Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Post by RadioSpirit on Feb 15, 2012 3:20:45 GMT -5
Okay, I remember this thread from last year and it was really awesome. I thought it worked a lot better than the Band-A-Day thing, which has kind of fallen off lately.
Basically, tell us about one of your favorite artists on the lineup. Give us a full run-down of their history, their style, their origin, and go through their discography album-by-album giving your opinions and the general consensus. Tell us what we should listen to, why we should listen to it, what to expect, everything. Include Youtube videos and pictures! You can get as in-depth as you want, it's encouraged!
Claim the band(s) you want to do so you make sure nobody else grabs them, but then make sure you follow through. Do as many as you'd like.
Claimed: Afrocubism - garageland The Roots - Juggs Flying Lotus - Alberto MiMOSA - Duddits Das Racist - jonesjupiter Gary Clark Jr. - jonesjupiter Black Star - Flanzo Danny Brown - conversation16 Kendrick Lamar - tinkertailor Yelawolf - tinkertailor Laura Marling - ghoststhatweknew Grouplove - jmhayes Dawes - sleepyjean
The Civil Wars are a duo based out of Nashville, Tennessee. They are a mostly acoustic Americana folk sound, but come from diverse backgrounds. Joy Williams made a name for herself in the Christian pop scene in the early to mid-90's and received several Dove awards for her work. Growing up in California, she claims the Beach Boys and the Carpenters as her primary influences. This is in stark contrast to John Paul Whites background. He grew up in Alabama and played a variety of southern rock and country as a solo artist with a backing band. He claims Johnny Cash as his biggest influence. He also played Bonnaroo back in 2007.
When John and Joy met in 2008, both had dropped back from performing and were establishing themselves as songwriters in the Nashville scene. Both were attending a songwriting workshop and were paired up to work on a song together. They immediately realized that they clicked musically and decided to form a band. In April 2009, they played their second show ever at Eddies Attic in Decatuar, Georgia and took the feed from the soundboard and made it available for download online for free. You can still get it here (http://noisetrade.com/thecivilwars).
They decided to make this band a purely grassroots project and built their name through constant touring and word of mouth. In November of 2009, they released a 4 song EP called Poison and Wine. The title track from that was selected to be on Grey's Anatomy and signaled the first real breakthrough for the Civil Wars. Prior to the release of their full-length debut, Barton Hollow, in early 2011, they were asked to play on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Barton Hollow sold over 25,000 copies in it's first week out. During the remainer of 2011, they continued to tour in support of Barton Hollow and went from playing coffee shops in the beginning of the year to opening for Adele on her tour to eventually headlining and selling out theatres.
In Febuary 2012, they received Grammy's for Best Folk Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
Must hear tracks:
Barton Hallow
Birds of a Feather
20 Years
I've Got This Friend
A small personal note:
There have been very few shows that I have cried at. The two times I saw The Civil Wars led me to tears both times. There is something so emotional about their music that just grabs you. I put a high emphasis on good melodies and harmonies and that is what their strengths are. The interplay between the two on stage is magical and needs to be seen live to fully appreciate. They go places with their voices that leave you breathless. I would HIGHLY recommend giving them a look-see if at all possible even if this isn't your typical cup of tea. I have yet to meet someone who has seen them live who hasn't been impressed by their live show.
Bonus: here is the best cover of a Michael Jackson song you will ever see.
Okay, I remember this thread from last year and it was really awesome. I thought it worked a lot better than the Band-A-Day thing, which has kind of fallen off lately.
Basically, tell us about one of your favorite artists on the lineup. Give us a full run-down of their history, their style, their origin, and go through their discography album-by-album giving your opinions and the general consensus. Tell us what we should listen to, why we should listen to it, what to expect, everything. Include Youtube videos and pictures! You can get as in-depth as you want, it's encouraged!
Claim the band(s) you want to do so you make sure nobody else grabs them, but then make sure you follow through. Do as many as you'd like.
Awesome idea. If you could could you post the artists and perhaps strike them off once taken? We're gonna get so many people doing duplicates if not.
That said, I'm in for Charles Bradley & Afrocubism. I'd like to write about a guy I love and a band I know nothing about but have high expectations.
Last Edit: Feb 15, 2012 9:55:19 GMT -5 by aftermath - Back to Top
Post by RadioSpirit on Feb 15, 2012 12:36:30 GMT -5
Awesome post rhodesrs, I'm definitely going to try to check them out, they seem pretty good. Impressive you got on that so fast!
And I can't take credit for the idea, I'm pretty sure it was NoD who had the thread last year, and he was probably inspired by the Band-A-Day format, but I thought it was cool, so I figured I'd get it going this year. And I'll definitely update the first post with what people have claimed.
Post by CMPMGCTRCKS on Feb 15, 2012 12:47:16 GMT -5
I'd be happy to do Childish Gambino for this thread....one quick question though, I can't seem to embed youtube videos, could someone explain that for me, then I'll get to work!
I'd be happy to do Childish Gambino for this thread....one quick question though, I can't seem to embed youtube videos, could someone explain that for me, then I'll get to work!
On the Add Tags section when you hit Reply and click on the Tube button. Then in between the two bracketed youtube sections, paste the youtube url of the video you want.
Post by CMPMGCTRCKS on Feb 15, 2012 14:15:34 GMT -5
CHILDISH GAMBINO
(Throughout this write-up I'm gonna use *'s to separate my opinion from facts!)
Childish Gamnino (AKA Donald Glover) is an american rapper, from Stone Mountain, Georgia. (For those of you who watch 30 Rock, yep, same Stone Mountain that Kenneth is from. Donald was a writer for the first three seasons!)
Obviously, Donald is well known for his role in Community, and his sketch comedy with Derrick Comedy. Until recently though, very few people knew that he has always had aspirations to be a rapper. He got the name Childish Gambino from a Wu-Tang Clan name generator, and got to work!
Gambino is mostly known for being a #(hashtag)rapper. Essentially, that means that he removes the words "as in", "like". e.g. "Made the beat and murdered it, Casey Anthony". You can certainly hear his comedic influence in most of his songs, and he can at times be a little cheesy. *That's part of the appeal for me, I really appreciate rappers who don't take everything so seriously.*
He released his first two albums"Sick Boi" and "Poindexter" in 2008, and 2009 respectively, to very little acclaim. *These albums have some high points, but honestly, he's gotten much better in recent years.*
His next two EP's were "I Am Just A Rapper" and "I Am Just A Rapper 2", both released in early 2010. He went down a different road on these EP's, and rapped over established songs instead of using his own beats. The names of the songs were listed as "Name of Song(Name of Song he Raps Over)". *This is where Childish really started to come into his own in my eyes.*
Then came Culdesac. Much better production, years of practice, and a strategically placed Adele sample started getting him a lot more listeners! *Honestly, this is my favorite album of his! Sit down with it, awesome stuff on here!*
Next up, the Childish Gambino EP. "Freaks and Geeks", his first big hit came off this EP, and was also his first music video.
Last but not least, Camp was released in late 2011. "Bonfire" was the first single, hyping up the album. "Heartbeat" is now getting a lot of play, great reviews, and recently has seen it's own remix album. *"All The Shine" is my personal favorite on Camp.*
So that's a nice little rundown on Childish Gambino's music! Dig in to his catalog a bit, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with his wordplay and originality! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy!
THE WORD (feat. John Medeski, Robert Randolph, & The North Mississippi All-Stars)
The Word is in every sense of the word (no pun intended) a supergroup. They comprise of pianist & keyboardist John Medeski of Medeski, Martin and Wood, steel guitarist extraordinaire Robert Randolph of Robert Randolph and The Family Band, and the blues trio The North Mississippi All-Stars consisting of guitarist Luther Dickinson, drummer and washboard player Cody Dickinson and bass guitarist Chris Chew.
The Word has only released one album in their time as a band. The album is entitled "The Word" and was released in 2001 on Ropeadope Records. The record is a ten track album filled with all five men's influences of rock, blues, soul, funk, and gospel music and create a fully instrumental grooved-out gospel record. Like the gospel, its cheerful and happy as well as retrospective, mournful, and spiritual.
Joyful Sounds
Unfortunately there is not much on Youtube of the band, just the first track from their record, a performance of when they played late-night on Conan O'Brien and various other fan recorded live videos. However I really do highly recommend you check out not only their album, but their show as well. As I have said on this forum, this show next to Radiohead is my most anticipated set. They rarely play at all, and I would go out and say they have played around only 30 or so shows in 11 to 12 years, so this is a can't miss show.
Here's a few more live videos.
Live on Late-Nite with Conan O'Brien - Joyful Sounds
Live at The Culture Room, NYE 2010
Live at Terminal 5 - Seven Nation Army (White Stripes cover)
Live at the Wanee Music Festival 2010
Essential Tracks: Joyful Sounds, Blood on That Rock, Without God, Waiting on My Wings
Umphrey's McGee is a progressive rock jam band based in Chicago whose music is often referred to as "progressive improvisation", or "improg". Although the band is part of the jam band scene, like Phish and the Grateful Dead (with ever-changing setlists, improvisation, two sets per night, open taping policy, etc.), they are much more influenced musically by progressive rock bands such as King Crimson, Yes, Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, Frank Zappa, and early Genesis, as well as heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden. The band also identifies The Police, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin as primary influences. Umphrey's has an eclectic style ranging from prog rock, funk, jazz, blues, metal, space rock, and anything else they can think of. Recent shows have seen the band moving into more electronic, house, and dance music territories, influenced by Daft Punk and Chromeo, mixed with the progressive rock sound they are known for.
The band's lineup consists of:
Brendan Bayliss - guitar, vocals
Joel Cummins - keyboards, vocals
Ryan Stasik - bass
Jake Cinninger - guitar, vocals
Kris Myers - drums, vocals
Andy Farag - percussion
Main Studio Albums:
-Greatest Hits Vol. III (1998) - First studio album, recorded and released just six months after the band's formation. The album was recorded in just one day in preparation for an upcoming performance. -Local Band Does OK (2002) - Contains extensive forays into progressive rock and large-scale composition. At Bonnaroo 2002, the album sold more copies than any other album over the weekend. -Anchor Drops (2004) - Mixed progressive rock with acoustic folk, jam band grooves, heavy metal and electronica. -Safety in Numbers (2006) - Contains many slower, acoustic songs and a simpler, stripped down approach with little jamming or progressive rock elements. -The Bottom Half (2007) - Double album recorded during the band's 2005/2006 sessions of Safety in Numbers. The first disc contains complete songs that were initially left off the Safety in Numbers album, while the second disc features demos, outtakes, and b-sides from the sessions. -Mantis (2009) - Concentrated more on the progressive style that was associated with their Anchor Drops album. -Death by Stereo (2011) - A mix of new songs as well as old songs that the band has used in their live rotation for years, such as "Hajimemashite" and "The Floor".
Live: Umphreys McGee has over 750 sbd-downloadable shows on livedownloads.com, including Bonnaroos 2004 (latenight), 2005, 2006 (latenight), 2008, and 2010.
Some of my personal favorites are: AllGood 2009,
both Rothbury 2009 shows (7/04, 7/05),
both Atlanta 2010 shows (2/06 and 8/14),
Both Wakarusa 2010 shows (6/04, 6/05)
NYE 2010
2/17/11 (Asheville) one of my favorites, with Chris Tanfield on the trippy-as-f*ck theremin (watch Jake battle him out)
Some of their signature OMFG compositional songs Nothing Too Fancy
All in Time
2x2 (my personal favorite UM song)
Awesome Jimmy Stuart (jammin') Bright Lights
Wappy Sprayberry
Covers and Mashups: Umphrey's will usually do one cover every show. I've seen them do Metallica, The Clash, Men Without Hats, Pink Floyd, Marshall Tucker Band, Talking Heads, The Police, Michael Jackson, The Beatles. And that's BARELY reaching into their cover catelog.
What's really interesting is when Umphrey's does mashups. Same logic as Girl Talk, except with live instrumentation. One of my favorites: Pink Floyd/Michael Jackson at UMBowl 2011
No Woman, Let it Be - No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley/Let it Be - The Beatles
and Come Closer - a Nine Inch Nails-Closer/The Beatles-Come Together mashup (I was at this one)
Umphrey's and Festivals and other such things Summercamp - Summer Camp Music Festival is a jam music festival held each Memorial Day weekend at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois, each year headlined with 3 shows by Umphrey's McGee and 3 shows by moe., each getting one latenight.
UM Bowl - an evening of four 45 minute sets influenced entirely by the audience. Not only do fans who buy tickets to the intimate event vote for certain songs to be played, they’re also encouraged to use text messaging to influence the direction of the show.
'The Stew Art Series' or S2 Special shows where fans submit their instructions for the direction of the jam (such as a color, adjective or even a concept like, for example, "stumbling home drunk") via their Umphrey's Mozes mobile interface. The band's soundman, Kevin Browning, sorts through them in real time and projects them onto a screen for the band to then interpret musically, mid-jam. For example - on October 3 2009 in Milwaukee, Wis., fans directed the band to play music that sounded like the soundtrack to "a bus ride in Jamaica" and "drinking pina coladas in a hurricane," amongst other things.
... I and a few others have made quite a fuss on here about Umphrey's deserving a latenight this year. The last time they had one was in 2006, only a 90 minute set leading into Disco Biscuits. 2008 and 2010 put them in , what's my opinion, the worst possible slot - mid-afternoon Which Stage. If you need further proof that Umphrey's could destroy a latenight, listen to their Allgood and Rothbury shows. Listen to the 2nd night of Wakarusa 2010. Watch the youtube videos. I feel confident that they will get the slot this year.
Post by RadioSpirit on Feb 16, 2012 0:45:16 GMT -5
Great work on Umph jpbrez, Umph is my favorite band out of the Jam scence, and the only one I really listen to with anything resembling frequency. And I will definitely second the need for a Late Night show.
Ben Folds Five was a piano rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina that lasted from 1993 until their break-up in 2000. The band was named Ben Folds Five, despite consisting of only three members, because Ben Folds thought it sounded much better than Ben Folds Three. Lovingly described by Ben Folds as "punk rock for sissies", the band consisted solely of piano, vocals, bass, and percussion. The group was heavily influenced by jazz music, and were known for their crowd-pleasing and improvisational skills as well as their sense of humor. Audience participation was often a requirement at their concerts.
While together, Ben Folds Five released three studio albums before breaking up in 2000 following a world tour. The trio all went to develop solo projects, and finally reunited for a one-off performance in 2008. Since that performance, the band has reconvened to record a new album.
The bands lineup consists of Ben Folds on piano and vocals, Robert Sledge on bass, and Darren Jessee on percussion. Ben Folds has previous played Bonnaroo solo, but this marks the first time that the band has performed together on the farm.
Personal Note While I've never had the chance to see Ben Folds Five in concert, I've seen Ben Folds solo four times. The raw passion and energy that he brings to his performances is staggering. You've never seen a man shred on a piano until you've seen Ben Folds. He's a musical genius, a crowd pleaser, and a humorist. His songs can fire you up, rock you to sleep, or break your heart. Never before have I seen an artist who's music spans the full spectrum of emotion. He pours his soul into every stroke of the key, into every note that he sings, and into every word that he writes. You'd have to be mentally insane and or dead to miss this show. He wrote some of the best material of his career while he was with Ben Folds Five, and the each musician is incredibly talented in is own right. Seeing Ben solo is electrifying, but I'm not sure that my head won't explode after seeing him performing with the band that established him as a musical demon. This band was my first "favorite band". Ben Folds solo was my first concert. This music takes me back to a really special place as a kid growing up in the 90's. I can't wait to relive that on the farm and to finally see the band that defined my early teenage years.
Discography
Ben Folds Five (Self Titled)(From Wikipedia) Ben Folds Five is the self-titled debut album by Ben Folds Five, released in 1995. A non-traditional rock album by any estimation, it was an indie pop album that excluded lead guitars completely.
My Opinion: If you're looking to get into Ben Folds, this is a great place to start. It is some of the best tracks that the band recorded, and there is one really one song on the entire album that I feel indifferent towards. I bet you that you won't walk away without humming the songs over and over in your head. Not only is it one of the best Ben Folds Five albums, it is quite possibly one of the best debut albums of all time. It's easy to see why this album catapulted them into the scene.
My Picks: It's so hard to pick two songs off of this album, but I chose to go with "Video" and "The Best Imitation of Myself". Video has a really nostalgic feeling for me, and I just really identify with both songs. Plus, they are some of the catchiest melodies that Ben has ever written.
Whatever and Ever Amen (From Wikipedia): Whatever and Ever Amen is the second album by Ben Folds Five, released in 1997. A remaster was made available on March 22, 2005. All of the extra tracks had been previously released (as b-sides, soundtrack contributions, etc.) except for a cover of the Buggles song "Video Killed the Radio Star", which is a staple of Ben Folds Five's live show.
My Opinion: This was my first Ben Folds Five album. I remember walking into the record store as a kid and having it recommended to me by one of the employees. I'm pretty sure that the employee was actually probably God trying to lead my life into the right direction, because as soon as I got into the car and popped it into the CD I was in Heaven. If you want to get into Ben Folds Five, either start with this or the self-titled album. Either way, you can't go wrong. A lot of great memories are associated with this CD. Every time I hear Brick, it takes me back to all of those times I made my mom play it in the car over and over.
My Picks: Like I said with the self-titled album, it's nearly impossible to pick two tracks from this album. I probably sound like a sap, but this album got me through a lot of poop. My first breakup in particular. Evaporated is a hands-down pick. It is one of my favorite songs of all time and has an incredible amount of meaning to me. I'm listening to it right now and all of the memories of my first love are just flooding back at me. The other song that I chose is Song For The Dumped. I went through a terrible summer where I broke up with my latest girlfriend back in May, and this song was literally the only thing that could cheer me up and make me laugh. I came full circle with this album.
The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (From Wikipedia): The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner is the third studio album by Ben Folds Five, released April 27, 1999. It was their last studio album before breaking up in 2000. The record was given generally positive reviews, with AllMusic saying that it's the band's willingness "to forge a unique sound that makes The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner such an interesting album to listen to. There is care to these songs and, what's even more significant and fresh, there is also intelligence."
My Opinion: Though this is probably my least favorite of the three albums, it is still an incredibly fantastic album. While honestly it's not the best starting point for new listeners, it has some real gems on it and is definitely worth listening to.
My Picks: Army and Narcolepsy. Army is perhaps one of the most fun songs that I've ever heard live. During his concerts, Ben divides the audience and makes them sing the trumpet section in the middle of the song so start studying up! Narcolepsy is a slow song that builds into a huge quacking rockin' number. They both show really different sides of the band and they have a real knack for balancing alternating tones extraordinarily well.
TBA (2012) Currently the band is in the process of recording a new album, a prospect that makes me feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve. Ben Folds just released a solo introspective album in which he included a few Ben Folds Five songs from various sessions that didn't make it into the albums. I've thrown one of the songs in for good measure. It's an incredible piano ballad called "Stumbling Home Winter Blues." Put it on your iPod and walk around outside. It's an incredibly melancholy/beautiful feeling. Ben's music does that to you.
Final Note If you don't see this band, I pity you. Creating this thread has just rekindled my extreme love for this band and brought me back to memories that I'd long locked up. I'll be a mess when they're playing, but the euphoria of seeing a band that defined my childhood will be a dream that could only come true at Bonnaroo. You'd be a fool to miss what is sure to be one of, if not the best show on the farm. See them, your heart will thank you.
The Punch Brothers are a supergroup of sorts. Chris Thile of Nickel Creek fame heads the five-piece "progressive" bluegrass band founded in 2006 post-Nickel Creek. With a mandolin, guitar, fiddle, banjo, and bass, they form a fairly normal country/bluegrass band, but have taken on many styles. Known to cover bands from Radiohead, to the Strokes, to the White Stripes over the course of one set, their sound appears to have progressed greatly from the normal bluegrass sound with the melding of classical, atonality and modern pop music. They have four albums with increasingly significant collaborative writing. *I still believe Punch is the best*. The band members are: Chris Thile - Mandolin
Chris Thile is the definition of a prodigy. He started mandolin at the age of five and by eight had founded Nickel Creek with family friends. At 12, Chris Thile won the prestigious national mandolin championship. He received quick, notable acclaim with Nickel Creek, releasing the very popular self-titled "official" debut at the age of 19, which went Gold along with their follow up This Side. By the release of their third spotlight album, the band decided a break was needed and Chris started writing by himself and formed the Punch Brothers Sample of Nickel Creek:
Why Chris Thile is awesome:
Noam Pikelny - banjo (in 2010, he was awarded the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass)
Post by Dave Maynar on Feb 16, 2012 15:43:13 GMT -5
I was going to do Fitz and the Tantrums but Hakunamatata (sp?) did a pretty good write up in the band specific thread. You may just want to link to it.
-When I Hear My Name -Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground -Blue Orchid -Passive Manipulation -Red Rain -Death Letter -My Doorbell -Hotel Yorba -Same Boy You've Always Known -Lovesick -Little Ghost -We're Going to Be Friends -The Hardest Button to Button -Black Math -The Nurse -I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself
Encore: -Ball and Biscuit -Seven Nation Army -Screwdriver
Post by Fritz the Cat on Feb 17, 2012 2:11:12 GMT -5
MAJOR LAZER
Basically, Major Lazer is a joint effort between 2 DJ's: Switch and Diplo.
Diplo, who is based out of Philadelphia, PA, first started collaborating with M.I.A. around 2004. This is how he and Switch (London, England) crossed paths a few years later. These two were the brains behind Paper Planes. They have also worked with the likes of Santigold and La Roux.
The two agreed upon a collaborative effort that took place in Jamaica which was sought out to capture the local dancehall scene as well as other dance "sub-genres." When you throw that melting pot together you get...Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do (2009).
Their new album is due out this spring and tends to be going this route:
What to expect live
Their live shows come off just as comical and crazy as the video's above. It is an all out dance party, but probably won't make sense unless it out of the heat of the day and under a tent at night.
Expect anything and everything; let loose and have fun. To me personally, the dancehall reggae blends have such a raw earthy feel to them that it really brings out the primitive side to people. Or, the laser cannoned arm side...hope to see you there!