From Rio’s golden-hour grooves to the roots of Northwest indie rock, this round of PICK26 brings together Marcos Valle, Built to Spill, The Brothers Comatose, and Automatic for a full-spectrum journey across continents, decades, and genres. Discover why these artists are essential viewing at Pickathon 2026, then dive into the official playlist below.
Marcos Valle
The Vibe: Rio de Janeiro Golden Hour
If you think Bossa Nova is just quiet background music, Marcos Valle is here to correct the record. He is a titan of Brazilian music—a man who sat at the table with the founders of the genre in the 60s, but then spent the next five decades injecting it with funk, disco, and psychedelic rock. He represents the resilient spirit of Rio, surviving dictatorships and changing trends by simply refusing to stop grooving.
Why We Picked Them:
We wanted a legend who could control the sun. There is a specific type of magic that happens when a master like Valle takes the stage; the air gets lighter. It’s rare to book an artist who is historically significant enough to be in a museum, but whose music still makes you want to dance with a stranger.
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Music
Built To Spill
The Vibe: The DNA of Northwest Indie Rock
Before Modest Mouse, before Death Cab for Cutie, there was Doug Martsch and Built to Spill. They are the architects of the specific guitar-heavy, sprawling, emotional indie rock sound that put the Pacific Northwest on the map. Doug’s guitar playing doesn’t show off; it tells stories, looping, intricate, and instantly recognizable.
Why We Picked Them:
This is a homecoming. Built to Spill’s music was practically made to be heard under a canopy of fir trees. We booked them because their songs have a “stamina” to them, extended jams and guitar textures that reward you for closing your eyes and just listening. It’s a nod to the roots of the indie scene that Pickathon grew out of.
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Music
The Brothers Comatose
The Vibe: The Rowdiest Living Room on Earth
Some bluegrass bands are for sitting and studying; The Brothers Comatose are for standing on the furniture. They play with the loose, sweaty energy of a garage rock band, but swap the electric guitars for a banjo and upright bass. It’s unpretentious, high-octane Americana that feels like a party you stumbled into by accident and stayed at until 3 AM.
Why We Picked Them:
We need ignition. A festival needs bands that can turn a tired crowd into a dancing mob in under 60 seconds, and The Brothers Comatose are the best in the business. We booked them for the sheer joy of it—because sometimes you just need to stomp your boots.
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Music
Automatic
The Vibe: Minimalist Post-Punk
Automatic strips rock and roll down to the studs. A trio of bass, drums, and synths (no guitars allowed), they play motorik, Krautrock-inspired post-punk that is deadpan, hypnotic, and incredibly tight. It’s music that feels mechanical yet deeply human, driving forward with a relentless rhythm.
Why We Picked Them:
We book the leaders of the genre. Automatic is currently defining the sound of the modern underground by rejecting the excess of rock music. We picked them because they represent a sharp, intelligent counterpoint to the organic sounds of the farm. They prove you don’t need six strings to be heavy; you just need the right groove.
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Music
