SXSW: 5 Buzzworthy Bands

This story first appeared in the March 15 issue of The Hollywood Reporter.

Atlas Genius

Australia’s alt-rock sibling trio already is making waves with “Trojans,” inescapable on radio now. If its live show is as commanding, the band no doubt will transcend one-hit-wonderdom by the end of the four-night fest.

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Alt-J

These Brits come to SXSW bearing the ultimate indie cred: the prestigious Mercury Music Prize for 2012’s An Awesome Wave. Watch for them at Coachella and Bonnaroo, where their esoteric arpeggios will fit in handily.

Jake Bugg

The Brit, barely of legal age, has a KCRW mainstay with the Mod-influenced “Lightning Bolt,” a song that sounds like it could have been lifted from lost tapes of an early 1970s jam session at Pete Townshend‘s studio.

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Haim

If the 2 million YouTube views for its ’80s-influenced, melodically groovy single “Don’t Save Me” are any indication, this Los Angeles sister act, recently signed to Columbia, is primed to break in a big way.

Mary Epworth

Sister of Paul Epworth, Adele‘s frequent collaborator, the British singer is bubbling overseas thanks to the psych-pop stylings (with a hint of Lana Del Rey) of her single, “Black Doe.” Next up: a full album, Dream Life.