Wakarusa 2014 - 2 of 3

-some people embraced last year's Swamparusa

Wakarusa has now released two-thirds of their lineup and it is looking amazing.  Still a lot of repeats, but these include a lot of the best performers the festival has ever had.  To help you endure these many cold winter months before Waka 2014, they've created another Spotify playlist: Waka2014 Round 2

Here is a description of each band on the second lineup release.  Don't just take my word for it, listen to them all, because there are lots of good ones, even down in the fine print.  But here's a guide to get you started.

Bassnectar
Lorin needs no introduction to anyone the least bit familiar with electronic music. His hard hitting beats start with a lot of drum and bass, but his free flowing form will incorporate all styles of electronic dance music.  He was there as the modern EDM movement was born and pulled in fans from all genres of music.  His shows are particularly nostalgic for us Lincoln people.  He started playing shows here that would draw a crowd of 30.  Since then he's played to crowds 1000 times bigger than that!

The Flaming Lips
No matter how great the lineup, The Flaming Lips is one act that always stands out. Their always evolving shows feature more craziness and wonder than can ever be put into words. From Wayne Coyne's giant hamster ball that he rides out into the audience, to an army of teletubbies, to swinging a baby around by the umbilical cord, this is my number one show to see this year. In my last post, I said Michael Franti & Spearhead is what Waka is all about. And that's true, but if MF&S is about the people, The Flaming Lips is about the magic of Wakarusa. Their wild psychedelic rock show could go in any direction, so don't miss it!

John Butler Trio
This years obligatory adult contemporary band. They do have a ton of fans, so I'll probably get a lot of flak for this review...but at least it's not Jack Johnson.

Rusko
A dubstep DJ, not as hard hitting as Bassnectar. Relies more on technique and melodies, but there is some good wompiness in there too.

Xavier Rudd
Folky with a slight tropical/reggae sound. Most of his music tends towards the acoustic, but a he has a couple faster, more rocking songs too.  Xavier sings with a soft accent that works well with the relaxing music.  It's a nice mellow listen whether he's playing his harmonica or his didgeridoo.

Walk off the Earth
This band first started getting famous for playing song covers on YouTube, especially Gotye's 'Somebody that I used to Know'. Their style is reggae based but they have an epic pop sound that incorporates many other influences.  The band has both a guy and girl singers, and both sound great.  This allows for them to do a lot of covers, but they have some good originals as well.  They create their wide range of style with a lot of different instruments, or they'll go without and the whole band will sing a Capella.

Wookiefoot
Last week, as I was listening through the first lineup release, I had a thought: how long til we have a reggae/bluegrass blend? Well as far as that goes, here is something that goes way beyond anything I could have imagined.  Wookiefoot tends towards being a reggae band, but in addition to some bluegrass, they throw in some pretty legit hophop as well.  And then I keep listening and I hear some Celtic music, complete with bagpipes!  Then a couple songs later and there's even a bit of wompy electronic.  The common theme on these lists have been blending genres, but this band is ridiculously good at it.  I'll be seeing them on the mountain, for sure.

Iration
Iration has some pretty catchy reggae songs.  They have a straight up modern sound with a choppy ska beat.  The tunes are nice and upbeat, a touch of alternative rock, but more reggae than not. They, like the next band, are from Hawaii, but Iration has since relocated to California.

The Green
Another reggae band, The Green's style is a little bit smoother and flowing.  There is much less of a prominent ska beat, compared to Iration.  Iration might be said to have more of the California reggae style (though likely they developed that style before moving there), whereas The Green has more of the flowing tropical sound associated with Hawaiian music.

Murder by Death
Murder by Death is sort of a post grunge indie rock band.  But that doesn't quite tell you enough.  Their music is haunting and the singer is gritty; maybe it's more like a old western saloon rock sound. The band includes a violin, which is pretty unique for a rock band like this, and it adds a very wistful and gothic tone to their music.

HeRobust
I think this would fall under the category of trap music. It's like drum and bass, though not as hard hitting.

The Floozies
Sort of a DJ jam band combo. They mix other songs, but they'll also play some instruments, like an electric guitar, for some pretty groovy tunes.  It's chill and danceable at the same time.

The Mogli's
This is some catchy and upbeat indie rock.  It  has a beat like you might find in some late 90s alternative rock band.  It's all about making friends and creating memories.  The lead singer has a lot of energy in his voice which should translate to a lively show.

Robert Delong
Robert Delong makes his own style of techno rock.  The beat is very much electronic, kind of wompy house music.  He makes all of the music himself, so there aren't any other instruments.  His singing is more of an alternative rock sound.  Unlike so many other musicians who attempt this combination, he actually pulls it off well without sounding cheesy.

The Revivalists
These guys have a dusty alternative rock sound, but their style is really hard to pin down.  Some songs are mellow, some a little bit of western style with sliding guitar and harmonica.  Some songs use horns; another is more of an exciting space rock jam. Good sounds all around, and my favorite new discovery from this lineup release.

Gigamesh
Gigamesh mixes technopop style music.  It's very disco, quite funky, and exceedingly dancy.  He is a DJ, but you can't tell when you're listening to the music.  He mixes songs so that it sounds like it was created by a band.

Orgone
This funky band will rock out instrumentals reminiscent of the 70s and 80s.  Just when you're getting into their grooves, their singer joins them on stage. She blasts out some soul singing that is absolutely amazing.  You'll forget which decade you're in when you get lost in their funkiness.

Random Rab
This is some easy chill electronic music.  It's a pretty style of music with some ambient singing on most of the tracks.  It is nice and relaxing but at the same time slightly psychedelic.  It's the kind of thing you save on your iPod because you know there will be a point when this will be the absolute perfect music for your mood.

Fortunate Youth
This is a reggae band with a choppy ska beat style.  They're more roots (traditional reggae) than some of the other reggae bands on this list, though they will still break out a little bit of electric guitar.  They use a keyboard to help create their choppy beats, instead of relying only on guitar.

Andy Frasco and the UN
Andy Frasco sounds a lot like one of the first bands I reviewed for this blog- Here Come the Mummies.  He has the rough sensual voice and the band features a funky sax and horn section.  He's my new guess as to the mysterious band members of The Mummies.  Either way, his fast paced music is entertaining and he is sure to put on a fun show.  Definitely another band I hope to check out.

Ill-Esha
I think this also falls under the category of trap.  However this is more melodic than some of the other trap music I've heard.  A slower pace, some glitch. I wasn't too sure about the genre, but I've always been quite sure that if you look into a genre enough, you will always find good music.  However, she blends a lot of styles, and is considered one of the pioneers of glitch hop (glitch + trap music).  She mixes some unique songs, like one with a lot of string instruments.

Govinda
Govinda creates a worldly ambient sound.  There are a lot of different styles in the individual songs.  Some are predominantly dubstep, some chilltronic, and more.  It is worldly, in the sense that he mixes in tracks from foreign styles of music, specifically Indian tunes.  He also is a classically trained violinist, and uses the instrument frequently.  But where other artists (ie Lindsey Stirling) use the violin for it's intensity, Govinda uses it more for style; it's a compliment to the music instead of the focus.

Tourist
Tourist makes a dreamy, pretty electronic music. It's definitely a good music to chill with, but not a lot of variation in style.

The Magic Beans
This is a folk acoustic band.  They play a lot of covers, or at least the album on Spotify appears to be a cover album.  However, based on the songs they have available on their website, they're much more of a jam band without very much singing.  Might have to assume they got the wrong band on the playlist, so we'll say this is a funky jam band.

Fruition
Fruition is a folky bluegrass band.  The bluegrass side is kind of dampened and the banjo player is not as prominent as the acoustic guitar.  The band features a girl and guy singers, both are strong folky singers and are best when singing together in the same song.

The Silent Comedy
This is a folky rock band with a lot of energy.  Sometimes they play with a bit of a vaudeville/Americana style sound.  They include a wide variety of instruments, so they touch a lot of different genres.  Apparently they are known for putting on shows with a lot of excitement and energy, which has gained them some devoted fans.  Will probably be a good band to check out.

Manic Focus
There are a lot of electronical blends here.  There is some pretty funk chilltronic, some drum and bass that alternates with nice melodies, and a lot of other styles.  It's weird how he pulls off a chill dubstep sound.  His tracks are well crafted, maybe the best new DJ that I've found on the Waka lineup releases.  A good reminder why one should check out the bands in the fine print.

ProbCause
A hip hop DJ with glitchhop beats.

Caroline Rose
She is a bluesy folk-country singer.  Her tunes tell a story and she's got some of that country outlaw attitude.  This gritty Americana will please anyone who likes a strong female singer/songwriter.

Wheeland Brothers
This band is clearly trying to emulate Sublime.  The lead singer tries very much to sound like Bradley with his inflections and sound effects.  They don't shy away from comparing themselves to others, but it's not Sublime they talk about.  They self-describe as sounding more like "the new Sugar Ray".  Any fans of the Cali punk-reggae style needs to give these guys a listen.

Indubious
Indubious is more of a dub style reggae band compared to other bands announced.  Reggae dub is, basically, reggae with electronica (I could go into the history and evolution into dubstep...but you all have access to Wikipedia).  While heavy on the dub, they still maintains some of the traditional roots reggae.  A nice mixture and a must listen for any reggae fans.




There are a lot of great bands here for you to check out.  Start listening to these acts now, and you will be glad you did so you join the band and sing out your favorite new songs at Wakarusa 2014.

So who are your favorite new discoveries?

Wakarusa 2014 - 1 of 3

The first section of Wakarusa bands were announced last week.  A lot of these bands have been there before, but there are a lot of good acts down in the fine print, so even if you've seen the headliners before, there are many reasons to go back.  Wakarusa was so kind as to link a spotify playlist with a couple songs from each of the bands.  From there, it's easy to go into the band's profile and listen to whatever albums they have available.

So here are some 'mini-reviews' of the first third of the bands that will be at Wakarusa.  You should definitely check out these bands for yourself, but here's a guide to get you started.  If you have spotify, you can simply click here to listen to Waka 2014 Round 1.

Sound Tribe Sector Nine (STS9)
These veterans of the festival circuit are extremely popular and have a lot of obsessive fans.  It's funny because a lot of people don't get into this band until they see them live.  Then they're hooked. This electronic jam band should not be confused with the type of techno that comes from a DJ. Having multiple musicians creates a layered sound that is intense and relaxing at the same time.  Their jams combine a lot of electrical elements that are blended too well to stand out.  Considering all of their shows got rained out last year, they will undoubtedly play two or three sets at Wakarusa.

Umphrey's McGee
These guys have a bit of funk, slightly psychedelic and alternative jam bandy sound.  In other words, they blend a lot of styles.  Like STS9, these guys have toured a lot and have collected a large following at festivals.  You might have noticed the countless posts on Waka's Facebook page asking for these first two bands.  They have some great guitar playing and get into some pretty lengthy jams.  In many respects, they are a modern Grateful Dead.  Look for them to play a couple sets and it certainly wouldn't be unusual for them to join STS9 on stage.

Lettuce
This is one funky band.  They play mellow grooves that are mostly instrumental, but every few songs might have lyrics.  To create their jazzy sounds, they incorporate a lot of sax and horns, complimented with keyboards and guitars.

Michael Franti & Spearhead
In many ways, Michael Franti is what Wakarusa is all about.  Coming together to have fun and to create a culture where we all care for each other.  There is no ignoring the problems of the world with this guy, but just when he has you on the verge of tears, he'll break out a song to remind you that it's a still a great world when we all get together to make it that way.  His reggae based music combines a lot of rock, some hip hop, and even a little bit of electronic.  When performing live, he gets the crowd going like no other.  He'll take his guitar and run out among the people and make it absolutely impossible to leave with anything but a happy feeling.

Dr. Dog
This is a bluesy southern rock band.  The singer has a rough but charming voice that also gives them a bit of a folky sound. They've been around for over a decade and have played Waka before, so definitely a band to check out.

Papadosio
They are kind of like STS9 but way more chill.  While still relying on electronic quite a bit, their jams are a bit more spacey and relaxing.  They have vocals the flow seamlessly between jams.

Cherub 
This duo is sort of a glam technopop group.  They have some good songs but kind of cheesy sometimes.  Not that I mean that in a bad way - they pull it off.  They use a high pitched singer who is supported by distorted backup vocals.

Boombox 
Another must see for sure.  These duo plays smooth jazzy electronic and prides itself on being able to read the crowd.  They call themselves rock & roll, because labels just don't do them any justice.  Their funky jams flow well with the lead singers voice.  Really, his voice is just another funk producing instrument that adds another layer to their suave tunes.

Moon Taxi
They create a style of dreamrock that has a touch of the pixies' influence.  They are mellow and very easy listening.  This is the first band on the list that I wasn't familiar with and I'm definitely happy to have discovered them.

Turnpike Troubadours
This is a country band.  They use a lot of the fiddle and a bit of banjo.  Not to be skipped over just because they're country, but they play with a lot of traditional country style.

Nicki Bluhm and the Gamblers
Another country band, this time with a female singer.  She's got a little bit of soul and a little bit of outlaw attitude.

Alvin Risk
Dubstep. What was that chipmunks last name? I ask because most of this guys songs distort the singers voice until it sounds like a chipmunk.

The Knocks
This group mixes whole songs, usually containing lyrics, with a heavier beat.  The electronic combination is usually some sort of house or trance.  It's decent; makes for some exciting tunes and allows for a lot of different styles of music to be 'electronicized', but you can only take this style so far.

Phutureprimitive 
Psychedelic techno that rivals Shpongle.  But where Shpongle is mostly tribal/worldly sounds, this is more of an industrial and glitch style that fades in and out with pretty melodies.  He's really good at messing with your brain by creating layers and layers of constantly shifting tracks.

Break Science
A bit wompy.  There are a lot of dubstep musical technique but it might be too slow to be considered dubstep.  One tends to head bob back and forth while listening.

ill.gates
He plays some glitchy dubstep.  There are some interesting tracks and he has some unique musical techniques.

The Hood Internet
This is a hip hop mixing DJ, will use different background electronic beats, some mellow, some more dubstep style.

Moon Hooch
They have a couple sax players and a percussionist, and thats it.  Each sax is a different kind (maybe alto and baritone? Not sure which types).  It's catchy and fun and moves at a quick pace.

Leagues 
Some mellow indie rock.  The lead singer sounds like the guy from Edward Sharpe, but the tunes are much less hipstery, good stuff.

Wild Child
Girl/guy duets that is very sweet sounding.  They're kind of an Of Monsters and Men imitation, but even more hipstery.

Uncle Lucius
Melancholy southern rock sound.  His songs tell stories and are heavy with metaphors.  A lot of traditional southern rock guitar, but is supplemented with a sax. Some songs get heavier on the blues or southwestern country styles.  Another band I hope to check out.

Mountain Standard Time
They have an alternative bluegrass style, though the banjo player isn't very prominent considering they're mostly bluegrass.  Most of the songs are pretty choppy tunes and feature a few heavy piano solos.  The lead singer has a mellow voice that evens out their sound.

Mountain Sprout
This is the band that really got me listening to more bluegrass.  They're hilarious, vulgar, scurvy, redneck hippies.  Their own words, not mine. The song 'Screw the Government' is awesome.  You should check out this dirty bluegrass, even if you think you don't like that banjo music.  Their fiddle player is as great as he is dirty, and trust me, he is shabby.

Dirtfoot
Rough hippy southern rock.  Good stuff;     Considering the style of music, it seems odd, but they have a heavy use of sax and xylophone and it works very well.  Gives the southern rock style an exciting mood. They have some banjo but wouldn't quite be considered bluegrass.  The singer's scratchy voice contrasts the sax quite well.

Mike Dillon
He plays instrumentals that sound like they should be in commercials or movies.  The songs feature a variety of instruments.  The few songs with lyrics are just weird and kind of awkward.

Rusty Shakle
This is sort of a pop punk of bluegrass.  It's catchy and cleaner.  Sometimes they're using more of a violin than fiddle (they're the same instrument, just different ways of playing) and the violin even gets a bit celtic sounding at times.  Definitely not a bad thing, but probably not for purists...then again, if you're a purist you're probably one of those people bitching on waka's fb page all the time.  They're certainly not afraid to throw in some random instruments once in awhile, so worth checking out.

Treetop Flyers
This band is mostly on the acoustic side.  It's mellow and very folky with a bit of classic rock.  The singer sounds a little older and gives the tunes a more authentic sound.

Thriftworks 
Very downtempo glitchhop (glitchy techno, ambient, experimental).  Most of the tracks have lyrics, but the voices get very distorted.  Interesting but not all that exciting.

Buku 
I'm not even sure how to describe it.  Not sure what type of electronica this would be considered.  It has some elements of trance, but it's slower, almost a bit glitchy, a lot of weird repetitive sounds, gets pretty old fast.
(edit: My friend Chad informs me this is trap music, electronic that evolved from the southern rap and 'getting crunk' style)

Up Until Now
Also hard to describe, but in a good way.  They combine a lot of styles, but it's too melodic for dubstep, too smooth to be glitch, not terrible enough to be trance.  This group features David Murphy from STS9, and there are some similar styles, so definitely check out if you like those guys.




So what bands are you most excited to see on this lineup?  What new bands have you discovered that you're most excited to see?