SXSW 2012

From Chase Hoffberger, The Austin Chronicle:

Plight of the Chinese musician: Fly 7,000 miles for South by Southwest and who do you end up sharing a showcase with? The other Chinese bands that made the trip. Welcome to Texas; enjoy the tacos. Most intriguing here is Beijing quartet Carsick Cars, SXSW 2011 veterans who tip their cap to Pavement, Velvet Underground, and Sonic Youth on MMR debut You Can Listen, You Can Talk. Similarly distorted, Rustic arrives as a surfer punk foursome with a love of hair metal. From Shanghai, Duck Fight Goose takes the torch from LCD Soundsystem and ignites the dance-rock party. Same could be said for Beijing songstress Nova Heart, the dark, layered, dance-pop side project of Helen Feng. Those looking to rev their engines should stick around for Snapline, while Deadly Cradle Death give proof that witch house has a home in the Middle Kingdom.