Every SXSW, the Chronicle‘s art czar looks at the Music staff and scratches his head. What icon will represent another local grouping of music festival showcasers we’ve deemed a “Pick 2 Click”? My favorite remains the light switch, but the guitar pick was, of course, a natural. Really, though, what type of logo best represents Austin acts deserving of greater music industry exposure through SXSW? This year’s Magnificent Seven and/or Wild Bunch – whichever you prefer – have plenty in common with previous selections in that we look for relatively fresh faces that are already connecting with local audiences even though the accolades have yet to pour in. This year’s septet comes off especially diverse, from the Heart of Darkness rock of the Black Angels to LZ Love’s heartfelt and powerful brand of R&B and the pair of Hot Club of Cowtown offshoots burning up River City’s alter ego, Swing Town. What represents these acts’ recipe for success? An amplifier? All you have to do is turn it on…

This article appears in March 3 • 2006.

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San Francisco native Raoul Hernandez crossed the border into Texas on July 2, 1992, and began writing about music for the Chronicle that fall, debuting with an album review of Keith Richards’ Main Offender. By virtue of local show previews – first “Recommendeds,” now calendar picks – his writing’s appeared in almost every issue since 1993.