Every September, Champaign-Urbana is proud to host the Pygmallion Music Festival! This festival is great in really showcasing all C-U has to offer, and brings many big national names and local acts to different venues across town. You might be saying: “Wow, Boswell, it’s only July…don’t you think you’re jumping the gun a little bit?”. And to that, I would say that yes, I am, but I’m just too damn excited!
1. ”Echo Hands” — The Dirty Feathers:
I don’t mean to knock the quality of local music, because honestly, it is really quite great. This song just sounds like it should belong to a higher profile band than The Dirty Feathers, though. It’s really showing them flexing their muscles and the possibility that they have to blow up in the near future!
Listen Here:
2. “Evening’s Kiss” — Willis Earl Beal
I know that Maddie included this guy in her tape last week, but I just had to do it again. His story is truly remarkable. He spent the years before he got famous working low-level jobs and even spending some time without a home, yet he still got discovered! Fresh off of Pitchfork Music Fest up in Chicago, this guy is an artist I’m really excited about.
Listen Here:
3. “Two Weeks” — Grizzly Bear
Yes, this is their most popular song. Yes, they are releasing a new album. Yes, I am immensely excited for it. Yes, their band name scares me a little bit. That’s about all I have to say about t.
Listen Here:
4. “B**** Look At Me Now” — Childish Gambino
Before I confuse people: NO, CHILDISH GAMBINO WILL NOT BE AT PYGMALION FEST. But this song samples Grizzly Bear, and is altogether one of my famous Gambino raps. I think you’ll like it, too.
Listen Here:
5. “Last Year” — Best Coast
“What a day this year has been, what a year this day has been”
These lyrics seem to be so applicable to college, where the years seem to fly by so fast! I can’t wait to see these guys and all of their California glory.
Listen Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeI_7BcERDw
6. “Wasted Days” — Cloud Nothings
It’s impossible to listen to the intro to this song and not get completely stoked to listen to the rest of it. The lead singer sounds a little like Billy Corgan, but that’s nothing to hold against a man. These guys just played Pitchfork, too, and they look to rock C-U in September.
Listen Here:
7. “Life Inside An Elephant” — Elsinore
Elsinore are somewhat like local celebrities around here, and they always put on a great show. Frontman Ryan Graff is possibly the nicest front-man in the history of music. This track is off of their Life Inside An Elephant EP, but also look for them to drop a new album sometime soon, as I hear it is in the process of being made! Check out our latest interview with Elsinore HERE!
Listen Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUfydEDRTi0
8. “Stillness Is The Move” — Dirty Projectors
I’ll be honest with you, it was really hard for me to come around on Dirty Projectors. I would definitely call it an acquired taste, but after I acquired it, I loved it! Hopefully this song is enough to sway you, but if it’s not, check Bitte Orca, which is a great album.
Listen Here:
9. “Comeback Kid” — Sleigh Bells
Sleigh Bells goes hard. It’ll be interesting to see how they translate that to a live performance. Did I mention that Sleigh Bells goes hard?
Listen Here:
10. “Marathon” — Tennis:
I had the pleasure of catching this band in Amsterdam when I was backpacking across Europe. Their style reminds me of She & Him, but even more relaxed than the M. Ward Zooey combo. This is the show that I expect to surprise me the most (weird to expect a surprise, right?).
Listen Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsbXcJT8yfE
