why aren’t you listening to…
…Jake Bugg (@jakebugg)? Style Etoile is in full-on Coachella mode right now and today we are bringing you one of our most anticipated acts—Jake Bugg. The barely-legal Brit blew us away with his Johnny Cash-meets-the-Beatles tunes at SXSW and we have had his eponymous debut album on repeat ever since. This is catchy, 50s-influenced rock and roll with a little Bob Dylan gravel thrown in for good measure. Get involved.
why aren’t you listening to…
…our Coachella picks? Well, folks, it’s that time of year again and Style Etoile couldn’t be more excited about this year’s lineup. Check out our must-sees below.
Friday: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Band of Horses, Local Natives, Of Monsters and Men, Four Tet, Alt J, Jake Bugg, Earl Sweatshirt, Purity Ring, Youth Lagoon, Lord Huron
Saturday: Phoenix, The Postal Service, New Order, Hot Chip, Knife Party, Benny Benassi, Violent Femmes, Wild Nothing, Theophilus London, Guards, Savages
Sunday: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Wu-Tang Clan, Pretty Lights, Tame Impala, Grimes, Father John Misty, Tanlines, Cloud Nothings, Jeff the Brotherhood, Hanni El Khatib
why aren’t you listening to…
…Hanni El Khatib (HanniElKhatib)? It may be April Fool’s Day, but Hanni El Khatib’s music is no joke. Los Angeles-based El Khatib is making bluesy, punked-out rock and roll that sounds like a blend of The Black Keys and The White Stripes and man, is it good. His show was one of our favorites at SXSW and we can’t wait to catch him again at Coachella. This guy is about to blow up—if you don’t believe us, check out Will the Guns Come Out and see if you’re not hooked.
why aren’t you listening to…
…Fast Romantics (@FastRomantics)? Well hello there, catchy—we’re so glad you came. Fast Romantics is a hot act out of Canada who happened to have put out one of our favorite songs of last year—“Funeral Song.” These guys are making upbeat guitar rock with just the right amount of noir and punk. Fast Romantics remind us a bit of fellow Canadians Arcade Fire, but we also hear a little Strokes and Talking Heads in the mix. No word on any upcoming live shows, but you better believe Style Etoile will be front and center when it happens…stay tuned.
why aren’t you listening to…
…The Long Wives (@TheLongWives)? The Long Wives is LA-based Brandy St. John and she breaks our hearts. Over and over. St. John first caught Style Etoile’s attention when she headed into the studio with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Nick Zinner and Karen O and created “Dark Horse/La Vengenista,” but it is her latest effort “The Hollow Fin” that really won us over. St. John’s music is sparse, thoughtful, haunting, and sad and we love it. She reminds us of perfect blend of Cat Power, Florence Welch, and Karin Dreijer Andersson (of The Knife and Fever Ray). Check out the goods here.
why aren’t you listening to…
…Emma Louise (@EmmaLouiseHere)? Happy SXSW! Style Etoile is smack dab in the middle our favorite week of the year, and we thought we would share with you one of the acts we are looking most forward to seeing. Emma Louise is an Australian songstress making music that moves easily between haunting electronica and pop/rock. Her latest album, vs. Head vs. Heart, drops in May and if it’s debut single, “Freedom” is any indication, we have a real winner on our hands.
why aren’t you listening to…
…London Grammar (@londongrammar)? My God, this is sexy. Style Etoile first took notice of London Grammar with the release of their debut single, “Hey Now,” and after hearing their second track, “Metal and Dust,” they have our undivided attention. London Grammar is a (you guessed it) London-based trio consisting of Hannah Reid, Dot Major, and Dan Rothman. Their sound is reminiscent of Zero 7, Weekend Players, Massive Attack, and even a little M83. This is slow-burning, chilled out electronica with a soul and we can’t wait to hear what they come up with next.
why aren’t you listening to…
…Jagwar Ma (@JagwarMa)? Aussies have an uncanny knack of having more fun than anyone else and Jagwar Ma is no exception. The Sydney duo makes sunshine-y, hazey, catchy music that sounds like a cross between Animal Collective and The Beach Boys. Jagwar Ma’s psychedelic pop goodness front and center on their new single, “The Throw,” released today. Keep your ears out for a full length later this year…g’day.
why aren’t you listening to…
…Caveman (@cavemanband)? How is SXSW only a month away? Apparently time flies when you’re having fun. Anyhoo, with our favorite festival just around the corner we thought we would share one of the acts to which we are most looking forward. Caveman is a Brooklyn-based quartet and their music is a catchy blend of post-punk, synth, and electro-folk—think The Shins meets New Order. The band’s self-titled sophomore EP is due out April 2nd and they are playing Webster Hall the following week—get there.
—Lost In The Light
why aren’t you listening to…
…Idiot Wind? In honor of Valentine’s Day, Style Etoile thought we should share one half of what is one of our favorite music couples (the other half being Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man On Earth). Idiot Wind is Sweden’s Amanda Bergman and she takes our breath away. Her Find The Rhythm In The Noise7” (released at the end of last year) has broken our hearts and left us begging for more so it’s a good thing there is an album rumored for this year. Idiot Wind makes intimate and powerful acoustic folk pop that reminds us just the tiniest bit of Regina Spektor. She just wrapped up a European tour with First Aid Kit and we are keeping our fingers crossed that she brings her live act stateside.
