SXSW Preview from KCRW’s On Air Promotions Manager Tyler Hale

Dear Austin,

Let me start by saying, I love your guts. The music, food, bars, people, weather, Jo’s coffee. It’s some of the best out there…so in anticipation of SXSW – I’m writing to tell ya a few acts I hope you’ll let me see.

Lines, busted feet, a couple extra Shiner’s and, even one year, an arctic blast of cold – have prevented me from seeking that which the music enthusiast is always after: the perfectly crafted schedule of events. With that said – here are a few artists I will see this year come hell or high water…

Ex Cops

This Brooklyn-based band has released an early favorite album of mine for 2013, “True Hallucinations“. Fuzzy, catchy, dreamy pop that will be perfectlysuited for swaying in the Austin sun.

Hanni El Khatib

Straight ahead rock ‘n roll that fits somewhere between your dusty boots and a bottle of whiskey…Can’t think of a better setting for this dude to debut his Dan Auerbach-produced material.

Phosphorescent

Matthew Houck has been offering up his unique mix of country-tinged, highway jams for a bit now. His latest single, “Song for Zulu” is a beautiful, floating piece of music that will brighten up any hangover surely to exist come Friday or Saturday. Can’t wait to hear more material from the forthcoming “Muchacho“.

Wild Cub

These Nashville dudes make tunes sweeter than honey. Should be a party whenever they hit the stage.

Foxygen

They claim to be the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic… I just think they make fun 60’s psych-pop jams akin to the next artist on my list.

The Zombies

The real deal and reunited. “Odessey and Oracle“ is one of my favorite albums of all time. That’s about all the explanation needed for seeing them live…though, I dearly hope this isn’t one of those ‘leave the memory with the album’ sorta situations.

Thanks (yet again) for letting me crash your party…see you soon!

T-Hale