Soundclouds of the Underground: SXSW Edition

ABOVE: SHOWYOUSUCK

These days, music truly lives online, with an infinite number of websites dedicated to hosting tunes for the laptop-wielding masses. However, the web’s bottomless pit of blogs isn’t the only place to troll for mp3 treasures—some of the newest and most exciting (Internet-friendly) artists can be sought out via Soundcloud, the online stage that allows musicians to promote and distribute their music to fans and friends across the globe. In this weekly column, expert Internet sleuth Alex Chapman goes into the depths of the music-sharing site, in hopes of shedding light on emerging acts, as well as sharing some digital diamonds in the rough.

It seems like every band, manager, writer, dedicated groupie and their mother have headed to the annual SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, a boiling pot of buzz-bands, established acts and (seemingly this year more than ever) sponsored showcases. If you’re wandering around the festival grounds, chances are that you feel a bit overwhelmed. Have no fear, we are here to guide you towards our three must-see acts for SXSW 2014.

ShowYouSuck & Kyle Woods: “The Deep End”



Who:
A Chicago rapper with comedy skills to match, ShowYouSuck is slick in his eccentricity, as can heard (and seen) in his tracks like “Big Gulp” and its accompanying visuals: a speaker-bumping banger that finds the rapper repeating “I got a Big Gulp and a bad broad, and by bad broad I mean smart girl” for its chorus.

Song: One of Show’s more serious tracks, “Deep End” is collaboration with producer Kyle Woods, who many longtime Chicago music fans may know better by his former moniker, Kid Color. The track treads lightly with oscillating synth chords and a snappy drum, giving Show the room to do his thing.

Current Project:
Catch ShowYouSuck at The Big Fry’s showcase alongside Alex Wiley and Aaron Cohen this Saturday, March 15, at Club 512. The showcase starts at 8pm.

Blaseterjaxx: “Mystica (LOUDPVCK  Remix)

Who: In 2014 trap is everywhere, and SXSW is no exception. When it comes to acts belonging to the genre, LOUDPVCK (a duo made up of Kenny Beats and Ryan Marks) sits pretty high on most trap-lovers’ lists, its sounds and style being quintessential trap of the highest quality, with little tweaks and twists that help to make the LOUDPVCK sound something entirely its own.

Song: “Mystica” experiences a predictable build, but it sounds so damn good that any comparisons are rendered irrelevant. By the time the drop hits, with a massive bass and flurries of synth jabs, you’ll have no choice but to twerk ’til your butt falls off.

Current Project: LOUDPVCK will share the stage with Flosstradamus’ at their “Too Turnt Up” performance Sarturday, March 15.  Other performers include Waka Flocka Flame and Trinidad James, with things kicking off at 7pm.

 

Young & Sick: “Glass”



Who:
Not much is known (or at least is meant to be known) about Young & Sick, an act that has a rather limited range on social media, we assume in an effort to maintain anonymity. If the electronically inclined R&B producer, singer, etc. is playing hard to get, we’re hooked—his sound is smooth, sexy & exciting.

Song: “Glass” is Young & Sick’s most popular track, and its easy to understand why upon listening: like Glass Candy (if they didn’t sound so trippy via copius amounts of reverb), Young & Sick injects his funk with a pop sensibility and a knack for song structure. Whether its playing in a dark Parisian club or on your shower speakers, “Glass” is guaranteed to get you grooving.

Current Project:
Young & Sick will be at the Fader Fort Saturday, March 15 at 2:15pm—see the full lineup here.

Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.