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Bands to tell your friends you saw before they did at SXSW 2012

Here’s our obligatory “Must See SXSW 2012 Bands” post. Except it’s more bands to tell your friends you saw before they did. The goal here is not to be like this Threadless t-shirt, we know that these bands exist and people have heard them before. But still, if you’re at SXSW, we highly recommend going to watch them before you have to pay $80 to see them in 4 years. Or next year. Without further adeiu:

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Charles Bradley
Why:
Charles Bradley is a screaming eagle of soul who released his debut album last year. Btw, he’s in his 60’s. Some emulate soul. Charles sings about a lifetime worth of it.

Charli XCX
Why: 
Slow-burning, late night, electronic music. But less DIY, bedroom reverb, and more of a danceable, pop version of the Knife.

Father John Misty
Why: 
J Tillman may be getting attention for his Fleet Foxes work. But he was making great music before the Foxes. And after. Check out his new stuff.

Escort
Why: 
Sort of like a disco version of Polyphonic Spree, this dozen-member-deep crew has enough people to staff a football team. Except they could probably out dance the end zone cheerleaders.

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Alabama Shakes
Why: 
Read this. The Shakes have hype coming in, but rightfully so. They’re soulful southern blues rock is the real deal.

Geographer
Why: 
Dreamy, sun-soaked San Francisco indie pop rock. Less mopey and adolescent than Girls, but feels good and hits a chord still.

Bear In Heaven
Why: 
Deeply textured, blissful headphone listening but still straight-forward enough with catchy melodies and electronic dance grooves to make for a solid live show too.

Radiation City
Why: 
Sprawling, 60’s sunshine pop meets Portland intricacy and intimacy. Plus psychedelic vibes never hurt.

ava_luna_sxswAva Luna
Why:
As art-packed, developed and devoted to density as Dirty Projects. Except sexier, slicker and more soulful.

Bleached
Why:
Southern Californian, garage-ass, rock. Little grittier than the new Wavves album, but reminiscent of his first. Plus great chick vocals.

Dirty Beaches
Why:  
Their recently released album Badlands was dirty, rough, raw and awesome. Some surf-style jams, but drawn out in a rhythmic, kraut-rock fashion. Not so dissimilar from Thee Oh Sees.

Friends
Why:
Their hit “I’m His Girl” was super sassy, definitely dancy and incredibly catchy. If their live backs it up, we’ll be talking about it later.

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