This is another stellar year for South by Southwest. Even though the world's most famous music conference doesn't officially kick off until tomorrow, there is so much going on that even a team of 15 reporters (like some media outlets have) cannot possible cover it all.

The following playlist is just a sample of the many artists and bands performing at SXSW 09; out of necessity, I parred down the full list of artists to those which I like the most. Enjoy.

"Stay Son" - A Classic Education from Bologna, Italy

"Dimmer" - Bishop Allen from Brooklyn NY

"Around Your Neck" - Annuals from Raleigh NC

Labels: Indie Artist/Group Profiles, SXSW 2009, SXSW Performers

One thing that WAVVES, Deastro and Alaska in Winter have in common is that they are essentially one-man bands that all have emerged to prominence in the past year and each use monikers rather than their real names, adding an extra element of intrigue to their art.

Attendees of the ultimate indie music event, South by Southwest, will have multiple chances to see all three artists perform at different venues at different times during SXSW in Austin next week - March 18-22.

So we decided to do a little feature on each artist because they share so much in common - not to mention that they are each amazing musicians. First up is WAVVES. From mixing and recording his own songs influenced by The Beach Boys, Nirvana and Sonic Youth on the Mac software GarageBand to near instant stardom in the alt music world, 22-year-old San Diego resident Nathan Williams is on his own wave of success.

WAVVES debut album quickly became one of 2008's 'surprise' hits with raves on influential music blogs and even in the mainstream music press. And for good reason - this kid can rock - and do it all by himself. When performing live he has friend and drummer Ryan Ulsh lay down the beats. WAVVES new album, Wavvves, is set to drop March 17.

"So Bored" - WAVVES from new album Wavvves
"Beach Demon" - WAVVES from new album Wavvves

WAVVES is slated to perform no less than nine shows at SXSW.

Labels: GarageBand, Nathan Williams, One Man Bands, SXSW 2009, SXSW Performers, WAVVES

Today's batch of new songs features artists who will be performing at this year's South by Southwest conference in Austin, from March 18-22. IRC will be featuring dozens of artists and bands from now until the end of SXSW, including live performances, updates, playlists, features and more.

Here are new tracks from Portland's Gavin Castleton, Brooklyn's newest electro-pop sensation BELL, Texan singer songwriter Robert Gomez, Alabama's indie rockers All The Saints and another Portland artist Tara Jane O'Neil.

"Coffelocks" - Gavin Castleton from Home
Gavin Castleton on MySpace

"Magic Tape" - BELL from Magic Tape coming out March 24nd
"New Bridge"
BELL on MySpace

"Fire on Corridor X" - All the Saints from Fire on Corridor X
All The Saints on MySpace

"On This Day" Robert Gomez from Pine Sticks & Phosphorus out April 14th
Robert Gomez on MySpace

"Drowning" Tara Jane O'Neil from A Ways Away out May 5th
Tara Jane O'Neil on MySpace

To see the full list of artists and schedules for SXSW 2009, click here.

Labels: All The Saints, BELL, Brooklyn Bands, Gavin Castleton, Portland Bands, Robert Gomez, SXSW 2009, SXSW Performers, Tara Jane O'Neil