Southbound: 15 Canadian Artists Showcasing At SXSW

Despite the fact that SXSW is overrun by corporate activations and BBQs sponsored exclusively by app startups, it’s still the place to see and be seen if you’re an aspiring buzz band. With 90% of the music industry flocking to Austin this week, plenty of Canadian talent is heading southbound, hoping to get a stateside look—and if they’re lucky, some free beer and BBQ.

The usual suspects will certainly be there—Kaytranada, BadBadNotGood, Jazz Cartier, and Dilly Dally are all showcasing at SXSW this year. But we combed through the schedule, and cherry-picked some under the radar Canadian talent that are sure to have the blogosphere abuzz after they do their thing in Austin. These are the can’t-miss Canadian shows of the festival, but even if you’re not going to SXSW, this should give you some idea of which artists you’ll be hearing about all summer.

Here are 15 of our favourite Canadian artists showcasing at SXSW this year.

Wednesday, March 16 @ 11:10PM (Empire Control Room)

Jahkoy is a Toronto-born singer/songwriter currently making waves with silky-smooth vocals, and a luxurious hybrid of R&B and electro-house.

RIYL: Miguel, Frank Ocean.

Wednesday, March 16 @ 12:10AM (Friends)

Saturday, March 19 @ 12:20AM (Barracuda)

Montreal’s premiere rap trio The Posterz always bring the ruckus, with their vibrant, raw, and refreshing approach to stoner rap.

RIYL: Joey Bada$$, Earl Sweatshirt.

Wednesday, March 16 @ 10:00PM (Friends)

Toronto native Lucas Dispasquale’s initial claim to fame was his acoustic mashups, including the below take on Popcaan, Sean Paul, and Drake. Since then, he’s proved himself as a skilled producer in the dancehall world, teaming up with Popcaan himself on the single “No Talking.”

RIYL: Popcaan, Major Lazer

Friday, March 18th @ 8:00PM (Palm Door on Sabine)

Saturday, March 19th @ 7:30PM (Barracuda)

Saxsyndrum are a sax and drum (duh) duo from Montreal, who specialize in experimental analog jams and off-kilter electronic oscillations. Think The Rapture meets jazzy improvisation.

RIYL: Saxophone, Drums.

Wednesday, March 16 @ 9:10PM (Empire Control Room)

Saturday, March 19 @ 10:00PM (Barracuda)

Laurence Lafond-Beaulne and Camille Poliquin (aka Milk & Bone) have one of the most entrancing live shows of any act showcasing at SXSW this year. Hailing from Montreal, it’s easy to get lost in the duo’s divine harmonies, and minimal electro backdrops.

RIYL: Blonde Redhead, Purity Ring.

Wednesday, March 16 @ 11:20PM (Friends)

Friday, March 18 @ 11:00 (Speakeasy Kabaret)

This Desi rapper hails from Vancouver, and employs a heavy Bollywood influence to highlight her culture in a hip-hop context. On her latest mixtape, Out2Lunch, Horsepowar’s melodic flow oscillates between intensity and lightheartedness on top of instrumentals by FrancisGotHeat, Boody B & Jillionaire, Homeboy Jules, and more.

RIYL: Chippy Nonstop, Santigold.

Wednesday, March 16 @ 10:00PM (Bar 96)

Calgary’s Jocelyn Alice had some mainstream success with her electro-pop single “Jackpot” last summer, and now she’s working hard to prove that the breakout hit was no fluke. A soulful yet current voice, and a keen sense for melody will help propel this singer/songwriter on her path to becoming Canada’s answer to Ellie Goulding.

RIYL: Ellie Goulding, Lorde.

Saturday, March 19 @ 8:00PM (Speakeasy Kabaret)

Movin’ Cool are a hip-hop trio, consisting of emcees B Magic and Noyz, and producer/DJ Dusty Loops. Representing the diversity present in Brampton, Ontario, these guys salute the hip-hop jams that they were raised on, while exploring and embracing their own culture.

RIYL: Das Racist, Run The Jewels.

Wednesday, March 16 @ 10:00PM (Kingdom)

Niagara Falls, Ontario DJ and producer REZZ has some high profile supporters in Skrillex and deadmau5, and once you experience her dark, industrial, atmospheric brand of electro, you’ll understand why. The 20-year-old has only been making beats since November 2013, but she’s already one of Canada’s most promising producers.

RIYL: deadmau5, Skrillex.

Wednesday, March 16 @ 9:00PM (Elysium)

Saturday, March 19 @ 12:30AM (Barracuda)

DOOMSQUAD are a psychedelic electro outfit hailing from Toronto, and are as much an art project as they are a band. The trio of siblings are getting ready to support their sophomore album Total Time, a collection of bizarre, tripped out, joyous pop experimentations, out April 29th on Bella Union/Hand Drawn Dracula.

RIYL: of Montreal, Animal Collective

Wednesday, March 16 @ 12:00AM (Empire Control Room)

Birthday Boy is one of Toronto’s foremost producers and DJs, combining lush electro melodies and jazzy percussion for one of the most unique sounds coming out of the city right now. He’s an expert collaborator (see: “I Can’t Wait” with a l l i e or “Benny & Lil' Ze” with Drew Howard), but his solo endeavours are just as satisfying.

RIYL: Ryan Hemsworth, Flying Lotus.

Wednesday, March 16 @ 8:00PM (Kingdom)

Sets by Toronto producer and DJ Pusher boast action-packed remixes and bright, bouncy originals by the crateful. 8-bit exuberance and post-dubstep realness make this young beatmaker one to watch in 2016.

RIYL: Rustie, Zeds Dead.

Friday, March 19th @ 12:00AM (The Velveeta Room)

It’s a rock band from Vancouver called Weed. Need we say more?

RIYL: Diarrhea Planet, Weed.

Friday, March 18 @ 1:05AM (ScratcHouse Backyard)

This Red Bull Music Academy alumni specializes in banging club remixes and glitchy original instrumentals. Ekali has only been making electronic music for about a year, but he was already sampled by Drake on the IYRTITL cut “Preach.” The Vancouver artist is another one to watch this year.

RIYL: Esta, Flume.

Wednesday, March 16 @ 9:20PM (Friends)

Saturday, March 19 @ 1:00AM (Barracuda)

24-year-old rapper Wasiu is one of our favourite rising voices in Canadian hip-hop, and if you’re not on board already, his energetic live show will sway you. Wasiu reps Montreal ‘till death. Oh, and one more thing: don’t ask him if he knows Drake.

RIYL: Vic Mensa, Nas.