CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE ACTS WE CAUGHT AT SXSW!
AUSTIN, TX- At SXSW this year, one of the most unexpected joys was stumbling upon the performance of NISATIWA X NOTEP—a collaboration I hadn’t planned on seeing, but one that quickly became a highlight of the day. That’s the magic of SXSW: wandering into a venue without expectation and leaving with a new favorite.
NISATIWA, comprised of Thai artists TONTRAKUL and Naris Sak, blends traditional Thai instruments like the saw-duang, saw-u, phin, and khaen with modern electronic, lo-fi, and hip-hop beats. Their music—sometimes described as “folktronica”—reinterprets the past with a distinctly contemporary lens. Add NOTEP (pronounced No-Tep) to the mix—a singer-turned-producer and passionate environmentalist—and the trio’s sound expands into thrilling new territory. With her expressive vocals and imaginative production, NOTEP weaves textures that range from jungle rhythms to eccentric acid-tinged grooves, creating a soundscape that feels both rooted and otherworldly.
Their SXSW performance was a joyful, genre-defying set that felt as much like a celebration as it did a concert. Midway through, TONTRAKUL leapt off the stage and into the crowd, playing his instrument with unbridled energy, fully immersed in the moment. It was the kind of spontaneous, electrifying gesture that pulls the audience into a shared experience. NOTEP, for her part, exuded charisma and warmth, drawing the crowd in with her presence as much as her voice. I hadn’t heard of them before stepping into that venue, but by the end of their set, I was completely captivated.
Beyond the musicality, there’s a deeper resonance to what NISATIWA X NOTEP are doing. Their collaboration is also a form of environmental activism. They’ve worked with Greenpeace Thailand to use their music as a platform to raise awareness about ecological issues, making their performances not only sonically rich but socially meaningful. You feel their commitment not only in the lyrics or multimedia elements but in the way the music itself seems to honor both nature and heritage.
NOTEP’s creative reach extends far beyond the stage. In addition to her work with NISATIWA, she’s also produced music for gallery installations and art spaces—projects that fuse sound, visual storytelling, and environmental consciousness. These multidisciplinary explorations reflect a desire not just to perform music, but to create immersive experiences that linger in the mind long after the sound fades.
As I stepped back out into the SXSW swirl of music and motion, I found myself grateful—not just for the music, but for the moment. Their set felt like a gentle reminder of why we come to festivals like this in the first place: to discover, to be surprised, and to connect with art that’s being made with passion and purpose.
Follow NOTEP on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Follow Nisatiwa on Facebook and Instagram.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE ACTS WE CAUGHT AT SXSW!
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LIVE CLIPS
