It's March, so it's time again for South by Southwest in Austin, where a handful of San Antonio bands will be making music at official and unofficial shows.
Emerging in the Tejano scene, San Antonio native Vanita Leo will perform March 12 at Hotel Vegas at Volstead. With her music infusing pop with cumbia, Vanita Leo has had success with single songs such as "Solo Tu BB" and "Putazos Al Corazon." Vanita Leo will have a second official SXSW showcase March 14 at Vaquero Taquero.
The San Antonio group Los Juanos have been making waves in the indie-alternative regional Mexicano scene. Their music is a blend of conjunto, corrido and cumbia Norteña with elements of dream pop, psychedelic and even punk. They will take part in an official showcase March 13 at Lamberts.
Band member Eddie Longoria says he and his bandmates view the SXSW music festival as a great platform to perform in front of a different audience and make new connections.
"We decided to participate in SXSW due to the exposure, and meeting amazing musicians and talent so we can collaborate and connect with them in the future," says Longoria. "We want to show all of the SXSW attendees the sound of San Antonio, Texas."
R&B artist, singer, and songwriter Xavier Omärwill have an official showcase March 13 at Parish. A California native, Omär is influenced by artists and bands such as Kanye West, John Legend, James Blake, Arcade Fire, and Coldplay.
Omär auditioned for a spot in the 11th season of American Idol when the iconic show stopped in Houston. His single "Feelings 4 You" made Barack Obama’s Favorite Music of 2022 playlist.
Volcán, the renowned 11-member ensemble from San Antonio, will be in an official show March 14 at Lamberts. The band mixes cumbia, salsa, calypso and other genres. This will be the third time in four years that Volcán has performed in an official South by Southwest showcase.
Band member Jaime MeiJa Jr. says Volcán has enjoyed playing original cumbias for more than a decade before the cumbia craze took off in recent years.
"We love to perform at SXSW to showcase that original cumbia, and big bands have mass appeal and such great danceability," MeiJa says. ”SXSW also allows us to connect with other unique artists from around the world, and learn about other genres of music that help us innovate on our current sound to stay fresh.”
Rapper Spy MC will perform in an official showcase March 15 at Shangri-La. Part of the hip-hop group Bad Newz Bexarz, Spy MC has been active nearly 20 years, having released albums such as Unfinished Business in 2012 and Patience in 2020.
While SXSW badge-holders have access to official shows, some San Antonio musical acts will take part in unofficial concerts that will be open to anyone who wants to stop by.
Chicana punk rock band Fea will headline the Queerest Spring Break, a two-day event featuring queer bands March 7-8 at Full Circle Bar (1810 E. 12th St.) The Queerest Spring Break will include queer vendors, drag shows, and a dance party each night after the live music ends.
San Antonio composerNathan Felix is curating the March 9 KOOP Radio Day Party, which will feature experimental, indie rock, jazz, synth-pop, and Americana acts at Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches. While Felix is known for developing operas, he has long sought a chance to curate a show, given his association with KOOP Radio.
"The event never happened because the festival was canceled, but we rebooted it in 2021 and have turned it into an annual event," Felix says.
Felix says the SXSW day party is his way of giving back to community radio.
"KOOP gives me a lot of freedom in curating/booking the event, so I try to book it in a way that represents their diverse music programming and give opportunities to local Austin acts as well as some touring acts," he says.
"I normally have two to three acts from San Antonio on the bill, but this year it'll just have one, but a great one in (jazz trio) The Whale."
