Now just under a month away, you can feel the anticipation in the air as July 11th approaches for all to enjoy the inaugural year at The Hudson Project. Positioned on gorgeous Winston Farm (location of Woodstock ’94) it seems as if MCP Presents couldn’t have chosen a more pristine stomping ground if they tried. With a lineup that includes heavy hitters like Bassnectar, The Flaming Lips, Moby, Kendrick Lamar, STS9, Big Gigantic, Modest Mouse, and artists of each and every genre, there is every reason to believe The Hudson Project will compete for one of the best festivals of 2014.
As much fun as it is to see the plethora of big time headliners headed our way, it’s also just as fun to walk in on a lesser-known set from an artist you may not have known of before. To be able to catch a set from an artist before they become a household name is something we all (admittedly or not) love to brag to our friends about. Sometimes the best set of the day can be tucked away in a far off tent with a small crowd and good vibes. Here today, we will be focusing on five extremely talented and diverse artists who I feel are deserving of more attention. We’re going to focus this list on artists with under 50k likes on Facebook in order to exclude any of the “bigger” names this lineup includes. Each of these supremely talented musicians have the potential to steal the show and maybe even slide their way into your favorites by the time the weekend is over.
1) Lindsay Lowend
Lindsay Lowend not only has one of the best names in the game today, but is changing the entire trap genre as we know it. Forgoing the lazy build-ups and structure we commonly encounter, Lowend has been supplying some of the nastiest beats put out in recent times. What makes Lindsay great though is the versatility of his music. He can go from hard, unrelenting trap beats to soft, melodic hip-hop in an instant and this is what separates him from the crowd. Catch an early afternoon set by this guy and you won’t be disappointed. Get down and trappy to some of the best beats you’ve never heard of and add Lowend to not only your music collection, but your Hudson schedule.
2) Exmag
Exmag may have little Facebook love at the moment, but these guys are some of the fastest risers in the scene today. Fresh off playing at Red Rocks along with Gramatik, these masters of funk are taking the world by storm. Comprised of Eric Mendelson, SuperNicer, Mike Iannotto, and illumntr, this group of guys has had the full support of Gramatik since day one. With a delightful live instrument/DJ hybrid set, the four are pushing the limits of what you believe electronic music can be. Go catch their set and you’ll find yourself jamming out to pure gorgeous guitar riffs, live drums, and some groovy beats.
3) The Floozies
Another live instrument/DJ duo, The Floozies are comprised of producer/guitarist Matt Hill and drummer Mark Hill. As stated in their bio, the two brothers are bringing their funky fresh approach to electronic music and live performance to venues and festivals all around. Recently signed to GRiZ’s Mad Liberation label, you can be sure to hear old school, weird, dance-y beats. The Hill’s are fast risers on the vaunted label and are not one to miss in a beautiful setting like Winston Farm. Take a listen to their unbelievably unique track “Ice Cold” below and download all of their music for free off their site here.
4) Oliver
Oliver is teetering right on the edge of household names and if you ask me, after this summer they’ll have vaulted themselves right up there. Signed to Fools Gold Records, these two are no strangers to working with big names. Collabing on tracks with the likes of A-Trak and Destructo, having Dillon Francis remix their hit song “Night is on my Mind”, and garnering support from Busy P will do wonders when it comes to putting you on the map. Their music ranges everywhere from straight up disco, to nu-disco, to the darker sides of electronic. There’s no telling what they will throw at you, but you can bet it’ll be something different than the monotonous drops which have plagued the scene recently. One thing’s for certain; when stepping foot in Oliver’s set, you better be ready to move your feet.
5) Odesza
Chances are if you’re familiar with any artist on this list, it’s Odesza. Made up of Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight , Odesza is a group cut from the same sound you’ll hear on the Pretty Lights Music label. Last year they were given the massive honor of remixing Pretty Light’s “One Day They’ll Know” which has garnered just under a million views on Soundcloud. After touring with the likes of Derek Vincent Smith, Michal Menert, and Emancipator last year these two are ready to hit The Hudson Project and show the East Coast exactly what all the fuss is about. Odesza is an absolute “can’t miss” in every sense of the word, bringing soulful beats with a harder edge in a way unlike many other artists out here today.
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