With the Opening Gala for the 11th Annual Decibel Festival taking place in just two weeks, STYLSS has picked out the fifteen artists you SHOULD NOT MISS while you’re next to the Space Needle enjoying one of the most forward thinking electronic music festivals in the northwest. This five day schedule is packed full of 25 stacked club showcases (Resident Advisor, Hush Hush, Ninja Tune, Soulection, Ghostly International, Hyperdub, Erased Tapes) at 11 premier venues throughout the sleepless city featuring a melting pot of electronic music genres and yes, there is even a boat party.
This year’s line-up features over 130 artists from around the world, so STYLSS affiliates from around the world have hand-selected the fifteen that you should definitely add to your schedule.
KID SMPL.
“I’ve never seen KID SMPL live but he is definitely sitting at the top of my must see list & he certainly stood out amongst the Db2014 line-up. This Seattle based producer has been dropping quite the unique heavy, muffled, chopped and reverbed sound for a minute. He dropped his ground breaking ‘Silo Tear’ EP back in May 2014 with Hush Hush Records (along with a plethora of previous EP’s) and it has been on rotation for me every since. I can only imagine his live show will not disappoint anyone who loves droney, dark, R&B vibes with a side of soul & passion.” -QUARRY
catch Kid Smpl headlining the Hush Hush Showcase, Saturday September 27th, more info here.
SON LUX.
“His live show is straight bananas. Full band / experimental / electronic / academia sort of ting. He dropped his first album on via Anticon six years ago and has been growing tremendously with each release. His live performance will be surreal, raw and something you definitely do not want to miss at Decibel Festival.” -DEMON SLAYER
catch Son Lux headlining the Haunted Pop Showcase, Wednesday September 24th, more info here.
TOKIMONSTA.
“With a new album about to drop do not miss Los Angeles based TOKiMONSTA lay down some groovy hip hop & fresh indie electronic beats to get your mind transfixed and your senses electric. Her unique bass lines layered with smooth R&B vocals prove this. Don’t be fooled however as she is known to lay down a heavy trap inspired set infused with her own oriental style. With releases with Flying Lotus’ BRAINFEEDER imprint & Ultra Records, she is now releasing a new album on her own label, “Young Art” proves how sought after she is and the diversity of her abilities as an artist. She will get you on an emotional high that you no doubt need to experience live because you will not be disappointed.” -BECE
catch TOKiMONSTA headlining the Rhythm & Bass Showcase, Thursday September 25th, more info here.
SANGO.
“Another EASY not to miss is artist is the prolific Sango. The heavyweight member of Soulection & HW&W affiliate has been consistently grinding and shining in the producer community for awhile now. His Decibel set is sure to bounce the masses & originating from the same city as the event itself there’s no question he’ll put it on for his hometown“ -LOOK.
catch SANGO headlining the Soulection Showcase, Friday September 26th, more info here.
GROUNDISLAVA.
“One name that has been juggled around in every attempt to simplify, and consistently kept a captivated audience with an expectation for surprise is none other than “Groundislava” aka Jasper Patterson. Raised in Los Angeles, and early member of the esteemed WeDidIt Collective, Groundislava creates a vivid atmosphere of technicolor, cyberpunk adventure themes and distinguishably magical science fiction music. It’s deeply saturated synthesizers on top of synthesizers and done in all of the right ways. Not only do his creations push the envelope of modern experimentation in electronic music but they lure you into a pristine environment of dance and euphoria. Every mix to date has been entirely unique and miraculously thorough. As far back as the Friends of Friends Boiler Room feature 2 years ago(a personal favorite) all the way up to the more recent “Dazed Mix” with Dazed Digital, dragging you through a groundbreaking remix of Jake Weary’s, “The Bridge” right at the beginning, setting the tone for 35 minutes of ecstatic, bubbly pop madness. If you miss this set, you lost the game, but that doesn’t really matter does it? because you just lost the game again… be there.” -EASTGHOST
catch GROUNDISLAVA at the Friends of Friends Showcase, Sunday September 28th, more info here.
KAYTRANADA.
“The HW&W by way of Montreal producer is just 22 years young and is a trend setter with a music career that’s blown tf up significantly in the past year. Each set of his that I’ve experienced have each varied in style but blew the venue up and we’d eventually all leave In a sweat. Kaytranada has fearlessly and boldly composed evoking sounds that will take you from crack you in the jaw beats with bone rattling bass; to serene, bob-ya-head, Rhodes laden hip-hop; all the way to that so sexy, so soulful, slowed house; and futuristic, funky bounce. Kaytranada is currently slaying the groove game with his undeniable bass lines and soul filled anthems that pulse with the heart beat that gives life to the dance floor. If you look enough through the music medias, you can find a lot of inspiration he’s given to his peers and aspiring beat makers alike reflected into their own future bounce takes on Kaytras distinct production imprints. So basically he’s not one to miss and you’ll enjoy yourself if there’s a heart in your chest.” -SADGIRL
catch KAYTRANADA headlining the Resident Advisor Showcase, Wednesday September 24th, more info here.
TOTAL FREEDOM.
“If you haven’t heard of Total Freedom, go immediately to his Soundcloud right now & download absolutely everything. A good DJ can play two completely different songs and create the feeling of something new that didn’t exist before, simply by playing them next to each other. Total freedom does that roughly every 2-3 minutes with a brilliant cacophony of gun shots samples, horror screams, and RnB vocals thrown in for good measure. Your favorite DJ’s favorite DJ, do not miss him.” -DEREK of BRUXA
catch TOTAL FREEDOM at Optical 1: Kinesthesia, Wednesday September 24th, more info here.
SWEATER BEATS.
“New York native and HW&W artist Sweater Beats is definitely not one to miss at Decibel Festival this year. His sets are very diverse with anything and everything from emotional club music to straight turn up music. Bring your dancing shoes because he is definitely going to keep you moving. Don’t sleep on Sweater Beats.” -GANGSIGNS
catch SWEATER BEATS at the Soulection Showcase, Friday September 26th, more info here.
TASO.
“Taso is a very diverse Bay Area producer & also the most western based member of the late DJ Rashad’s Teklife. Do not miss his set as it’s sure to be full of breakneck footwork.” -BLEEP BLOOP
catch TASO at the 10 years of Hyperdub Showcase, Saturday September 27th, more info here.
JUSMONI & WD4D.
“I became familiar with JusMoni after first hearing “Queen Feel” – a collaboration with JusMoni and Seattle’s very own WD4D. WD4D is a mainstay in the Seattle “beat scene” and a dope turntablist / producer. JusMoni is a varied vocalist capable of many different styles. Would definitely go peep both of their sets on some trees.” -DEMON SLAYER
catch JUSMONI at the Resident Advisor Showcase, Wednesday September 24th, more info here.
catch WD4D at the Bassdrop Presents Showcase, Wednesday September 24th, more info here.
LUNICE.
“1/2 of TNGHT alongside Hudson Mohawke & a LuckyMe affiliate would be stupid to miss at Decibel this year. Historical 808’s & rap cuts, this mane has produced for Rosay, Azealia Banks, Angel Haze, Rockie Fresh & every new tune reflects on producers around the globe. Do not miss Lunice’s high energy performance.” -LOOK.
catch LUNICE at the Resident Advisor Showcase, Wednesday September 24th, more info here.
ARCA + JESSE KANDA.
“Arca + Jesse Kanda audiovisual show is not one to miss this year at Decibel Festival, Arca’s music is beautiful and yet eerie while Jesse Kanda’s visuals are simply stunning. They’ve both worked with amazing artist like Kanye West and FKA Twigs but their collaborative work for MoMA PS1 was truly mesmerizing & one to experience.” -PHOTON
catch ARCA + JESSE KANDA headlining Optical 1: Kinesthesia, Wednesday September 24th, more info here.
KASTLE.
“I caught Kastle’s live set at What The Festival?! 2013 and it was certainly one of the more epic & memorial forward thinking sets that stood out all weekend. Filled to the brim with smooth sexy RnB jams played LIVE straight from his own Symbols Recordings catalog and then mixed effortlessly alongside heavy club tracks. I would highly recommend catching his set as Decibel this year because the dance floor is definitely going to be packed & the bass is definitely going to move you.” -QUARRY
catch KASTLE at Kingdom : Decibel Edition, Saturday September 27th, more info here.
ASC.
“ASC is a legend & a ghost in my home town of San Diego. His music is as deep as it gets & will send you into the darkest places of your mind. If you’re into that kind of thing then this is the guy you need to be looking forward to at Decibel Festival.” -SLEEVE
catch ASC at the Silent Season Showcase, Friday September 26th, more info here.
PREFUSE 73.
”Beside the fact that Prefuse has worked with everyone under the sun (including Daedalus, The Books, School of Seven Bells, The Flaming Lips, Zola Jesus, etc.) his music is next level & has consistently pushed the boundaries of sound in electronic/experimental genres. His early “21st century post techno-productivity” influence on sound has balanced and tipped the scales of electronic music today and will most likely continually push the boundaries of your personal listening experience this year. If you’re into the whole dark introspective moody sad before sadboy thing, and vaporwave before it was vaporwave, then I would not miss Prefuse 73 at Decibel Festival this year” -GOLDEN LIVING ROOM
catch PREFUSE 73 headlining the Bassdrop Presents Showcase, Wednesday September 24th, more info here.
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The 11th annual Decibel Festival takes place September 24th through the 28th in beautiful Seattle, Washington and averages over 25,000 guests per year.
You can purchase a festival pass, view the full line-up and get more information right here.
Organized & Additional Words by Cory Haynes
C O N N E C T • W I T H • D E C I B E L _ F E S T I V A L :
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FIFTEEN ARTISTS NOT TO MISS AT DECIBEL FESTIVAL 2014
OFFICIAL PLAYLIST
STYLSS 