Doom, Lindstrøm, Wavves, Yeasayer

DOOM
Daniel Dumile (a.k.a. DOOM) might be underground hip-hop’s most recognizable, as well as reclusive, figure. The artist formerly known as MF Doom ended his 3-year hiatus from public life with the release of 2009’s Born Like This, a record warmly greeted by anxious fans and critics alike. Since 2003 DOOM has amassed a widespread cult fanbase keen on his meditated cadence, clever wordplay, and comic book-inspired characters (the inspiration for Dumile’s stage name being Dr. Doom). Though DOOM produced and MC’d two excellent albums under the aliases Viktor Vaughn and King Geedorah, his best work was yet to come. 2004’s Madvillainy, a collaboration with production virtuoso Madlib, is widely considered a modern classic. His work with Danger Mouse drew similar responses, cementing DOOM’s status as a pioneer of 21st century hip-hop. While you may never see his face unobstructed by the ubiquitous mask he wears during concerts, Dumile stands tall as indie hip-hop’s illest villain of them all. (Saturday, 6:15-7:25, Aluminum Stage) –text: Matthew Partington

LINDSTRØM
If you like your electronic music spacey and groovy, look no further than Norwegian dance-master Hans-Peter Lindstrøm. Best known for his collaboration with fellow Norwegian DJ Prins Thomas, Lindstrøm keeps his grooves funky and his beats compelling. Lindstrøm has a passion for intelligent and interesting dance music, so prepare for your mind as well as your feet to be challenged. His minimal sound makes his music equally listenable at home or in a club (or at a festival, in this case). His second studio album Where You Go I Go To was released in 2008 to critical acclaim, mixing dizzying synth with sharp guitar breaks. Don’t trust critical acclaim? Trust the Spellemannprisen, an award for Norwegian artists that Lindstrøm has earned for two consecutive years in 2007 and 2008. (Saturday, 6:30-7:30, Balance Stage) –text: Justine Reisinger

WAVVES
According to Wavves lead singer Nathan Williams, “Mixing Ecstasy, Valium and Xanax before having to play in front of thousands of people was one of the more poor decisions I’ve made.” This is the way things have been going as of late for San Diego lo-fi act Wavves, who recently had to cancel their European tour after a disastrous on-stage meltdown in Spain. As a result, their date with Pitchfork has been injected with a heavy dose of suspense — not that they need it. Wavves had already been making quite enough noise on their own with their raw brand of two-man rock, relentless touring schedule, and two album releases within one year. A break was clearly needed. Is this a classic rock and roll burnout or just a speed bump on the way to better things? As usual, the trick is in the rebound. Or, as Williams concludes, “You live and you learn.” (Saturday, 5:30-6:30, Balance Stage) –text: Tim Slowikowski

YEASAYER
Two years since the release of All Hour Cymbals, the psychedelic global-leaning soundscapes that populate Yeasayer’s debut LP remain as expansive as they were upon first listen. The 11 songs play out like spacey treks through fantasy regions of the globe where Middle Eastern beats fuse seamlessly with Westernized pop, Latin rhythms align sonically with wall-of-sound production and 47 minutes of self-styled experimentation serve as the soundtrack to the world’s bazaar. (Or bizarre, for that matter.) Yet the breakthrough tunes from the Brooklyn quartet are not just a global buffet, they’re a representation of Yeasayer’s America. Genuinely New York — from the hurried tempos to the haphazard-yet-calculated structures to the melting pot eclecticism — the band’s first release wears its influences on its (album) sleeve. Having been immersed in recording their follow-up, vocalists Chris Keating, Anand Wilder and Co. are taking a break in order to embark upon a globetrotting tour before returning to the studio to finalize the sounds of their world in 2009. (Saturday, 5:15-6:15, Connector Stage) –text: Derek Wright–photo: Jason Frank Rothenberg