Award for biggest SXSW earworm goes to Austin, Texas’ MISSIO. I watched singer/songwriter Matthew Brue and producer/instrumentalist David Butler perform this song live on Saturday morning at KGSR’s SXSW morning show. I’ve been humming it (in cars, restaurants, and my sleep) ever since.
MISSIO is latin for “mission.” What began as a private project for Brue has now shifted into the spotlight. The duo’s single “Middle Fingers” is getting picked up by more radio stations by the hour. If you haven’t heard it yet, you will. The song’s clear call to action is unmistakable.
I’m intrigued by the sounds created by both of these shadowy men. Their unhumorous approach to music is startling. Listening to them perform felt like being drenched in ice water-- sobering. I want more.
“Welcome to my cage, little lover. … Let's go up in flames, pretty lady,” Brue sings. Someone get me a blanket.
Also worth mentioning, the last line of their bio reads: “May you hear these songs and be inspired to find purity in the things that are broken.”
We’ll keep both ears tuned to MISSIO in the coming months. Their project Loner is due out later this year.