A half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view:

JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, South by Southwest. This Chicago group describes themselves as post-punk soul. Good songs, great dance moves and a funky Wilco cover.

Lucero, day party on Congress, SXSW. A terrific short set from a rough-looking country-soul band (horns and steel guitar) from Memphis. Singer Ben Nichols has a perfect gravel-filled voice and emotional delivery.

Howler, Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop, SXSW. The sound was too loud, but what do you expect in a bike shop? The quality songs still stood out. This show is still being streamed at the KEXP website. I'm looking forward to their hometown gig April 19 at the Varsity.

JIM ANDERSON, MINNEAPOLIS

Of Monsters and Men, Fine Line. This Icelandic septet sounded like a cross between Arcade Fire and Mumford and Sons. Their folk-rock featured gorgeous-voiced male and female lead singers, an Irish flavor and a loud, simple drum beat. They delivered joy infused with spirituality.

Jimmy Iovine interview, Rolling Stone. The street-smart kid from Brooklyn started as an engineer for John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen. Then it was on to Patti Smith, Tom Petty, eventually U2, Interscope Records, Eminem, Dr. Dre and now "American Idol." Good stories, good instincts and magic ears.

Gotye, Epic. The millennials have found their Sting -- only this Belgium-born Aussie is better-looking and plays percussion. With his quartet and Owl City-like lyrics, Gotye has mastered the reggae-loving percussive simplicity of the early Police, augmented by a video show featuring graphic-novel-evoking animation and kitschy clips.

JON BREAM, STAR TRIBUNE

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