SXSW: Austin music festival draws eclectic mix

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Georgia groups such as R.E.M. and other well-known acts like former "American Idol" contestant Bo Bice flock to Austin, Texas, for the annual South by Southwest festival.

South by Southwest draws acts from all over the globe to Austin, Texas, for a week of music. Some of those already have hit it big, while others are looking for their big break. Here are a handful of acts you might be familiar with, and some you won't. Remember Bo Bice? He faded from the spotlight since finishing second on "American Idol," but his commitment to his music has grown. His album "See the Light" is all Southern rock, and that's the way he likes it. Web site: www.bobice.com

Since forming a band when they were 13, The Donnas have become arguably one of the best female rock groups in history, releasing one critically acclaimed album after another in 15 years. Their latest one, "Bitchin' " came out in September. Web site: www.thedonnas.com

Ice Cube's hard edge has melted since his days with N.W.A., but he is still a lyrical force. After doing a little acting (OK, a lot), the rapper will put out the album "Raw Footage" in June. Web site: www.icecube.com

If you think you've never heard the electronic sound of Moby, think again: he licensed several songs to commercials. "Last Night" comes out April 1. Web site: www.moby.com

N.E.R.D. (or No One Ever Really Dies) evolved from hip-hop super producers The Neptunes. Shay Haley, Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams found a different sound through experimentation, heard on their first album "In Search Of ..." and the follow-up "Fly or Die." Web site: www.myspace.com/nerdmusic

"For me music is about honesty, pain and a willingness to cry as well as fight," David Banner says. The Mississippi-raised rapper has collaborated with big names such as Snoop Dogg, Akon and Chris Brown. He has shown he is multitalented, acting in "Black Snake Moan" and "This Christmas." His album "The Greatest Story Ever Told" is out this spring. Web site: www.david-banner.com

R.E.M. has been making music for 28 years, leaving a string of hits in its wake. Athens' venerable rock group was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the past two years. But don't think Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills are through making music just yet. They'll release their 14th studio record, "Accelerate," this spring. Web site: www.remhq.com

With its impressive string work, Atlanta's Zac Brown Band is known for putting on quite a show. And how can you stay away from a group that has songs like "Toes" and "Sic 'em on a Chicken"? Web site: www.zacbrownband.com

On her recently released debut album, "Just Up the Road," Melissa Young mixes R&B, soul and funk in a way that leaves listeners wanting more. Billboard called the Atlantan its "hidden gem of 2007." Web site: www.melissayoungmusic.com

Morning State began in 2004 when its members were attending college in Athens and Atlanta. Since then, the band has perfected its new wave power pop, and it will be on full display when "You Know People I Know People" drops May 3. Web site: www.myspace.com/morningstate

Bi-coastal act Atlas Sound -- band leader Bradford Cox (shown) is from Atlanta while the rest of the band lives in Portland, Ore. -- describes its sound as "mid-period Candlebox meets a tamer, less confrontational mid-period Candlebox." Web site: www.myspace.com/bradfordcox

Dead Confederate won the annual Open Mic Madness competition at Smith's Olde Bar in 2006, then used their prize to make an EP that made its national debut in January. The Athens quartet, which lists Neil Young, Pink Floyd and Nirvana among its influences, opens for R.E.M. in Austin. Web site: www.myspace.com/deadconfederate

Adrianne won Eddie's Attic Open Mic Shootout. The singer-songwriter relocated to Atlanta from L.A., bringing her warm and welcoming voice with her. Web site: www.myspace.com/adriannemusic

Throw punk, country and torch songs into a blender, and you get Anna Kramer and The Lost Cause. In January, the Atlanta band put out "The Rustic Contemporary Sound of ...", which Bust magazine said "was made for late night drives down dusty roads." Web Site: www.myspace.com/annakramer

Decatur's Shawn Mullins could have been a one-hit wonder after the success of "Lullaby" in 1998, but he has quietly continued to create great music. Add "Honeydew" to that list when it comes out Tuesday. It includes songs such as "Cabbagetown" and "The Ballad of Kathryn Johnston" that will be familiar content to those in the metro area. Web site: www.myspace.com/shawnmullins

The Swear has drawn comparisons to The Pretenders and Fleetwood Mac, mainly because of the vocals of singer-songwriter Elizabeth Elkins, who fronts the Atlanta band. You won't be able to miss the group's electrified power-pop when it releases "Hotel Rooms and Heart Attacks" later this year. Web site: www.myspace.com/theswear

The Whigs, a trio base in Athens, has come a long way from the days when it was ranked among the best unsigned bands in America by Rolling Stone. Of their latest album, released in January, music critic Shane Harrison says, " 'Mission Control' blasts off with a sound that's reminiscent of earlier acts ranging from the Replacements to the Clash, with traces of Foo Fighters and even the rhythm-section torrent of the early Who." Web site: www.thewhigs.com

Music critic Shane Harrison described The Selmanaires' sound as "a bit of Talking Heads, a touch of the Kinks, a pinch of Can and a some surf-rock." The Atlanta band, which got its name from the street (Selman Street S.E., just off of Wylie Street in Reynoldstown) where it had it's first rehearsal, released "The Air Salesmen" in January. Web site: www.myspace.com/theselmanaires

Elf Power has made a name for itself in 14 years, touring with its psychedelic pop sound. The Athens band releases its ninth album, "In A Cave," at the end of the month. Web site: www.myspace.com/elfpower

Westminster graduate Kaki King's guitar mastery earned her a Golden Globe nomination for contributing music to the score of the movie "Into the Wild." She is releasing her new album, "Dreaming of Revenge," on March 11. Web site: www.myspace.com/kakiking

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South by Southwest draws acts from all over the globe to Austin, Texas, for a week of music. Some of those already have hit it big, while others are looking for their big break. Here are a handful of acts you might be familiar with, and some you won't. Remember Bo Bice? He faded from the spotlight since finishing second on "American Idol," but his commitment to his music has grown. His album "See the Light" is all Southern rock, and that's the way he likes it. Web site: www.bobice.com

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