NEON GOLD SXSW 2011.

Going to Austin next week? Then you're gonna want to make sure you keep your schedule clear on Wednesday, cause it's all going down at Bat Bar for our official Neon Gold showcase. Little Red. Walk The Moon. Alex Winston. Clock Opera. Penguin Prison. The one and only Ellie Goulding. We've got them all under one amazing roof on the first night of SX, the perfect way to kickstart your SXSW 2011 experience. As it's an official showcase it's badges and wristbands only (we don't make the rules y'all), but we've got a special day party on the Saturday for those of you keeping it real at SX this year without an official badge. Look for an announcement on that by week's end, but for now behold the lineup for our official night below and mark your calendars. You won't want to miss this.

08:00pm: Little Red // MP3: "Rock It" ('96 Bulls Remix)

09:00pm: Walk The Moon // MP3: "Anna Sun"

10:00pm: Alex Winston // MP3: "Sister Wife"

11:00pm: Clock Opera // MP3: "A Piece of String"

12:00am: Ellie Goulding // MP3: "Under The Sheets" (Baby Monster Remix)

01:00am: Penguin Prison // MP3: "The Worse It Gets" (Elof Remix)

JUST THE WAY THAT YOU HOLD MY HAND.

Due to unforeseen manufacturing delays, our hotly-anticipated single with Little Red won't be hitting shelves until next week, but to reward your patience we've put the brilliant AA-side track "It's Alright" up for exclusive download below. We've hailed the record as a double A-side from the start, but "It's Alright" has surprised even us with the celerity with which it's emerged as the single's spotlight track.

With resounding support from XFM and Zane Lowe, its carefree Beach Boys meets The Strokes vibe has swiftly established Little Red as one of the most talked about new bands of the year, their exquisite brand of doo-wop guitar pop setting them apart from their contemporaries in a year where one has to wade through an endless sea of synths and electronics* to find a new guitar band actually worth writing home about. 2010 looks primed to usher in the return of guitars and indie however, and you should fully expect Little Red to be at the forefront of the resurgence. The song's title really sells them short, Little Red are way more than just alright.

The Coca Cola/It's Alright 7" is available next week from the Neon Gold Shop in the US and Puregroove for our international customers.

MP3: "It's Alright" - Little Red [exclusive]

*not that we don't love our synths and electronics, mind you

GOLD 008: LITTLE RED

With our Gotye 7" now in the shops and awaiting your purchase, it's time to look ahead to our next release. We're staying in Australia for this one, this time to bring the debut international single from Melbourne's Little Red into the world for all to cherish. Without a doubt the hottest new band in Oz, Little Red self-released their debut LP Listen To Little Red to rapturous critical acclaim down under and now have their sights set on the rest of the world. With this release we're teaming up with our friends at the UK's brilliant Lucky Number Music label to bring you Little Red's breezy doo wop anthems "Coca Cola" and "It's Alright" on another fresh double A-side release, a last gasp of summery guitar pop before autumn sets in and it's time to get back to real life.

Coming off like the best unsolicited advert for Coke ever, "Coca Cola" is an ode to fizzy summertime refreshment, bouncing along on a chorus of "my one and only advice / is cold Coca Cola and ice". "It's Alright" shines on the AA-side and has proven to be every bit the hit as its flipside counterpart, already garnering early radio support from the likes of XFM and BBC 6Music, where it's currently their handpicked single of the week. This record is pretty much the most fun you can have this side of Chuck E. Cheese, so drop down and get your preorder on before it's too late. As usual, the Neon Gold Shop and Puregroove are your friends.

MP3: "Coca Cola" - Little Red [exclusive]