SXSWfm Blog

SXSWfm Hip-Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar

Created by Rory on June 12, 2013
SXSW FM

Kendrick Lamar at SXSW 2013Kendrick Lamar at SXSW 2013
(Photo by Lauren Lindley)

Written by Stefanie Goodman

Kendrick Lamar is no stranger to SXSW, having performed at both the 2012 and 2013 Music Festivals. The American hip-hop recording artist has been on fire ever since his newest album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, dropped in 2012. You might recognize the 25-year old rapper from his lively concerts where he’s known to dance across the stage to hype up the crowd.

But it isn’t his dance moves that are making him famous, as the LA Times said after SXSW 2013, “Lamar wasn’t here to impress with a fancy light show or well-imagined stage maneuvers, but with eloquent, well-imaged lyrics about Compton, Los Angeles, and the world he inhabits.” In fact, he won BET’s Hip-Hop Award for Best Lyricist of the Year in 2012 and was nominated for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist in 2013.

SXSWfm Exclusive Interview: Chvrches

Created by Rory on June 11, 2013
Music SXSW FM

SXSW 2013 Grulke Prize Winner ChvrchesLauren Mayberry of
Chvrches at SXSW
(Photo courtesy of
Josette Chen)

Good things have been happening - and quickly - for the Glaswegian trio known as Chvrches. The band has only been together for two years and their full length debut album won't be released until September at the earliest. But on the strength of a few singles and an EP called Recover, Chvrches have been enjoying a series of sold out club dates in their first full U.S. tour. Field Day in London and Sasquatch in Washington state were their first big festivals, but there are many more on their summer schedule.

Recipients of the first Grulke Prize for Developing International Act at SXSW this year, Chvrches returned to Austin last week for a sold out show at The Mohawk. Kevin Connor spent time with the band's Lauren Mayberry, Iain Cook, and Martin Doherty discussing their music, the quest for BBQ, and their cheerily obsessive love of Prince. You can hear that at 2pm and 8pm today CST here on SXSWfm.

SXSWfm Original Programs

Created by Rory on June 11, 2013
SXSW FM

Jessica / BackbeatJessica Pickett,
Host of The Backbeat

The Backbeat

Indie/Psych Rock and more
Tuesdays at midnight, 6am, noon & 6pm CST

The Backbeat is SXSWfm's rock specialty show that will air weekly on Tuesdays at midnight, 6am, noon, and 6pm CST. The show specializes in genres including psychedelia, punk, garage, indie, and electronic rock. You can tune in to hear artists such as Black Lips, Fear Of Men, Youth Lagoon, Natural Child, A Place to Bury Strangers, and more.

In music, a backbeat is a syncopated accentuation on the "off" beat and can be heard in much of today's music played on the snare drum. This type of beat first arose in the late 1940s and has spanned across genres including jazz and rockabilly.

SXSW Bands at Bonnaroo

Created by Rory on June 10, 2013
SXSW FM

Photo courtesy of Bonnaroo Music & Arts FestivalLocal Natives played SXSW
and will be playing at Bonnaroo
(Photo courtesy of Bonnaroo
Music & Arts Festival)

It’s already mid-June, which means the summer music festival season is in full swing! Those of you heading out to Bonnaroo this weekend will be able to get a heavy dose of SXSW 2013 Showcasing Artists.

It’s a big week for Jason Isbell: not only is the Americana singer-songwriter performing at Bonnaroo, he’s also releasing a new album this coming Tuesday, June 11. Aoife O’Donnovan and The Rubens will also be at Bonnaroo with newly-released albums. Haim, the 2013 Grulke Prize Winner for Developing US Act, will be performing on the farm as well.

Americana World Headquarters Premieres Today on SXSWfm

Created by Rory on June 6, 2013
Music SXSW FM

Photo credit: Claudio FoxEmmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell at the Americana Music Association showcase at Antones on March 14th (Photo by Claudio Fox)

The first of our weekly shows kicks off today on the new SXSWfm: Americana World Headquarters, hosted by Kevin Connor. Americana describes the roots-oriented sound when folk, rock, country, and blues come together. This first show features some of the artists nominated for the Americana Music Association's annual awards, including Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison, John Fullbright, and Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale. And you don't have to be from America to be Americana. You'll hear Richard Thompson, Kathleen Edwards, Mumford & Sons, and the Dunwells, too. Hear Americana World Headquarters today at 12pm and 6pm Texas Time (CST) on SXSWfm.

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