With conversations revolving around diversity in music and the formation of B-Side Collective, a music and arts group for female/femme, queer/lgbtqia+, and gender non-conforming students, it’s nice to finally see a Llamapalooza lineup that is diverse in terms of race as well as gender. Beyond that, there are a diverse range of genres featured in this years lineup as well.
SALES, a duo from Orlando, Fla., comprised of Lauren Morgan and Jordan Shih, fits this mold. Their music is simple yet beautiful. You get everything you need and nothing more. If you have not listened to SALES yet, I recommend listening to “Jamz” off their LP. Described by Stereogum as “pleasantly chill,” this song takes you on a journey as you float on Lauren’s melodic vocals through space while gentle guitar chords and a simple drumbeat keep you afloat. Other songs that really capture their range and true spirit include “Chinese New Year” and of course “Renee,” one of their most popular songs.
Their songs’ lo-fi quality and simplicity produce an intimate feeling. I’m sure their performance at Llamapalooza will speak to this. In a way, their performance will be different from the other artists but nevertheless impactful as it will be one that will make you either want to get close and personal or spend it lounging on a couch exploring this dreamy realm that they create.
In contrast, another band fronted by a powerful female lead is Bully. Playing at multiple festivals this season and touring with Courtney Barnett, they are definitely catching momentum. Hailing from Nashville, Tenn., the vocalist and guitarist Alicia Bognanno, drummer Stewart Copeland, guitarist Clayton Parker, and bassist Reece Lazarus are becoming a new favorite band among punk and grunge fanatics.
Unlike the delicate and dreamy melodies from SALES, Bully is unapologetically harsh. Bognanno’s journey to music actually started with her interest in audio engineering, and eventually she began recording her own projects using what she learned. After writing several songs, she eventually found her own unique voice and began recruiting members for a band while in Nashville.
Bully teaches us that vulnerability is okay, whether that means not being afraid to literally scream in a microphone, or to talk about heartbreak or periods. SALES teaches us that sometimes simplicity is the answer. Regardless, each band offers something special to take away as an audience member, and both will make Llamapalooza Music and Arts Festival one of the most memorable experiences of the year.