[Watch] Youth Lagoon - "Raspberry Cane" (Official Video)

I bloody love animated videos. Especially when they're as beautiful and mesmerizing Youth Lagoon's new video for the track "Raspberry Cane". The clip, directed by Stephen McNally, is a great watch for your tired mid-week eyes. It features all kinds of wonders and frights, yet accompanied by the track it floats from scene to scene wonderful. Click play below and enjoy it courtesy of Noisey.

The track features on Youth Lagoon's album Wondrous Bughouse which is out now.

[Sasquatch! 2013] Our Most Anticipated Artists of the Festival (Day One and Two)

Only two days left until Sasquatch! begins. Tomorrow and the next day will see thousands of avid music fans journeying to The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA, prepping their campsites, stocking up on alcohol and drugs in anticipation of dozens of amazing performances. This year's lineup boasts some fantastic talent, such as The xx, Vampire Weekend, Sigur Rós, The Postal Service, Disclosure, Arctic Monkeys, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros and many, many more. It's a lineup worth salivating over.

As the festival quickly approaches, I've put together a list of some of the best acts playing each of the four nights. Each band comes with some recommended listening, because there is no better way to prepare for a festival than sampling what each band has to offer, whether you know them or not. Check out our most anticipated artists for days one and two below, with days three and four to follow tomorrow.

Day One (Friday):

Japandroids - 6:05-7:05pm @Honda Bigfoot

This Vancouver duo knows how to get a crowd moving. With their raucous, anthemic sound, Japandroids are sure to get the party started right.

Recommended Listening:

Father John Misty - 7:30-8:30pm @Honda Bigfoot

Former member of Fleet Foxes and Saxon Shore, J. Tillman now performs under the moniker Father John Misty. His soulful folk ballads would be perfectly paired with a beer in one hand and a joint in the other. Don't forget your lighter for this one.

Recommended Listening:

Arctic Monkeys - 8:30-9:45pm @Sasquatch

The Sheffield four-piece are no strangers to the big stage. They'll be rockin' it out on the main stage for an hour and fifteen minutes, plenty of time for you to get fucked up amidst a rowdy crowd. There's no doubt a mosh pit will start during their set.

Recommended Listening:

Youth Lagoon - 8:30-9:45pm @Yeti

Trevor Powers will bring his dreamy, weird soundscapes to the Sasquatch! crowd on Friday night. If you're not in the mood for Arctic Monkeys, this one will surely attract a more experimental crowd. Don't freak out if you come across a few people on mushrooms.

Recommended Listening:

Vampire Weekend - 9:45-11:15pm @Honda Bigfoot

With Modern Vampires of the City now out, Vampire Weekend will have three albums worth of material to unleash on festival goers. Expect more than just ivy league ballads, as the New York outfit have expanded their sound in a fantastic way.

Recommended Listening:

Day Two (Saturday):

Andrew Bird - 5:55-6:55pm @Sasquatch

While his last album Hands of Glory wasn't his best, we can expect he'll dish out tracks from throughout his career, including last year's amazing Break It Yourself. Relax on the hill, drink and smoke merrily, and let Andrew Bird usher in a beautiful sunset at The Gorge.

Recommended Listening:

Holy Ghost! - 6:50-7:50pm @Honda Bigfoot

Nick Millhiser and Alex Frankel proudly carry the DFA torch, bringing the classic nu-disco style defined by LCD Soundsystem to the west coast. I've seen these guys before, and they know how to get a crowd dancing. They're also releasing a new album later this year, so expect them to perform new material.

Recommended Listening:

Bloc Party - 7:25-8-25pm @Sasquatch

Bloc Party is one of those bands that lives on through a certain nostalgia. Every fan has that one album that they clung to during the angsty teenage years, or that first time you saw Kele Okereke and co. live and couldn't hold back your excitement. They strive off it, but it doesn't hold them back. Their latest album Four was aggressive, loud and overall really fucking good. If you haven't seen these guys perform before, you're in for a treat.

Recommended Listening:

Porcelain Raft - 7:40-8:40pm @Yeti

Mauro Remiddi's debut album Strange Weekend is a highlight amongst the often tiresome dreampop genre, an LP that is so mesmerizing that it refuses to become stale. It's so catchy and unique, and hopefully that translates to a great live show.

Recommended Listening:

Divine Fits - 8:15-9:15pm @Honda Bigfoot

How can you go wrong when you bring together talent from Spoon, Wolfmother and Handsome Furs? Divine Fits pulls the best aspects of those bands, yet brings something more. It's raw and experimental, combining rock 'n' roll and synthesized elements that never overpower one another. Every instrument and sound complements each other perfectly, something that will surely shine during their live performance.

Recommended Listening:

The xx - 9:00-10:15pm @Sasquatch

Atmosphere is all you need to know about The xx. Their moody, minimalist approach is enough to turn the rowdiest of crowds into a mass of hypnotized converts. Don't miss this performance. 

Recommended Listening:

Sigur Rós - 11:00-12:30am @Sasquatch

Much like The xx, Sigur Rós strives on the atmosphere they create. Their ethereal sound is simply beautiful, something you can so easily become lost in. The band is also releasing a new album next month, so make sure to pay attention for new material.

Recommended Listening:

Tame Impala - 10:00-11:00pm @Honda Bigfoot

This Australian outfit is damn good live. Like, damn good. Their brand of psychedelic rock is fantastic no matter the setting, and a warm summer night at The Gorge sounds like the perfect place. Unfortunately, the band's bassist Nick Allbrook said farewell earlier this week, being replaced by Pond member Cam Avery. Don't expect Tame Impala to sound any less amazing, though.

Recommended Listening:

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - 10:30-11:30pm @El Chupacabra

Despite his name coming across as that of a stately professor, Orlando Higginbottom owns the dancefloor with his bass-heavy beats. He is a highlight in this year's crop of electronic artists, bringing a unique brand of synthesized flavor to the El Chupacabra dance tent. If you're in the mood for dancing, this is the right artist for you.

Recommended Listening:

Empire of the Sun - 12:30-1:30am @Honda Bigfoot

Capping off Saturday night is the flashy and theatrical Empire of the Sun. Slipping into the early hours of the morning, this show will no doubt keep you awake and ready to party. If their recent performance of "Alive" is any indiciation, this show will be weird, bright and extremely awesome.

Recommended Listening:

[Watch] Youth Lagoon - "Mute" (Video)

What begins as a regular day of skateboarding through the suburbs turns into a series of abnormal adventures for the character in Youth Lagoon's video for "Mute." Check out the stylized clip below. Tyler T. Williams directs.

Youth Lagoon's sophomore LP Wondrous Bughouse is out now.

[News] Outside Lands 2013 Announces Lineup

The official lineup for Outside Lands Festival 2013 is here, and it looks to be pretty good. Topping off the bill are Paul McCartney, Nine Inch Nails, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The National, Vampire Weekend, D’Angelo, Kaskade, Pretty Lights, Jurassic 5, Willie Nelson, Hall and Oates, and Grizzly Bear.

Rounding out the eclectic lineup are Wavves, Young The Giant, Band of Horses, A-Trak, Yeasayer, Matt & Kim, The Tallest Man on Earth, Foals, Youth Lagoon, Gary Clark Jr., Jessie Ware, Dillon Francis, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Surfer Blood, Chromatics and Smith Westerns. While not as good as last year's lineup, which was headlined by Metallica, Neil Young, The Kills, Foo Fighters, Jack White, Beck, Sigur Ros, this year seems promising. Check out the full lineup here or below in a ridiculously charming announcement video.

Tickets go on sale this Thursday, April 18th, at 12 noon PDT at the festival's official website. Outside Lands takes place August 9-11 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

[News] Alt-J Announce More 2013 Tour Dates

Alt-J are fucking dedicated. Their debut album An Awesome Wave received heaps of praise when it was released, it won the Mercury Prize back in November, and the UK indie outfit will soon embark on an expansive worldwide tour to support the LP. With a huge list of dates and festival appearances throughout North America and Europe taking them through till August, you would think they would set aside some time for a break. Apparently not. Alt-J will be back in North America in September, stopping in 13 cities over the course of the month.

Check out their extensive tour schedule after the jump.

Alt-J 2013 Tour Dates:
03/02 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
03/04 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
03/05 – Carrboro, NC @ Cats Cradle
03/06 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell Stage)
03/08 – Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
03/09 – New Orleans, LA @ Buku Music + Art Project
03/10 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
03/12-15 – Austin, TX @ South by Southwest
03/16 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
03/18 – Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
03/19 – Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall
03/21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
03/22 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
03/24 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
03/25 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre
03/27 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
03/28 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
03/29 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom
03/30 – Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion
04/01 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
04/02 – Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre
04/03 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
04/04 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
04/06 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune
04/07 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
04/08 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
04/10 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
04/12 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
04/14 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades %
04/16 – San Diego, CA @ Belly Up %
04/17 – Santa Ana, CA @ Observatory #
04/19 – Indio, CA @ Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
05/05 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy
05/06 – Glasgow, UK @ O2 ABC
05/08 – Newcastle, UK @ O2 Academy
05/09 – Manchester, UK @ Academy
05/10 – Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy
05/11 – Liverpool, UK @ O2 Academy
05/13 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock CIty
05/14 – Cambridge, UK @ Corn Exchange
05/15 – Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy
05/16 – London, UK @ Academy Brixton
05/17 - London, UK @ Academy Brixton
05/27 – George, WA @ Sasquatch! Music Festival
06/01 – Moscow, RU @ Ahmad Tea Music Festival
06/08 – Randall’s Island, NY @ Governors Ball Music Festival
06/10 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls
06/11 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
06/12 – Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe (Old Nat’l Center)
06/13-16 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
06/15 – Aarhus, DK @ Northside Festival
06/19 – Luxembourg City, LU @ Rockhal
06/21 – Neuhasen, DE @ Hurricane/Southside Festival
06/22 – Hilvarenbeek, NL @ Best Kept Secret Festival
06/23 – Neuhausen, DE @ Hurricane/Southside Festival
07/03 – Gydnia, PL @ Heineken Open’er Festival
07/05 – Arras, FR @ Main Square Festival
07/07 – Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter Festival
07/11 – Bilbao, ES @ Bilbao BBK Live
07/13 – Balado, UK @ T in the Park
07/14 – Lisbon, PT @ Optimus Alive! Festival
07/18 – Tonsberg, NO @ Slottsfjell Festival
07/19 - Gräfenhainichen, DE @ Melt Festival
08/29 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
08/23-25 – Reading and Leeds, UK @ Reading and Leeds Festivals
09/01 – Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum
09/03 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
09/05 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
09/07 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
09/10 – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Hall
09/11 – Toronto, ON @ Echo Beach
09/13 – Boston, MA @ Bank Of America Pavilion
09/18 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
09/23 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
09/24 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
09/27 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
09/28 – Austin, TX @ Stubbs
09/29 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
10/02 – Paris, FR @ Olympia

% = w/ Hundred Waters
# = w/ Youth Lagoon

[Album Stream] Youth Lagoon - 'Wondrous Bughouse'

Youth Lagoon's moody, cosmic soundscapes are at base level explorative, journeys into the mind that are as psychedelic and fascinating as the artwork pictured above. Wondrous Bughouse is Trevor Powers' sophomore album, another chance for him to uncover truths about himself and our world through musical expression. The LP is introspective, it asks questions that many of us have thought, on mortality, sprituality and the mind, but it does so in a wholly upbeat way. By weaving intricate layers of eccentric synthesizers and simple melodies, Powers offers an entrance into the mind, a beginning to a journey. Stream the album below and see what end it leads you to.

Wondrous Bughouse is out on March 5th through Fat Possum.

(via NPR First Listen)

[Listen] Youth Lagoon - "Mute"

Youth Lagoon delivers another slice of the Wondrous Bughouse pie with the enchanting single "Mute". Much like the first single "Dropla", this new cut is beautifully layered, an expansive psyechedelic soundscape that will no doubt brighten up your day. Trevor Powers impresses once again.

Stream "Mute" below.

Wondrous Bughouse is out on March 5th on Fat Possum.

[Listen] Youth Lagoon - "Dropla"

Youth Lagoon, aka Trevor Powers, offers up the first taste of his sophomore LP Wondrous Bughouse with the single "Dropla", a quirky, atmospheric trip through the cosmos. The six-minute affair is mild at first, drawing us into the song before the intensity increases. As the tension rises, the calm, raspy vocals of Powers find a powerful emotion, all before winding down into the final two minutes of a serene, piano-driven soundscape. Stream and download the track below.

Wondrous Bughouse is out on March 5th via Fat Possum.