The Artist/Latest Release: Cheeseburger, Another Big Night Down The Drain (Williams Street, May 3rd)
The Showcase: Vice Music @ Club De Ville, 900 Red River St., 8 p.m.
What To Expect: We’re having a hard time believing that one of the New York’s most balls-to-the-wall bands is playing at 8 p.m., but there you have it. We can’t think of a better way to get this party started right. Right? Check out a new song of theirs here.
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The Artist/Latest Release: Jamie Woon, Mirrorwriting (Polydor, April 11th)
The Showcase: The Windish Agency House, 501 N I-35, 9 p.m.
What To Expect: His name often gets dropped in the same breath as James Blake–a fair comparison given the pair’s connection to the UK underground, but Woon’s less reliant on robot love effects in his live show. Let’s just say it’s telling that he once sang backup for Amy Winehouse.
The Artist/Latest Release: Mount Kimbie, Crooks & Lovers (Hotflush, 2010)
The Showcase: The Windish Agency House, 501 N I-35, 10 p.m.
What To Expect: Speaking of James Blake, the electro-shocked singer used to perform live with this duo, which makes perfect sense–they’re two of England’s most promising post-dubstep producers.
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The Artist/Latest Release: Austra, Feel It Break (Domino Records, May 17th)
The Showcase: Domino @ Emo’s Main Room, 603 Red River St., 10 p.m.
What To Expect: We haven’t gotten chanteuse-inspired chills like this since we heard Florence & the Machine. And while Katie Stelmanis’ new band isn’t plowing new planes, their gothic backdrops are like Zola Jesus on a bigger budget.
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The Artist/Latest Release: tUnE yArDs, w h o k i l l (4AD, April 19th)
The Showcase: Pitchfork @ Central Presbyterian Church, 200 East 8th St., 11 p.m.
What To Expect: A pop Dadaist who doesn’t just play around with copy editors; she’s also a sonic explorer, falling right in line with Beck during his Odelay phase.
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The Artist/Latest Release: Goes Cube, In Tides and Drifts (The End, March 29th)
The Showcase: The End @ The Ale House, 310 E 6th St., 11 p.m.
What To Expect: One of the country’s most criminally overlooked post-metal/hardcore bands. Period. If you wish At the Drive-In was reuniting at SXSW this year instead of Men At Hats, you need to be here.
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The Artist/Latest Release: Weekend, Sports (Slumberland, 2010)
The Showcase: Beauty Bar/Palm Door, 617 E 7th St., 11 p.m.
What To Expect: Noise-pop in the grand Slumberland tradition that never loses sight of the hooks at hand–the ones that are constantly being doused in feedback and flanger pedals.
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The Artist/Latest Release: Agalloch, Marrow of the Spirit (Profound Lore, 2010)
The Showcase: Nanotear Booking @ Barbarella Patio, 615 Red River St., 11:45 p.m.
What To Expect: Forest-dwelling black-metal, plucked from the Pacific Northwest and plopped outside its comfort zone. As transcendental as SXSW gets, really.
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The Artist/Latest Release: Cloud Nothings, Cloud Nothings (2011, Carpark)
The Showcase: Carpark/Paw Tracks @ 512 Rooftop, 12:15 a.m.
What To Expect: Pure sunshine, filtered through raucous reminders of what it’s like to feel young again.
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The Artist/Latest Release: Gayngs, Relayted (Jagjaguwar, 2010)
The Showcase: Gayngs Affilliyated @ Mohawk Patio, 912 Red River St., 12:30 a.m..
What To Expect: What started as a smooth jazz side project for members of Megafaun and Bon Iver turned into a troupe of the funkiest white boys around. The band has developed such a strong reputation as a live band, the festival has given them a whole night to showcase their full time projects and friends.