This year’s Sasquatch! Music Festival is two weekends of superstars from start to finish.
Taking place in the great, green state of Washington, (the city of George, to be exact) weekend one falls on Memorial Day, and the second over Fourth Of July. While chronology would assume to feature artists from weekend one first, this week’s Diagnosis will feature artists from weekend two.
Black Milk When I first saw Black Milk’s name on Sasquatch!’s lineup, I knew I recognized his name. Digging back into the ’09 archives, I discovered a favorite track he had produced for Colin Munroe called “Piano Lessons” that I had played on repeat my junior year of high school. Milk, born Curtis Cross, is a master of the Midwest hip-hop style, which is to be expected with his Detroit background. His music is content-conscious, beats-heavy, and well-accented by vocalists.
Carolina Chocolate Drops This trio met at the Black Banjo Gathering at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, and that’s really all you need to know. Banjos, fiddles, guitars, harmonicas, jugs; Carolina Chocolate Drops make me want to re-read Toni Morrison’s Song Of Solomon. I’d bet what little money I have to my name that this trio puts on a grand ol’ live show.
Cloud Nothings You cannot listen to Cloud Nothings and not feel angst-ridden and full of 17-year-old dance-y energy that doesn’t seem to disappear even into your 20s. This Ohio crew knows what gets people moving with a purpose. Their latest single “I’m Not Part Of Me” is a perfect teaser for their latest, due April 1.
To hear from each of these artists and find out who the final two are, tune in to Thursday’s Diagnosis from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on 90.5 FM or online at wusc.sc.edu.
