The annual SXSW festival in Austin, TX starts next week. We here at Beards would love to be there but alas, the magic ticket fairy didn't visit us this year. Fortunately, The SXSW website has a complete list of performers, so we'll be bringing you our picks over the next couple weeks.

Check out today's picks after the jump: Kaiser Cartel, Lost in Holland, Nico Stai, Suzanna Choffel, The Young Republic






The Young Republic

This Nashville band is made up of Berklee trained musicians, and it shows. Their songs are complex and beautiful.

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Lost in Holland

Awesome folk duo from Cincinatti. A guitar and cello never sounded so good.





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Suzanna Choffel

Austin, TX- based singer-songwriter. Her voice gives me goosebumps.





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Nico Stai

Mellow indie rocker from Los Angeles.





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Kaiser Cartel

I've been a fan of this Brooklyn duo for awhile now, after seeing them play a couple of times here in Phoenix. They're sweet without being sappy, and incredibly talented.





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