Buzz Blog

The music portion of this year's South by Southwest music/film/interactive festival is kicking off March 17 in Austin, Texas, and the lineup will include some stellar Utah artists: bands Fictionist, Mideau and Max Pain & the Groovies; rappers Pat Maine, Dusk Raps and Def Letter (aka Dumb Luck); and DJs Street Jesus and Linus Stubbs.

If you're lucky enough to find yourself in Austin for SXSW (and hopefully chowing down on some of the city's delicious street tacos), read up on the exciting stuff that's been happening for these artists lately, then get yourself to some showcases. 

Fictionist
Provo pop-rock foursome Fictionist are heading to SXSW with proverbial confetti still on their shoulders as the band recently won Salt Lake City Weekly's Best of Utah Music awards, which earned them the title of Best Band as well as an opening slot at this summer's Twilight Concert Series in Salt Lake City. Check out City Weekly's recent cover story about Fictionist (as well as the winning DJ and rap group) to read more about Fictionist's big win and what the band has planned next. 

Fictionist is on tour in support of their latest full-length album, the ethereal but snappy Fictionist, released in fall 2014—listen to album single "Lock & Key" below.

Showcases:
March 18: L Rock Entertainment Day Party @ Darwin's Pub, 223 E. Sixth St., 4:20 p.m.
March 19: Big Picture Media Showcase @ The Blind Pig Rooftop, 317 E. Sixth St., 1:45 p.m.
March 20: Official SXSW Showcase @ The Trophy Club | 310 E. Sixth St., 10 p.m. 


Max Pain & the Groovies
Salt Lake City psych-rock hell-raisers Max Pain & the Groovies are currently tearing up the West on their way to SXSW on the Burgers Records Onward Indian Caravan tour. They're touring in support of their debut full-length album, 2014's Electro Cosmic, a collection of woozy, spacey songs that mine five years of raucous Max Pain & the Groovies history and was released through Psych Lake City. Check out a City Weekly article about the album here, and listen to album single "Murder" below.

Showcases:
March 18: Psychedelic Pig Roast @ Javelina Bar, 69 Rainey St., 1:30 p.m.
March 18: Official SXSW Showcase @ The Volstead (inside Hotel Vegas), 1502 E. Sixth St., 11 p.m.
March 20: RVRB Records, 2404 E. Seventh St., 2:15 p.m.
March 20: Red River Disco, time TBA
March 21: Cherrywood Coffee, 1400 E. 38th 1/2 St., 3:45 p.m.



Mideau
Salt Lake City synth-pop duo Mideau (Libbie Linton and Spencer J. Harrison) gave listeners a sneak peek of their self-titled debut full-length in January 2014, when they released their Way With Words EP. Now, that much-anticipated debut is soon to be released, with a drop date of April 21. 

Mideau recently came out with new single "Maude" in anticipation of their album's release, and the tune is an enveloping dreamscape of mellow guitar, airy atmosphere and Linton's lovely voice—listen below.

Showcases:
March 20: Powerhouse Party @ Fado Irish Pub, 214 W. Fourth St., 2 p.m.
March 20: Official Play @ The Trophy Club, 310 E. Sixth St., 12 a.m.




Pat Maine, Dusk Raps, Def Letter, DJ Street Jesus and Linus Stubbs
Utah hip-hop is also getting represented at SXSW year, at a monster St. Patrick's Day showcase featuring Alive & Well Family emcees Pat Maine, Def Letter (aka Dumb Luck) and Dusk Raps, as well as DJs Street Jesus and Linus Stubbs. On March 6, Dusk Raps released his new album, All Is Fair, and the hard-hitting record can be streamed or purchased on Bandcamp. Check out track "All Is Fair" below.  

Showcase:
March 17: The Future Prospects Showcase @ The Lucky Lounge, 209 W. Fifth St., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.