SXSW 2013 Spreadsheet 59:

Lucas kicks off this week musically with a set of electronic artists with a wide range of sound, from bass-heavy DJs to sonic experimenters.  Highlights:

Amtrac (9) - If you ever loved house music, if you enjoyed that moment in the early 90s when slower-tempo house tracks from Crystal Waters and Robin S vibed through your radio speakers, if you’ve ever warmed up to house from a cautious distance—-Amtrac is an opening to rediscover the genre.  

Toddla T (9) - How do I explain?  DJs : Toddla T :: welding torch : loom.  Hailing from Sheffield, England, aka Steel City, the young DJ producer combines a deft technical mixing skill and an aged, wise music choice.  

Black Moth Super Rainbow (8) - This music might be freaky-electro, scarred-tronic, filth-chorded — however you characterize this dense-with-stimulant-and-synth sound, time not listening is time wasted…or time not destroying precious brain cells and inner ear hairs.  

Amon Tobin (7) - Not quite ambient, offering few distinct melodies, this music is an escape to a dystopian mechanical underworld.

Bombay Show Pig (6) - Long names that feature the animal kingdom have an effect on me, apparently.  Bombay Show Pig (BSP) present tunes reminiscent of classic mid-90s rock standards with White Stripes influence (not just because of the band’s demographics).  An occasional hard downbeat marching step evokes that comparison but I imagine something like to Weezer with synth organ and splashes of distorted lady backup vocals.

Bonobo (6) -Named after the hypersexual primates, Bonobo produces emotional beats, chilled and relaxed, and conscious of the deep pleasing vibe.  There are hints of folk pentatonic strings.  

Big Black Delta (5) - Big Black Delta is one of at least two projects by Jonathan Bates, whose soft, higher-pitched voice rides predominantly electronic, dark wave instrumentals.

Bonde Do Role (5) - Bonde Do Role are members of the Mad Decent label/collaborative—pounding drums and vocals reminiscent of M.I.A. will motivate the hips and torso.

Swim Deep (5) - Fun beachy rock group, sweet and upbeat, featuring sexy, professionally produced videos.