Band of Horses

www.bandofhorses.com

My love for Band of Horses was an accident. I mentioned in my Andrew Bird post that I had waited hours at Bonnaroo to catch his set. Just as I was getting ready to leave to meet up with friends at Snoop Dog's set, Band of Horses came on. I was already front and center, so I figured what the hell. I was familiar with some of their material, so I decided to stay for one song. Then one song became a few songs. Then a few songs became their entire show. I was mesmerized.

Originally just "Horses", Band of Horses is an indie rock band with heavy southern country influences. Their second album, Cease to Begin, has some of my absolute favorite songs. I'm embarrassed to admit that I have yet to purchase Infinite Arms, which was released this past May, but once I stop being so broke, I'm going to get to it, and you should, too.

[MP3] Ode to LRC - Band of Horses
[MP3] The General Specific - Band of Horses
[MP3] Detlef Schrempf - Band of Horses

No One's Gonna Love You - Band of Horses

Official Website
Myspace

2011 Music Festivals

Listening to music is one of my favorite pastimes, but nothing can top a live show. Fortunately, for music lovers like me, there are a lot of awesome music festivals each year.

Bonnaroo

Located in a massive field in Manchester, TN, Bonnaroo is one of the most popular music festivals each year. People from all over the country roadtrip to the festival, and spend four glorious days listening to great bands, camping out with friends, basking in the sun, and, in many cases, doing tons of drugs. If you hate showering, washing your hands in a sink, and using clean toilets, this is the festival for you! The festival is June 9-12, 2011. The pre-sale begins on Black Friday, November 26th, at noon, at start at $209.50. Keep in mind that the lineup won't be out for months, but as a former Bonnaroo-attendee, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
Bonnaroo Website

Sasquatch
Out of all of the music festivals that took place last year, I stand firm in my belief that Sasquatch had the best lineup of them all. Located in Quincy, WA at The Gorge Amphitheater, Sasquatch brings you the ultimate indie lineup that would make any music-lover squirm. Unfortunately, it isn't so easy finding a pal willing to make the trek to Washington, so that might be an issue. But if you can convince someone to tag along, the festival is May 27-30, 2011, and tickets start at $295.
Sasquatch Website

SXSW
The great thing about SXSW is it isn't just a music festival. It is also a film and interactive media festival, also known as an entertainment and social media guru's dream. I've never been myself, as college life tends to get in the way, but I recommend you check this out if you have a break. The music portion is March 16-20 and starts at $595. Located in Austin, TX, I have to assume that this is a great festival - everything's bigger there, right?
SXSW Website

Pitchfork Festival
The dates for Pitchfork Music Festival 2011 have yet to be released, but if you have ever visited their website, you know it will be well-worth the wait. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this festival cannot be missed. You can expect dates in mid-July.
Pitchfork Festival Website

Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza can be thought of as the more tame Bonnaroo. With the luxury of staying in a hotel, and having the option to bathe, many people choose Lollapalooza, located in Chicago, for the hygiene. The lineup tends to overlap a little with Bonnaroo and Sasquatch, so keep an eye out for which makes the most sense for you. The dates are August 5-7, 2011, but that is all the information that has been released.
Lollapalooza Website

Musikfest
As a student at Lehigh University, I am embarrassed to say I have yet to attend a Musikfest. Each year ArtsQuest puts on a festival with a bunch of big and local artists. This upcoming Musikfest will be August 5-14, 2011, but the lineup has yet to be released. If you're a student in Bethlehem, PA, or you're willing to make the drive, I have heard that this is a great festival.
Musikfest Website

Bon Iver/Daytrotter

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Now that the weather is starting to take a turn for the worse, I feel the need to listen to my favorite winter band on repeat: Bon Iver. Justin Vernon, singer-songwriter of Bon Iver from Wisconsin, spent a winter literally locked in a cabin, alone, and wrote For Emma Forever Ago. This album is not your typical sad-dude-with-an-acoustic-guitar-whining type of album. This is an incredible record that not only fills you up with emotions, but puts you in that cabin right beside Vernon. You feel the isolation, the cold, and it's fucking beautiful.

Since the release of For Emma Forever Ago in 2008, Bon Iver put out a four-song EP called Blood Bank, Vernon and others joined to make a mediocre album as Volcano Choir, and Bon Iver has been mashed up with the likes of Kanye West.

To say I love Bon Iver would be an understatement. As evidenced above, I fought my way to the front of their set at Bonnaroo two years back with thousands of people behind me. And let me tell you, what a killer show that was.

[MP3] Skinny Love - Bon Iver
[MP3] Re- Stacks - Bon Iver

Recently, I've stumbled upon an awesome website called Daytrotter. At Daytrotter, artists come in and re-record some songs, which are free for download. I highly recommend you check the website out. I've only known about it a few weeks now, and there are so many great bands I've discovered. Bon Iver did a session at Daytrotter in 2008 after the release of For Emma Forever Ago.

[MP3] Lump Sum (Daytrotter Session) - Bon Iver

Official Website
Daytrotter - Bon Iver Session
Myspace

Andrew Bird

http://troutli.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/andrew-bird-press.jpg

Andrew Bird is one of my absolute favorite artists, and is without a doubt one of the most unusual. My friend Vicky once name-dropped Bird, although she adamantly denies it, and I did some research. I decided he was pretty cool, but didn't give him a fair listen. It wasn't until Bird quite fortuitously came to Lehigh University my freshman year, that I realized the magnitude of his talent. He played a solo show, but still provided a full band sound. Using a looping technique, Andrew Bird layers his vocals, guitar, violin, etc., and creates his music - all by himself. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, I was so blown away. The second I left that show, I called everyone I knew to tell them about this guy. Two years later, I sat through 3 hours worth of sets at Bonnaroo just to get a good spot for Bird's performance. I am proud to report that I weaseled my 4'11" self to the front row - with thousands of people behind me - by the time Andrew went on!

Andrew Bird, professional vocalist, lyricist, violinist, guitarist, and whistler, is an indie-folk performer to be reckoned with. His voice is beautifully haunting, and his lyrics are smart, weird, and crafted to perfection. I almost lost it this summer when I found out that he released three albums on Rykodisc Records, where I interned, back in the 90s. I could go on and on about Andrew Bird, but you really just have to see for yourself. That means two videos, ladies and gentlemen!

Scythian Empires - Andrew Bird
Tables and Chairs - Andrew Bird

Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left - Andrew Bird


Tenuousness - Andrew Bird

Santigold

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/img/music2/santigold.jpg

Although I appreciate and listen to all kinds of music, you will rarely catch me listening to Hip Hop, in any form. Lucky for Santigold, she breaks out of the typical Hip Hop artist mold and turns it into so much more. Combining hip hop, new wave, indie, and electronica, Santigold is in a category all her own. I can't lie to you - some of her songs are down right weird. Most of her songs feel like a trip, and her robotic backup dancers during shows only magnify the feeling. She uses tracks that any artist could work with, and puts such a unique twist to it that you can't help but be intrigued. I saw her at Bonnaroo two years ago, and this singer-songwriter can put on quite a show. She writes, she sings, she raps, she dances, she produces - what can't Miss Santi White do?

Creator


Say Aha- Santigold
This next song isn't just Santigold - this is a conglomeration of some awesome, and very artists. There's no other way to explain it than to say this is a JAM.
Gifted - N.A.S.A. featuring Kanye West, Santigold, and Lykke Li

Delta Spirit

http://www.innewmusicwetrust.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Delta-Spirit-History-From-Below-2010.jpg

I've had a blogpost about this band on my radar for a while, and, with their Grey's Anatomy background music debut in tonight's season premiere, I have decided it is time! A friend introduced me to Delta Spirit about two years ago after the release of Ode to Sunshine. I definitely dug the album. You hear their influences from decades past immediately. They have a multifaceted sound, with layers of banjos, piano, horns, etc. Ode to Sunshine was a good listen, but I wasn't impressed until I saw them open for Nada Surf at The Trocadero in Philly a few months later. Delta Spirit is not just your run-of-the-mill indie alternative band. They have heart. Matt Vasquez, their lead vocalist, literally THANKS individual members of the audience in between lyrics. I have never seen a band so genuine. I loved the show so much that, at Bonnaroo the following summer, I trekked through a thunder and lightning storm, alone, to catch their set. I got lost for about 45 minutes on the way back, but you know what? I'd do it again to catch another Delta Spirit show.

Delta Spirit released History from Below this summer, and I bought it the day of its release. I still haven't decided which album I prefer, so I'll leave give you tracks from both records and let you decide for yourself.

Trashcan - Delta Spirit
Salt in the Wound - Delta Spirit
Bushwick Blues - Delta Spirit

DELTA SPIRIT "BUSHWICK BLUES" from Banner Gwin on Vimeo.