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‘K-pop Night Out’ due in Texas

March 6, 2014
Korean rock band No Brain performs at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas in this 2013 file photo. The band will again take the stage at the festival, which runs March 7-13. (Courtesy of Korea Creative Content Agency)

Korean rock band No Brain performs at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas in this 2013 file photo. The band will again take the stage at the festival, which runs March 7-13.
(Courtesy of Korea Creative Content Agency)

By Kim Ji-soo

A “K-pop Night Out” will be held next week in Austin, Texas, on the sidelines of the South by SouthWest (SXSW) festival.

The SXSW is one of the world’s largest music festivals and will run from March 2 to the 13.

On March 11, K-pop artists Hyuna of the girl group 4minute, Jay Park, the four rock bands of Nell, Kiha and the Faces, IDIOTAPE and Crying Nut, and the fusion “gugak” band Jambinai will perform at the SXSW’s main Elysium venue.

The artists are supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), to promote the diversity of K-pop music.

“More diverse genres of Korean music are earning popularity, so we believe that we can open a K-pop 3.0 era at the SXSW,” said Hong Sang-pyo, president of KOCCA.

At this SXSW, a total of 15 Korean musicians including several rock bands will be performing. The veteran YB Band, which has declared its advance into the English music market, and Hollow Jan, will perform at the “Rock Showcase.”

In a separate showcase dubbed “Seoul Sonic,” six more Korean rock bands will showcase their music. They are Nobrain, Glen Check, Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio, Smacksoft, Big Phony and Love X Stereo.

While hallyu is driven mainly by K-pop, Korean rock bands are slowly shifting gears toward the North American market. The YB Band signed with Doug Goldstein, former manager of Guns N’ Roses, and will release a full-length English album in June. As a first step, the band released the digital single “Cigarette Girl” on Feb. 18. Also, No Brain signed with world-renowned producer Seymour Stein for an English album last year.