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The Pitchfork Mixtape

The first of Chicago's two major festivals is only three days away.

Pitchfork Festival will grace Union Park in Chicago for the fourth year in a row, filling the park with indie rock and sweaty hipsters. As much as the festival fulfills a stereotype, there is no denying the caliber of artists at Pitchfork Festival is impressive and wide range. Fusing together a plethora of genres, the festival offers up three days of under the radar artists, not so under the radar artists and a record and craft fair - all at one of the more affordable festival prices. This week we spotlight some of the best songs of our favorite artists playing the festival this year.

Built to Spill - Carry The Zero - Built to Spill are one of those quintessential 90s indie rock bands. Their roots are Midwestern, and if you happened upon a college radio station in the last 15 years, you’ve probably heard their music, or another band that was directly influenced by them. They’ll be participating in the “Write the Night” series at Pitchfork Festival Friday night, where ticket holders choose the set list of each band.

The National - Mistaken For Strangers - This Brooklyn based band creates dense and dark music, hollowed drums backing the distinct baritone of lead singer Matt Berninger. In 2007 the band garnered critical acclaim with the release of their album Boxer. The album topped many best of list, and the band achieved a swift rise to success. Their set will be subdued and relaxing, a perfect act to catch a breath during the busy weekend.

Black Lips – Katrina - The Black Lips are an abrasive garage rock band with a reputation for ridiculous stage antics. Their music has a signature gritty sound, with blues-rock undertones. They’ve since toned down their live shows, which use to include vomiting, urination, nudity, kissing, and flaming guitars, but have no fear that they’ll still deliver a blistering set Saturday.

Matt & Kim-Yea Yeah - Catchy dance punk tinged rock will surely get a decent crowd pulsating and dancing together at Pitchfork. The Brooklyn couple, all smiles when they play, is sure to delight anyone that happens upon their joyous show. If you don’t believe me, try to watch the music video for “Yea Yeah” and not smile. Who doesn’t love giant dancing food items?

Beirut - Postcards From Italy - With their Eastern European “depressed in the Gulag” meets folk pop sound, Beirut corners the market on exotic gypsy indie rock. Lead singer Zach Condon became influenced by this style of music while living in Paris. He then spent three years living with local gypsies, becoming immersed in their music. Talk about dedication to ones art.

The Flaming Lips – Buggin’ (Remix) - With their strange brand of psychedelic freak-rock, The Flaming Lips have been together for over 25 years, creating beautiful whimsical music and gaining an allegiant family of fans. Hailing from the heartland of Oklahoma City, The Lips are known for their outrageous live shows, full of confetti, balloons, dancing creatures on stage, and floating their lead singer over the crowd in a bubble. If you leave the festival early on Sunday, you are an utter fool. The Flaming Lips put on one of the best live shows ever. Please, do not miss seeing this band.

Grizzly Bear – Knife - Grizzly Bear have been creating some of the most haunting, beautiful, and mesmerizing songs in experimental rock. Using layers of lush instrumentation and vocal harmonization, the bands soft demeanor and hushed sound only intensifies and builds in a live setting. They played Pitchfork Festival in 2007, and it was one of the surprise highlights of my weekend.

The Thermals - Here’s Your Future - The blistering and sometimes apocalyptic pop-punk rock band from Portland continues to churn out guttural songs of confusion, lust, lost, and love. Their set on will bring life to a lazy Sunday in the park. Just make sure to bring your dancing shoes and SPF 35.

Posted by Lisa White on Jul 14, 2009 @ 12:00 am