SXSW preview: Five buzz bands to see during the festival

Today’s SXSW preview of five buzz bands to see during SXSW was written by Christina DeStefano. Perhaps despite that fact, she chose acts to highlight that all of us here at The Cosmic Clash enjoy like Yard Act and Sesami who we have covered previously. Others are new to us too and we’re excited to check them out during the festival. To locate day parties where you might see these bands, check out our list of Sx show posters with links or head to my Do512 calendar. -Editor

Wet Leg

Wet Leg, started in 2019, got its name from randomly hitting two emojis on the keyboard, Rhian tells “On The Wight”. Comprised of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, Wet Leg will be releasing their debut album on April 8th. After listening to their music, one would have guessed the name would have come from having a much filthier mind, especially with lyrics like “Is your muffin buttered? Would you like us to assign someone to butter your muffin? Excuse me.” The tongue-in-cheek lyrics are playfully juxtaposed in their music videos, where Teasdale and Chambers rock modest, ankle length frocks and lobster claws.

Wet Leg, signed to Domino Records, has received recognition from NPR, making the no. 2 spot on the 100 Top Tracks of the Year, BBC, and VEVO. For fans of Girlpool.  

SASAMI

Sasami Ashworth, also signed to Domino Records, will be on tour promoting her second studio album, Squeeze. In 2015, Sasami Ashworth joined Cherry Glazzer, playing synths. In 2018, she departed to launch her solo career. SASAMI’s latest releases showcase her versatility: “Call Me Home” emotes a softer ballad, while “Say It” has a punctuated gritty guitar with heavy percussion and industrial synths for a metallic melody.

SASAMI’s launch into nu-metal was inspired by Japanese folklore. The serpentine figure on the Squeeze album cover nods to Nure-Onna, a female head affixed to a snake’s body who lures in humans and squeezes them with her body to drink their blood. The album cover is a cultural symbol to suggest her infiltration into metal, a predominantly white, male space. If you enjoy St.Vincent or tUnE-yArDs, go check out SASAMI who is already among the bona fide SXSW buzz bands.

Pom Pom Squad

If you mixed one part Hole and another part “Love Witch”, you may end up with the whimsical, ethereal air of Mia Berrin, otherwise known as Pom Pom Squad. Pom Pom Squad, signed to City Slang Records, has taken to the resurgence of the 90’s, partnering with Nada Surf’s Matthew Caw to cover the quintessential grunge track “Popular”. Pom Pom Squad leans into the era’s high school tropes with “Head Cheerleader”. “Took me under the bleachers like we were seventeen, you’re feelings always make a f****** fool out of me” channels the angst and rebellion of a teen romantic comedy.

The pandemic may have canceled their first appearance at SXSW in 2020. Since then, Pom Pom Squad has released their first studio album in December 2021.

Yard Act

There is no mistaking Yard Act’s British roots as soon as James Smith begins. Yard Act’s track “The Overload” may transport listeners to a dingy English pub where your shoes stick to a beer covered floor in post-Brexit England. The Sprechgesang style that Smith employs, delivers witty lyrics commentating on the UK’s political stance: “FUCK me how am I supposed to cope in the age of the gentrified savage”.

Yard Act released their debut album “The Overload” in January 2022 and reached the number 2 spot on the UK charts. It has already been causing a commotion. Check out Yard Act if you are a fan of Cake or Sleaford Mods.

Baby Queen

Baby Queen, aka singer-songwriter Arabella Latham, jubilantly celebrates her catharsis creating Y2K bangers. Her song “Medicine” begins with the lyric, “I used to want to die” and allows the numbness of taking antidepressants to spiral even further while still celebrating mental health.

“Wannabe” conjures up images of riding top down, in a convertible, donning space buns and excessive face glitter: “To all the stoners, the junkies, and the loners, and the menthol ciggie smokers, I am the queen of everything”. Delivered with all the brashness of Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You.

Since 2020, Latham has released two mixtapes and a single. Coming from South Africa, she began passing out a stack of about 500 mixtapes door to door. She was signed to Polydor Records in 2020. For fans of Billie Eilish.

Did we miss some bands in our list of five buzz bands to catch at SXSW? Please let us know on social or write us.