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PopXport at SXSW - Showtime for Germany

March 25, 2016

For 30 years the international music scene has been meeting at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. German bands are among those playing at the world's biggest showcase festival. A special edition of PopXport.

https://p.dw.com/p/1IJQU
Laura Carbone, USA Austin Festival SXSW
Image: Duchess Box/Rough Trade

PopXport in Texas - Showtime for Germany

The protagonists of the report:

USA Austin Festival SXSW Robot Koch
Image: DW/R. Schild

Robot Koch - Electronic sounds made in Gemany

The late, great British radio DJ John Peel praised the sounds of Robot Koch as "pop music from the future." The German DJ and producer came to fame as a member of the Berlin-based electronica trio Jahcoozi. For his appearances at SXSW, he traveled to Texas from his adopted home, Los Angeles.

USA Austin Festival SXSW Laura Carbone
Image: DW/R. Schild


Laura Carbone - Dark Wave from Mannheim

As frontwoman of the duo Deine Jugend, Laura Carbone combined electronic music and punk. In contrast, on her debut solo album, "Sirens," the singer-songwriter beguiles listeners with dark melodies reminiscent of the 1980s. In Austin she'd been living on a hippie ranch and rehearsing in a chapel for her big performance.

USA Austin Festival SXSW Kytes
Image: DW/R. Schild


Kytes - Indie rock from Munich

The Kytes are one of more than 20 German music acts vying for attention at SXSW. Found only in 2015, the indie rockers brought some upbeat Bavarian vibes to Texas - while getting plenty of praise from audiences and critics.

USA Austin Festival SXSW Still Parade
Image: DW/R. Schild


Still Parade - Dream folk from Berlin

German songwriter and producer Niklas Kramer knew back in 2013 that his music struck a chord internationally. Still Parade's debut single "Actors" went down a storm in the US blogosphere, and was later used on the soundtrack for a Victoria's Secret commercial. At SXSW, Still Parade were aiming to show that they're not one-hit wonders.