Confessions of a Festival Junkie July 2, 2016 04:34
The highlights of the festival season so far...
Music is my passion and as self confessed Festival Junkie I have seen my far share already this year.
From Field Days in Sydney (on the first day of the year) to Laneway, Auckland City Limits, Coachella, Bonnaroo and Firefly (all the way in the US state of Delaware) I have danced, stumbled and hauled myself across acres and acres of festival grounds to listen to the best and the brightest this season
The great thing with a 3-4 day festival is you get to see some amazing headline acts alongside some smaller, previously unknown artists who are still on their way up the lineup.
New artists bring something different to the mix, often their music is more intense, full of soul and emotion, or they have a vocal that is challenging or unique.
So if you are trying to discover new music, here are a few artists that are worth checking out if you have not listened to them before
I have included a couple of better known artists as well who have proven to bring something special to their live performance...one thing is for sure everyone here has me impressed!
FLIGHT FACILITIES
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Flight Facilities is an Australian electronic producer duo that also performs as Hugo & Jimmy. In 2009, they began mixing songs by other artists before crafting their own original material. The duo consists of Hugo Gruzman and James Lyell. Their debut album, Down to Earth was released in October 2014 and features prominent names in the industry such as Kylie Minogue, Emma Louise, Reggie Watts, Bishop Nehru, Owl Eyes, and Stee Downes.
Origin Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Disco, house, indie pop, electronic
Website flightfacilities.com
SHAKEY GRAVES
Flight Facilities is an Australian electronic producer duo that also performs as Hugo & Jimmy. In 2009, they began mixing songs by other artists before crafting their own original material. The duo consists of Hugo Gruzman and James Lyell. Their debut album, Down to Earth was released in October 2014 and features prominent names in the industry such as Kylie Minogue, Emma Louise, Reggie Watts, Bishop Nehru, Owl Eyes, and Stee Downes.
Origin Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Disco, house, indie pop, electronic
Website flightfacilities.com
SHAKEY GRAVES
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Shakey Graves (born Alejandro Rose-Garcia on June 4, 1987) is an Americana musician from Austin, Texas, United States.
His music is a cross between blues, folk and rock and roll – he performs at many large festivals and concert venues around the United States. Alejandro Rose-Garcia received his iconic stage name at Old Settler's Music Festival in 2007 after he and his friends jokingly gave each other Indian guide names over a campfire.
Birth name Alejandro Rose-Garcia
Born June 4, 1987 (age 29)
Origin Austin, Texas
Genres Americana
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Website http://www.shakeygraves.com/
ST. PAUL AND THE BROKEN BONES
Shakey Graves (born Alejandro Rose-Garcia on June 4, 1987) is an Americana musician from Austin, Texas, United States.
His music is a cross between blues, folk and rock and roll – he performs at many large festivals and concert venues around the United States. Alejandro Rose-Garcia received his iconic stage name at Old Settler's Music Festival in 2007 after he and his friends jokingly gave each other Indian guide names over a campfire.
Birth name Alejandro Rose-Garcia
Born June 4, 1987 (age 29)
Origin Austin, Texas
Genres Americana
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Website http://www.shakeygraves.com/
ST. PAUL AND THE BROKEN BONES
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St. Paul and The Broken Bones is a six-piece soul band based out of Birmingham, Alabama, United States, which formed in 2012. The band is composed of Paul Janeway (vocals), Browan Lollar (guitar), Jesse Phillips (bass), Andrew Lee (drums), Al Gamble (keys), and Allen Branstetter (trumpet). The band tours with both trombone and baritone saxophone as well. They have released one album and two EPs while touring internationally.
Origin Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Genres Southern soul, soul
Instruments Keyboard, bass guitar, guitar, drums, trombone, trumpet
Website stpaulandthebrokenbones.com
BOB MOSES
Origin Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Genres Southern soul, soul
Instruments Keyboard, bass guitar, guitar, drums, trombone, trumpet
Website stpaulandthebrokenbones.com
BOB MOSES
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Bob Moses is a Canadian electronic live act, originally from Vancouver, British Columbia.
The band experimented with different sounds, since Howie had a background in rock music and Vallance in trance music, they began to experiment and combine the electronic and alternative sounds together.
Origin Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Genres Electronic alternative dance
Website www.bobmosesmusic.com
WHILK & MISKY
Bob Moses is a Canadian electronic live act, originally from Vancouver, British Columbia.
The band experimented with different sounds, since Howie had a background in rock music and Vallance in trance music, they began to experiment and combine the electronic and alternative sounds together.
Origin Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Genres Electronic alternative dance
Website www.bobmosesmusic.com
WHILK & MISKY
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Some things are just meant to be. Whilk & Misky, for example. Nima and Charlie, to use their real names, met in November 2012. Within three months, they were living together, making music and tearing up the blogosphere with their first ever production, ‘Wing Clipper’. They’ve pursued an near-vertical upwards trajectory ever since – in short, it’s been a whirlwind.
Whilk & Misky’s music fuses Nima’s brooding electronics with Charlie’s pinwheeling guitar and throaty vocals to make something like you’ve never heard before, something from the previously uncharted interface of Techno, Folk, Electronica and the Blues. Nima explains how they chanced upon this unique sound. “I’m into soulless, really cold sounds and he is into really soulful lyrics, really tortured,” he says. “It’s the meeting of those two things.”
HALSEY
Some things are just meant to be. Whilk & Misky, for example. Nima and Charlie, to use their real names, met in November 2012. Within three months, they were living together, making music and tearing up the blogosphere with their first ever production, ‘Wing Clipper’. They’ve pursued an near-vertical upwards trajectory ever since – in short, it’s been a whirlwind.
Whilk & Misky’s music fuses Nima’s brooding electronics with Charlie’s pinwheeling guitar and throaty vocals to make something like you’ve never heard before, something from the previously uncharted interface of Techno, Folk, Electronica and the Blues. Nima explains how they chanced upon this unique sound. “I’m into soulless, really cold sounds and he is into really soulful lyrics, really tortured,” he says. “It’s the meeting of those two things.”
HALSEY
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Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, known by her stage name Halsey is an American singer and songwriter. She started songwriting at the age of 17. In 2014, she signed her first recording contract with Astralwerks and released her debut EP, titled Room 93. Her debut studio album, Badlands, was released in 2015.
Birth name Ashley Nicolette Frangipane
Born September 29, 1994 (age 21)
Washington, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Electropop
Occupation(s) Singer songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Website iamhalsey.com
M83
Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, known by her stage name Halsey is an American singer and songwriter. She started songwriting at the age of 17. In 2014, she signed her first recording contract with Astralwerks and released her debut EP, titled Room 93. Her debut studio album, Badlands, was released in 2015.
Birth name Ashley Nicolette Frangipane
Born September 29, 1994 (age 21)
Washington, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Electropop
Occupation(s) Singer songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Website iamhalsey.com
M83
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M83 are a French electronic music band led by Anthony Gonzalez and currently based in Los Angeles. Formed in 2001 in Antibes, France, it was initially a duo featuring Nicolas Fromageau. The band has released seven albums and two soundtracks, including the Grammy Award-nominated Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. Gonzalez and Fromageau parted ways shortly after touring their second album Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts. Gonzalez records primarily on his own, or with other artists only occasionally.
Origin Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Genres Synth pop, shoegaze, dream pop, post-rock, ambient
Website ilovem83.com
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS
M83 are a French electronic music band led by Anthony Gonzalez and currently based in Los Angeles. Formed in 2001 in Antibes, France, it was initially a duo featuring Nicolas Fromageau. The band has released seven albums and two soundtracks, including the Grammy Award-nominated Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. Gonzalez and Fromageau parted ways shortly after touring their second album Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts. Gonzalez records primarily on his own, or with other artists only occasionally.
Origin Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Genres Synth pop, shoegaze, dream pop, post-rock, ambient
Website ilovem83.com
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS
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Nathaniel David Rateliff is an American musician, singer and songwriter from Hermann, Missouri. Known for his folk-based, pensive songwriting, Rateliff has garnered attention with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, the soulful R&B combo he formed in 2013.
Birth name Nathaniel David Rateliff
Origin Hermann, Missouri; Denver, Colorado, United States
Genres Soul gospel folk rock indie folk blues rock
Website nathanielrateliff.com
ALUNA GEORGE
Birth name Nathaniel David Rateliff
Origin Hermann, Missouri; Denver, Colorado, United States
Genres Soul gospel folk rock indie folk blues rock
Website nathanielrateliff.com
ALUNA GEORGE
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AlunaGeorge are an English electronic music duo from London, consisting of Aluna Francis (vocals and songwriting) and George Reid (production and instrumentation).
Aluna's vocals have been described as "almost child-like" as well as being called "sugar sweet" and "emotionally soulful and heartwarming too". George's production combines sounds from bass, garage and dubstep.
The band use techniques of R&B and use "futuristic pop". The musical style has been described as "advanced minimalistic polyrhythmic beats" as well as "bashment, experimental hip-hop, '90's R&B and house".
Origin London, England
Genres Synthpop R&B UK garage Trip hop
Website alunageorge.com
ST GERMAIN
AlunaGeorge are an English electronic music duo from London, consisting of Aluna Francis (vocals and songwriting) and George Reid (production and instrumentation).
Aluna's vocals have been described as "almost child-like" as well as being called "sugar sweet" and "emotionally soulful and heartwarming too". George's production combines sounds from bass, garage and dubstep.
The band use techniques of R&B and use "futuristic pop". The musical style has been described as "advanced minimalistic polyrhythmic beats" as well as "bashment, experimental hip-hop, '90's R&B and house".
Origin London, England
Genres Synthpop R&B UK garage Trip hop
Website alunageorge.com
ST GERMAIN
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St Germain is the stage name of Ludovic Navarre, a French musician. His style has been described as being a combination of house and nu jazz music
His first album, released on 9 October 2015, was recorded with the participation of African musicians, the album features traditional Malian instruments such as kora, balafon and n’goni, that mingle with electric guitars, pianos, saxophones and electronic loops. The first single, “Real Blues”, sets the voice of Lightnin’ Hopkins to the beat of wild, fiery drums and percussion.
Origin France
Genres Acid jazz, nu jazz, downtempo, deep house
RHYE
St Germain is the stage name of Ludovic Navarre, a French musician. His style has been described as being a combination of house and nu jazz music
His first album, released on 9 October 2015, was recorded with the participation of African musicians, the album features traditional Malian instruments such as kora, balafon and n’goni, that mingle with electric guitars, pianos, saxophones and electronic loops. The first single, “Real Blues”, sets the voice of Lightnin’ Hopkins to the beat of wild, fiery drums and percussion.
Origin France
Genres Acid jazz, nu jazz, downtempo, deep house
RHYE
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Rhye is an R&B musical duo based in Los Angeles, California. Its members are Canadian singer Milosh and Danish instrumentalist Robin Hannibal.
Milosh's high and sigh-like contralto androgynous vocals and the band's instrumentation are likened to those of British-Nigerian singer Sade and to those of Michael Franks and The xx
Origin Los Angeles-based Canadian/Danish duo
Genres Alternative R&B, downtempo, soul
CHRIS STAPLETON
Rhye is an R&B musical duo based in Los Angeles, California. Its members are Canadian singer Milosh and Danish instrumentalist Robin Hannibal.
Milosh's high and sigh-like contralto androgynous vocals and the band's instrumentation are likened to those of British-Nigerian singer Sade and to those of Michael Franks and The xx
Origin Los Angeles-based Canadian/Danish duo
Genres Alternative R&B, downtempo, soul
CHRIS STAPLETON
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Christopher Alvin "Chris" Stapleton is an American country and bluegrass musician and songwriter.[2][3] He is an established songwriter with six number-one songs
After serving as the frontman of The SteelDrivers from 2008 to 2010, Stapleton released his debut studio album Traveller in 2015, which earned him several awards, reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and went on to sell over 1.3 million copies domestically
Birth name Christopher Alvin Stapleton
Born April 15, 1978 (age 38) Lexington, Kentucky US
Origin Nashville, Tennessee, US
Genres Country bluegrass Southern rock outlaw country
Occupation(s) Musician songwriter
Instruments Vocals guitar
Website chrisstapleton.com
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
Christopher Alvin "Chris" Stapleton is an American country and bluegrass musician and songwriter.[2][3] He is an established songwriter with six number-one songs
After serving as the frontman of The SteelDrivers from 2008 to 2010, Stapleton released his debut studio album Traveller in 2015, which earned him several awards, reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and went on to sell over 1.3 million copies domestically
Birth name Christopher Alvin Stapleton
Born April 15, 1978 (age 38) Lexington, Kentucky US
Origin Nashville, Tennessee, US
Genres Country bluegrass Southern rock outlaw country
Occupation(s) Musician songwriter
Instruments Vocals guitar
Website chrisstapleton.com
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
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Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band, formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band comprises Ben Gibbard (vocals, guitar, piano), Nick Harmer (bass) and Jason McGerr (drums).
Death Cab for Cutie's music has been labeled as indie rock, indie pop, and alternative rock. It is noted for its use of unconventional instrumentation, as well as Gibbard's distinctive voice and unique lyrical style.
Origin Bellingham, Washington, United States
Genres Alternative rock, indie pop, indie rock
Website deathcabforcutie.com
THE FLOOZIES
Death Cab for Cutie's music has been labeled as indie rock, indie pop, and alternative rock. It is noted for its use of unconventional instrumentation, as well as Gibbard's distinctive voice and unique lyrical style.
Origin Bellingham, Washington, United States
Genres Alternative rock, indie pop, indie rock
Website deathcabforcutie.com
THE FLOOZIES
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The Floozies are producer/guitarist Matt Hill and drummer Mark Hill. These two brothers are bringing their fresh approach to electronic music and live performance to venues and festivals all over the country. The duo's combination of cutting edge electronic production and party rocking funk energizes crowds and turns venues into epic dance parties.
Genres Electro funk
MARIAN HILL
MARIAN HILL
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Marian Hill is an American songwriting duo from Philadelphia, made up of production artist Jeremy Lloyd and vocalist Samantha Gongol, heavily featuring improvisational jazz musician Steve Davit, debuting in 2013 with their first EP 'Play'. Their sound is a mixture of blues, jazz, heavy bass and delicate vocals
Marian Hill is an American songwriting duo from Philadelphia, made up of production artist Jeremy Lloyd and vocalist Samantha Gongol, heavily featuring improvisational jazz musician Steve Davit, debuting in 2013 with their first EP 'Play'. Their sound is a mixture of blues, jazz, heavy bass and delicate vocals
Genre Electro pop Indie pop
Website www.marianhillmusic.com
ELLIOT ROOT
ELLIOT ROOT
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Elliot Root is an American alternative music group based in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. After releasing two EP's ("II" & "Thoughts From Yesterday") in early 2015, the band has steadily become one of the most watched new acts in Nashville and the United States.
Elliot Root is an American alternative music group based in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. After releasing two EP's ("II" & "Thoughts From Yesterday") in early 2015, the band has steadily become one of the most watched new acts in Nashville and the United States.
Although Elliot Root calls Nashville home, its members — drummer Sean Trukowski, bassist Justin Smith, keyboardist Melissa Mattey, guitarist Todd Bond and Krueger — with the exception of Bond, hail from places as far away as Ohio, Wisconsin and Malaysia
Genre Indie rock
Website www.elliotroot.com
RUFUS
RUFUS
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Rüfüs (also known as Rüfüs du Sol in North America) is an alternative dance group from Sydney, Australia, that consists of Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt. Their debut album Atlas peaked at number 1 in Australia, while their second album Bloom debuted atop the Australian albums chart in early 2016.
Origin Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Indie dance, alternative dance, house
Website www.rufussounds.com
KALEO
Rüfüs (also known as Rüfüs du Sol in North America) is an alternative dance group from Sydney, Australia, that consists of Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt. Their debut album Atlas peaked at number 1 in Australia, while their second album Bloom debuted atop the Australian albums chart in early 2016.
Origin Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Indie dance, alternative dance, house
Website www.rufussounds.com
KALEO
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Kaleo is an Icelandic rock band, formed in 2012. The band consists of JJ Julius Son (vocals and guitar), Davíð Antonsson (percussion and vocals), Daníel Ægir Kristjánsson (bass guitar), and Rubin Pollock (guitar and vocals).
Kaleo's music is influenced by folk and blues.
Origin Iceland
Genres Indie pop rock folk blues garage rock
Website www.officialkaleo.com
ELLE KING
Kaleo's music is influenced by folk and blues.
Origin Iceland
Genres Indie pop rock folk blues garage rock
Website www.officialkaleo.com
ELLE KING
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Elle King (born Tanner Elle Schneider; July 3, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her musical style encompasses country, soul, rock and blues.
Los Angeles, California, United States
Origin New York City, New York, United States
Genres Blues rock,alternative country, rock
Occupation Singer songwriter actress
Instruments Vocals guitar banjo
Website elleking.com
Los Angeles, California, United States
Origin New York City, New York, United States
Genres Blues rock,alternative country, rock
Occupation Singer songwriter actress
Instruments Vocals guitar banjo
Website elleking.com
Leon Bridges
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Leon Bridges is an American gospel and soul singer from Fort Worth, Texas. He is best known for his song "Coming Home," which received regular airplay and was also a Top 10 Most Viral Track on Spotify. Bridges sings with the grace of Sam Cooke and his debut album sounds as warm and crackly as a salvaged 78. On record, the style of old-fashioned, high-trousered soul is almost alarmingly seamless. Live, backed by a six-piece band – featuring two Stetsons, one bolo tie and a throaty tenor saxophonist – Bridges parries any suggestion that Coming Home’s seductive gauziness was achieved by the post-production techniques....this is the real deal!!!
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
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Unknown Mortal Orchestra is an American and New Zealand rock band composed of kiwi singer, guitarist and songwriter Ruban Nielson, bassist Jake Portrait and drummer Riley Geare. Categorised simultaneously as Indie rock, psychedelic pop, R&B, garage rock and Lo-fi music they have achieved critical claim both internationally as well as here in New Zealand, but to understand you really just have to listen
Lord Huron
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Lord Huron is an American indie folk band based in Los Angeles. They are singer-guitarist Ben Schneider and his bandmates, bassist Miguel Briseno, guitarist Tom Renaud and percussionist Mark Barry.
The band’s name was inspired by Lake Huron, the lake which band founder Ben Schneider grew up visiting, and would spend evenings playing music around the campfire.
Lord Huron is fond of the concept album, creating music, artworks and videos to enhance and inform the whole. Each song tells a story, focusing on fictional characters who seem like heroes and heroines in a Western adventure series.
The band’s name was inspired by Lake Huron, the lake which band founder Ben Schneider grew up visiting, and would spend evenings playing music around the campfire.
Lord Huron is fond of the concept album, creating music, artworks and videos to enhance and inform the whole. Each song tells a story, focusing on fictional characters who seem like heroes and heroines in a Western adventure series.
Of Monsters and Men
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Of Monsters and Men has a hushed indie-folk tone, which makes the band that much more unique. The band has two lead singers, Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir and Ragnar Porhallsson, whose voices beautifully blend together. What makes them stand out is that they tell a story in every #song and their lyrics are very abstruse. You really have to enter into the magical world that they describe and visualize the concept
Glass Animals
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This is a new obsession...Glass Animals, a four-piece from Oxfordshire consisting of Dave Bayley, Drew MacFarlane, Edmund Irwin-Singer, Joe Seaward, who as happening new indie bands go, are more Alt-J than Oasis. There is a certain eccentric oddness to some of their music, but mainly it's intelligent, inventive, with a tendency to incorporate R&B sonics with an electronic vibe.
The Avener The Wanderings of the Avener
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The Avener is a multi-faceted, discrete and complex artist and is the most complex multilayered album since Moby Play
Combining his love for Deep House and Electro, but also his vintage influences from Rythm'n'Blues and Soul, The Avener re-works « The Fade Out Lines » by Phoebe Killdeer into a beautiful electronic journey, with a haunting and sexy melody, classy and unifying sounds. As soon as we hear the first note we are immersed into a Bluesy & Soul atmosphere. The Gibson brings the vintage color while the acoustic drum kit gives way to a deep beat that makes us want to dance. With vocals from Kadebostany, John Lee Hooker, Mazzy Star, Rodrigues among others this is the album of the moment
MØ No Mythologies to Follow
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Mø's music has been defined as "electro music with guts". Her work has been likened to various artists, including Siouxsie Sioux and Janet Jackson. . MØ stated to Billboard that she doesn’t strive for the mastered vocal “perfection” you hear from most mainstream artists; instead, she aims for a natural sound stressing the importance that they not be “too polished.”
Mø's music has been defined as "electro music with guts". Her work has been likened to various artists, including Siouxsie Sioux and Janet Jackson. . MØ stated to Billboard that she doesn’t strive for the mastered vocal “perfection” you hear from most mainstream artists; instead, she aims for a natural sound stressing the importance that they not be “too polished.”