The Latest News from SXSW Music

SXSW is happy to welcome back Charleston, SC's Band of Horses to our official lineup.

We have some amazing acts from Spain this year coming together for the Sounds from Spain Showcase, featuring pop-rock sensation Amaral. Since their chart-topping debut album in 1998, the duo has continued to stand apart from other pop artists because of their poetic lyrics and experimentation with different elements of rock.

The Dutchess & The Duke's music is that self-examining 3am conversation you had with your best friend after one too many glasses of wine. You know, the one where you dished all your fears and second guesses about your choices in life, confessed your deepest desires, and made a pact to strive for something more meaningful. And it's beautiful, because those rambling reflective conversations birth change and self discovery.

As mentioned in a previous Music News post earlier this week, Chris Walla of Grammy-nominated Death Cab For Cutie is appearing as a Music Speaker on the panel Producers Adapt and Survive. This panel on Saturday, March 20th at 11:00am-12:00pm will be moderated by legendary producer and songwriter Tim Palmer. (pictured left)

• LA club Smell is home to DIY female rock scene
  Story from LA Times.
• The Boss wants his name off ASCAP suit against NYC bar
  Story from AP.
• Colin Hay criticizes Men At Work ruling
  Story from BBC News.

The SXSW Gear Alley Expo will feature a large presence by Fender. For over 60 years, Fender has been a leading innovator in a diverse range of products, from the fabled Stratocaster® to cutting-edge amplifiers.

• Debating the benefits of intellectual property law
  Post from LA Times.
• Men At Work lose plagiarism case
  Story from BBC News.
• Five ways to put your music in the cloud
  Post from CNET.

Reuniting for SXSW is Austin’s own pop noise band, Sixteen Deluxe. The band plans to make their reunion worthwhile for their hometown with a high-energy show filled with their pleasantly wretched guitar tone, low rumbling bass, and a sprinkling of numb melodic vocals.

Music lovers are getting excited about the ever changing SXSW Schedule. New bands are being added every day and we've decided to pull out a few names that were added today and spotlight them here. Venues, dates, and times will be added to the event pages soon so keep checking and making your SXSW Music wish-list. Check out 55 of the acts added today after the jump!

• How Super Bowl halftime became a rock spectacle
  Story from NY Times.
• Spotify's huge ambitions
  Post from LA Times.
• Anti-RIAA site folds
  Post from Wired.

Athens, GA trio The Whigs are excited to be appearing at this year's SXSW Music Conference. This exuberant, no-holds-barred live act is gearing up for the release of their latest album IN THE DARK, which sees The Whigs - doing what all great bands do – furthering their artistic scope with each successive effort.

The xx's self-titled debut album is surprisingly simplistic and undeniably infectious. Their sound is minimalistic R&B, stripped down to the core essentials: rhythmical seduction. Clean beats laced with provocative, confessional-laden exchanges between dual lead vocalists Romy Madley-Croft and Oliver Sim tap right into the vein of sexuality and vulnerability.