Outside Lands Preview: Top 12 Emerging Artists To Check Out

B-Sides is providing our Outside Lands music fans with our Top 12 Emerging Artists to Check Out this year at the festival! These bands have come from all over to play at the legendary Bay Area music festival as well as to perform with the big name acts too! Make sure you check out these up and coming bands this year at Outside Lands 2013.

12.) The Lone Below

In 2010 the Brooklyn trio known as The Lone Below came together around 9 in the morning at Dizzy’s Diner, where lead singer Zach Williams’ friend, Brian Elmquist was working a shift. Elmquist was a solo singer who had been practicing his music at the diner where worked at the time, and had also asked friend Kanene Pipkin who was moving back to New York City from Beijing, China; to join the two of them in their musical creativity, in which the three decided that morning that they would become The Lone Below. Soon after, their debut self-titled album was released. It is infused with group choruses, three-part harmonies, and songs that give off a very family band type feel. Make sure to check them out at Outside Lands on Saturday August 10th at 1:05pm at Sutro.

11.) Midi Matilda

Although this indie electro duo have just started out in their musical journey, the two have already began to spread their musical seed online. They formed together back in 2008 when Skyler Kilborn and Logan Grime met in college and used their production skills to create Midi Matilda. Their music contains a large mixture of live instrumentation and synthesizer as well as the echo of vocals. They became known online when they released their debut single “Day Dream,” in which The Huffington Post and Neon Gold Records discovered and appraised their talent. Shortly after, the two self-produced the music video to “Day Dream” which has gained them airplay on the radio, Internet, and other media outlets. Be sure to check out Midi Matilda at Outside Lands 2013 on Friday August 9th at 12:45pm at Twin Peaks.

10.) The Easy Leaves

Kevin Carducci and Sage Fifield’s initial band plan was to originally create an old style string band, but that all changed when the two decided they loved so many different American based genres, that they chose to collaborate all different styles into their songwriting. Their sound is that of modern acoustics mixed with a country twang and a little bit of 1950s doo wop chorus going on in the background. The band likes to keep their music catchy, melodic, and pay special attention to their vocal harmonies. Be sure to check out their performance on Sunday August 11th at 12pm at Sutro, this year at Outside Lands 2013.

9.) Social Studies

San Franciscan band Social Studies formed together in 2009-2010, they have recently released their second album called Developer. The album name is considered a bold move for the band since they are still new to the indie music scene, yet they claim their sound has overall matured in the past two years. In the beginning the band was led by vocalist and keyboardist Natalia Rogovin and drummer Michael Jirkovsky, and later added bassist Jesse Hudson and guitarist Tom Smith. In 2010 the band received their second guitarist Ben McClintock, who fans have adored since the band’s release of their single “Wind Up Wooden Heart.” Together the group has gained popularity from their performances at CMJ Music Festival, SXSW, Treefort Music Festival, and Noise Pop. Check out Social Studies when they perform at Outside Lands 2013 on Saturday August 10th at 12:45pm at Twin Peaks.

8.) The Wild Feathers

Coming out of Nashville, Tennessee The Wild Feathers believe in the concept of maintaining the traditional Rock N’ Roll genre as well as evolving it in their music. Their inspiration comes from country, rock, folk, and blues, adding in modern sound and vintage roots. The band is a little different in vocals, in which they do not have just one lead singer, each band member sings which provides them with a total of 4 singers. For 2013 the band hired Jay Joyce of Cage the Elephant and The Wallflowers as their producer, who told the band to indulge into their original style of harmony and their Rock N’ Roll sound. You won’t want to miss this rocking band at this year’s Outside Lands music festival, be sure to see them live on Sunday August 11th, 12pm at the Panhandle.

7.) LoCura

A band that puts togther an unusual mix of Reggae, Cumbia, and Ska all with different rhythms and languages, is the band known as LoCura. They have labeled this sound of their own as ‘Califas Flamenkito.’ Their music expresses a lot of diversity and culturalism, especially with the influence of lead singer Kata Miletich and her background of growing up in Spain, Italy and the United States. They sing about experiences, border issues, immigration in English, Spanish, and even Spanglish. Check out this ecletic band at Outside Lands this year on Saturday August 10th at 12pm at the Panhandle.

6.) Smith Westerns

Coming together in 2007 and then releasing their self-titled debut EP in 2009, nothing has phased the band Smith Westerns not even touring. The band released their debut full length album Soft Will this past June, and has opened for huge acts like MGMT and Wilco. They have also performed at big music festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza, as well had performed at over 140 places to promote the release of Soft Will. Their sound has that of an indie rock new wave vibe, one that you will enjoy this year at Outside Lands on Friday August 9th at 12:50pm at Lands End.

5.) The Soft White Sixties is a band that has been increasing in popularity for their live performances. Their sound is that of a vintage Rock N’ Roll and they were named as one of Paste Magazine’s “Top 25 Shows at SXSW 2013.” The band currently released their forth album called Get Right this past June, the album was produced by Jim Greer, known for working on Foster the People’s Grammy nominated album Torches.  If you love Rock N’ Roll guitar riffs and soulful vocals, then check out The Soft White Sixties on Saturday August 10th at 1pm at Lands End, only at Outside Lands 2013.

4.) Surfer Blood

For those of you who really want to listen to some summer surf rock music this summer, then you should check out Surfer Blood this year at Outside Lands 2013. The band is originally from Palm Beach, Florida and came together one night at the after party for the Miami Ultra Festival. Although they did not attend the actual festival the guys met at the after party discussing music and decided then to become Surfer Blood. Two months after meeting they were already touring outside of Florida, in places like New York and Chicago. Their album Astro Coast, was released a few months ago and has gained immense popularity as well as topped many media publications such as RollingStone, Pitchfork, and Filter. Check out Surfer Blood on Friday August 9th at 2:10pm over at Lands End.

3.) Deap Vally

The Los Angeles female duo Deap Vally are a band that uses feminism and sexuality in their music to express themselves. Their songs are all about womanly issues such as dealing with creepy men and rebelling against those that believe women should just marry into money and become a housewife and mother. They also sing songs about heartbreak and relationships as well as being influenced by Rock N’ Roll’s powerful use of sex and sexuality. To see this girl power rock group live, check them out at Outside Lands 2013 Sunday August 11th at 2:50pm at the Panhandle.

2.) Naia Kete

Naia Kete music is a combination of politics, personal life, and soul. Her musical style has been compared to Adele’s “Chasing Pavements” or Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.” Her voice takes the listener on an emotional journey in which she sings about those close to her in life and uses her voice to bring people together in peace and joy. Check out this peaceful singer/songwriter this year at Outside Lands 2013 on Friday August 9th at 12pm at the Panhandle.

1.) Little Green Cars

The indie rock band hailing from Dublin, Ireland known as Little Green Cars is our number one pick for B-Sides’ Top 12 Local Artists to see this year at Outside Lands. As many B-Sides fans already know, this band was featured as one of our On Radar bands a few weeks ago. The five 20 year olds have a sound that simulates a folk rock style especially similar to artists like Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers. They have received attention from media outlets such as The New York Times and NPR. Check out this Irish act at this year’s Outside Lands 2013 music festival on Sunday August 11th at 12:40pm at Twin Peaks.