Anyone that has ever been or considered going to experience a massive event like this knows what it feels like when looking over the line up. It can almost feel like reading a foreign language, seeing bands listed that you have never heard of. That’s where we come in to help. This can be used as a planning guide for deciding who to catch for those of you lucky enough to be able to attend. For everyone else, this is intended to be used as a primer for armchair quarterback music aficionados.

Humans

Robbie Slade + Peter Ricq are HUMANS who make electronic dance music while based in Vancouver BC. Their debut release followed with a sold-out Canadian tour. The boys have been playing a handful of festivals including SXSW, CMW, Shambhala and Big Time Out. This summer Slade + Ricq will continue to tour across Canada and into the US.  They recently toured supporting Chromeo, opening up for them.

Lately the two have been writing and recording, in anticipation for a new release in late summer and fall 2011.

So it’s not entirely true that opposites attract, but it is true that when two opposites get together, things become a lot less mundane. This is certainly what’s happened between Robbie Slade and Peter Ricq, the musicians behind Vancouver indie dance duo Humans. Their first single, “Avec Mes Mecs” brings together the big beats of Ricq’s past as a warehouse party promoter/performer and the melodic sensibility of Slade’s days as a firefighter-turned-folk musician.

The track, written after what Slade calls “many days of absolutely brilliant partying” following New Year’s Eve, is a celebration of being together. With the refrain, “who knew that all we had to do was party” serving as the clarion call for all those looking to come together in a mess of bodies and smiles, Humans capture the blind, full, captivating joy of letting everything go for awhile, and giving into the fun. After these debauched days, which Slade says were “about as tame as you can be spending three days drinking without clothes,” Ricq taught him how to use a 505 Arpeggiator and side by side the two wrote out their experience to the beat.

Both are most comfortable in a state of flux, leaving when the party reaches it’s peak, always trying to break into something new. “Avec Mes Mecs,” which translates into English as “with my friends,” or “with my bros,” is just one facet of Humans’ sound, which the two say is never going to be the same twice. “Just when you say ‘I think we found our sound,’ we find something else,” says Ricq. This state of flux is essential to Humans’ sound, as much as it changes it.

Always listening for new songs and styles and sounds, Slade and Ricq hope to one day expand from a duo to a full band, so they can expand Humans already expansive melodies and beats even further. The future is wide open, to say the least, for two guys who always know when it’s just the right time to leave the party, and when you should just keep it going for days.

For fans of: Chromeo, Diamond Rings, White Arrows

Big Scary

Big Scary are a boy/girl two-piece from Melbourne, Australia. Joanna chills at the kit, occasionally chiming in with some backing vocals, whilst lead singer Tom swaps between electric guitar and keys, in turn moulding the on-stage genres from grunge to pop to moody ballads. It’s this eclecticism that have allowed Big Scary to support bands from Midlake to Florence & The Machine, and would be just as comfortable with Led Zepellin too. Releasing a compilation of four seasonally-themed EPs titled “The Big Scary Four Seasons” in early 2011 (with track “Thinking About You” featuring on Grey’s Anatomy & “Autumn” synced to an AT&T commercial), Big Scary have recently released their debut album “Vacation” (through Inertia Aus/NZ;) which was nominated for Triple J Australian album of the year; and voted the 8th best album of 2011 by Triple J music director Richard Kingsmill. One of only 2 Australian bands & the only unsigned band to get on the list.. Not one to miss!

For fans of: Beach House, Matt & Kim, The National

U.S. Girls

Whilst at first glance the name may conjure ‘Volleyball teams and cheerleading squads’ as suggested by 20jazzfunkgreats, others read a military connotation – some kind of legendary all female American crack squad. Whatever the imagery, the first listen suggests a divergent story. In truth, U.S. Girls is the creative force of a lone American woman, Meghan Remy.  Calling both Chicago and  Philadelphia home, for the past four years she has pursued her minimalist aesthetic with a militant by-any-means-necessary attitude, merging experimental compositions tracked on borrowed four track recorders with her distinctive photocopy-art visual aesthetic to deliver starkly defined statement LP’s like ‘Introducing…’ & ‘Go Grey’ on Siltbreeze Records.

While Lo-Fi recording techniques have seen something of a renaissance in recent years, Remy’s favouring of this approach was born less of aesthetic choice and more of necessity. Even as she’s inevitably been lumped in with other DIY solo artists such as Inca Ore and Sally Strobelight, her influence has unwaveringly been declared to lie with oldies radio and the distinctly American songcraft of writers like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen (whom she covered to startling effect on Introducing…). It’s in this light that her true vision is revealed. While her music has been said to evoke “particularly blunted Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry remixes of Cambodian Rocks covers of western pop tunes,” – (Artforum), more accurately she can be thought of as an unapologetically modern pop revisionist merging the audible artistic honesty of her beloved soul music with lyrical strains of static and tape hiss. Songs like ‘Bits & Pieces’ and ‘Red Ford Radio’ reimagine Billboard hit singles of the 60′s as bleakly rendered expressions of a primal American femininity.

With the arrival of a new decade the entity of U.S. Girls takes an unexpected turn. Contradicting her patriotic moniker Remy has spent the last 6 months in collaboration with Canadian artist Slim Twig whose combination of reverence for and divergence from classic pop tropes matches her own. With the same determination she once used to tour America solo via Greyhound, Remy relocated her recording to Toronto where the shroud of abstraction surrounding her songcraft has been somewhat lifted to reveal a consciously produced sound with her strikingly original voice now at the centre. Co-produced by Remy & Slim Twig, the new direction sees U.S. Girls take American pop head-on with a cover of Joe South’s ‘Untie Me’ while pursuing innovative future-music with the psychedelic ‘Pamela + GG.’

Fresh from playing a series of dates in the U.S. and back to recording for a full-length, the release of 12PALM01 marks the start of an exciting new future for U.S. Girls.

For fans of: Purling Hiss, True Widow, Talk Normal, Psychedelic Horseshit

Jack White, Beck, Bon Iver, Pretty Lights, Tenacious D, The Shins, Beirut, Girl Talk, The Roots, The Head & The Heart, Portlandia, Feist, Silversun Pickups, Metric, Explosions In The Sky, The Joy Formidable, Mogwai, Nero (DJ), M. Ward, John Reilly & Friends, Childish Gambino, St. Vincent, The Civil Wars, Jamey Johnson, Little Dragon, Tune-Yards, Wild Flag, Blind Pilot, Wolfgang Gartner, Beats Antique, Apparat, The Walkmen, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Mark Lanegan Band, Spiritualized, Blitzen Trapper, The Cave Singers, Shabazz Palaces, Fun., Grouplove, Tycho, SBTRKT, Strfkr, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Deer Tick, Imelda May, Alabama Shakes, Dum Dum Girls, The Helio Sequence, Kurt Vile, Cloud Cult, We Are Augustines, Ben Howard, Here We Go Magic, Zola Jesus, The War On Drugs, Shearwater, Cass McCombs, Active Child, Trampled By Turtles, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Araabmuzik, Star Slinger, L.A. Riots, Com Truise, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, I Break Horses, Walk The Moon, Dry The River, Allen Stone, Pickwick, Hey Marseilles, Gary Clark Jr., Purity Ring, Electric Guest, Yellow Ostrich, Nobody Beats The Drum, Coeur De Pirate, Lord Huron, Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside, Beat Connection, The Sheepdogs, Hey Rosetta!, Said The Whale, Howlin Rain, Gardens & Villa, Felix Cartal, Craft Spells, Vintage Trouble, Poor Moon, Black Whales, Gold Leaves, Greylag, Awesome Tapes From Africa, Thee Satisfaction, Dyme Def, Fresh Espresso, The Physics, Sol, Metal Chocolates, Grynch, Spac3man, Don’t Talk To The Cops, Scribes, Fatal Lucciauno, Fly Moon Royalty, Katie Kate

Comedy: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Todd Barry, Beardyman, Rob Delaney, Pete Holmes, Howard Kremer, and more.

Anyone that has ever been or considered going to experience a massive event like this knows what it feels like when looking over the line up. It can almost feel like reading a foreign language, seeing bands listed that you have never heard of. That’s where we come in to help. This can be used as a planning guide for deciding who to catch for those of you lucky enough to be able to attend. For everyone else, this is intended to be used as a primer for armchair quarterback music aficionados.
Wet Hair

Wet Hair is Shawn Reed, Justin Thye, and Ryan Garbes, the two remaining members of Raccoo-oo-oon that stayed in Iowa City after the band’s end. Reed also runs Night-People Records, which Garbes often contributes to. Wet Hair began as a solo outing for Reed in late 2007 during the final months of Raccoo-oo-oon, and after the release of a 12” EP and the Irifi Cassette Garbes was added on organ and live drums. Wet Hair has evolved over time shifting the bands sound steadily towards a more refined pop sensibility. An experimental attitude and psychedelic atmosphere still prevails in Wet Hair’s music and the core instrumentation of the band has largey stayed consitent throughout with Reed on vocals, synth, drum machine, + tapes and Garbes on live drums, + synth/organ.

To date Wet Hair has released a 12” EP on Night-People, three cassettes on Night-People, the LP’s Dream and Glass Fountain on Not Not Fun, a split 7” with Peaking Lights on Not Not Fun, a split 7” with Rene Hell on Bathetic, and a split LP with Naked on the Vague on Night-People. In late 2010 Wet Hair added third member Matt Fenner to the group on bass and synth. Their third full length album, In Vogue Spirit, came out on De Stijl Records in May 2011. This will be their 2nd time to perform, the first was in 2010.

For fans of: Psychedelic Horseshit, Purling Hiss, Black Moth Super Rainbow

Dead Sara

Music history is rich with rock bands fronted by dynamic duos. Looking to carry on this yin and yang tradition are singer Emily Armstrong and female guitarist Siouxsie Medley, who front Los Angeles’ Dead Sara — an electrifying four-piece rock band whose supercharged music is propelled by Medley’s exhilarating, monster guitar riffs and Armstrong’s powerful, wailing vocals. Dead Sara also includes bassist Chris Null and drummer Sean Friday, who funnel the ferocious spectacle of the band’s high-energy live performance into their self-titled debut album. The debut will be released on the band’s own label in May, Pocket Kid Records through Fontana Universal.

Devonté Hynes is from Houston but was raised in the UK.  He has been bouncing back and forth between Los Angeles and New York City for the past three years. Devonté has produced a lot of music. Some for himself: Test Icicles, Lightspeed Champion and some for others: Basement Jaxx, Florence+The Machine, Theophilus London, Solange Knowles, Cassie, Diana Vickers. Somewhere in between all of this, Blood Orange was created. Blood Orange will also be getting a big break this year, going on tour as opening support for Florence+The Machine. He sounds like Toro Y Moi meets Prince meets TV On The Radio meets Beck.

According to the Guardian, Hynes had been working with Solange Knowles, a singer who is also the sister of Beyoncé, on her 3rd record, randomly meeting her by chance in a LA studio. Later he was invited to Jay-Z’s office for a meeting, with Solange and Beyonce coming along.  Hynes was originally part of Florence’s band and co-wrote an early B-side for the group.

Recorded in Nebraska by Bright Eyes producer Mike Mogis, the album was a critical success but was widely ignored by the public. A second album, the patchy Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You followed in 2010. By this point Hynes had already started to focus on writing and producing for other people, working with X Factor contestant Diana Vickers in 2009, as well as rapper Theophilus London and Solange (the latter is currently holed up with Hynes writing songs for R&B singer Cassie’s much-delayed second album). For the time being, Lightspeed Champion is in semi-permanent retirement, though a third album has already been demoed.

For fans of: Florence+The Machine, Beck, Toro Y Moi

City and Colour – Little Hell: an artist and album that’s easy on the ears. Strong enough for a man, pH balanced for a woman.
Alexisonfire – Old Crows/Young Cardinals: the last album by this great post-hardcore Canadian band. Gonna miss them dearly.
Dredg – Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy: an album out of left field from a usually progressive rock band. In collaboration with Dan the Automator.
The Grouch -  we’re currently on tour with this awesome hip-hop emcee so I’ve been catching up with his catalog. Listen to “Artsy”.
Adele – she’s gotten very popular for a reason. Great voice and range. Really digging the track “Hometown Glory”.
Radiohead – In Rainbows: an instant go-to for me whenever I need something downtempo and melodic.

Here is some live footage we shot of the group last year.

Shot in monochrome on crisp, silvery 35mm, the video reflects the beautiful simplicity of the track, with an old-school photo booth providing an intimate backdrop for Mosshart’s intense and heart-warming opening performance followed by a series of touching to-camera poses reflecting the musicians’ longstanding, spirited friendship.

The band has been on a headlining tour, with opening acts Jeff The Brotherhood and Hunters providing support.  As if that weren’t enough, they also posted a beautiful six minute rockumentary filmed in London by videomaker Giorgio Testi.  The short film follows the final moments as they prepare to go on stage for their headline show at Brixton Academy in London. We are also including a behind the scenes making of video, as a bonus.

Flaming Lips are at it again!!! This time they’ve mixed Siri (iOS digital assistant) and Erykah Badu.

So tell us, worth the buzz?

Unfortunately this amazing band decided to call it quits last year. It was a controversial decision since they were at the height of their popularity. It seems like a good idea to feature them this week, since they have once again been in the news lately. A brand new full length documentary, Shut Up And Play The Hits, debuted at Sundance Film Fest and follows LCD Soundsystem for their last performance. The two filmmakers were able to shadow lead frontman James Murphy.

Let us know your favorite record by voting, and leaving comments below.

Austin Psych Fest was founded in 2008 to honor the legacy of Austin’s musical history as the birthplace of psychedelic rock through the creation of a music and multimedia art festival. In 2008 Austin Psych Festival was 1st held on March 8. This year Austin Psych Fest 4 is presented by The Reverberation Appreciation Society and The Black Angels. Here is the line up, taking place April 27-29, 2012. More details, including tickets and wristbands, are at http://www.austinpsychfest.com/. Following is a video clip from last year’s event.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre • The Black Angels • The Olivia Tremor Control • Dead Meadow • Wooden Shjips • Bombino • Woods • The Telescopes • The Pink Mountaintops • Sun Araw • Peaking Lights • Prince Rama • Psychic Ills • Pure X • Indian Jewelry • Lotus Plaza • Moon Duo • Quilt • The Intelligence • Amen Dunes • Ringo Deathstarr • Headdress • Savion Glover • Night Beats • Acid Baby Jesus • Federale • Quest for Fire • High Wolf • Cosmonauts • The Cush

Are you hip to the rapper and producer The Alchemist? Probably best known for his work with Eminem and for last year working with Curren$y on Covert Coup, he just released a new record. Vodka & Ayahuasca is not only a new album, it has a great new sound. Totally different than what you are used to seeing and hearing, The Alchemist is just what the game needs. Currently he is teaming up with Curren$y aka Spitta Andretti again on a sequel mixtape to last year’s Covert Coup. It’s scheduled to drop on 4-20. Here’s the brand new video for Vodka & Ayahuasca, which has already racked up 85,000 views in the past few days. The track also has Oh No (Gangrene) featured on it. It was directed by Jason Goldwatch. And if you don’t know what Ayahuasca is google it.

Starring: Mike Gassaway
Directed by: John Ryan Manning
Director of Photography: Caleb Crossen
Cowritten by: Jayson Gerycz and Ana Vasquez
Camera Operator: Keith Nickoson
Grip and Lighting: John Turk
Dolly and Assistant Camera: Kevin Coyne
Producer: Olivia Otten
PA: Ian Glodich
PA: Jacob Lindsay
PA: Jeff Webb
Assistant Editor: Nick Spolarich
Graphic Design by Ana Vasquez
Carpenter: Jayson Bittinger
Snake Handler – Chris Martin (The snake shot didn’t work out)

1/26 New York, NY – Studio at Webster Hall

2/16 Chattanooga, TN – JJ’s Bohemia

2/17 Atlanta, GA – The Earl

2/18 Birmingham, AL – Bottletree

2/20 Orlando, FL – Backbooth

2/21 Tallahassee, FL – Club Downunder

2/23 Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s

2/24 San Antonio, TX – Ten Eleven

2/25 Austin, TX – Red 7

2/26 El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace

2/27 Tucson, AZ – Club Congress

2/28 Phoenix, AZ – The Crescent Ballroom

2/29 San Diego, CA – Soda Bar

3/1 Costa Mesa, CA – Detroit Bar

3/2 Los Angeles, CA – Echo

3/3 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill

3/5 Portland, OR – Holocene

3/6 Seattle, WA – The Crocodile

3/7 Vancouver, CA – The Media Club

3/8 Boise, ID – Neurolux

3/9 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court

3/10 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge

3/12 Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room

3/17 McAllen, TX – Simon Sez

3/20 Nashville, TN – The End

3/21 Louisville, KY – Zanzabar

3/22 Cincinnati, OH – MOTR Pub

3/24 Montreal, QC – Casa del Popolo

3/25 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall

3/26 Providence, RI – Fete Lounge

3/30 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s

3/31 Washington, DC – Red Palace

4/1 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar

4/2 Buffalo, NY – Ninth Ward @ Babeville

4/3 Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox

4/4 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick Lounge

4/5 Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop

4/6 Chicago, IL – Schuba’s Tavern

4/7 Columbus, OH – Outland Live