You may have heard the term before on these pages, or on a myriad of new media outlets, but “Chillwave” a kind of snarky term that describes (loosely) a large collection of indie artists from all over that share a common sensibility of sounds. The New York Times even used it surrounding last week’s SXSW festivities and the notable similarities in sounds coming from the cross-section of artists from around the globe. Most notable for us are Active Child (Los Angeles), Toro y Moi (South Carolina) and Washed Out (Atlanta), but it seems more and more that this sound is seemingly an LA-based (we’re obviously biased). Alternatively called “glo-fi”, the sounds are largely effect driven and ethereal — ambient, Beach Boys, shoegaze and even world music are typical references. In actuality, the bands come from all over the country and the world.

Regardless of the references or locality, it’s a sound that has it’s own associations that are remarkably modern day. I doubt that many of the 20-somethings that play in these bands even considered that they’d be lumped into a genre, let alone have anything in common with their counterparts. Still, humans being what they are, yearn to lump things into piles, boxes so they can easily associate and try to feel a commonality with the bands.

Coincidentally(?), music blog Aquarium Drunkard has organized a festival aptly called Waved Out, which features many of the bands being lumped into this psuedo-genre. It is appropriately going to begin on Saturday afternoon, March 27th, and end on the early side. Apparently “chill-wavers” don’t stay out late, or maybe they enjoy the sun too much to miss the next sunrise. Whatever the case, though the music isn’t the charging BPM that you may want to take your daily run to, the eternal pop-timism is helpful booster fuel for your mood. Think of it as green tea to the highly caffeinated coffee. Contrary to the title, I’m not even sure you can run to chillwave, but now that Spring has sprung, I’m easily convinced to take those vibes and make a move.

Waved Out, Saturday March 27th 3PM

16 band, two stages

Lineup: Surfer Blood, Best Coast, Turbo Fruits, The Sandwitches, Dirt Dress, The Coathangers, Active Child, PoPo, Moon Duo, Gamble House, Family Portrait, Tape Deck Mountain, Apes of Wrath, Pizza!, Giant Cloud, Superhumanoids.

The Echo / Echoplex

1822 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 413-8200