Create your own FYF Fest
by Lina McDermott
The 12th FYF Fest is this weekend in downtown LA. With over 50 acts, you can’t see everyone. You have to create your own playlist. Of course, there are the bigger names: Frank Ocean, Morrissey, Flume, Bloc Party, etc. I’m here to tell you about some artists you might not know about. (And you can trust me about this stuff because I’m young and hip.)
The Unknown Mortal Orchestra play the FYF Fest. Photo by Dusdin Condren for FYF
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
This band is “very KCRW.” I mean, it is true, they are played on KRCW pretty frequently. And they do fit perfectly into the indie rock/psychedelic pop genre KCRW seems to love. Their older music has a charming, low-fi sound that draws you in. Listening to them will make you feel cool. I have thrown on sunglasses and blasted “Ffunny Ffriends” while driving down Vista del Mar, pretending I was in some sort of movie montage. The band’s Saturday show is sure to make everyone feel that same sort of cool feeling.
Shlohmo
Henry Laufer, going by the name of Shlohmo, is an LA-based DJ. Shlohmo is good at producing chill, laid-back tracks, using unconventional sounds. I’m looking forward to his performance at FYF not just because of his music, but the experience. Shlohmo’s got the cool vibes that fit so perfectly with an indie festival. I can already picture all the indie girls dancing using only their arms as indie girls so often do. (Not gonna lie, I’ll probably try and dance like this…but don’t worry, I’ll be doing it ironically, like the teenager I am.)
Tennis
This husband-wife duo brings a more upbeat sound to the table. Alaina Moore, the vocalist, has a light voice that almost seems to bounce from note to note. Tennis is refreshing; they bring a hoppy, ‘60s vibe to their music. While I’m a little scared to face this crowd (think lots of teenage girls in their “retro” plastic chokers…coupled with older adults), that’s not gonna stop me from enjoying their music. I am very much looking forward to basking in their summery sound.
Mikal Cronin. Photo by Myles Pettengill for FYF
Mikal Cronin
Mikal Cronin is part pop, part indie-rock, with a very beachy feel. The beachy part makes sense, as he was raised in Laguna Beach. Being a beach girl myself, I identify with the feeling of his music. It’s light and fun. Very dance-able. There’s the classic idea of what a summer should be: full of sun and beach time and ice cream and amusement parks and tan lines and sand everywhere you go. Cronin’s music is the perfect soundtrack for summer, and the perfect sound for FYF, considering its timing.
FYF Fest takes place August 22 and 23 For more information, see fyffest.com.