Words & Photos by Matt Di Paola
One of the great things about festivals is not just hearing the headliners and experiencing their wild stage shows — it’s discovering new music. You know those bands, and artists that appear in small print towards the bottom of every festival poster ever? Yes, some of those are just as good if not better than the ones whose names appear in big bold letters.
At Shaky Knees there were four artists I discovered that I wanted to share with you because to me they are absolutely must-listen. Honorable mentions do go out to Devon Gilfillian (guitars, soul and good times), Curtis Harding (always a dance party), and IDLES (for the most pit you’ve been waiting for).
Taylor Janzen
First set, first day of Shaky Knees, Taylor Janzen, a singer/songwriter from Winnipeg and possibly Dennis Quaid’s biggest fan (there is a song on her new EP called Dennis Quaid) performed an earnest set at the Ponce de Leon stage. As a songwriter, she consistently pushes herself to be vulnerable, working through her painful experiences and putting them out into the world for people to connect with and feel less alone. If you see her live, sing along. If you need to disappear into your head for a bit, put the headphones on and start with ‘Colorblind’ or ’Waiting Room’ and go from there.
Who Taylor is listening to: Maggie Rogers, Julia Jacklin, Boniface, Yes We Mystic, Jade Bird, and tons Brandi Carlile.
Who she wants to open for some day: Brandi Carlile.
New EP: Available on Spotify.
Where to see her next: Bunbury Music Festival (Cincinnati May 31) or Winnipeg Folk Festival (July 11).
Duncan Fellows
What happens when 13-16 guys live together on Duncan Lane in Austin? You start a band named Duncan Fellows, of course. The tight chemistry the band has on stage starts with the fact that they all live together, tour constantly, four out of five of the band members are an Aquarius’ and they have one goal in common – to make sure the audience is having as good a time as they are having. Start your listening journey with a backyard barbecue or the beginning of a road trip with ‘Freshly Squeezed’ or “Can’t Keep”
Who they are fans of: Houndmouth, Sun Club, Foxygen, The Nude Party, Manchester Orchestra.
Who they want to open for some day: The Killers
New EP: hopefully coming in July – latest single here.
Where to see them next: Touring across the U.S. with Wilderado through May.
cleopatrick
Still a fiercely independent band, cleopatrick has had one hell of a year, touring incessantly in their own van and blowing the roof off of every venue they play. Like most two-piece guitar and drum bands, the boys know how to make a lot of noise. Hint – if you’re at their show, get ready to jump up and down. If you don’t, Luke will make sure to let you know. Turn your volume to 11 and start your listening journey with – ‘hometown’ or ‘Daphne did it.’
Who they are fans of: Julia Jacklin, The Struts, Cage the Elephant, Bad Books, Mumford & Sons.
Where to see them next: 2000 Trees in Cheltenham or Citadel Festival in London, both in July and Austin City Limits in October. This is along with some smaller shows in the U.S. and some smaller soon to be announced gigs.
Who they would love to tour with: Nothing But Thieves.
Liily
Liily are four young guys from Southern California who grew up on a combination of Massive Attack, the Walkmen, Pink Floyd, Queen and Humble Pie. They started by playing in a Fleetwood Mac cover band, but their post punk sound and energy on stage is more akin to Bad Brains, Circle Jerks, Zach De la Rocha and Cage the Elephant. Where to start your listening journey – ‘Sold’ or “I Can Fool Anybody in This Town’.
Where to see them next: Two weeks in the UK right now.
Coming up next: They will appear in the City Valley Documentary on May 10th, with a new released song.
Who They Would Love to Tour With: Fidlar, black midi, Death Grips, Shame, Idles.
