The South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin, Texas, brings together artists, industry professionals, and music lovers from around the world to make connections, elevate their careers, and celebrate the magic of live music — from legendary performers to the most exciting new talent.

This year’s SXSW music festival runs March 13 to 18; as a preview to this year’s fest, here are new songs to help you discover artists Baby Rose, the Golden Dregs, Chiiild, Chance Peña, and Blondshell — and to reacquaint yourself with Minnesota artist Kid Dakota (aka Darren Jackson).

If you’re planning to attend SXSW, performance times for each of these artists is also noted below.

Baby Rose, “Go”

Nostalgic music from Baby Rose, who often grapples with holding on versus letting go in her music. The R&B artist released her first album in 2019 and started gaining praise and Grammy nominations. Her next album, Through and Through, will be out April 28, and she'll be playing at a number of SXSW showcases: March 15 at Seven Grand, 11 to 11:40 p.m.) March 16 at Mohawk Outdoor (1 to 1:30 p.m.), and March 16 at Central Presbyterian Church (10 to 10:40 p.m.).

The Golden Dregs, “Sundown Lake”

The deep baritone talk/singing of U.K. performer Benjamin Woods is a gentle caress as he meditates On Grace & Dignity, the title of his recently released album. The album is a wandering journey that starts with a man taking a trip to search for his “best self” and contemplates the world at large. Woods will be performing nearly eight times at SXSW, including at All Together Now, March 15, at Hotel Saint Cecilia (showcase runs noon to 5 p.m.; Woods’s exact performance time TBA).

Chiiild, “Bon Voyage”

Canadian artist Chiiild made his recent album, Better Luck In the Next Life, a celebration of Montreal, and he brought in his musical friends and family. Looking back at the early aughts and the music he loved — a diverse mix of Incubus and Linkin Park to hip hop and R&B — he pandemic allowed for a more detailed album. Chiiild will be at Pop Montreal at Swan Dive March 16 (11 to 11:40 p.m.) and The Drafting Room on March 18 (midnight to 12:40 a.m.).

Kid Dakota, “Homesick”

The fixture in the Minnesota music scene formed in the late ‘90s and released two albums on Low’s label in the early aughts. The project from Darren Jackson released its most recent music in 2020 with Age of Roaches. Jackson will be at SXSW on March 17 at Kitty Cohen’s (3 p.m.) and March 18 at The Iron Bear (3 p.m.).

Chance Peña, “Bleeding Out”

A talented songwriter, Chance Peña was hired by a publishing company when he was just 17. By 2019, he was securing song placements on TV shows and releasing his own music while his songwriting got him a Grammy nomination for “Conversations in the Dark,” performed by John Legend. The Texas-born artist is slowly releasing more of his own music, like “Bleeding Out.” Performing at the BMI Brunch at Geraldine's on March 17 at Hotel Van Zandt (11:30 to 11:50 a.m.).

Blondshell, “Joiner”

Earlier this year, Rolling Stone magazine asked its audience to “Get ready for Blondshell to be all the rage this year.” With a self-titled debut album coming out April 7, the 25-year-old Sabrina Teitelbaum shares honest and straightforward songs. If you are familiar with her more pop-styled music under her moniker BAUM, this is a refreshing turn. Blondshell has a number of SXSW appearances including March 17 at Swan Dive Patio (10 to 10:40 p.m.).

Playlist