SXSW 2015 Preview: BJ the Chicago Kid, Odesza, and Kaytranada

Uh oh! I just saw a group of hipsters pile out of an electric Mini Cooper like they were a liter of puppies, all of whom happened to be rocking mop tops, checkered t-shirts, and skinny jeans! I thought we had another week before these guys invaded Austin? Oh well, I guess it's time for me to hit up my favorite local spots before the 3x5 space that was once a hostess stand is converted to the main stage for a SXSW showcase featuring Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts. But before I do that, here are a few more acts to check out in what is possibly the greatest two weeks ever in Austin!

The first act to check out is BJ the Chicago Kid, he is a skinny Mannie Fresh look alike who obviously hails from Chicago, Illinois. He’s a deep singer-songwriter who writes depressing songs about people dying and... well that’s really about it. Someone needs to get this guy a Blow-pop or some kitten videos to watch stat before he commits suicide. I mean like dark music more than the next man but even this stuff made me hit up Nirvana’s Negative Creep for some encouragement. The man has been in the game for a while and he has worked with some heavy hitters like Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy-Q, and even Kanye but I suggest you only listen to him when you’re in a really good mood. For now he gets a rating of kind of WEAK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpK87RVHnHM

The second band to check out is Odesza, two hipsters out of Seattle who make electronic pop music. Some of it is simply chill out music to bob your head to but a lot of it will have you dancing like you're on the Maury Povich show as they have figured out the perfect balance between electronic and pop. It’s not the kind of music that will have you whipping your hair like Willow Smith does but it is universal enough to hit up that market and still allow you to keep your self respect if you find yourself digging it. And to help separate them from some of their counterparts, I like the fact that they bring in guest vocalists on quite a few of their tracks; so hopefully this will keep them from falling into the bargain bin section of electronic artists in the next two to three years. They get a rating of FRESH!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdzI-191xhU

The last artist to check out is Kaytranada, a DJ out of Montreal who makes funky hip hop music with a touch of house mixed in. I know what you're thinking, something comes out of Montreal besides strippers??? Yes, apparently that city does have more to offer than women of the night and awful French Canadians! Plus I don't think strippers ever actually leave the city. Anyway, this is the kind of music you'd expect to hear in a lounge that has mixologists; but it's cool enough that you'd ride to it on your way to the club. I would check out Disclosure, At All, or just his entire mix tape Instrumental Hip Hop is Dead as it definitely gets the party going once the base drops. I rate this guy as very FRESH as I see him as the future of hip hop!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rppKW9eIvE