SXSW Music Festival to showcase emerging South Asian artists

Gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and artists shaping the future of music to open in Austin, Texas on March 10

By Arun Kumar

The 2025 SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, is set to open with a full day of thought-provoking conversations and electrifying performances on March 10 at the Austin Convention Center and Flamingo Cantina.

The event will open with a powerhouse industry panel discussing the rise of South Asian crossover talent, followed by the Official Soundvilla Music Showcase, featuring nine phenomenal international artists, according to a media release.

READ: South Asian Impact Foundation opens spring Desis Lead program (February 25th, 2025) 

Now in its second year, Soundvilla, presented by South Asian House, returns as one of SXSW’s most highly anticipated events. Taking place in the iconic Dirty Sixth historic district, this showcase highlights emerging South Asian artists with global appeal.

Monika Varma Samtani, Founder of Soundvilla, returns as presenter and curator of both the panel and showcase. Reflecting on last year’s success, she shares, “After the incredible response to our inaugural South Asian Music Showcase in 2024, I’m thrilled to introduce the newly branded Soundvilla to SXSW. This year’s lineup brings another extraordinary group of international musicians, and I’m honored to open the festival with a panel featuring industry leaders who are dedicated to cementing South Asian artists’ place in the global music scene.”

The Soundvilla showcase will feature a dynamic mix of nine international artists, including:

Gayathri Krishnan (Los Angeles), a unique fusion of Carnatic music roots with modern R&B influences.
Ramya Pothuri (Los Angeles), a seasoned guitarist and singer-songwriter exploring themes of love, womanhood, and self-reflection.
Paravi (Los Angeles), the rising singer-songwriter featuring her new music.

Priyanka (Los Angeles), delivering a Boiler Room-style B2B DJ set with Gandhi, blending R&B, Neo-Soul, Bollywood, Amapiano, House, and World Music, accompanied by Austin-based fusion dance group bollyflow.

Gandhi (Bangalore, India), showcasing a unique fusion of Electronic Music and live instrumentation.

Baby Said (London), a fierce rock sister duo bringing electrifying guitar riffs and powerhouse vocals.
DJ Anupi (Austin), returning with her signature fusion sounds between sets.
Kavi (Florida), a mixed-media artist creating a live interactive painting, later auctioned to support SevaSphere, aiding first responders affected by the LA fires.

“I’m deeply honored to be a South Asian House official artist for SXSW 2025,” says Paravi. Premiering the resilient beginnings of my upcoming project at a showcase created by a fellow tenacious brown woman will be disruptive in the best of ways—and really freaking cool.”

To kick off the SXSW Music Festival, South Asian House will host an engaging panel, “The Rise of South Asian Talent & How the West Can Embrace It,” moderated and curated by Samtani.

Featuring prominent industry leaders, the discussion will focus on promoting diverse talent, overcoming entry barriers, and providing essential resources for success in the English-language music scene.

Panelists include: Umer Durrani, Agent, Digital Media at WME; Jashima Wadehra, CEO, Ode Consulting; and Gayathri Krishnan, Music Artist. Natasha Samtani will introduce the panelists.

Event: March 10, 2025

Panel: The Rise of South Asian Talent & How the West Can Embrace It. 10:00 – 11:00 AM CT, Austin Convention Center, Room 18AB

Music Showcase: Soundvilla presented by South Asian House, 7:30 PM, Flamingo Cantina, 515 6th St., Austin, TX

Founded in 2023 by independent producers Monika Varma Samtani (Ms. Media) and Rohi Mirza Pandya (Box Office Guru Media), the South Asian House is dedicated to celebrating South Asian stories and fostering connections in entertainment.