SXSW 2014: Recap aka SXSuccess

(Wet, Slow Magic, Sylvan Esso, & Bent Denim)

Going into SX this year, I had 4 bands on my list to see: Wet (check), Slow Magic (check), Sylvan Esso (check), and my friends Bent Denim (check check).

Across the board, I was floored after every performance. If you're not already listening to these bands, you are doing life wrong.

Wet. It was an early performance, but I was determined to see them at Spotify because I knew I wouldn't be able to see them otherwise. One of my favorite things about this performance along with the others that I saw- the intimacy of each performance. They weren't at a huge venue and there weren't too many people. I had room to dance with the music (and silently sing because I knew the words to the songs on their EP). All of the feels.

Here's something weird: I saw the members of Wet at East Tamale House and geeked out so hard. I couldn't find enough courage to say anything and instead, I gawked at y'all from afar. Hi.

Slow Magic. Once upon a time, I had the opportunity to see him a year ago,for free at The Mohawk. What did I do? I ditched the tickets...because of school. I regret it. So don't make this mistake kids, if school gets in the way of Slow Magic...well don't let it. A year later, I finally get to see this masked artist play. Percussion out the wazoo and I was in complete bliss the whole time. How do you hit those drums so fast? And how you see all of the buttons with that mask is a complete mystery to me. I'm okay with it. I'll believe in the magic.

Sylvan Esso. I told Ben that if I only saw them (Bent Denim) play, I would be completely be okay. I LIED. (Sorry Ben) If I didn't see Sylvan Esso play, I would have cried. Really. I've been listening to the same 4 songs by this super-duo for months and if I missed an opportunity to see them play those 4 songs along with new tracks on their upcoming debut album- this girl was not going to be okay. I keep saying this, but wow, floored. Amelia is amazing, I love her dance moves. Nick is amazing and just looks like a cool dude. I cannot wait until May. pls come sooner

Bent Denim. Lastly, my friends from Nashville and New Orleans. They're babies (as a band), but they have an established sound that yeah, I still can't describe. They've been told to have Youth Lagoon-y sounds. And if I had to, I would say dreamy layers, groove-inducing beats, and ghostly vocals. They tag their music as "nightmare pop," does that give you any idea of what they sound like? No? Just go listen to them. I'm so glad I got to see them at their first SX. Cheers to more!