If you’re looking for a powerful – and somewhat insane – Japanese/American contemporary rock and roll blend, you’ve come to the right place. Tokyo’s Ken Minami and Brooklyn’s Adam Amram make up the duo Ken South Rock (hard emphasis on the "rock" part). Their most popular song ‘Hold On,’ (video below), is an optimistic track that takes the loud/quiet/loud antics to the extreme. It’s about overcoming the challenges faced during their time witnessing the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The band’s energetic performances are something to be witnessed in person. They are currently on a massive national tour and will be playing a few showcases at SXSW this year from March 12th-14th. – Michael Haskoor