It's that time of year again, and by that I mean, THE GREATEST TIME OF THE YEAR: Culture Shock season is upon us! While some of us might still be recovering from last year's lineup (Neon Indian! Whitney! Hoops!), it's time once again to get pumped for WIUX's homage to springtime vibes and groovy tunes, held this year on April 15. This year's festival is chock full of a diverse range of genres and artists--there's definitely going to be something for everyone (plus hopefully food trucks).
Let's meet the artists!
High Fiber
High Fiber is one of our local bands. They are self-described as "Psych pop lo-fi disembodied head sexplosion"--sounds enticing! Their debut EP, Corner In, Corner Out came out last year. These local dudes will be serving up fuzzy pop with an overall feel-good, fever-dreamy vibe. While the lyrics at times betray darker themes running through their songs, High Fiber will bring some freaky and festive vibes to the meadow.
[embed]https://soundcloud.com/highfiber/skips-song[/embed]
House Olympics
Another local act, House Olympics, is going to add a needed element of emo to Culture Shock 2017. Punk's not dead! And House Olympics is living proof! If you've lived in Bloomington for any amount of time, you've likely heard these guys rocking out in someone's basement. Their latest release, a three-song EP entitled Nothing Feels Better Than Feeling Better, came out in early 2016, but the band's got a full length album cooking as I type!
Amy O
Bloomington-based Amy O started as the solo project of Amy Oelsner back in 2004, but she's since picked up a full band to help bolster her sometimes whimsical, always subtlely profound lo-fi songs. Amy O will definitely please fans of simpatico bands like Brenda's Friend and Nice Try, but it's not hard for newcomers to find something to love about Amy O's sweet melodies and anecdotal lyrics. The band's latest release, Arrow was released in 2016.
Drayco McCoy , F L A C O, and Mathaius Young
Next up we have a hip-hop set from Indianapolis artists, Drayco McCoy, F L A C O, and Mathaius Young. Drayco McCoy released his 13th mixtape, Ratchet Ass House Party Vol. 1, last year. He's been a prolific songwriter, and his 2015 release 317 Flexin pays tribute to his hometown. F L A C O is an experimental hiphop artist whose latest release sleepinginjeans was released in 2016. Mathaius Young is a 20 year old rapper from Indy busy releasing new music and making a name for himself in Indy and beyond. These three are definitely going to put on a spectacular set that's going to get the crowd fired up.
Kevin Krauter
Just this week, up and coming Bloomington maestros Hoops announced their debut album, Routines that will be on prominent indie label Fat Possum in May & Culture Shock is extremely lucky to get an intimate solo set from the band's very own Kevin Krauter. Krauter released a solo album titled Changes last December, and if his set is anything like the album expect some pretty, lush, and stripped-down guitar sonatas to perfectly curate a relaxing atmosphere in an exciting and excellent day. If you're into introspective songwriting and lovely guitar melodies, look forward to local favorite Kevin Krauter's set when Culture Shock, WIUX's Super Bowl, rolls around for a day of college radio celebration in April.
Post Animal
Hailing from Chicago, we are pumped to bring psychedelic pop-rock band Post Animal to Bloomington as a headliner for Culture Shock 2017. Released in 2015, their stellar album Perform the Most Curious Water Activities, echoes vibes similar to Tame Impala, and all things that feel good. Post Animal received a lot of attention in the past year when fans of the Netflix show, Stranger Things discovered cast member Joe Keery is the guitarist of this groovy rock ensemble. Beautifully arranged, nostalgic, and refreshing, Post Animal are the perfect guides to bring us into the summer at Culture Shock 2017.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj2zDvBPXyI[/embed]
Flasher
Coming to Dunn Meadow all the way from Washington D.C., Flasher is going to get the crowds moving to bops like "Destroy." Be sure to bring your dancing shoes for this post-punk group. Their debut release S/T EP, is currently sold out on Bandcamp after getting some much-deserved buzz from Pitchfork. Luckily, you'll get to see them tear up the Culture Shock stage for free!
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEdIkOZ9_Nw[/embed]
Sales
All the way from the Sunshine State, Sales will deliver some chilled-out guitar-centric tunes to Culture Shock this year. They've had a string of releases leading up to their self-titled LP last year. The upbeat and down-to-earth sound of Sales suites them perfectly to the ethos of Culture Shock. I can already envision how sweet Sales will sound playing their indie melodies as the sun sets.
Noname
Noname (previously known as Noname Gypsy) established herself as more than just a great feature listing on Chance the Rapper tracks last year with her debut mixtape Telefone. Telefone puts Noname's conscientious, poetic, and understandable lyrics to soothing, soulful instrumentation and guest vocals, creating a thoroughly enjoyable project that provokes repeated listens by its infectious nature. Her presence on Telefone is so charismatic that playing "Sunny Duet" is assured to warm the hearts of even the coldest hip hop grinches. Culture Shock is sure to signify the beginning of bright sunny days ahead with Noname and her jubilant approach to rap headlining this year.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyivMEz6n70[/embed]
