Luke and Tess Pretty are a brother-sister duo from Edmonton whose instrumental compositions are as unlikely as their name. Using an electronic drum kit and a stack of keyboards and sequencers, the Prettys—who record under the name Tennyson—modulate, deform, and squelch sounds both found and homemade.
Despite having a busload of instruments without a string between them, the duo trekked to Oregon last summer for Pickathon, where they set up shop and slashed away at “All Yours” for the Slab Series. It’s the latest episode in the festival’s 2016–2017 season, and if the juxtaposition of Tennyson’s shifty funk and aspirational groove initially feel out of place beneath the treecover, the Prettys play right through it, toggling effortlessly between breathy inspirational modes and Zapp-worthy funk with nothing but a sneeze to mark the transition.
“All Yours,” which was filmed by Half Stop Sessions, is playing below, and in case you missed the announcement a couple of weeks ago, the first wave of artists to invade Pendarvis Farm for this year’s edition is below, too. Click here to see the rest of the videos in the Slab Series.
Pickathon 2017 initial lineup
Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires
Dinosaur Jr.
Drive-By Truckers
Deer Tick
Ty Segall
Mandolin Orange
A-Wa
J. Mascis
Dungen
Jonathan Richman
Hiss Golden Messenger
Robyn Hitchcock
Xenia Rubinos
Pinegrove
Andy Shauf
KING
The Last Artful, Dodgr
Brent Cobb
Y La Bamba
Sunflower Bean
Black Milk & Nat Turner
Wolf People
Tyus
Khun Narin
Big Thief
Marlon Williams
Courtney Marie Andrews
Billy Strings
Huun-Huur-Tu
Alex Cameron
Julia Jacklin
Ex-Cult
Jonathan Toubin
Anna & Elizabeth
1939 Ensemble
Courtney Granger
Dori Freeman
McTuff feat. Skerik
Kelsey Waldon
Cat Hoch
Susto
Kaia Kater
Pickathon runs August 3–6 in Happy Valley, OR. More information is available here.
