SXSW 2012

From Austin Powell, The Austin Chronicle:

Among the most underrated labels in indie rock, Austin's Western Vinyl helped establish the Dirty Projectors, Here We Go Magic, and J. Tillman, the latter showcasing for Sub Pop this year as Father John Misty. Better known as a soundtrack composer having worked for David Gordon Green among others, David Wingo takes a similarly narrative approach with Old Podrida, his compelling and increasingly electric indie folk project. Expect a new album later this year. Weatherford's Botany is a one-man sound sculptor creating organic instrumental collages, haunting and ethereal. Lower Dens guitarist Carter Tanton released his long-awaited solo bow last year, a prismatic collection of Californian psych-pop that deserves a closer listen. Headliner Lushlife offers a rewarding change of pace. The rapper and bedroom composer born Raj Haldar melds fractured, Roc-A-Fella-esque beats with Philadelphia soul and lo-fi production into a provocative strain of avant-hip-hop on his late 2011 cassette/digital mixtape No More Golden Days. His proper label debut, Plateau Vision, bolsters his crossover appeal with contributions from Heems of Das Racist, Titus Andronicus' Andrew Cedermark, and Memphis rapper Cities Aviv.