Ben Caplan at Canadian Blast, SXSW 2015

Ben Caplan's set at Canadian Blast was one of the highlights of my SXSW 2015.  Incredible energy and stage presence. Outstanding songs. Left me wanting more.

Finally, I'll get my wish. Just purchased my tickets to see Caplan and the Casual Smokers, Wednesday, March 29 at SPACE in Evanston. Until then, I'm still grooving on the fumes of his 2015 SXSW performance.

Ben Caplan at SXSW 2015, Canadian Blast (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Ben Caplan at SXSW 2015, Canadian Blast (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Ben Caplan at SXSW 2015, Canadian Blast (Mike Barzacchini Photo)

Ben Caplan and the Casual Smokers, SXSW 2015

My 2015 SXSW Must-See List

Of course, I won't see them all. And they'll be some not on the list that I will see along the way. With that disclaimer out of the way, here's my 2015 SXSW Music Must-See List. Who's missing from my list? Who will you see at SXSW 2015?

1	Count this Penny
1	The Family Crest
1	Irene Diaz
1	Madison Ward and the Mama Bear
1	Aisha Burns
1	Ben Caplan
1	Fantastic Negrito
1	Courtney Barnett
1	Soak
1	LuLuc
1	Amason
1	Family and Friends
1	Ruby Jane
1	Steve Gunn
1	Waxahatchee
1	Jorma Kaukonen
1	Ray Wylie Hubbard
1	Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
1	Jitterbug Vipers
1	The Lowest Pair
1	Del Barber
1	James McMurtry
1	Jon Dee Graham
1	Asleep at the Wheel
1	The Lowest Pair
1	JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound
1	Bill Kirchen
1	TV on the Radio
1	Jon Langford
1	The Zombies
1	Chuck Prophet
1	Giant Sand
1	Chip Taylor
1	Bill Carter
1	Prettiots
1	Wild Child
1	Grand Analog
1	Tuxedo
1	Whiskey Shivers
1	The Mastersons
1	Doug Seegers
1	Leon Bridges
2	Ibeyi
2	The Stray Birds
2	Kaleo
2	Charlie Belle
2	Baptiste Hamon
2	Kristin Diable
2	San Fermin
2	Lila Anne
2	Big Phony
2	Cleopatra Degher
2	Della Mae
2	Jesse Moore
2	L'Aupaire
2	San Tanveer Brothers
2	Skinny Lister
2	Pirate Canoe
2	American Aquarium
2	Delaney Davidson
2	Elsa Cross
2	Velvet Caravan
2	Strong Like a Horse
2	Laura Marling
2	Bobby Bare Jr.
2	Spoon
2	Jeff Austin
2	Heartless Bastards
2	Julianna Barwick
2	Call Me Lolla
3	Meg Mac
3	Austin Basham
3	Strawberry Runner
3	Oxford & Co.
3	Jukebox the Ghost
3	Summer Cannibals
3	Houndmouth
3	Alvvays
3	Hanne Kolsto
3	Emmy the Great
3	Wilson
3	The Dove and the Wolf
3	Humming House
3	The Last Bison
3	Magic Giant
3	Tom Brosseau
3	Vandaleez
3	Portugal, the Man
3	Twin Peaks
3	Waco Brothers
3	Robert Earl Keen
3	Freedom Fry
3	The War On Drugs

SXSW2015, Susan's picks of the day, folk and steel drums

This will be my fifth and Susan's first trip to SXSW. She's been gracious about accepting my showcase suggestions and today, she shared a few good ones of her own, including five from the folk list and one steel drum band.

Here are Susan's SXSW picks of the day:

1. Luluc (NPR Tiny Desk Concert)

2. Ben Caplan - Down to the River. 

3. Skinny Lister

Skinny Lister, Tiny Desk (NPR)

4. Ruby Jane - Ticket Out

5. Madison Ward - If I Ain't Got You (cover)

And now for some steel drum...

6. Codrington Pan Family

SXSW 2015, The List: Jay Nash & Josh Day are the Contenders - Live at SPACE, Evanston

Like the flow, the like harmonica. Will try to find a way to see Jay Nash & Josh Day are the Contenders at SXSW.

"Maybe Katy" - Live at Space (one of my favorite venues, Evanston, Illinois)

Jay Nash, "Blame it All on the Wind"

SXSW 2015, The List Good Harvest

Swedish Americana? Swedish Alt-Country? The Swedish Indigo Girls? Sounds like sweet music to me. See you at SXSW, Good Harvest.

"Long Way Around"

"Exile"

SXSW 2015, The List: Delaney Davidson

"I Slept Late," chka-chka-chka guitar, deep in the holler vocals and-out of-nowhere the horns with a tinge of Mediterranean twirl: Delany Davidson makes my SXSW list.

Lots of songs about sleep and sleeping too. Never a bad thing. "Sleeping Woman,":

SXSW 2015, The List: American Aquarium

I've been a fan of American Aquarium since my friend Kevin saw them live a few years back and sent me a couple of their CDs. A few years ago, the band recorded a great Daytrotter session with a cover of one of my favorite tunes, Miss Ohio. They make my "want to see" SXSW list for 2015.

SXSW 2015, The List: The McCrary Sisters

Yes, I like my gospel with a double dose of soul. The McCrary Sisters may make my final SXSW schedule. 

SXSW 2015, The List: The Jones Family Singers

Now this is more like it. If I'm looking for a gospel act, my tastes run to those groups likely to rattle the rafters. I think The Jones Family Singers qualify.

And at The Continental Club...

SXSW The List: Kirk Franklin

With a a few exceptions, this is my first time going going to SXSW without any hard/fast must-see artists. Looking to stretch the my schedule to check out bands and singers from a range of genres, like gospel. Starting my list with Kirk Franklin.