Breaking out can mean something different for each artist. One person’s hot new band is another’s old news. Here, we focus on up-and-coming bands and individual musicians, some already well on their way to success and others hardly known—all of whom we expect to see a rise in popularity at South by Southwest this year.

Balancing country leanings with the smooth sounds of ’70s soft rock, Whitney creates delicately infectious songs with flourishes of brass. No strangers to indie rock success, core members of the band include Max Kakacek, formerly of Smith Westerns, and Julien Ehrlich, formerly of Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Even though its debut won’t drop until later this year, the band is building a buzz that’s already audible.

Philadelphia-based garage band Sheer Mag is the rare band that will break out by the word of mouth, probably as a result of its powerful live show and unforgettable distorted rock gems. While all of its wildly popular music put out via a couple of tiny labels has sold out, this group has yet to sign to a larger entity. SXSW is a blank canvas for success.

With a slate of collaborators that includes The Game, Talib Kweli, Schoolboy Q and Dr. Dre, Anderson .Paak is well on his way to breaking out (if not arguably past broken). Still, this SXSW will afford a chance for him to propel his career into the orbit of superstars. So far, he has only been announced at Hype Hotel, one of the fest’s biggest parties, but we won’t be surprised to see his name appear on other bills this week.

Remember when all of your musician friends—assuming you have musician friends—were posting about submitting their videos to NPR to win the opportunity to record a Tiny Desk Concert? We certainly do. Fantastic Negrito is the guy who won. And while that opportunity garnered a lot of attention, this is the chance the artist needs to turn that buzz into true success. Look for this name at several high profile events.

This year, Spanish garage rock band Hinds will be what Bully was at last year’s fest. In fact, those two bands played many of the same venues and shows at SXSW 2015. This year, however, this all-girl quartet climbs from an opening band to the main attraction.

The positive reviews have been pouring in since Sunflower Bean released its new album of punk-leaning garage-rock songs. This year, the trio will play BBC’s first ever SXSW showcase. Expect Sunflower Bean to be a name you’ll see again and again.

Without question, Big Thief is the least known band on this list. The Brooklyn-based group blends roots sensibilities with big crunchy guitars as evidenced on the single “Masterpiece.” The band just signed to Saddle Creek and will be working hard to promote its upcoming debut album.

In stark contrast to the above, Dua Lipa’s newest video has amassed more than 1 million views in a week. But you still might not have heard of her. The 20-year-old, London-based pop singer has found success largely in the UK, but she’s signed to the same management company as Lana Del Rey. So, with this visit stateside, she’ll be looking to win over SXSW and the rest of the world.

Soulful rocker Adia Victoria took the stage at ACL this year with just a single song out. Now, with the backing of a label that also represents artists like Alt-J, The Orwells and Frightened Rabbit, Adia Victoria is poised to make waves at this year’s SXSW as a lead up to the release of her first album, Beyond the Bloodhounds, in May.

An artist who blends pop, R&B and hip-hop, Petite Noir has garnered praise from the likes of Pitchfork, Fader and NPR. His name is already cropping up on some of SXSW’s best events, including Hype Hotel. Based solely on a hunch, we feel like there’s a good chance he’ll also play Fader Fort, whose lineup is still TBA.

Another true underdog on the list, Australian indie rock band DMA’s just released a new album on Mom+Pop, the same label that brought you Courtney Barnett, one of last year’s breakout musicians. Along with a plethora of other shows, the group opens a bill at Stubb’s that includes Crystal Castles, Charlie XCX and Santigold.

Desiigner

Despite the fact that hip-hop artist Desiigner hasn’t…ahem…been announced as a SXSW performing artist, we’re pretty sure that will change. On March 1, along with the announcement that Austin’s own Transmission Events would produce this year’s Fader Fort, Desiigner’s name was listed as one of the performing artists in a press release. The up-and-coming rapper signed to Kanye West’s GOOD Music in February and dropped his first single last December.

Alt-country artist Marlon Williams, who hails from New Zealand, has toured previously with Band of Horses and is set to open for Iron and Wine’s Sam Beam on tour this May. Between that time and the release of his new album, the songwriter will play a slew of SXSW shows, including three official showcases.

Riding the energy of its debut album, Gone Are the Days, electronic indie pop band Honne is poised to make an impression at SXSW when the British duo performs at one of Austin’s premier venues, Stubb’s, on March 19.

SXSW is always a great place for international acts to break out in the States. One of the acts most likely to do that this year is anything but predictable; meet Irish rapper Rejjie Snow. He may not land among the echelons of rap’s heavyweights, but this year’s fest will be unmistakably good for the hip-hop artist.

Following an inspiring showing at CMJ last fall and a brand new record out last month on Domino Recording Co., indie pop act Porches is riding the cosmic wave of momentum to a star-making SXSW performance.

Stay up to date on all of Austin Monthly's SXSW 2016 coverage.

Writer and photographer Bryan C. Parker is Austin Monthly’s music reviewer. He is also the author of 33 1/3 title Beat Happening and the editor-in-chief of Pop Press International.