2015 Sasquatch! Lineup | Who’s Performing at Sasquatch?
The Seattle area’s premier music festival, Sasquatch!, is back for another year, bringing an eclectic mix of some of the hottest artists right now to The Gorge for Memorial Day Weekend. In addition to the huge headliners, Sasquatch! also features many up-and-coming Seattle-based artists. Check out the details on the full lineup below and be sure to leave us a comment telling us which acts you’re most excited to see at the Sasquatch! Festival this year.
2015 Lineup
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, better known as Kendrick Lamar, is a rapper and songwriter from Compton, California. He rose to popularity in 2010 with the release of his mixtape “Overly Dedicated,” and the following year his album “Section 80,” which he released exclusively through iTunes, ranked as one of the best digital hip hop releases of the year. His major-label debut “good kid, m.A.A.d city” debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. He received seven Grammy nominations in 2014, including Best New Artist, Album of the Year, and Best Rap Song.
Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters
Robert Plant, best known of course as the frontman of legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, is currently touring with his new band, the Sensational Space Shifters, which debuted in 2012. In addition to Plant himself, rounding out the band’s lineup are Liam “Skin” Tyson, Justin Adams, Billy Fuller, John Baggot, Dave Smith, and Juldeh Camara. (more?)
Modest Mouse
Formed in 1993, indie rock band Modest Mouse would grow to become one of the most successful acts of the 2000s. The band released a few albums before really hitting it big with their 2004 commercial breakthrough “Good News For People Who Love Bad News.” For their next album, 2007’s “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank,” they recruited former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr to record with them. Marr eventually became a full member of the band, touring in support of the record, although he ultimately left to join The Cribs. Modest Mouse hasn’t seen a whole lot of activity since then, other than releasing an EP in 2009 and playing a few shows here and there. However, they came back in full force in 2014 with the release of their latest single, “Lampshades On Fire.” Their long-awaited new album, “Strangers to Ourselves,” is the band’s first full-length since ’07, and it’s slated for release on March 17.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey used to perform under her given name, Lizzy Grant, before transforming into her alter-ego. The Del Rey persona not only changed her image to that of a sultry, old Hollywood-style songstress, but it brought her into the limelight as a sudden star with the internet popularity of her breakthrough single “Video Games.” Her debut album, “Born to Die,” was an international commercial success, selling millions of copies and topping the charts in several countries. Last year, Lana released her highly anticipated follow-up, “Ultraviolence,” and she is expected to release another record titled “Honeymoon” later this year.
Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams is one of the few alt-country artists out there who has achieved mainstream success. After the breakup of his band Whiskeytown, Adams made his solo debut in 2000 with his album “Heartbreaker,” which was met with rave reviews and an endorsement by the likes of Elton John. He continued to rise to fame with his follow-up album “Gold.” The album’s lead single, “New York, New York,” became an anthem in the aftermath of 9/11, and Adams found himself in the spotlight yet again. Throughout his career, he has released fourteen studio albums, most recently his self-titled effort in 2014. In addition to his own work, he has established himself as a prominent producer, having worked with artists like Willie Nelson, Fall Out Boy, and Jenny Lewis.
Of Monsters and Men
The indie folk five-piece Of Monsters and Men hails all the way from Iceland. Formed in 2010, the band centers around the talents of vocalists/guitarists Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir and Ragnar Thorhallsson, guitarist Brynjar Leifsson, bassist Kristjan Pall Kristjansson, and drummer Arnar Rosenkranz Hilmarsson. Of Monsters and Men first came into the spotlight in 2011 with their hit single “Little Talks,” which was getting international airplay and propelled them to fame. The next year, they released their debut album, “My Head Is An Animal,” which climbed the charts and sold over 2 million copies worldwide. Recently the band has been busy recording new material and is now anticipating a summer release for their sophomore record.
The Decemberists
Formed in 2000 in Portland, Oregon by frontman Colin Meloy, The Decemberists are known for making music with theatric grandeur, literary influence, and lush instrumentation. The group built up a substantial fan base in the first half of the decade before signing with major label Capitol Records in 2005, releasing their widely successful album “The Crane Wife” the next year. Over the last decade, The Decemberists have released several critically praised albums and enjoyed tremendous commercial success. The band went on hiatus for a few years, but came back together in 2014 to record their seventh studio album. The new record, titled “What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World,” was released in early 2015.
Tame Impala
Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala began as a bedroom recording project in 1999 when vocalist/guitarist Kevin Parker and bassist Dominic Simper were only 13. The duo was joined in 2007 by drummer Jay Watson, after which the band signed with Modular Records. The ’60s-inspired, fuzzy, psychedelic sound of their 2010 debut album “Innerspeaker” attracted international critical praise, and their follow-up effort, 2012’s “Lonerism,” was even more successful. Tame Impala is expected to release a highly anticipated third album later this year.
St. Vincent
St. Vincent is the stage name of indie darling Annie Clark, formerly of The Polyphonic Spree. Clark went solo in 2007 and soon became one of the biggest recent success stories in indie rock. Her impressive songwriting and art rock style eventually attracted the attention of Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, and the two released a collaborative album in 2012. Throughout her solo career, St. Vincent has been the subject of critical praise, with her albums topping year-end lists from publications like NME, Entertainment Weekly, and The Guardian. Having most recently been nominated for a Grammy Award, it’s safe to say that her trajectory is still headed upward.
James Blake
English singer-songwriter and electronic music producer James Blake came onto the scene in 2011 with the release of his smooth and soulful self-titled debut album, which was nominated for a distinguished Mercury Prize later that year. Although he didn’t win the Mercury Prize that year, he won in 2013 with his second album “Overgrown,” beating out acts like Disclosure and David Bowie. That album also earned him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2014. The 26-year-old has announced that his third studio album, titled “Radio Silence,” will be released sometime this year.
Flume
Flume is the stage name of Australian electronic musician Harley Streten. He released his debut self-titled album in 2012, which peaked at number 1 on Australia’s ARIA Albums Chart. The album and its lead single, “Holdin On,” earned him several nominations at the ARIA Music Awards in 2013, where he received wins in four categories, including Best Male Artist and Producer of the Year.
Spoon
Formed in 1993 in Austin, Texas by singer/guitarist Britt Daniel and drummer Jim Eno, Spoon really made a name for themselves with a series of successful and critically acclaimed albums in the early and mid-2000s. With catchy rock hits like “The Way We Get By” and “The Underdog” that were used in many movies and television shows, the band became a huge commercial success, and that exposure increased their fan base even more. In August, they released their eighth studio album titled “They Want My Soul,” which like all of their other works was received very favorably by critics, proving that even after a decade, they still have not lost their edge.
Chromeo
Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo formed in Montreal in 2002. The group consists of former hip hop producers David “Dave 1” Macklovitch and Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel. Thus far, Chromeo has released four studio albums, the most recent being 2014’s “White Women.”
Hot Chip
London-based electronic music outfit Hot Chip formed in 2000. Since 2004, the band has released five studio albums which have produced several successful singles. They were nominated for Britain’s prestigious Mercury Prize in 2006 and in 2009 received a nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for their song “Ready for the Floor.” Now, Hot Chip is back and ready to release their sixth studio album, “Why Make Sense?”
SBTRKT
SBTRKT is the music project of producer Aaron Jerome. He went with the name SBTRKT because he wanted to remove the idea that there was an individual behind the music, and to uphold that concept, the enigmatic musician always performs wearing a mask. He earned success for both his original singles and his remixes of songs from artists like M.IA. and Basement Jaxx. In 2014 he released his sophomore album called “Wonder Where We Land.”
Schoolboy Q
Before making it big, Schoolboy Q spent several years releasing underground mixtapes, the first of which caught the attention of none other than Kendrick Lamar and scored him a deal with Top Dawg Entertainment. Soon, Lamar and Schoolboy Q formed the group Black Hippy along with Jay Rock and Ab-Soul. In 2011, Schoolboy Q released his solo debut, “Setbacks.” He has since released two more albums and received three Grammy nominations.
The New Pornographers
In some ways, The New Pornographers can be considered a “supergroup,” with indie rock heavyweights like Carl Newman, Dan Bejar, and Neko Case as members. Formed in Vancouver in the late 1990s, the group has released six albums to date and their music has been the subject of much critical acclaim for the last 15 years. Their latest release, “Brill Bruisers,” was released in 2014 via their longtime label Matador.
The War On Drugs
In 2005, musicians Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile met in Philadelphia and formed the indie rock band The War on Drugs. Three years later they released their debut LP “Wagonwheel Blues” and embarked on a European tour. Following the album release and tour, Vile left the band to focus on his own music, and is now a successful solo artist. However, Granduciel stayed with The War on Drugs and despite a major lineup change the band continued to make music. They released their latest studio album, “Lost in the Dream,” in 2014.
The Glitch Mob
The Glitch Mob is an electronic music trio consisting of Ed Ma (aka ediT), Justin Boreta (aka Boreta), and Joshua Mayer (aka Ooah). The group built up a strong initial following in their home city of Los Angeles as well as along the West Coast, gaining attention with their live DJ sets and unique hip-hop-infused electronic sound. Eventually, The Glitch Mob emerged from the niche beat scene of Los Angeles and became more widely known, playing major festivals all over the country like Coachella and Lollapalooza. They released their second studio album last year, titled “Love Death Immortality,” which debuted at #13 on the Billboard 200.
Little Dragon
Swedish electronic quartet Little Dragon formed in Gothenburg in 1996. The group consists of vocalist Yukimi Nagano, drummer Erik Bodin, keyboardist Hakan Wirenstrand, and bassist Fredrik Kallgren Wallin. Named for Nagano’s nickname she received for throwing tantrums during the recording process, Little Dragon spent a whole decade as a band before releasing their eponymous debut album in 2007. The album included their hit single “Twice,” which was featured in several popular television shows, earning the group a lot of exposure and incredible commercial success. In 2010, Damon Albarn invited the band to contribute to Gorillaz’s album “Plastic Beach,” and they later joined the band on tour. Little Dragon released their fourth and latest studio album in 2014.
Gogol Bordello
New York City’s Gogol Bordello uniquely blends gypsy music with punk and other genres. Their music explores a vast array of cultural styles as diverse as the city they come from, and they are known for their lavish live sets and fantastic costumes. Formed in 2009, they initially built up a loyal following in NYC, eventually gaining more and more popularity to become as internationally popular as they are now.
ODESZA
ODEZSA is an electronic music duo from Seattle consisting of Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight. Mills and Knight formed the group in 2012 while they were still in college and released their music via the internet, when their songs rose to the top of Hype Machine’s popular chart. Their success earned them a spot touring with Pretty Lights, and a year later they released their most recent album, “The Return.”
Father John Misty
Singer/songwriter Joshua Tillman, also known as J. Tillman, currently performs under the name Father John Misty. Formerly a member of indie band Fleet Foxes, he left the band in 2011 but continues to make soft, folk-inspired music. In 2012 he released the album “Fear Fun” through Sub Pop Records.
Run the Jewels
What started as a one-off collaboration between noted rappers El-P and Killer Mike evolved into the hip hop superduo Run the Jewels. Shortly after a successful self-titled debut album, they released their sophomore album titled “Run the Jewels 2.” Both albums were met with huge success, and Killer Mike has stated that the duo is set to start working on “Run the Jewels 3” this year.
Jose Gonzalez
Swedish singer/songwriter Jose Gonzalez made his solo debut in 2003 after playing with several Gothenburg-based hardcore punk bands. His popularity extended beyond the borders of Sweden and into the rest of Europe before he hit it big stateside with his 2005 album “Veneer.” He has since earned a great deal of commercial success, having his music featured in several film and television projects. Gonzalez is also known for his acoustic covers of popular songs like The Knife’s “Heartbeats,” Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” and Massive Attack’s “Teardrop” among others. He recently released his third full-length, “Vestiges & Claws,” on Mute Records.
Jenny Lewis
Singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis is known as the lead singer of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, as well as for her career as a solo artist. Lewis is a former child actress, and she acted until 1998 when Rilo Kiley formed. In 2014 she released her latest album, “The Voyager,” her first solo record in six years. The album came as a product of a very difficult time in Lewis’ life, and its creation was very personal and intensely cathartic for the singer, but the end result was nonetheless a success.
Milky Chance
German duo Milky Chance is made up of Clemens Rehbein and Philipp Dausch. The pair first met in high school and played together in a local band, and later decided to carry on as just a duo and formed Milky Chance. Their catchy debut single “Stolen Dance” became a huge international hit after the band uploaded it to their YouTube page. The song gained millions of views and topped the charts in several countries, opening the door for sold-out tour dates and live television appearances. Milky Chance followed up the success of their single with their debut full-length, “Sadnecessary,” in 2013.
Twenty One Pilots
High school friends Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun formed Twenty One Pilots in 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. They put out two self-released albums before their grassroots efforts paid off and they signed with alternative rock label Fueled By Ramen. They released their first label-issued album called “Vessel” in 2013, and have since taken their rap-infused pop sound on tour internationally.
MO
Danish singer Mo first came into the spotlight in 2013 when she sang on Avicii’s track “Dear Boy” from the producer’s hit album true. She released her eagerly anticipated full length album “No Mythologies to Follow” in 2014. Her style can be described as electro-pop, and she cites bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Sonic Youth as influences.
Kiesza
Born in Canada and based in Brooklyn, Kiesza is a pop singer whose music combines elements of dance, house, EDM, and R&B. After attending Berklee College of Music in Boston on a scholarship, she moved to New York in 2010 to focus on her music career. She started out as a folk singer, but eventually found herself more drawn to dance music and gravitated towards that genre. In 2014, she released the hit single “Hideaway,” along with an impressive music video filmed in a single take. She followed that up with her debut full-length, “Sound of a Woman.”
Real Estate
New Jersey indie rock band Real Estate have been a consistent critical success, with three highly acclaimed albums full of warm, jangly, layered guitars and sun-soaked melodies. The band was formed in 2008 in the suburban town of Ridgewood, New Jersey by vocalist/guitarist Martin Courtney, guitarist Matt Mondanile, bassist Alex Bleeker, and drummer Etienne Duguay (who left the band in 2011 and has since been replaced by Jackson Pollis). Their latest album, “Atlas,” may be their best yet, and in its release received stellar reviews and charted in both the U.S. and U.K.
Future Islands
Future Islands is a Baltimore-based band comprised of vocalist Samuel T. Herring, guitarist and bassist William Cashion, and keyboardist Gerrit Welmers. In 2014, they signed with indie label 4AD and released their new album “Singles.” The album contains their hit single “Seasons (Waiting on You),” which both Pitchfork and Consequence of Sound deemed the #1 song of 2014. The band’s performance of the song on David Letterman unexpectedly went viral and earned them even more attention.
Royal Blood
British rock duo Royal Blood, comprised of vocalist/bassist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher, formed in Brighton in 2013. Their garage/blues rock sound is remniscent of bands like The White Stripes and The Black Keys. They were championed early on by the BBC, who named them to their Sound of 2014 list, as well as by Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, who wore the band’s t-shirt during their headlining set at Glastonbury and later invited the band to open two of their shows at Finsbury Park. This exposure helped the band earn more spots at festivals around the world, and they have most recently been tapped by the Foo Fighters to be their opening act for their Sonic Highways tour.
Ab-Soul
Ab-Soul is the stage name of rapper Herbert Stevens. As a child, he was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a condition that causes light hypersensitivity, so he is rarely seen not wearing sunglasses. In 2009, he formed the group Black Hippy with Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Rock, but decided to go solo in 2011. His solo work features plenty of high-profile collaborations, including appearances from all of the Black Hippy crew. Ab-Soul’s most recent album, “These Days,” came out in 2014 and debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Shovels & Rope
Shovels & Rope is an indie folk husband-and-wife duo from Charleston, South Carolina. Both members, Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, already had successful music careers before coming together. Hearst worked with several bands and recorded as a solo artist while Trent split his time between a solo career and his band The Films. Together as Shovels & Rope, Trent and Hearst have released three successful studio albums.
Glass Animals
Glass Animals is an English indie rock band from Oxford consisting of childhood friends Dave Bayley, Drew Macfarlane, Edmund Irwin-Singer, and Joe Seaward. They released their debut album “Zaba” in 2014, which includes their hit song “Gooey,” which reached #19 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
SOHN
Born in London and currently based in Vienna, songwriter and electronic musician Christopher Taylor makes music under the alias SOHN. The project came about after Taylor’s other successful solo endeavor, Trouble Over Tokyo, came to an end. He released several EPs before signing with 4AD in 2013. Within the next year, he released several singles and collaborated with artists like BANKS, Rhye, and Lana Del Rey. SOHN’s debut album, “Tremors,” came out in 2014 on 4AD.
Jungle
Jungle was founded by childhood friends Josh-Lloyd Watson and Tom McFarland, referred to as J and T. The London-based band released their first singles in 2013 and rose to popularity in England, earning a place on the BBC Sound of 2014 poll. The group earned a spot opening for Haim, and later embarked on a headlining international tour of their own.
Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten grew up in New Jersey, where she learned music at a young age and began writing songs and playing guitar in high school. Eventually relocating to New York City, she began playing gigs and soon signed to the Chicago-based independent label Drag City, which issued her debut album “Because I Was in Love” back in 2009, as well as her 2010 follow-up “epic.” The next year, she moved over to Jagjaguwar and released her last two albums there. Van Etten’s music relies heavily on vocal harmonies, heartfelt emotion, and lyric honesty, all of which make it accessible and relatable to listeners.
Action Bronson
Before pursuing his music career full-time, rapper Action Bronson was a gourmet chef in New York City. He decided to leave the culinary arts behind in 2009 in favor of making music, and released his debut album two years later. Although he never did end up as a chef, Action Bronson still shows his love for food by constantly rapping about it. The guy even has his own food series for VICE. Unless you hate food, you can’t hate Action Bronson.
Perfume Genius
Perfume Genius is the stage name of Mark Hadreas, a Seattle-based solo musician. Hadreas began making music when he moved from New York to Everett, Washington, and started to release recordings via Myspace in 2008. His work eventually caught the attention of the band Los Campesinos!, who helped him score a deal with their record label, Turnstile. Soon after, he signed with indie label Matador Records and has released three successful albums since.
Dilated Peoples
Dilated Peoples is a hip-hop trio from Los Angeles consisting of Evidence, Rakaa, and DJ Babu. They gained an immense following in the underground LA hip hop scene before signing with major label Capitol Records. They recently moved over to Rhymesayers, which released their latest album, titled “Directors of Photography.” The album features guest appearances from artists like Aloe Blacc, Vince Staples, and Action Bronson.
Cashmere Cat
Cashmere Cat is a producer and DJ from Norway. In his early days, he represented his country at the DMC World DJ Championship under the name Final. He gained widespread recognition as Cashmere Cat in 2012 and 2013 with popular remixes of artists like Lana Del Rey, 2 Chainz, and Jeremih. He has also released his own original productions, his most recent issue being his 2013 EP “Wedding Bells.”
Sylvan Esso
Sylvan Esso is the electro folk-pop duo consisting of singer Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn. The group formed in 2013 and soon signed with Partisan Records. The next year, they released their eponymous debut album, which includes their radio hit “Coffee.”
Temples
English rock band Temples formed in 2012 in Kettering. The band’s ’70s-inspired psychedelic rock sound has received considerable media attention, and they have been championed by the likes of famed musicians Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher. Temples centers around the songwriting duo of vocalist/guitarist James Bagshaw and vocalist/bassist Thomas Warmsley. Rounding out the lineup are guitarist/keyboardist Adam Smith and drummer Sam Toms.
Rustie
Glasgow’s Russell Whyte performs under the stage name Rustie. He has established himself as an acclaimed producer and musician whose style draws on hip hop and electro influences. Rustie has released two full-length albums to date: “Glass Swords” (2011) and “Green Language” (2014).
Milo Greene
Milo Greene is an indie folk-pop ensemble from Los Angeles. Formed in 2009, the five-piece consists of Marlana Sheetz, Robbie Arnett, Graham Fink, and Andrew Heringer, who all share vocal duties, along with percussionist Curtis Marrero. The band’s music is self-described “cinematic pop,” a style which came about as a result of a desire to create songs that could be used in movies and TV. Milo Greene released their eponymous debut in 2012, and followed it with their sophomore album, “Control,” earlier this year.
Woods
Woods is a folk rock act that started out as the side project of singer and guitarist Jeremy Earl, but evolved into a three-piece band that now includes multi-instrumentalist Jarvis Taveniere and drummer Aaron Neveu. The band has kept busy over the years, releasing eight albums since 2006. Their most recent, “With Light and With Love,” was released in 2014.
Shakey Graves
Actor-turned-musician Alejandro Rose-Garcia performs under the alias Shakey Graves as a one-man alt-folk/Americana band. The Texas native released his debut album “Roll the Bones” in 2011, which was a success with its ragged blend of country, folk and blues. He followed that up with the release of 2014’s “And The War Came,” which was generally received as favorably as his first album.
Courtney Barnett
Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett first entered the spotlight with her self-released EP “I’ve Got a Friend Called Emily Ferris.” She began to catch attention in her country of Australia, and eventually the influential website Pitchfork named her song “Avant Gardener” as one of the Best New Tracks of summer 2013. She released her second EP later that year and began touring in the U.S. and Europe. In 2014 she signed with Mom + Pop Records and released a double EP reissue.
Slow Magic
Jumping on the “masked DJ” trend opted for by fellow producers like Deadmau5 and SBTRKT, Slow Magic emerged in 2012 with the critically acclaimed album “Triangle.” His follow-up album, “How to Run Away,” arrived last year. His music is calm and peaceful, often described as cosmic and otherworldly.
St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Birmingham, Alabama’s St. Paul and the Broken Bones formed in 2011. They quickly built up a following with their dynamic live shows and impressive stage presence. The band consists of vocalist Paul Janeway, guitarist Browan Lollar, percussionist Andrew Lee, bassist Jesse Phillips, trumpeter Allen Branstetter, and trombone/tuba player Ben Griner. They released their debut album, “Half the City,” in 2014.
Benjamin Booker
New Orleans’ Benjamin Booker is a blues rock musician. His sound draws on blues influence as well as garage rock and punk. He released his self-titled debut album in 2014 and has since gone on to tour with Jack White and play several major music festivals including Lollapalooza, where he earned more recognition when Rolling Stone praised him for his amazing live performance.
The Budos Band
The Budos band is an instrumental Afro-soul ensemble from Staten Island. Active since 2005, the band has released five studio albums, all on Daptone Records. After four eponymously-titled albums, the band decided to go in a different direction with their latest effort, titled “Burnt Offering.” They wanted to ensure fans that this wasn’t just more of the same stuff, but rather it marks the band’s movement towards a new sound.
The Knocks
The Knocks is the DJ duo of James “JPatt” Patterson and Ben “B-Roc” Ruttner. The two producers met in Manhattan and shared an apartment in the East Village where they started recording music together in bedroom studios. They took their name from the fact that their neighbors would knock on their paper-thin walls when their music got too loud, which it usually did, and they dubbed the phenomenon “the knocks.” Initially gaining recognition for remixing songs by artists like Foster the People, Santigold, and Passion Pit, the duo began releasing original tracks of their own and garnered considerable critical acclaim.
King Tuff
King Tuff is the alter ego of recording artist Kyle Thomas, who took on the name as an adaptation of his initials and a play on the name King Tut. Before recording as King Tuff, Thomas worked with bands like the indie rock group Happy Birthday and J Mascis’ stoner metal side project Witch. As a solo artist, he is signed to the distinguished Sub Pop label, which released his two latest albums.
Sam Lachow
Sam Lachow is a rapper, producer, songwriter, and videographer raised in New York and Seattle. He released his self-produced solo debut titled “Brand New Bike” in 2011. He produces and directs the music videos on his YouTube channel, which have collectively garnered millions of views. Lachow released his sophomore album, “Huckleberry,” in 2014.
Dan Mangan + Blacksmith
Dan Mangan is a Vancouver-based, two time Juno Award-winning musician. Having released three albums under his name, Mangan enlisted the help of other Vancouver musicians and issued his fourth LP as Dan Mangan + Blacksmith. The album, titled “Club Meds,” was released in January of this year.
Fences
Fences is the stage name of Seattle-based musician Chris Mansfield. He eventually caught the attention of Sara Quin (of popular Canadian indie duo Tegan & Sara), who ended up producing his self-titled debut album. Fences’ sophomore effort, “Lesser Oceans,” is expected in March of this year and includes the hit single “Arrows,” featuring Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.
Phox
Wisconsin-based indie pop band Phox formed in 2011 in the wacky circus town of Baraboo. The band, which is comprised of a group of longtime friends who met in high school, describes their sound as something of a mix between Feist and Monty Python. Following a successful 2013, the band signed with Brooklyn-based indie label Partisan Records and released their eponymous debut album in 2014.
San Fermin
San Fermin is the brainchild of Brooklyn-based composer and songwriter Ellis Ludwig-Leone. After graduating from Yale, where he studied music composition, Ludwig-Leone decided to focus his efforts on this project and wrote what became the band’s eponymous debut album released in 2013. San Fermin’s music is filled with Baroque pop flair and avant-garde arrangements that showcase Ludwing-Leone’s skill as a composer.
Black Pistol Fire
Black Pistol Fire is the Canadian rock duo featuring vocalist/guitarist Kevin McKeown and drummer Eric Owen. The two have known each other since kindergarten and have been making music together since they were in high school, playing in several bands over the years until officially forming Black Pistol Fire in 2009. Splitting their time between Toronto and Austin, the band has released three albums since their formation, receiving a positive response from critics. Their music has also been featured in several films and television shows, and they have toured in support of bands like Weezer, Wolfmother, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
Alvvays
Toronto-based indie pop outfit Alvvays have been garnering a lot of buzz lately with their catchy single “Archie, Marry Me.” Vocalist Molly Rankin, keyboardist Kerri MacLellan, guitarist Alec O’Hanley, bassist Brian Murphy, and drummer Phil MacIsaac make music with catchy hooks and sweet melodies. After touring in support of bands like Peter, Bjorn and John and The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Alvvays released their self-titled debut album in 2014.
Fuzz
Fuzz was formed in 2011 by well-known indie artist Ty Segall as a side project in addition to his successful solo career. The band released an eponymous debut album two years later on the independent label In the Red Records. Fuzz is appropriately named, as the band’s lo-fi, ’60s psychedelic sound and heavy use of the fuzz pedal fittingly reflects their moniker.
Strand of Oaks
Strand of Oaks is the rock project of producer and songwriter Timothy Showalter. He has released several albums as Strand of Oaks since 2009, his most recent work being 2014’s “HEAL.”
Raury
Raury is a 17-year-old singer/songwriter from Atlanta. Mature beyond his years, Raury began writing songs as early as age three, taught himself to play guitar when he was 11, and started work on a self-produced album when he was 15. The young, up-and-coming artist released his debut, “Indigo Child,” in the summer of 2014, earning accolades from tastemaking sites like Stereogum and Pitchfork. He was recently featured on SBTRKT’s latest album on the track “Higher.”
Will Butler
Best known as a core member of the Grammy Award-winning superstar indie rock group Arcade Fire, multi-instrumentalist Will Butler is releasing his first solo album, titled “Policy,” out March 10. Butler describes the music on “Policy” as “American music – in the tradition of Violent Femmes, the Breeders, the Modern Lovers, Bob Dylan, Smokey Robinson, the Magnetic Fields, Ghostface Killah, and John Lennon.” With that kind of diversity coupled with his composition and songwriting abilities, Butler’s solo endeavor is sure to be an interesting one.
The Districts
Pennsylvania natives The Districts formed in 2009, when the band’s four members were still only in high school. In the last year, they have played several major festivals, and NME even dubbed them “the band who owned SXSW” in 2014. They signed to Fat Possum Records back in 2013, and released a new record titled “A Flourish and a Spoil” in February of this year.
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is an indie garage rock band that formed in Chicago in 2009. The group consists of vocalist/guitarist Cadien Lake James, guitarist Clay Frankel, bassist Jack Dolan, and drummer Connor Brodner, who started the band when they were all still in high school. Twin Peaks released their debut album, “Sunken,” in 2013, followed by their sophomore record “Wild Onion” the next year.
Ruen Brothers
Ruen Brothers is made up of siblings Henry and Rupert Stansall. Guitar music is making a comeback, and this British duo is a part of that movement. Their music takes on a ’60s rockabilly style, and they are already generating buzz from a variety of media sources as the next big thing.
Kate Tempest
English poet Kate Tempest has seemlessly segued into the music world with her hip hop and spoken word-influenced sound. Hailing from London, she launched her career in her teens, performing spoken word poetry at open mic nights around the city. She released her debut album, “Everybody Down,” in 2014.
Quilt
Quilt is a psychedelic indie rock trio formed in Boston in 2009. The band is comprised of Anna Fox Rochinski, Shane Butler, and John Andrews. Quilt signed with New York-based indie label Mexican Summer in 2011 and released their eponymous debut album later that year. The group’s sophomore album, “Held in Splendor,” came out in 2014.
Merchandise
Merchandise is a band based in Tampa, Florida that defies categorization. Their sound combines punk, pop, and everything in between. Merchandise recently signed with indie giant 4AD records and released their 10-track label debut, “After the End,” in 2014.
Hiss Golden Messenger
Hiss Golden Messenger is a folk duo from North Carolina consisting of MC Taylor and Scott Hirsch. They formed in 2007 and released their early works through Taylor’s own recording label “Heaven & Earth Magic Recording Company.” In 2014, they signed with Merge Records and released their fifth album, “Lateness of Dancers.”
Nothing
Nothing is more than yet another hard-to-Google band name. While they may be a search engine nightmare, Nothing has been generating buzz with their noisy shoegaze music. Formed in 2011, the band released several singles and EPs before signing with Relapse Records in 2013. Last year, they released their debut record, “Guilty of Everything.”
Bishop Nehru
Bishop Nehru is the stage name of American rapper Markel Scott. The young talent has been incredibly successful lately, having earned critical acclaim for recent releases, touring with Wu-Tang Clan, and collaborating with Disclosure. Last year, he signed with Nas’ Mass Appeal Records.
Ex Hex
Ex Hex are relative newcomers on the punk rock scene. Formed in 2013 in Washington, D.C., the band is a trio made up of Mary Timony, Laura Harris, and Betsy Wright, who came together to form the all-female punk band this generation has been waiting for. Last year, they released their debut album “Rips,” a fast-paced, no-frills rock record upon which Pitchfork bestowed the accolade of Best New Music.
Diarrhea Planet
Despite their seemingly immature name, Nashville’s Diarrhea Planet has drawn plenty of acclaim for their rowdy, guitar-driven music and energetic live shows. With four guitarists, their music hits hard and their live performances are full of intense energy and crazy shredding. Diarrhea Planet has released two studio albums to date: “Loose Jewels” in 2011 and “I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams” in 2013.
Ought
Ought is vocalist/guitarist Tim Beeler, bassist Ben Stidworthy, keyboardist Matt May, and drummer/violinist Tim Keen. The Canadian quartet formed in 2011 in Montreal while the band members all lived together in a communal practice space. They self-released their debut EP, “New Calm,” in 2012, and eventually signed with independent label Constellation Records. Now a signed band, Ought released their debut full-length, “More Than Any Other Day,” in 2014, followed by the EP “Once More With Feeling” later that same year.
Lizzo
Lizzo is the stage name of Minneapolis-based alternative hip hop artist Melissa Jefferson. She has been compared to artists like Missy Elliot for her strong, sassy style that comes at you hard. Lizzo performed with several groups before stepping out solo and releasing her album “Lizzobangers” in 2013. She’s been generating a lot of industry buzz lately, and recently collaborated with Prince on his track “Boytrouble,” so it’s safe to say that Lizzo is definitely an artist to watch right now.
Natalie Prass
Virginia native Natalie Prass began her career in Nashville, working as a songwriter and playing in backup bands before going solo in 2009. In between writing and recording her own album with high school friend and noted artist Matthew E. White, she joined Jenny Lewis on the road as her touring keyboardist. After three years in the making, Prass’ self-titled debut album finally saw release in early 2015.
TALA
Tala is a London-based musician of Iranian descent. Her music combines elements of pop and electronic music with the influence of her Iranian heritage. The multicultural producer signed with London indie label Aesop and released her three-song debut EP “The Duchess” last year.
Rose Windows
Rose Windows is a Seattle-based psychedelic rock band. The group was formed in 2010 by guitarist and songwriter Chris Cheveyo, who recruited singer Rabia Shaheen Qazi, guitarist Nils Petersen, bassist Richie Rekow, keyboardist David Davila, drummer Pat Schowe, and flautist Veronica Dye to complete the seven-piece ensemble. Their expansive sound caught the attention of Sub Pop Records, which released their debut, “The Sun Dogs,” in 2013. Rose Windows are back this year with a new self-titled record to be released in May.
Blank Range
Blank Range is a five-piece rock ‘n’ roll band based out of Nashville, Tennessee. The band is comprised of Jonathan Childers (guitar/vocals), Grant Gustafson (guitar/vocals), Jon Rainville (keyboard/vocals), Matt Novotny (drums/vocals), and Aarom Wahlman (bass/vocals). Last year, the band won the annual Road to Bonnaroo contest and earned a spot performing at the festival. Though they haven’t yet released a full-length album, Blank Range is a band to expect great things from this year.
Grynch
Born and raised in Seattle, Grynch first discovered hip hop when he was in elementary school and began writing rhymes as early as age 10. He began releasing music when he was just in high school, and has since released several EPs that were well-received in the Northwest hip hop scene. His latest album, “Street Lights,” came out in April 2014.
My Goodness
Seattle rock duo My Goodness centers around singer/guitarist Joel Schneider and drummer Andy Lum. The two musicians started playing together in 2012, initially drawing a lot of attention in the local Seattle music scene. Last year, they released their debut album “Shiver + Shake.”
The Young Evils
Initially formed as a pop duo by record store coworkers Troy Nelson and Mackenzie Mercer, Seattle’s The Young Evils have since transformed into a five-piece rock outfit. The band has been on the radar of the Seattle music scene since the release of their debut album, “Enchanted Chapel,” in 2010. The Young Evils released the False Starts EP in 2014, and are currently working on their sophomore album.
The Maldives
The Maldives is a nine-piece alt-country band from Seattle. They’ve garnered quite a bit of attention in the Pacific Northwest with their music as well as their sensational live performances. They’re no strangers to the festival circuit, having played Sasquatch!, Bumbershoot, South by Southwest, and several others in the past.
Kinski
Kinski is a rock band from Seattle comprised of guitarists Chris Martin and Matthew Reid-Schwartz, bassist Lucy Atkinson, and drummer Barrett Wilke. Active since the late ’90s, Kinski has toured with bands like Tool and Mission of Burma, and the band has released several albums. They were signed to Sub Pop for a few years before moving on to Kill Rock Stars, which will be releasing their upcoming new record this year.
S (Jenn Ghetto)
S is the solo project of guitarist and vocalist Jean Ghetto, formerly of the Seattle-based band Carissa’s Weird. The project began several years ago as a bedroom recording endeavor with just a guitar and a four-track. Recorded in the late ’90s, her debut album “Sadstyle” saw release in 2001. Ghetto has since released three more albums as S.
Porter Ray
Seattle-based rapper Porter Ray recently signed with Sub Pop and will be releasing his label debut this year. Initially earning praise throughout the Seattle area for his self-released EPs and mixtapes, he has since merited mentions by media sources like NPR and Pitchfork. His debut album “BLK GLD” came out in 2013 and earned positive reviews.
Black Whales
Black Whales is a five-piece rock band from Seattle. Formed in 2008, the band currently consists of Alex Robert, Ryan Middleton, Dave Martin, Adam Fream, and Mica Crisp. Their musical style is that of atmospheric psych-pop, garnering comparisons to contemporary bands like The War On Drugs. Black Whales released their latest album, “Through the Prism, Gently,” in 2014.
Cataldo
Cataldo is the music project of Seattle’s Eric Anderson. The band has released four albums since 2005, earning a steady following in the greater Seattle area. Cataldo’s latest album, “Gilded Oldies,” came out in 2014.
Manatee Commune
Manatee Commune is the solo project of Washington native Grant Eadie. The atmospheric music on his debut album “Brush” captures the moody ambience of the Pacific Northwest. Manatee Commune puts on a great live show as well, with the talented multi-instrumentalist Eadie playing guitar, violin, and drums layered over his electronically-produced beats.
Smokey Brights
Seattle quintet Smokey Brights consists of Ryan Devlin on vocals and guitar, Kim West on vocals and keys, James Weston on bass and vocals, Michael Kalnoky on lead guitar and vocals, and Nicholas Krivchenia on drums. Smokey Brights released their debut album, “Taste For Blood,” last year.
Thunderpussy
Seattle rock band Thunderpussy is comprised of vocalist Molly Sides, guitarist Whitney Petty, bassist Leah Julius, and drummer Lena Simon. According to the official band description, “this new Seattle sex bomb will blow up in your face like a handful of napalm.” Can’t put it better than that, folks.
Shaprece
Seattle’s own Shaprece is making waves in the music scene with her soulful and sultry R&B sound. She’s been compared to artists like FKA Twigs and Little Dragon for her genre-bending style and atmospheric melodies. Shaprece released two well-received EPs last year and is at work on a full-length album
Vox Mod
Vox Mod is the stage name of Seattle musician Scot Porter. His celestial and otherworldly music mimics the fractal patterns of the universe and reflects the mysteries of the cosmos. Seattle Weekly called him “Seattle’s musical answer” to the likes of Neil deGrasse Tyson and Carl Sagan. Vox Mod’s latest album, “The Great Oscillator,” came out in 2014.
DJAO
Alex Osuch, aka DJAO, is a Seattle native and producer of electronic music. He first appeared in 2011 with his debut EP “Wuhn.” He followed that with the release of an eponymous full-length album in 2014.
Ayron Jones and The Way
Seattle’s Ayron Jones has established himself as an up-and-coming artist. His hybrid style incorporates Hendrix-esque guitar techniques with hip hop, punk, and R&B. He formed the blues rock trio Ayron Jones and The Way in 2010. Within a few years, the band was a buzzworthy act around Seattle, eventually attracting the attention of Seattle rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot, who agreed to produce an album for them. Their debut record, “Dream,” came out in 2013 and received rave reviews from the Seattle media.
Murder Vibes
Murder Vibes is the Seattle-based duo of multi-instrumentalist Jordan Evans and vocalist/guitarist Pete Hanks. The emerged on the scene with their dark and atmospheric electro-pop sound and seemed to immediately become the next buzzworthy act in the Seattle music scene. Murder Vibes self-released their eponymous debut album last year.
Here at TickPick, we’ve got both Sasquatch 4 day passes as well as camping passes. Time is running out, so be sure to get yours soon!
Click here for our 2015 Music Festivals Guide!
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