South by Southwest, Austin’s annual music conference/festival/mega-meet & greet has announced a preliminary talent lineup that includes a number of New Orleans acts. It’s hardly the last word – that won’t come out until likely February before SXSW starts March 13, 2012 – but I don’t usually see this many New Orleans acts on the bill this early. So far, confirmed area artists are Dash Rip Rock, Kindest Lines, L.E.$ and Vockah Redu. Dash is reputed to have played every SXSW and will keep the string alive, and Redu first played it in 2010 as part of a New Orleans bounce showcase.

Kindest Lines are an indie rock band that released its debut album, Covered In Dust, this summer on Brooklyn’s Weird Records. The album was produced in Chicago by Alfredo Nogueira and Josh Eustis of Telefon Tel Aviv.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a41kqgM1XPA[/youtube]

L.E.$ is a rapper from New Orleans East who moved to Houston in 2003.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YOD8KTOENg&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

For more performers and info, go to SXSW.com.