#STLSOTD is an I Went to a Show.com Monday-Friday feature that introduces followers to new St. Louis music by spotlighting one track from one artist or band from IWTAS’ Bandcamp Directory of St. Louis Music.  As always, we welcome your suggestions. If we pick the song you share with us on Twitter, Facebook, or in the comments section of this post, we’ll make sure to give you a shout out.

Today’s #STLSOTD was a double no-brainer. The 2014 LouFest lineup was announced at 12:01am yesterday morning, and we were thrilled to see that St. Louis bands Pretty Little Empire and Big Brother Thunder and the MasterBlasters earned spots on the bill.

PLE. Not sure how to credit the photo.

Our selected track from Pretty Little Empire is “Talking Loud”, and it’s off their late 2013, self-titled full-length. This one’s a real slow burner, you guys. Just when you think the song’s ending and the train’s pulling into the station, the damn thing speeds up and flies right off the tracks. If you’ve ever heard “Talking Loud” performed live, then you know what I’m saying.

We choose, “Cookin'”, off Big Brother Thunder & the MasterBlasters’ 2012 EP because it’s a spicy, funky feast of Latin and Caribbean rhythms finished off by Sherri Faccin’s smooth, expressive voice and BBT&tMB’s killer horn section.

Big Brother Thunder & the MasterBlasters. Photo by Thomas Crone.

Pretty Little Empire and Big Brother Thunder & the MasterBlasters both play LouFest in Forest Park on September 6th and 7th. Performance schedule TBA.

Note: Old Salt Union of Belleville, IL, also made the LouFest lineup. Big congrats to them!