by Karina Abbott (karina.abbott404@gmail.com)
Headliner Spotlight: Day Two – Saturday, July 21st
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes was one of the first indie artists I ever stumbled upon, among the likes of Father John Misty and Tokyo Police Club. I can’t even remember where I first heard of them; I just recall having “White Winter Hymnal” on my iPod since I was about 12 years old. They’re one of those bands that everyone has heard of, that everyone has listened to at least twice, because they make you feel something that you couldn’t before. Songs like “Oliver James”, “Ragged Wood” and “Your Protector” have played countless times from our iPods, through our car speakers, while we were singing terribly in the shower, not because they have a contagious hook or repetitive rhythm, but because they are truly great. Fleet Foxes are a classic and a staple among fleeting trends, while many of these other indie bands might fade, they will stay on, playing forever in our rooms and in our hearts, in the form of “Montezuma”, everybody’s favorite sad song.
The War on Drugs
The War on Drugs first came about in 2005, due to the creative impulses of two great artists in their own right, Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile. The group has since lost and gained several members, and as it stands now includes Adam Granduciel, David Hartley, Robbie Bennett, Charlie Hall, Jon Natchez, and Anthony LaMarca. I can’t claim to have been a fan from the beginning, as I only became aware of their existence with the release of their fourth full length album, ‘A Deeper Understanding’. Though that was due to my own inexperience as an indie music fan, and not their level of talent. Now that I know who they are, The War on Drugs is one of my favorite bands; their last album tied for my 2017 album of the year, along with ‘Antisocialites’ by Alvvays. The song “Knocked Down” was my first introduction to them, but since going back and listening to most of their discography, I’ve decided that their 2013 release “Red Eyes” is my favorite song, and I can’t decide between “Lost in the Dream” and “A Deeper Understanding” for my all-time favorite album of theirs. I think it’s the unique combination of intricately layered guitar, keyboards, and signature vocals that keeps me coming back, hoping for more, but who can know for sure? These things just happen, it’s a feeling more than anything else, like a fire in my soul that keeps me warm from the callousness of others, that makes me eager to hear what they put out next. Only the really good musicians can produce music that makes you feel something like that, ones with a deeper understanding for what it really means to make something beautiful.
