SXSW.com/Music : Four On The Floor - Bands With Seoul

FOUR ON THE FLOOR : BANDS WITH SEOUL (PART ONE)

This week, we're taking you across the world as part of our Four on the Floor series with some SXSW 2014 artists hailing all the way from Seoul, South Korea. A mix of SXSW veterans and newcomers, these guys are a testament to the thriving electro-pop, rock and indie scenes in this beautiful modern city.

YB

YB is South Korea's most popular rock band, with leader Yoon Do Hyun known as a legend in his own right. As the first Korean band invited to SXSW in 2007, YB have paved the way for other artists from the region.

RIYL: Muse, Jimmy Eat World, 30 Seconds To Mars

GLEN CHECK

Funky, fresh and irresistibly upbeat, Glen Check is gaining momentum as one of Korea’s top electro-pop bands. The trio holds a unique place in the scene by creating live performances that are as visually stunning as they are danceable.

RIYL: Cut Copy, Daft Punk, VHS or Beta



GALAXY EXPRESS

This band tore it up so much at SXSW 2011 that they literally blew a fuse. With their electrifying on-stage performances, soaring vocals, and mind-blowing electric guitar solos, Galaxy Express is refreshingly straight up, no-holds-barred, in your face rock ‘n’ roll.

RIYL: MC5, The Stooges, The Ramones



LOVE X STEREO

They may draw from the sound of alt and punk rock from the 90’s, but with a modernized electronic production and lead singer Annie’s powerful, yet girly voice, Love X Stereo has a sound that’s all their own.

RIYL: Cults, Garbage, Phantogram



FOUR ON THE FLOOR : BANDS WITH SEOUL (PART TWO)

Here’s part two of our South Korea-focused edition of Four on the Floor. After you preview these SXSW 2014 bands originating from Seoul, we’re confident that you will make time for all four at SXSW in March! Part Two of Bands with Seoul features a good variety of sounds, from rock to electronic and more.

IDIOTAPE

Seoul's Idiotape have been making waves internationally with their live mix of analog synthesizers and bombastic drumming. It's hard not to imagine a sea of people dancing to their forward-leaning energetic live electronic/EDM.

RIYL: Cut Copy, Daft Punk, Chromeo



NO BRAIN

Punk band and SXSW alumni act No Brain's rock anthems are as rowdy as they are hooky. The band made headlines in Korea a few months back when Sire Records co-founder Seymour Stein (Madonna, The Pretenders, Talking Heads, The Smiths) announced that he was signing the band.

RIYL: Andrew WK, AC/DC, The Clash



BIG PHONY

Do you have an Elliott Smith-shaped hole in your life? Look no further than Big Phony, the heartbreakingly hushed project of singer-songwriter Bobby Choy. You may recognize Choy (or you would if he didn't have a bag over his head) as one of the stars of the popular Ktown Cowboys web series, which is currently being made into a feature-length movie with executive producer and The Hangover/Community star Ken Jeong. Expect a new Big Phony record this spring.

RIYL: Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes, Death Cab for Cutie



ROCK N' ROLL RADIO

This band doesn’t sound exactly like their name. Rock N’ Roll Radio plays groovy rock music with layered instruments that combine to create a sound that makes you want to dance. The band just released their first full-length album, Shup Up & Dance, earlier this fall and will be playing at their first SXSW in March.

RIYL: Bloc Party, Two Door Cinema Club, Foals

Keep up with the list of showcasing artists here.

2014 SXSW KPop Night Showcase (Planning/Production/Promotion) : SK Planet/DFSB Kollective
2014 SXSW Seoulsonic Showcase (Planning/Production/Promotion) : DFSB Kollective
International Agent/Distribution : DFSB Kollective (Love X Stereo/Rock N Roll Radio/Glen Check/No Brain/Galaxy Express/Idiotape)