes, Austin, Texas

According to these two lovebirds, cosmic forces brought this soulful country duo together. The singer-songwriters, based in Austin, bring a taste of Americana to audiences that can only be described as mesmerizing. Their EP, Golden Hearts, is available on iTunes, Amazon and in stores, and they can be seen per- forming regularly throughout Austin, in addition to playing an official showcase at this year’s SXSW.

The Barberettes, Seoul, South Korea

These three South Korean women bring the Happy Days soundtrack to life. Shinae An Wheeler, Grace Kim and So Hee Park, known as The Barberettes, take us back in time to the 1950s. Singing a collection of classic surfer rock and doo-wop hits, The Barberettes pay perfect homage to classic American music.

Hundred Waters, Gainesville, Fla.

Ethereal, experimental, ambient: These are just some of the words that come to mind when this avant-garde pop band plays their unique breed of music. Hundred Waters is comprised of former classmates who started playing music in middle school and ended up creating a whole new genre of inventive music. Their most recent release, The Moon Rang Like a Bell, explores topics from love and loneliness to a macabre sense of life.

Seinabo Sey, Halmstead, Sweden

Seinabo Sey’s silky voice captures the listener the minute she starts singing. The Swedish singer blends familiar R&B and soul with a modern electronic twist. Sey’s EP, For Madeline, released this January, features an intricately crafted and intoxicating variant of pop the singer has created. This is definitely an artist to check out at SXSW 2015.

Courtney Barnett, Melbourne, Australia

Rock ’n’ roll is not dead and Courtney Barnett proves it. Her trailing, melodic vocals over heavy rock are refreshing to hear. Get lost in Barnett’s witty, rambling lyrics that almost inspire thoughts of her as a female counterpart to Bob Dylan. Her third album, Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit, will be released just in time for SXSW, on March 23.

Best Coast, Los Angeles, Calif.

Smooth, classy, punky rock ’n’ roll aren’t words that generally go together. However, Best Coast finds a way to make music that is just that. The duo from Los Angeles blends classic rockabilly bass lines with cool lo-fi sound that sets them apart from other pop rockers. Best Coast’s sophomore album, Fade Away, released in October 2014, can be found on iTunes and Amazon, or here in Austin at many of our city’s independent record stores.

SXSW Music runs March 17 through 22. For event information on these official SXSW performances, click here.

Photo by Steve Moakley. Wild Child photo by Tamara Lichtenstein. Dawn and Hawkes photo by Jackie Lovato. Hundred Waters photo by Jacqueline Verdugo. Best Coast photo by Janell Shirtcliff. Seinabo Sey photo courtesy of Drill Down media. Courtney Barnett photo by Mia MacDonald.