Sphynx - "Sha Dynasty": SXSW 2012 Showcasing Artist

Cory Dennis, Todd Harris, and Aaron Miller's first glimpse of success came in high school with The El Guapos, an indie-rock outfit that disbanded after three years of packed Austin venues, a capacity performance at the 2009 NAMM SXSW-Underage showcase, and a botched European record deal. While Miller and Harris studied at The University of Texas, Dennis honed his recording and production skills, founding Indie Fort Studios and receiving acclaim for his work with award-winning baroque-pop group, Mother Falcon. The three remained best friends and it wasn't long before they embarked on another musical project, this time experimenting with pop and electronic music. They called it Sphynx.

Propelled by several Austin artist collectives, Sphynx's debut single, "Razberry Wine," was released on two local compilations and picked up by University of Texas radio station, KVRX. Sphynx gained momentum with the February 2011 release of their debut EP, 'Human Beast.' Critics applauded the EP's "elaborate synth pop," and proclaimed that "here we've got a new breed, sharing a pedigree with Passion Pit and early MGMT" who "recycles a bit of history and puts a bit of soul to their songs." During the summer of 2011, 'Human Beast' charted in the top 30 on radio stations in Canada, Alaska, New York, Michigan, Florida, California, Louisiana and Texas. In September 2011, Sphynx was a featured artist on the website of nationally syndicated radio program, Loveline. The three continued to navigate their way through the world of music and in December of 2011, Sphynx released a full-length version of 'Human Beast,' in Japan on Thistime Records (The Posies, Mercy Mercedes, Tigercity). The album consists of the EP in it's entirety along with Sphynx's October 2011 single, 'Sha Dynasty' and 'Orbs,' a song that has not yet been released in the US.

Sphynx has racked up performances across the United States that include a 2011 showcase at The 35 Conferette Music Festival (along with Dr. Dog, Big Boi, Local Natives, Gayngs), several SXSW 2011 day parties, and supporting spots for popular acts like Wavves, Maps and Atlases, Holy Fuck, White Denim, Peelander-Z, and The Octopus Project. When they're not in the studio working on their upcoming album, Sphynx can be found balancing on their instruments inside a cramped SUV, playing shows everywhere they can, and sharing a hotel beds intended for one person. It only works because they're best friends.

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[LaLaLoopsy919]

LOVE YOU MISS KURTENBACH!!! <3 Hahaha this band is epic!! :D ps from some 8th graders;P

[geniusette]

Epic! i agrees with ppnprox, thanks miss k!

[ppnprox]

THANKU MISS KURTENBACH FOR SHOWING US THIS BAND! <3

[Sphynxmusic]

@RomeoVonDyk thanks for the kind words! 'Sha Dynasty' and our last EP, 'Human Beast' are free on our website/facebook (sphynxmusic(dot)com) if you ever feel like digitally passing them out!

[RomeoVonDyk]

I said the same thing about lady gaga's "just dance" a couple months b4 it got popular.. and i quote "This song is gonna be everywhere in 3wks-2months" :) I wish i had ep's to pass out, portland, OR. would eat this song up like thanksgiving dinner!

[CalebSmithLive]

U GUYS R AWESOME!!! next step MAINSTREAM!

[Sphynxmusic]

@hzezula thanks hayden!!



[hzezula]

Congrats Sphynx bros!

[xlipiu]

nice style