Shalom - “Happenstance”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 2

Pairs Well With…Bartees Strange, Big Joanie, Bright Eyes

Shalom’s debut record Sublimation forgoes the concept of ‘genre’ while still sounding accessible track to track, looping together indie rock, funk, new-wave pop, and dance music into a singular sound. While this could sound like a fusion mess, Shalom is anything but, based in bedroom rock and letting these wide influences play out where they may. Moving between dense, post-punk rock/pop to spare folk is ambitious, especially for a debut. Coming to Austin from Fairfax, Virginia, Shalom is a great pickup for a listener looking for an artist to give them a little bit of everything with surprising ease. Shalom showcases on the final night of SXSW Music, performing Saturday at Esther’s Follies. (Kevin McStravick)