Pitchfork Music Festival Spotlight: Japanese Breakfast
One of this year's most intriguing acts is indie-pop band, Japanese Breakfast. The Oregon band is started in 2013 as a side project of Little Big Leauge's Michelle Zauner. They've been described as "experimental pop", "dream pop", and even lo-fi". Although out readers know were not big on labeling genres, the word "dream" seems to float around my mind whenever I hear this bands music or watch their videos. There's something visceral about the music. It could be the soundtrack to a midnight Summer swim or an unwanted breakup. Zauner is really good at making you feel something (whatever that feeling is depends on how you interpret the music.
The band has released two studio albums (2016's Psychopomp & 2017's Soft Sounds From Another Planet), both of which received mostly positive reviews. The former was recorded in 2013 when Zauner returned home to Eugene, OR to spend time with her mother who had recently been diagnosed with cancer. She described recording the early songs as "self meditative" and having an "instant gratification" feeling. The following year, the band released Soft Sounds From Another Planet on indie label Dead Oceans. The record was a huge success and landed them on several "best of 2017" lists.
Although we're still getting familiar with the band, almost everything they've put out seems to be really be loved by their fans, and those who stumble upon the music for whatever reason. Their Tiny Desk Concert was one of 2017's best in my opinion, and their recent Audiotree set is incredible (which I checked out after hearing a ton of buzz). They're one of those bands I kept hearing about and just had to check out. They're coming off their biggest year yet and show no signs of slowing down. It is for that reason alone that they're one of my most anticipated acts if this years lineup. Don't sleep! They play Sunday at 4:00 for what is sure to be an incredible time. Familiarize yourself with their dreamy music videos and check out their live chops with their Audiotree and Tiny Desk Concert!
