The Polite Invasion: Canadian Bands at SXSW

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Oh America, sometimes the Western democracy living in your attic just wants to be invited downstairs for breakfast—instead of scrounging for the crumbs you left on the chesterfield after going to work.

They even made you a special treat to reward all your hard work: the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation solicited suggestions for a playlist for President Obama. They just want your love.

With that in mind, here's an unscientific sampling of a few good NAFTA exports that may not have made your list, in no particular order. Goes down like musical maple syrup!

Rural Alberta Advantage

Amazingly, a true-honest-to-goodness unsigned band, from Alberta. Eclectic guy-girl harmony with some strings and strong hooks. The least they should get out of this is a record deal.

Women

Another act with lots of hype, Women actually appears to be four dudes. They play low-fi atmospheric rock that improves each listen.

Human Highway

Ridiculously catchy guitar-pop, perfectly suited to say, making tamales with a group of friends.

Jenn Grant

Songstress with moody, melodic, and beautiful melodies from Prince Edward Island is debuting her sophomore record, Echoes

Woodhands

Electronica dance-pop that's a little unexpected, most of Woodhands' stuff has a chorus worth hearing — a good set to dance to, no doubt.

Elliot Brood

Bringing the rock back in folk rock. These guys have a big sound, catchy melodies, and stage presence unlikely in a three-piece with banjos and ukuleles.

K'naan

Huge hype from a guy whose bio reads "Somali-Canadian," K'naan's a rarity in any musical circle. Discovered by the Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour, K'naan is a muslim who raps about life on the streets. . . of Mogadishu. He's hearing Bob Marley comparisons, though that's more than a little premature. K'naan trends towards pretty pop-y sounds, but listen to "Waivin' Flag" and you'll probably want to go check out his set.

Gentleman Reg

Great name, unusual facial hair — worth alone it for a song like "You Cant Get It Back." Yet another prospect from Toronto's Arts & Crafts label.

Deep Dark Woods

Gorgeous, addictive alt-country from the depths of Canada's mid-west.

Buck 65

Raspy voiced "rapper" who's probably doing as much as anyone on the planet to recontextualize hip-hop.

Not a gimmick or flash-in-the-pan, Buck 65 is playing in his own world. Psych yourself up for some weirdness, some back and forth banter, and to blow out a new section of your brain formerly dedicated to hip-hop.

Miracle Fortress

Killer falsetto over delicate harmonies are pretty rare for what's essentially a trippy psychedelia throw-back, should be a sweet live show.

We were lovers

Sweet, Stevie Nicks-meets-The Cure pop.