Vanishing Twin

Vanishing Twin are a heterogeneous crowd, no two members are the same nationality or speak the same language. They are would-be doyens of Esperanto if it had only caught on; galactic citizens if it were an option at the passport office. They are scientists and creators excited by rituals and telepathy, book-wormed into action. Dressed for the closing night of the original Dadaist nightclub Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich, they sound like they are playing jazz at the end of the world’s end. They are like nothing else. Challenging, morphing, eclectic, ethereal – engaging. Their new album, The Age Of Immunology, was recorded in spaces reclaimed for their experiments. The sounds you hear are otherworldly, created by scavengers, hunters, gatherers, deft at pinging milk bottles, caressing the Varispeed, and speaking in multi-lingual monologues, punctuated by strings and things. The Vinyl Factory has likened them to fellow sonic adventurers Sun Ra, Ennio Morricone and Stereolab.

Jaimie Branch’s Fly or Die

FLY or DIE II: bird dogs of paradise is the much-anticipated follow-up to composer, trumpeter, and (now) singer Jaimie Branch’s debut Fly or Die, which was dubbed one of the “Best Albums of 2017” by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, NPR Music, WIRE, Stereogum, Aquarium Drunkard, and more. On the album’s epic opening opus “prayer for amerikkka pt.1 and 2” branch calls out “a bunch of wide-eyed racists” between searing trumpet ad libs atop a massive, down-tuned blues. On the album’s closing track “love song (for assholes & clowns)” she laughs in their faces – an unhinged, unflinching, mix of anger and humor. Between both ends is an instrumental chronicle that traverses a deep sea of dystopian Americana without trepidation. Her trumpet – sometimes soft and pleading and other times brash and seething – is always at the helm.

Noasobi Campsite Package

We’re collaborating with our favorite outdoor company Snow Peak in helping create a new ‘turn-key’ camping setup for you while at Pickathon: the Noasobi Campsite Package. Each site will be set up with a roomy six person tent styled for two people, two camp chairs, bamboo camp table, lanterns, two folding cots, sleeping bags and pads. These camp packages will be fully set up in a pre-designated area within the festival grounds. Once you arrive at Pickathon you will check in at our camp host station and someone will direct you to your campsite. This rental package does not include admission to the festival or parking. Those items must be purchased separately. Slow down and relax at Pickathon with Snow Peak’s luxurious Noasobi Campsite package.

Pickathon DJ Program

You’ve probably seen some DJs at Pickathon, either between performances or spinning records on the dancefloor in the Galaxy Barn’s ArtYard, but Pickathon’s DJ Program is really an unprecedented new kind of programming at the festival. We started off four years ago just having DJs spin records after-hours at the Galaxy Barn, but last year we had DJs in between nearly every stage performance and published a full schedule. The DJs at Pickathon are handpicked vinyl fanatics with wide-ranging tastes, everything from Kenyan 78s to old soul 45s to super rare punk vinyl and beyond. These are record collectors, radio personalities, even performers themselves, all joining in to curate carefully tailored, personalized DJ sets. Last year, the DJs at Pickathon were curated by KEXP’s Greg Vandy, and included folks like Chances With Wolves, Nitty Gritty, Greasy, KEXP’s Kevin Cole and El Toro, Ben Jaffe from Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Andy Cabic from Vetiver and No Sé, lots of XRAY.FM DJs, and many more. So whether you’re dancing late night in the Galax ArtYard, or grooving between sets in the Woods, wave to your DJ and say hi!