Photo: Jason Persse

In anticipation of Austin’s impending March Madness, also known as South By Southwest, I will be delivering you a four part series highlighting established and buzzworthy underground acts, as well as brand new new musical discoveries. This will be my first time attending SXSW (unfortunately without a badge or wristband), and I’m practically salivating over all of the free party/showcase announcements popping up. I will also share my picks for Free SXSW events for those of us commoners wanting to get in on the action

First up, an exploration of prominent and well known acts that you might want to add to your SXSW calendar.

Dandy Warhols

After 22 solid years together, the Portland heavy-hitters have only seen one major lineup change, with drummer Eric Hedford leaving the band in ’98 and being replaced with singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor’s cousin Brent DeBoar. The band’s 10th full length album, Distortland, is set to be released April 8th on Dine Alone Records. I have full faith that the Dandy’s will keep their set fresh with a blend of career spanning tracks and plenty of new material to keep the flower children and leather jacket kids happy. Here’s a cut from the new album, “Chauncey P. vs. All The Girls In London”, as well as a live version of their classic “Godless” off of Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia. The Dandy Warhol’s are set to tour the US in April before heading overseas for a EU tour in May.

Iggy Pop

Four years after his last solo album Après (which contains mostly French covers) in 2012, the unstoppable force that is Iggy Pop announced his collaboration with Josh Homme titled Post-Pop Depression early last month. The duo, joined by fellow Queens of the Stone Age member Dean Fertita and Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, will perform at the iconic Moody Theatre in downtown Austin for an official ACL Live taping. The SXSW appearance kicks off both a North American and European tour for the legend, who is expected to deliver the classics as well as the new jams. “Gardenia” was one of the first released singles off of Iggy’s staggering 17th solo album, and of course I had to include “Lust for Life” off of Trainspotting. You lucky bastards with wristbands better go check it out.

Thee Oh Sees

Thee Oh Sees are fresh off of a new 7′, Fortress, on their home label Castle Face Records, and will return to Austin for a residency at the always freaky and divine Hotel Vegas (March 15-19). Several of these dates are for showcases, which I will go more in depth for the final installment of my SXSW preview. The San Francisco natives are expected to release their 10th full length album this year, and have festival dates slated overseas for End of the Road and Flow Festival, as well as Burger Boogaloo in Oakland. Enjoy “I was Denied” off of Warm Slime:

Crystal Castles

.Photo: Paddy Eriksen

Though singer Alice Glass made a departure from the group late 2014, brainchild Ethan Kath has forged ahead with the dark electronic project joined by new singer Edith Frances. Last year they released the singles “Frail”and “Deicide”, but no confirmed date has been set for a new album. Crystal Castles are set to play Leeds Festival later in the summer. You’ll have to have a badge or wristband to catch the Toronto duo.

Keep an eye out for part 2 of my SXSW preview, which will feature artists who are well known to underground fans, as well as a few groups who are stirring the collective musical pot, including Daywave, Methyl Ethel, and more!