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SXSW WRAP: 2014

It took a minute, but we have recovered. After battling through the post-SXSW plague (aka an annual gnarly cold), curing our hangovers with some proper hydration via resqwater, and yes…actually getting some sleep, we’re back with our annual report from SX. And so it is; straight from the front lines of ATX, here’s a Top 10 report of SXSW Music 2014 highlights from our troops on the ground.

Mike

Jungle
Wolf Alice
Rare Monk
SOHN
KINS
Zella Day
MISUN
SIVU
GEMS
Moses Sumney

Troy

SXSW 2014. I traversed the Doritos #BoldStage, made memories at SXSubway, got social media-relevant at the Tumblr House and sought precious refuge from the apocalyptic World War Z-esque 6th St. throngs; that and I saw some pretty cool bands and artists. From Moses Sumney’s Central Presbyterian stunning vocal sermon to Sango’s star-level beat-making to Soundgarden’s sludgy rooftop stab at Superunkown; the musical component of SX is still at least maintaining a high level. Here’s few of my favorites from the festival.

Moses Sumney
Arthur Beatrice
Sango
Jungle
Angel Olsen
Soundgarden
Sam Smith
Misun
Banks
Kaytranada

Brian Litwin

SXSW 2014 was a big one, making headlines all over the world for puke, corporations and tragedies. For me, SXSW was similar to “Starred” playlist on Spotify; mostly all different genres, all with buzz and a sense of uniqueness. It was a pleasure working with Team B3SCI on their incredible shows and an honor to spend that time with friends in such an incredible city. Here are my 10 highlights of SXSW 2014:

The Preatures
Bipolar Sunshine
Wave Racer
Eagulls
100s
Young and Sick
Cashmere Cat
Kelela
SKATERS
Beat Culture

*Just to sneak one last one in there – the Ray Ban X Boiler Room set was unreal…”

Bruce Rave

Another successful SXSW (South By Sponsorship Week) is behind us. One trend is that there seemed to be fewer rapidly-growing, up and coming buzz bands in that middle level between the big names and the many newbies. Congrats to our Mike and Troy for dropping the first Jungle EP on their B3SCI label, and for Jungle being one of the week’s most talked about bands. I mostly skipped great bands bands I’ve seen, and there weren’t many surprises this year besides the incredibly enthusiastic Gary Numan.

The Strypes
Temples
Gary Numan
Jungle
Moses Sumney
The Crookes
Chloe Howl
Misun
Kid Karate
The Griswolds

reviewed by b3

03-28-14

Gallant – Jupiter Grayscale (Prod. Maths Time Joy)

Soul Track Reviews

“Jupiter Grayscale” is the brand new collaboration between fave R&B singer Gallant and fave instrumentalist Maths Time Joy. Wow. The low-touch vibe-heavy production/instrumental from MTJ is a near perfect match for Gallant’s subtle and melodic airy croon and the two have as evidenced on “Jupiter Greyscale” have both pushed each other creatively to a new level as this is the best track yet from Gallant. (and the credit yet in the production field for Maths Time Joy). “Jupiter Greyscale” is a standout moment for both artists. P.S. Don’t miss our show with Gallant this Sunday (3/30) at the Bootleg in L.A.; details here.

Gallant (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by b3

03-28-14

Glass Animals – Holiest (Feat. Tei-Shi)

Soul Track Reviews

Ah yes, Glass Animals. The Harvest-signed (Banks, Arthur Beatrice, Young & Sick, etc) alt R&B crew have been cruising through in recent months with a very impressive list of singles (including the aquarium soul of “Gooey” and the contemporary devotional that is “Black Mambo”). The come hither tones of the Tei-Shi-assisted “Holiest” is the latest very good iteration of the GA sound. complete w/ warm sparkling electronics and a visceral drum track that is circadian in its humanness. “Gooey” is the new EP from Glass Animals and its out April 8.

Glass Animals (Facebook)

Rating 8.6

reviewed by b3

03-28-14

Tinashe – Vulnerable (Blood Diamonds Remix)

Electronic Pop Soul

One of last year’s best songs “Vulnerable” from Tinashe gets a 2014 house/R&B-styled rework from the ineffable Soundcloud Sultan of L.A. Blood Diamonds.

Tinashe (Twitter)

Rating 8.1

reviewed by b3

03-28-14

B3SCI Presents: Gallant with Evan Mellows @ The Bootleg in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 30

Live Show Reviews Songwriter Soul

SoCal-based indie neo-R&B singer Gallant takes to the Bootleg in LA this Sunday night for a must not miss presentation of his contemporary Prince-informed R&B. This Sunday come watch Gallant perform live with a standout cast of support sets that includes L.A. singer Evan Mellows.

Doors for the event are at 8:00pm and the show is for ages 21+. More details for the show can be found HERE.

Gallant (Soundcloud)
Bootleg Theater ) (Tickets and Event Info)

reviewed by b3

03-26-14

SZA – Child’s Play (Feat. Chance The Rapper)

Soul Track Reviews

The first lady of TDE, SZA puts in a sultry smooth vocal on that deep molasses XXYYXX “About You” sample with new one “Child’s Play”. SZA is GREAT on the track but Chance‘s easy/breezy ride-the-offbeats flow hits the instrumental in a most incredible way. Don’t miss this one. The “Z” EP from SZA is coming April 8.

SZA (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

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reviewed by b3

03-25-14

Young & Sick – Heartache Fetish

Pop Soul Track Reviews

The R&B-flavored indie pop of Dutch-born Young & Sick finds its latest iteration in the rhythmically swaggering and neatly-layered “Heartache Fetish”. Y&S’ s/t debut for Harvest Records is due on April the 8th.

Young & Sick (Tumblr)

Rating 8.0

reviewed by b3

03-25-14

Cloud Boat – Carmine

Electronic Pop Soul

London UK’s Cloud Boat follow up their impressive break-out track “Youthern” with the equally strong “Carmine”. On the new track, melancholy-dipped melodies buoyed up by some stunning both vocal and instrumental harmonic voicings build cinematically to a heart-wringing and quite effective stable of chorus hooks. The arrow for Cloud Boat is firmly pointed upward.

Cloud Boat (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

reviewed by b3

03-20-14

All We Are – Feel Safe

Pop Soul Track Reviews

Domino imprint Double Six Records newest signing is Liverpool-based All We Are who impress with the slow motion rhythmic pop of “Feel Safe”. A+++

All We Are (Soundcloud)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by b3

03-19-14

Ben Khan – Youth

Pop Soul Track Reviews

Stylistic chameleon Ben Khan moves toward a more synth-pop driven sound on new one “Youth”. While perhaps more accessible to Indie 2014 w/ its easy electronics and warm textures, Khan’s latest genre jump on “Youth” is ruddered by the strong sense for pop/r&b hooks and soulfulness that has driven Ben Khan’s rise thusfar. We’re loving it. Ben Khan’s debut “1992” EP will be released May 5.

Ben Khan (Tumblr)

Rating 8.3

reviewed by b3

03-19-14

Vök – Tension

Soul Track Reviews

Margrét Rán’s sultry yet simple vocal is the star of “Tension”, Iceandic dream & b duo Vök’s slow burner new single. The sticky and seductive “Tension” is perhaps (and we mean this in the most complimentary way) a bit of an approximation of what another noted Scandinavian R&B duo Quadron might sound like in 2014 had they continued to pursue an artier more obtuse sound. The visceral, earthy, human qualities of “Tension” are highly highly palpable, they almost bleed off the record which is pretty indicative of a track that not only demands your attention but is also a great piece of art.