EPTI downloaded the poster onto my computer, which might be the closest I will be to holding a ticket, and I am looking over the line-up for probably the 100th time:
Blur-
One of, if not, the greatest and most overlooked band of all time. I first discovered them, like many my age, with Song No 2. The professional sports theme as I like to call it sometimes. Never did I want an album more than when I finally found out who they were. I am already really bad at listening to lyrics, this song takes it to another level. You see, back in my day, before the internet revolution, we had record stores and humming songs. We would, somehow, get to a record store, which were already very rare (the good ones, that didn't charge $25 for an album) and hum a song to hopefully the nicest record store worker. When I finally unearthed the great self titled Blur album, it remained that way, unfortunately. I like a lot of music, and then Gorillaz was formed which is one of my favorite bands, so the dream to finally discover Blur remained but not fulfilled. Until one of my very good friends, had a very distinct looking cd on his back seat floor. It was the greatest hits cd. We were in college by then, all the songs were a little old, but I fell in love with Beetlebum immediately. It was right up my alley, and loved this style of music. Also, it turns out, that I had danced to blur in TJ, Mexico many times at an 80's bar i really liked. To The End is one of my favorite songs, ever.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs-
My friends used to go to so many concerts without me. This was partly because I chose the art life many moons ago and also because, like many artists, have a hard time keeping a job. Another of my closest friends, showed me a cd with The Killers on it. He said they had seen the Yeah Yeah Yeah's and The Killers at SOMA, a particularly small venue in San Diego. I have been a fan ever since. I wish I could play guitar like the Yeah Yeah Yeah's, not Eric Clapton or whatever. Every time I hear Art Star, I am reminded of why I became an artist in the first place.
Lou Reed-
The Velvet Underground. Look them up, start with The Velvet Underground and Nico, and the first song Sunday Morning.
Jurassic 5-
I have listened to a lot of Hip Hop, and don't remember exactly who they are but only that I have listened to them and that they are very good and unique.
Metric-
Emily Haines is one of my favorite musicians. She touched my hand once at the end of a show at House of Blues. It was amazing. Sadly, I missed her after party DJ set at Beauty Bar and my opportunity to make her my wife. I always listen to her Metric albums and also her solo albums with The Soft Skeleton. Reading In Bed is one of my favorite songs.
Purity Ring-
Thank you, day[9]. One of my new toys. I look forward to any new music they will make.
The Postal Service-
The reason I now want to go to Coachella. What can I say, these guys inspired me to write my own music. I actually discovered DCFC after Postal Service. I made a cover of A Lack Of Color, electronic/experimental/ambient style. Many songs are "my songs" and have many memories with good friends. I still remember a drive with a very close friend to Irvine to see our friends at UCI in the rain and when Such Great Heights came on we did not say a word, just listened to the rain the music and the beautiful distorted colored noise that hit the windshield. I am listening to The Postal Service right now.
New Order-
Besides Depeche Mode, can you name a better 80's band? They embodied New Wave, and are still relevant. Walk into (a good) discotheque and I guarantee that you will hear them.
Moby-
Moby is the man, in case you didn't know.
Franz Ferdinand-
The soundtrack to my youth, most certainly early party days, was Franz Ferdinand. We played that album so much and never got tired of it, the beers were endless and so was the laughter.
Violent Femmes-
Before my time, just. I also searched for the artist of Blister In The Sun for a long time. Their music always puts a pep in my step, it's really neat.
Pucifer-
Who doesn't want to see Maynard? I saw Tool once when I was in high school after they made Lateralus. You need to see Tool live.
Cafe Tacvba-
One of the most influential mexican bands there is. These guys have bee around for a long time and are still making great music. Eres, a relatively new song compared to their others, received a lot of play on the radio and is probably one of their best songs. They are also real artists. I once heard that the lead singer changes his name every so often. I highly recommend the songs Cero Y Uno and El Baile Y El Salon. You know how they say that good music has no language barriers? These guys are a prime example.
Bat For Lashes-
I still remember when I first heard Bat For Lashes, it was Fur and Gold in a girls car. I lost myself in the music, like I had not done in a while, probably since Frances The Mute. Its the perfect album for a dark and rainy night by yourself. Buy the album, she is a great musician.
Dropkick Murphys-
Not the biggest fan, but everyone should watch a punk band and these guys use bagpipes.
Red Hot Chili Peppers-
Californication was an album that I had not planned on loving so much. I would spend weekends, on the floor of my room, with this in my boombox. Most of the time, with songs on repeat because they blew my mind. I revisited this album a while back and I was right for listening to it so much. I don't even remember how I got it. You should buy this album, you will thank me later.
Wu-Tang Clan-
WU-TANG FOREVER! "[Inspectah Deck]
I bomb atomically, Socrates' philosophies
and hypothesis can't define how I be droppin these
mockeries, lyrically perform armed robbery
Flee with the lottery, possibly they spotted me
Battle-scarred shogun, explosion when my pen hits
tremendous, ultra-violet shine blind forensics
I inspect you, through the future see millenium
Killa B's sold fifty gold sixty platinum
Shacklin the masses with drastic rap tactics
Graphic displays melt the steel like blacksmiths
Black Wu jackets queen B's ease the guns in
Rumble with patrolmen, tear gas laced the function
Heads by the score take flight incite a war
Chicks hit the floor, diehard fans demand more
Behold the bold soldier, control the globe slowly
Proceeds to blow swingin swords like Shinobi
Stomp grounds and pound footprints in solid rock
Wu got it locked, performin live on your hottest block
[Method Man]
As the world turns, I spread like germs
Bless the globe with the pestilence, the hard-headed never learn
It's my testament to those burned
Play my position in the game of life, standin firm
on foreign land, jump the gun out the fryin pan, into the fire
Transform into the Ghostrider, a six-pack
and (A Streetcar Named Desire), who got my back?
In the line of fire holdin back, what?
My peoples if you with me where the fuck you at?
Niggaz is strapped, and they tryin to twist my beer cap
It's court adjourned, for the bad seed from bad sperm
Herb got my wig fried like a bad perm, what the blood
clot, we smoke pot, and blow spots
You wanna think twice, I think not
The Iron Lung ain't got ta tell you where it's coming from
Guns of Navarone, tearing up your battle zone
Rip through your slums
[U-God]
Olympic torch flaming, we burn so sweet
The thrill of victory, the agony, defeat
We crush slow, flamin deluxe slow
For, judgment day cometh, conquer, it's war
Allow us to escape, hell glow spinning bomb
Pocket full of shells out the sky, Golden Arms
Tune spit the shitty Mortal Kombat sound
The fateful step make, the blood stain the ground
A jungle junkie, vigilante tantrum
A death kiss, catwalk, squeeze another anthem
Hold it for ransom, tranquilized with anesthetics
My orchestra, graceful, music ballerinas
My music Sicily, rich California smell
An axekiller adventure, paint a picture well
I sing a song from Sing-Sing, sippin on ginseng
Righteous wax chaperone, rotating ring king
[RZA]
Watch for the wooden soldiers, C-Cypher-Punks couldn't hold us
A thousand men rushing in, not one nigga was sober
Perpendicular to the square, we stand bold like Flare
Escape from your Dragon's Lair, in particular
My beats travel like a vortex, through your spine
to the top of your cerebrum cortex
Make you feel like you bust a nut from raw sex
Enter through your right ventricle clog up your bloodstream
now terminal, like Grand Central Station
Program fat baselines, on Novation
Getting drunk like a fuck, I'm duckin five-year probation"
Dead Can Dance-
I still remember when I heard "The Carnival Is Over" on Big Sonic Chill, a late night radio show on FM 949 for chill music. I listened to it whenever I could, even though I was not too fond of the radio, except for classic rock and classical music. I think the next day at work I discovered who sang that song and watched the video. Changed my life. Mind you, this was a few years ago. This song is perfect for the lover of chill/ambient electronic music.
Paul Oakenfold-
If you have never been to a party, or club, go to a Paul Oakenfold show. You will have the time of you life with one of the best. He was the best DJ in the world for many years. I will always know him for bringing Balearic music into the limelight.
If you are a big-time music fan but just don't have the time to discover great bands, then Coachella is for you. It's a lot of money, but also a lot of bang for your buck. Go with friends, or make friends at Indio. Buy something cute to wear, do not be afraid to ask people what fashions are in and simply blend in. There is something almost romantic about being in the desert with very loud music and lots of people. The music is still very good, so why not indulge in other peoples good company and party it up.
Honorable mentions: The XX, Social Distortion, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Bassnectar, Nicky Romero, Youth Lagoon, Knife Party, Benny Benassi, Two Door Cinema Club, Major Lazer, Fedde Le Grande, The Faint, Tanlines, La Roux, and Eric Prydz.
Have fun, be safe and don't eat the brown acid.
