As Brazil’s totally unofficial pop culture diplomat, I thought it would be appropriate to dedicate a post to telling you about some of the Brazilian bands playing at South by Southwest that no doubt a few of you will be attending starting tomorrow in Texas. While it’s still hard to call if any of these bands will be the next Cansei de Ser Sexy, music heads will get an idea of what’s being scouted and what you might be rockin’ out to from a soundsystem near you soon.
- MixHell: Iggor Cavalera, ex-drummer of Sepultura, and his wife are the DJs behind MixHell, which uses electro as its base with rock on top. Electro’s what everyone’s into here in Sao Paulo. Cavalera sometimes drums along live with the mixes, so with all the dates they’re playing for Vice during the event, your chances of seeing the legend behind his kit are high.
- Curumin: Blackalicious introduced Luciano Nakata Albuquerque a few years ago stateside, and he’s about to release his second album on hip-hop label Quannum. Curumin isn’t entirely hip-hop though; think grooves, think samba.
- Alexia Bomtempo: Alexia Bomtempo’s amazing voice is like syrup. This songstress’ songs have the nostalgic feel of classic bossa nova.
- Pierre Aderne: Easy-listening for the world music set, and like Alexia Bomtempo, harkens back to Brazil’s national music.
- Marcelo D2: This rapper has a storied history in hip-hop in Brazil as part of a band called Planet Hemp, and his solo career has taken off. Do not miss him.
- Debate: Their music reminds me a little of the mid-’90s indie rock I used to listen to, and more recently, the Trail of Dead. High energy and angst-y.
- Nancy: Rock band fronted by a talented female singer and has some Garbage-esque moments if the latter hadn’t gone so pop.
