The South by Southwest Music Conference is set for March 18-22 in Austin, TX — and online music store Lala has asked SPIN.com to point out a few of the bands on our radar for this year’s fest!Check out our selections below, and click here to download a 5-track sampler of tracks from our top picks — for only $2!
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Hometown: New York, NY
Why we picked them: Winsome indie-pop that’s impossible to deny, wrapped in just the right amount of guitar fuzz.
Links: MySpace
Ida Maria
Hometown: Bergen, Norway
Why we picked her: Her debut is riotous yet affectionate, addressing God, self-destructive behavior, late-night parties and the relationships they bloom.
SPIN.com Links: Breaking Out: Ida Maria
Cut Off Your Hands
Hometown: New Zealand
Why we picked them: Their stop start rhythms and long drawn build-ups make their music as danceable as a Girl Talk mash-up.
SPIN.com Links: Interview: Cut Off Your Hands
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Compact Discs: Sound of the Future
Ladyhawke
Hometown: New Zealand
Why we picked her: With sleek synthesizer lines, down-tempo beats, and sultry vocals, she’s got the perfect soundtrack for a night on the dance floor.
SPIN.com Links: Interview: Ladyhawke
P.O.S.
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Why we picked him: This indie-hip-hopper has banging beats and tight rhymes — perfect for headphones and Hummers.
Links: MySpace
