My Top 10 Must-Sees of Treefort 2015 (After 2nd Round Announcement)
Dan Meyer (Program Director)
KEOL will hopefully be at Treefort 2015 this year doing interviews and thoroughly enjoying all the festival has to offer. The second round line-up came out this week, and with it some of my favorite bands popped up and I went into complete fan-boy excitement at what I’ll be seeing there. There is yet another announcement coming out, so I’ll update this list after that, but for now here are the bands I’m looking forward to the most:
10. Hurray for the Riff Raff
A must-see especially for the folk lovers! Hurray for the Riff Raff is Alynda Lee Segarra, a musician out of New Orleans. She worked her way into my heart with the song “Blue Ridge Mountain” off her latest album Small Town Heroes.9. Of Montreal
Of Montreal is a band out of Athens that reinvents its sound almost every album. Although I do not enjoy this album as much as some of their past ones, the bands emphasis on novelty and core sound is still very solid and worth listening to. My favorite song off their new album lousy with sylvianbriar is “She Ain’t Speakin’ Now.”8. Foxygen
This duo out of San Francisco brings its own unique sound that’s hard to pin down to a genre and is a must hear if only for the novelty it brings. Each song off their albums brings a unique flavor that is simply ear candy. My personal favorite is “San Francisco” off their 2013 album We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic.7. Trampled by Turtles
The following around these guys is enough to make them a must-see if nothing else (though there are plenty other reasons, namely the awesome music)! Trampled by Turtles is based out of Duluth and brings to the festival music from their seventh studio album Wild Animals. The band continues its signature sound that is hard to pin down in this newest album, and it features one of my favorite songs by them “Western World.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUcpXAIBusw
6. ELEL
A nice little Nashville based Indie Pop band that popped up on my radar with their super fun song “40 Watt.” I discovered them BECAUSE of the Treefort line-up and was immediately impressed. I may be a bit biased since I’m an indie lover at heart, but these guys have some talent and are reminiscent of Vampire Weekend and MGMT. Their debut album Geode is set to release next year; hopefully it’s a good one!
5. TV on the Radio
Brooklyn based band TV on the Radio (TVOTR)’s fifth and newest album Seeds continues the tradition of freedom of expression through song. Defying expectations, this album has some dang good songs, some of the best seen from the band in years. No doubt a headliner of the night, this band’s song “Happy Idiot” off the new album is a constant in my playlists of new music.4. Generationals
British Pop, Dance, and Electronic smash together beautifully to form the New Orleans band Generationals. The band recently introduced a new producer in their new album Alix with the intention of keeping things fresh and funky. The new band seems almost out of a different time period, but in such a wonderful way that one can’t help but bob their head along to the beat.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dPTyiWt2bo
We’re down to my top three favorite bands that will be there! My number one was easy, but the third and second spot were hard to decide on. Ultimately it came down to personal taste, but both are equaly fantastic.
3. YACHT
In the number three spot is the beat heavy, electro-poppy, grunge laced band from Los Angeles: YACHT. I fell in love with these guys after hearing the songs “Shangri-La” and the ever popular “Dystopia (The Earth is on Fire).” YACHT is expected to play songs off their newest EP Where Does This Disco? which features an excellent song by the same name.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZYYRQjR40Q
2. Rubblebucket
Eccentric and unique, Rubblebucket has been one of my favorite bands after a long afternoon three years ago of listening to their incredible song “Came Out of a Lady” on repeat for a solid 6 hours or so. The band continues its marching-band-syntho sound in its newest album Survival Sounds which is evidenced by their new song “Carousel Ride.” I’ve been dying to see these guys live, and finally I’ll be able to realize that dream! Check them out at the festival if you’re going (which you should be doing).1. Geographer
Nothing indicates I’m excited to see a band more than jumping out of bed and screaming like a fan girl after seeing them on the second round line-up announcement at 7 a.m. This is exactly what happened with me when I saw that San Francisco based band Geographer would be at Treefort. Haunting melodies combine with a guitar, synthesizer, and drum set to create a beautiful sound that holds you in its grasp for a couple minutes before bringing you back to earth. The band hasn’t released anything new specifically for Treefort, but it brings its signature golden songs to the mix. They are my absolute favorite band, and I’m anticipating seeing them in concert more than anything else at Treefort . Check them out FOR SURE if you are going to the festival!