theGlitoris' Top 7 Acts from SXSW 2011
1. AUSTRA.
is Katie Stelmanis, Dorian Wolf, and Maya Postepski. They play dark, electronic music highlighted by Katie’s incredible voice. AUSTRA just released a 12” single with One Big Silence in November 2011, and will release a full length with Domino Records in April.
2. CLOCK OPERA.
Clock Opera make extraordinarily accessible electronic pop music. They may draw from such esoteric sources as the systems music of Steve Reich and Philip Glass and have played their second ever gig at the Queen Elizabeth Hall backing the Ballet Rambert, but you don’t need any special qualifications to enjoy what they do - just an appreciation of idiosyncratic electronic and organic sounds.
3. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.
T.E.E.D., swings between overt musicality and scarily on-point dancefloor sensibility, ripping up clubs around the globe with his live show of bizarre instruments, glitter cannons and of course… dancing dinosaurs. His second single, the ‘All In Two Sixty Dancehalls EP’ has just been released on Greco- Roman and has thrust TEED into the spotlight. Lead track ‘Garden’ picking props across the board.
4. James Yuill.
James Yuill is a brilliant London based indie electronic artist making his stateside debut with the release of his critically acclaimed sophomore album Movement In A Storm.
5. Operator Please.
Operator Please is a baroque pop band from Gold Coast, Australia that formed in early 2005 and their current line up consists of vocalist and guitarist Amandah Wilkinson, drummer Tim Commandeur, keyboardist Chris Holland, bassist Ashley McConnell, and violinist Taylor Henderson. Original keyboardist Sarah Gardiner left in April of 2008.
6. Young Empires.
Self-described as World Beat meets Haute Rock, Young Empires deliver fresh, yet distinguished dance tracks that make you want to strut. Their sonic landscape is overbrimming with sexuality, & maybe even a little angst at times. Fronted by Matthew Vlahovich, whose swirling synth tones set the scene for the rhythmic and soulful licks of guitarist Aaron Ellingson and bassist Jake Palahnuk, this band got their start off the backend of previous projects and mutual friends in October 2009.
7. tUnE-yArDs.
Stonkin’ yodelling, looping, African-influenced songs from Merrill Garber. Was she always this good? Within minutes of her set, she has the audience on their feet from the pews whooping and hollering like a real congregation. Jittery half-time drum beats and Garber’s looped yodel are the foundation for the brass duo to add some Afro-funk into the mix. ‘Bizness’ is predictably one of the highlights of the festival so far.
