Now in it’s second year, Cluserfest has grown into more than just a celebration of the end of the year but rather a community wide event that invites some of the best bands from local, Austin, and around the county to convene on the Southwestern Campus for a musical blow out. 

For the month of April, GTFE Buzz Insider has been introducing you all to the bands playing. To prep you for tomorrows festivities, we have compiled our previews into one tidy blog. 

So let’s meet the bands. (in order of their appearance) 

The Staylyns  Bring their veteran sixth street sound to kick off Clusterfest: Great harmonies and great choice of covers is probably what defines The Staylyns sound that has been a staple of the live music capital scene. No stranger to the 626 as well, the trio has already performed their blending harmonies and power solos at Southwestern’s cove.  LISTEN TO THE STAYLYNS

 Jasmine SayGan delivers everything you expect from an emerging talent: Local resident, Jasmine SanGay is a solid melodic voice with accomplished acoustic skill that are the hall marks of a talent that is rising on the scene. A nudge above the coffee shop performer ( she has been recording since ‘09) she will entertain the crowds at Clusterfest as the settle in for a great night.   LISTEN TO JASMINE SAYGAN

SU Student Sarah Cook Brings her melodic  Indie/folk voice to Clusterfest: There is a lot to like about Sarah Cook. She is a unpretentious indie/folk performer that does little to get in the way of her sweet vocals. I picked through every one of her video’s and despite being on the lower end of the card for Clusterfest, she will surprise many of the fans who came for bigger names. Her dorm room to stage vibe makes her a great lead off to the show. Let’s hope we will see more of Sarah around town.    LISTEN TO SARAH COOK

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Dream Shake kicked off our coverage in April 3rd. Their great College Radio Sound was the perfect Clusterfest Preview of Local Bands performing: Dream Shake, an alternative / Hip Hop band lead by Justice Kinley and  Stephen Adams bring a traditional college radio sound and overlays it with their version of Hip-Hop Rap that has kind of a groovy feel and still brings that, “We can Dance to This” feel that is vital to this Genre. Their release Verbal Contract, which came out in January, makes me think a little like I need to add them to my Sublime/Incubus/Better than Ezra Stack. I encourage you to have a listen to yourself. LISTEN TO DREAM SHAKE

Wonderfully Esoteric acting and hard rocking Frontiers Brothers hits the Clusterfest Stage: I find little not to like about Frontier Brothers: Their persona is clearly states that either they don’t take themselves or their fan base very seriously, the band combines some awesome synth/Keys with solid post punk riffs. You immediately start bouncing your head to their music and they seem a solid bet live. LISTEN TO FRONTIER BROTHERS 

Whiskey Shivers is Alt. County : creative, irreverent, & musically dynamic: I am a huge fan of Alternative Country. It is a Genre that combines a mix of roots based music, exceptionally musicians and a wonderful sense of sarcasm that makes fun of both it’s country roots and modern popular music. Whiskey Shivers is another one of those bands that when people come to SU will be surprised that they sit midway through the ticket. They are not far from Headline status. LISTEN TO WHISKEY SHIVERS

Mother Falcon Plays Clusterfest: Something glorious is always going to come from a band who’s influence are listed as Beethoven, Shostakovitch, The Notorious B.I.G, and The Strokes. Mother Falcon is a 21  piece orchestra from Austin. (That’s 21 pieces) They are what maybe you would think, a Big Wind sound with a rock edge but the combine that with an equally melodic harmonies that are a classical and hip as their music. I immediately liked their music. The cliche applies that they are musically complicated and sublime. LISTEN TO MOTHER FALCON

Suzanna Choffe is the evolution of Austin Singer/Songwriters: I hate to think of Janis when I listen to Female Singers, and Suzanna Choffe is not a Joplin clone.  I do think back to what that Texas muse did for blues/folk soloists and where we are now. Suzanna probably fits in the same genre but with an air of polish and brass that once was taint and rust.  She is Austin Music. LISTEN TO SUZANNA CHOFFE 

The is a good reason that polished Future Islands is one of the top acts at Clusterfest: In a lot of Alternative Music is harking back to the late 80’s – 90’s music seen. Future Islands, offers a pre-grunge sound that combines synth-pop, a post punk lyrical base and  layers of  walls of sound vibe remissness of  Sonic Wall. The production value on their music is awesome and it is going to be a treat to see such a sophisticated sound on the SU Campus. LISTEN TO FUTURE ISLAND

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears – Amazing Jazz and Delta Blues: With my musical roots deep in the slippery delta soil of New Orleans, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears is the kind of band you go to a festival for. Rocking Jazz, R&B, and Blue roots, this band gets you hopping from the 1st riff and 2 hours later you are ready to dance some more.  No way to review them when their music speaks for it’s self. LISTEN TO BLACK JOE LEWIS AND THE HONEYBEARS

Sleigh Bells continue a tradition of challenging genre and gender with a mix of punk, pop, hip-hop, and production: The Runaways*Christie Hyde*Verruca Salt*MIA*Sleigh Bells – it is a rich legacy that Sleigh Bells front-woman,  Alexis Krauss, has picked the torch up for. And Sleigh Bells, Infinity Guitars, is certifiably a piece that should be added to the cannon. The Duo mesh a lot of different influences: Rap, Punk, classic metal, and a production value that house music influences, to bring a defining sound of the new decade to the steps of Southwestern: LISTEN TO SLEIGH BELLS