Austin – Reaching the end of Fun Fun Fun Fest was downright depressing. It was a bummer saying goodbye to festival friends after three short days, and remembering that 1) you don’t do something enviably cool every night and 2) your body exists, and needs a lot more sleep than you’ve been giving it. The artists offered a little consolation, though. 

The Internet

The Internet wins the least google-able band name award, competing with both the history-making global phenomenon and fellow musicians The Hood Internet. At some point their management realized this and changed the group’s Facebook page to read “The Internet – Odd Future”.They also win for loudest bass. It literally hurt my abs a little bit to stand next to the bass speakers in the photo pit.

Standout Track: “Dontcha”

Deafheaven

I haven’t been much of a metalhead since I grew up and realized that a concept album about Moby Dick is more trite than profound. I made an exception for Deafheaven, though. They impressed me with their willingness to actually play in a major key, giving their songs an emotional volume that most metal tries to make up with the volume knob.

Standout Track: “Sunbather”

Angel Olsen

My friend tells me that the St. Louis music scene is indie folk, so for Angel Olsen to break out suggests a depth of talent that could set itself apart in a competitive scene. I think I like her best though when she’s taking full advantage of the festival’s massive sound system to do some grungy blues, Zeppelin style.

The Digital Wild 

It’s rare for a band to connect as well with it’s audience as The Digital Wild did. Moreover, this was one of a handful of sets where I actually dropped my camera to nod my head to the beat a little bit. The Digital Wild is prolific—it seems like they’re debuting a new song at every set—and when I spoke with them they hoped to have an album out by early next year. Expect more news soon, as well as a full interview.

Standout Track: “I Love You”

That wraps up my coverage of Fun Fun Fun Fest, for the most part. A few interviews might trickle out in the near future—I got a chance to speak with Wildcat! Wildcat! and The Digital Wild. Also worth noting: a lot of these groups played Fun Fun Fun mid-tour, so if you happen to live in one of those other places in the United States, you should check their tour calendar.

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Will Jukes

Will Jukes has lived in Texas his whole life. It doesn’t bother him as much as you’d think. A Houston native, he studied English at the University of Dallas before moving to Austin in search of the coveted “Grand Slam” of Texas residencies. He comes to music journalism from a broad reporting background and a deep love of music. The first songs he can remember hearing come from a mix tape his dad made in the early 90’s that included “Born to Run,”, “End of the Line,” by the Traveling Wilburys, the MTV Unplugged recording of Neil Young’s “Cowgirl in the Sand,”, and “The Highwayman,” by The Highwaymen. He has an enduring love for three of these songs. Over the years he has adored punk, post-punk, new wave, house, disco, 90’s alternative rock, 80’s anything, and Townes Van Zandt. He’s not sorry for liking New Order more than Joy Division.

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