This week marks the official start of the 2014 Pitchfork Music Festival coverage here on Faronheit. For those who don’t know, I spend a full 7-8 days immersed in the world of this festival, which is truly something unique and special every single year. The artists selected from year to year are always top notch and often on their way towards bigger things. Yet this is also a boutique festival, in that it’s smaller than your Lollapaloozas, Coachellas, and even things like Sasquatch. There are only three stages, everything is easy to get to, and the crowds are friendly and laid back. If you’ve never been, I highly encourage you to go at least once. Not only is it a whole lot of fun, but you’ll make some pretty great music discoveries along the way. As part of this week-long extravaganza of coverage, in the coming days I’ll be providing a day-by-day preview guide, along with daily recaps during the festival itself, plus a wrap-up with photos and such afterward. Today serves as more of an introduction to all of the artists on the lineup to help familiarize yourself with them. Even if you’re not going to be attending, I strongly recommend you check it out if you’re interested in finding some cool new bands (along with some firmly established ones). Of course you could also look through today’s edition of Pick Your Poison, which can be helpful with that too. Key tracks in this set come from Alex Autajon, Brenton, I Am Giant, In the Valley Below, Killers Walk Among Us and Kinky Love. In the Soundcloud section after the jump, stream new songs from Cassie Ramone (ex-Vivian Girls), Childhood, Cut Copy, Generationals, Laetitia Sadler, Running and Twin Peaks (who will be at Pitchfork Music Festival, by the way).

Alex Autajon – Louise

Aria Perez – Sandungueo

Bon Iver – Minnesota, WI (Vuurwerk Remix)

Bootleg Rascal – Kings and Queens

Brenton – On the Scene (ft. Ghostwridah)

Crookers – Heavy (Lazy Ants Remix)

Female – Clouds (Tyord Remix)

I Am Giant – Transmission

In the Valley Below – Hymnal

Killers Walk Among Us – Bonjour Tristesse

King avriel – 180

Kinky Love – Hush

Ramaj Eroc – Lost (Chance the Rapper cover)

SOUNDCLOUD

Cassie Ramone – Hangin On

Childhood – As I Am

Cut Copy – Lights Shine On

Generationals – Gold Silver Diamond

Laetitia Sadler – Then, I Will Love You Again

Running – Totally Fired

Twin Peaks – I Found A New Way