It’s basketball time, but if you’re having trouble making a bracket (or just don’t care about college basketball), how about using artists to guide you through this year’s tournament? Check out all our coverage here.
So here’s the deal. We assigned an up-and-coming artist to each of the schools who made this year’s basketball tournament, and then pit them head to head against each other. Will we pick the real winner this way? Probably not. But will we discover artists along the way? You bet!
Here’s the South Division!
Check out the East, West, and Midwest Divisions too!
Round of 64
Parachute (Virginia, 1) vs. Snail Mail (University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 16)
Strong showing from Snail Mail hitting all those lo-fi, bedroom-record feels. Lindsey Jordan, with foresight and energy, just like, gets me, you know?
Winner: Snail Mail
Karmin (Creighton, 8) vs. I Heard a Lion (Kansas State, 9)
I Heard a Lion are soulful and captivating, sometimes chipper, sometimes melancholic. Their compelling arrangements keep this group cohesive.
Winner: I Heard a Lion
Oh My Me (Kentucky, 5) vs. Andy The Doorbum (Davidson, 12)
Have you ever done ayahuasca? Me neither, but now I’m curious. Ebbing and melodic in his own unique way, Andy the Doorbum put me in a realm.
Winner: Andy The Doorbum
Swindoe (Arizona, 4) vs. Every Time I Die (Buffalo, 13)
Every Time I Die’s forceful and technical metalcore is a tough act to beat. Bangover imminent.
Winner: Every Time I Die
Sylvan LaCue (Miami, 6) vs. Ezra Furman (Loyola-Chicago, 11)
Ezra Furman will give you the strength of a teenager silently screaming into a hairbrush in front of the full length mirror in your room.
Winner: Ezra Furman
Kelsea Ballerini (Tennessee, 3) vs. Ex-Astronaut (Wright State, 14)
Ex-Astronaut balances between airy and explosive anthemic indie rock in an extremely satisfying way.
Winner: Ex-Astronaut
The Bonfire Set (Nevada, 7) vs. The Bright Light Social Hour (Texas, 10)
Deliciously psychedelic and danceable, The Bright Light Social Hour are an earnest achievement of crushable indie pop.
Winner: The Bright Light Social Hour
Jay Chivs (Cincinnati, 2) vs. Book Club (Georgia State, 15)
Book Club’s thoughtful, casual storytelling shines in their sparse Americana vibe.
Winner: Book Club
Round of 32
Snail Mail (University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 16) vs. I Heard a Lion (Kansas State, 9)
Lindsey Jordan of Snail Mail once again hits the right nerve and comes out on top.
Winner: Snail Mail
Andy The Doorbum (Davidson, 12) vs. Every Time I Die (Buffalo, 13)
Headbanging into the top position.
Winner: Every Time I Die
Ezra Furman (Loyola-Chicago, 11) vs. Ex-Astronaut (Wright State, 14)
Ezra Furman dominates in this indie showdown.
Winner: Ezra Furman
The Bright Light Social Hour (Texas, 10) vs. Book Club (Georgia State, 15)
Haven’t stopped moving to The Bright Light Social Hour as they take this round.
Winner: The Bright Light Social Hour
Round of 16
Snail Mail (University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 16) vs. Every Time I Die (Buffalo, 13)
Snail Mail’s striking songwriting ability and impressive guitar-work take the upset win against Every Time I Die’s piercing hardcore.
Winner: Snail Mail
Ezra Furman (Loyola-Chicago, 11) vs. The Bright Light Social Hour (Texas, 10)
Ezra Furman’s cutting voice and complex, smart arrangements can’t be beat .
Winner: Ezra Furman
Round of 8
Snail Mail (University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 16) vs. Ezra Furman (Loyola-Chicago, 11)
This matchup was neck and neck. In the end, Ezra Furman’s unmatched ability to deliver layered, raw, sing-along anthems for the outcast pulled through for the win.
Winner: Ezra Furman
Ezra Furman is advancing to the final matchups! Check back soon to see who will emerge as the victor.
Don’t agree with my picks? Let me know who you’ve got on Twitter!
