It’s finally here. No, not the scorching heat or the high concentration of allergy-inducing pollen. Nope. People, it's festival season! We’re at that miraculous time of year where certain cities in America host the best and largest music festivals. Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, and Coachella: These are some of the heavy hitters. Each line-up showcases a different offering of musical goodness that will no doubt draw thousands upon thousands to each event. Festivals in themselves are magical entities. The entire atmosphere is devoted to trying to enjoy the music and the people that are participating. The heat, the fun, and the great stories made to be recounted later, all work to make a festival a memorable experience. So I thought why not make a mix to commemorate festival season? A little slice of what’s to come. Also, an opportunity for those of us who are lacking in the funds department to get a slice of the fun. For those more fortunate, this is simply a warm-up. Either way, enjoy!
First up is The Strokes. They just unearthed a much anticipated release ("Angles"), and are hitting up major festivals worldwide. They just played for thousands at this year’s SXSW in Austin, TX. Moreover the buddies of mine who saw them told me they have lost none of their swagger. My pick is an oldie (I figure everyone has heard Angles by now) but nonetheless a goodie:
Next on my mix is the lovely lady pop singer Robyn. From her wonderfully throaty voice, to her earnest lyrics, she has catchy songs which are the best to dance to. Robyn’s star status is only poised to grow, as she is a contender at all three of the heavy hitters this year. Here’s my booty shaking inducing pick:
Next are The Decemberists. A lovely indie-rock group that has been around for quite some time. Their latest release “The King is Dead” focused on an alt-country sound, more so than their previous efforts, but The Decemberists are never afraid to try something new. The album before last “The Hazards of Love” played like an intricate rock opera complete with a beautiful storyline. This is what makes them so special, their ability to evolve a story from song to song, letting the entire album become a message in itself. They are playing at Sasquatch Music Festival and Bonnaroo. My pick is an older track, but still showcases their storytelling abilities:
Smith Westerns just played a show at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix this past February. With vibrant guitar solos catchy riffs, Smith Westerns’ special brand of indie pop makes listeners crave more. They are playing at Bonnaroo and Sasquatch this year. My pick:
Though there are many great bands I wish I could put here, there are unfortunately spatial constraints. That being said my last pick goes to the delicious duo of Chromeo. Playing at Coachella and Sasquatch this year, they’ll no doubt use their indie-electronica sound to inspire the multitudes to get down. My pick (the eyeballs are creepy in this video, but hey, at least it’s creative):
Happy Festival Season!
