Artists You Should Know: Free Press Summer Fest Edition

Artists You Should Know: Free Press Summer Fest Edition

By Erin Evans
Contributing Writer

The sixth annual Free Press Summer Fest is held down at the Eleanor Tinsley Park in Houston, Texas in early summer put on by a monthly newspaper called Free Press Houston. This year’s event is held on May 31 through June 1. The lineup was released on February 12, and it didn’t disappoint. 

There is something for everyone from country to hip hop to dub step to R&B to folk. Should you decide to trek out to our neighbor’s to the west, here’s some of the lesser known acts to check in the event that you find it impossible to catch Jack White’s set while you wait in line for your PBR. 

Childish Gambino 

Known for his role as Troy Barnes on the popular NBC show, Community, Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) is a triple threat: actor, comedian, and rapper. Coming off the success of his recent album, Because the Internet, Glover is launching a tour across the U.S. this spring before stopping off at the festival. Prior to releasing his recent album, Glover created a short film as a sort of prelude to the album. Glover also released a 75 page screenplay with videos to read and play along while listening to Because the Internet. The screenplay and videos can be found at becausetheinter.net. Songs to check out: “3005”, “Dial Up”, and “Pink Toes”. Side note: I wonder how made he would be if I sang the theme to Troy and Abed in the Morning to him? (I apologize if you’ve never seen Community and do not get that joke. Actually, I don’t apologize. You should see Community. #6SeasonsAndAMovie)

Die Antwoord

Confession time: Die Antwoord scares me. Like a lot. Not so much their music, but their videos. Anytime I watch one, I feel really unsettled on the inside, and I get the urge to call my mother to talk to me in a soothing voice until I feel better. Hailing from South Africa, this group is classified as alternative hip hop. I guess that’s correct. I mean, it is alternative, and I guess what they’re doing is hip hop. Despite being completely unnerving, they are quite catchy. I dare you to listen to “Fatty Boom Boom” and not hum afterwards. They have an album coming out later this year called Donker Mag. Songs to check out: “Fatty Boom Boom” and “I Fink U Freeky”.

Sky Ferreira 

According to Sky Ferreira’s Wikipedia, she was friends with Michael Jackson. I don’t know how true that is. However, Wikipedia is pretty infaliable. It must be true. Her sound is very synthpop-y  and a great alternative to the mainstream pop that is flooding today’s airwaves. Her debut album, Night Time, My Time, was released back in October, 2013 and offers up plenty of danceable songs. Sky Ferreira will opening up for Miley Cyrus on her Bangerz Tour before stopping off in H-Town at the festival. Check out: “24 Hours”, “I Will” and “You’re Not The One.”

To get tickets for Free Press Summer Fest 2014, visit fpsf.com.