Anytime I hear Ghostland Observatory's "Sad Sad City," particularly the opening, I think of roller skating. (I'm a retired elementary school speed skater from the mid-'80s; it's in my blood.) Initially I didn't really get the connection, but upon further inspection I realized it had to be the '70s style sound effects and bouncy drums.

This nontraditional duo ("not a band but an agreement between two friends" ) were the talk of this year's SXSW, playing countless day- and after-parties aside from their official showcase. And even before SXSW took the city by storm, Austin's music scene had been atwitter over the electronic rockers who choose to focus on delivering stellar live shows rather than catching the eye of some big-wig record exec. Frontman/guitarist Aaron Behrens and electronic guru Thomas Turner have created two successful albums, their 2005 debut "delete.delete.i.eat.meat" and most recently "Papparazzi Lightning," on Turner's own label, Trashy Moped Recordings. Spin magazine recently highlighted their quirkiness as one of the "breaking out" bands for the summer. And to top it all of, they've got a load of festival shows lined up, including Lollapalooza, Monolith, Austin City Limits Festival, Voodoo Music Experience and Vegoose.

I predict these guys are the next big thing to escape this music bubble--they're already mid-flight.