HIPSTER RUNOFF

As yall know, in the 2k9 post-AnCoGrizzPhoenixBear world, the indiesphere generated a new genre of music to love/follow/listen 2 called 'chillwave.' Most authentic alts were there to watch the chillwave genre 'get off the ground', getting 'tons of mad blog hype buzz' from relevant mp3 blog tastemakers. Now that chillwave has grown up a lil bit, chillwave artists are required to 'tour', and take their band/brand to the next level.

A key element of the chillwave era was that the members of your band/project were required to be unknown/from an obscure place. Sorta weird how these bands consisting of 'Jim Nobody from Nowhereville USA' are now becoming 'must-see' acts on 'the festival circuit', etc. Sorta feel pressured to see them before 'too many people know about them.' I honestly feel like the first time I see a blogbuzz band live will be the last time I see them. I guess the Arcade Fire was right when they said, "Funeral."

These are the three 'largest' chillwave artists, and an analysis of their live performances.

Live Performance: Washed Out (A much 'hyped' CMJ debut in NYC).

As you can see, WASHED OUT bro went with a '1 man band behind a Macbook' setup, utilizing some 'sweet visuals', and also doing some live singing. It seems to be a good representation of the music, but how can Washed Out convert his show into a 'touring machine.' Maybe he could 'only play concerts in water parks [via wave pools] or something. I am not sure if WashedOutBro will have enough money to purchase a 'daft punk pyramid.' Maybe he could rent it while Daft Punk is not touring.

I sorta wish all bands had some sort of megastructure, similar to the Daft Punk Pyramid. It seems like concerts might be more exciting that way.

Photo via rez avissar

I have heard live reviews calling Ernest Greene 'very attractive.' It seems like he has the opportunity to brand himself as 'one of the most handsome men in indie music', sort of attracting tons of females to his shows, and building up alternative resentment [via untalented/angsty altbros]. Ultimately, this model was 'very successful' for Panda Bear's live show. I think Washed out should 'build solid visuals', and then protect his brand by 'only playing relevant shows where he can make mad bank.'  Possibly try to crowd out the 'generic DJs' and steal their potential earnings.

Live Performance: Neon Indian

Neon Indian was apparently '1 bro making an album in his bedroom', but his live performance consists of 3 additional band members. It seems like the '4 person band' model is 'very cross-over-able.'  This is important to capture the attention of mainstream bros, etc.  Most mainstreamers can really only consume live music if there is 'a band of 3+ members' or if there is a rap crew milling around on stage.

I am not sure what my expectations of Neon Indian are. Did I want them to 'be a band', 'be 1 bro on stage', or maybe just 'be the next AnCo.' It seems like it might be 'economically feasible' to lay off one of the band members and work towards a mainstream+conceptual textural live show.  It seems like they really 'look like a band.'  I feel like the Neon Indian bro might be implementing a boy-band-esque formula, where the members of the band are disposable & constantly feel pressure to add value/'look like a member of an alt band'/understand their role in the overall project.

Seems like Neon Indian might become one of those 'bands that plays at every festival'/comes to my local alt scene 2x per year.  Has the genre of 'sorority girls who go to music festivals' already caught on to Neon Indian?

Live Performance: Memory Tapes/Memory Cassette

Apparently, this 'chillwave' band does not perform live. I feel like this band was actually 'pre-chillwave' but sort of got 'lumped in afterwards' just cuz they had a few chillwave characteristics, but didn't really make pure chillwave music. I will probs download free MP3s by this band 4evr, but won't buy their vinyls until I am a rich bro in a meaningful loft with a shelf of vinyls.

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Which chillwave band has the best/worst live model?
Which chillwave band will 'make it'/'go mainstream'/be 'the most authentic'?
Which chillwave band will u see first?
Which chillwave band will lead to the implosion of the chillwave genre?
Which chillwave artist will escape/out-live the chillwave era?
What's ur #1 musical memory of 2k9?

Previous Chillwave coverage
http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2009/07/is-washed-out-the-next-neon-indianmemory-cassette.html

Washed Out

Buzzband

Washed Out is the hit chillwave project of indie hunk Ernest Greene.

Lists: Members of Washed Out, chillwave, 2k9 buzzbands, 2k11 buzzbands

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Neon Indian

Buzzband

Neon Indian is a chillwave buzzband from 2k9 that rode chillwaves

Lists: Members of Neon Indian, indie minorities, chillwave, 2k9 buzzbands

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Toro Y Moi

Buzzband

Toro Y Moi is a chillwave bro who hit the 2k10 album "Causers of This."

Lists: chillwave, blipsters, 2k11 buzzbands, 2k10 buzzbands

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Memory Tapes

Buzzband

Memory Tapes is a fallen chillwave band.

Lists: chillwave, 2k9 buzzbands

Read more>>>>

[MP3]
Yacht Psychic City

Analysis: I feel 40% 'more willing' to listen to Yacht since they signed with DFA. I think this song is possibly better/worse than I think it is, and might be the type of song that 'defines a summer' in an accidental way because it was relatively inoffensive, seemed kinda fun, and it lends itself to placement on multiple mixCDs/playlists.

Yacht's brand is 'about to be very strong' since they will be grandfathered into 'fun music that is dancey that P4k honors as being authentic.' Sort of wish I had been into them 2 years ago, and accidentally went to one of their shows on a school night, had fun, and totally 'got' them even though most people didn't. They seem pretty 'artist-y.'

Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/yacht

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[MP3]
Memory Tapes Last One Awake (Friend Version)
Analysis: I think that Memory Tapes is the next 'conceptual-ish' band to 'really look out for' in terms of blowing up a hype bubble. I think that if they put together 30-45 minutes of 'solid music' in an LP, they will probably become one of the most 'listenable' products of 2k10-2k15. Sort of like AnCo pre-MPP, back when you could just 'chill' and listen to them. FEel like I would 'actually' describe them as 'a band that would open for AnCo, except they are actually good.' MemCassy is more 'electro' and possibly has 'more pop sensibilities' than most modern 'conceptual bullshit music.'

Buy the new Memory Cassette EP
http://acephalerecords.com/memcass/

Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/memorytapes

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[MP3]
Lil Wayne Kobe Bryant

Analysis: This is a song by Lil Wayne about NBA player, Kobe Bryant, who will begin his pursuit of his first NBA championship without the help of Shaq "OMG he has a sillie Twitter" O'Neal. In the song, Lil Wayne honors Kobe by talking about 'how great' he is. I am not sure how I feel about Kobe Bryant. He has always been a bad teammate, and he also 'forced himself' upon some white girl in Colorado. He seems like 'a huge fraud', but not sure if he is actually 'lying' because I don't think he really has a 'true self.'

I don't know how I feel about the current generation of NBA stars. I feel like it is 'kinda forced.' I feel angry that I have to 'suck LeBron James's dick' even though he has never won an NBA championship.