Download This!

Expect Big Things From Kimbra And A Few More Of Our Favorite SXSW Performers.

Welcome to Download This, our weekly collection of the hottest tunes from around the country and beyond. Though we promise to try to keep things fresh and varied, expect mainly indie rock, electro and as much nu-disco as possible in this space. In other words: If it's awesome, you'll find it here. Download the tracks in a .zip file at the end of the page, and, if you like what you hear, be sure to check out the individual artists' websites to, y'know, buy the rest of their work!

I just got back from my first journey to SXSW, and I'm not sure I will ever be the same. Well, at least my liver won't.

After a weekend chock full of live shows, street food and hours spent waiting in line, I've fallen in love with a few bands and rekindled my love for a few others.

Here's the best of the best.

“Montana” – Youth Lagoon
While I didn't get the chance to see Youth Lagoon myself (every line to every one of their shows was at least a few blocks long), the chillwave artist delighted by all accounts.

“Stay Useless” – Cloud Nothings
Cloud Nothings, the little indie band that could, completely blew away the crowds with their powerful and charismatic live show.

“I Start To Run” – White Denim
White Denim closed out their Saturday night set with this old single, and it couldn't have hit harder as Austin's local boys proved they're on a fast track to the big time.

“Foreign Language (feat. Jess)” – Flight Facilities
My No. 1 must-see act this weekend, Australia's Flight Facilities, did not disappoint. Their set was based off turntables, sure, but they brought out singer Jess for a live rendition of this song at The Madison.

“Cameo Lover” – Kimbra
Kimbra will be absolutely huge by the end of the year. The 21-year-old Australian previously heard on Gotye's monster “Somebody That I Used To Know” has a powerhouse voice and looks to boot.

“Black Tin Box (feat. Lykke Li)” – Miike Snow
Oh, just another band that I couldn't have managed to see even if I tried. And the lucky few who did catch them bragged the entire weekend. Thanks, everyone! Anyway, the boys are back, so expect big things.

Download this week's batch of songs here.

Kimbra press photo by Craig Banks.