Applications to play the annual South by Southwest music festival next March in Austin, Texas, are open through Friday, but the fest has already announced a slew of bands who've been given slots to play.

Two Chicago bands have made the early cut:

Gypsyblood -- download their three-track EP here (highly recommended), featuring their stomping, careening post-Pavement rock, and see them next Friday (Nov. 12) on a Lincoln Hall bill opening for Fang Island.

Light Pollution -- returning to SXSW; check out the wavering vocals and Beach Boys-on-'ludes music of "Drunk Kids" and find their full-length CD "Apparitions" on iTunes etc.