A lot has changed since FYF started back in 2004. It’s safe to say that FYF now directly competes with some the country’s most popular festivals, and yet its carefully-picked lineups are second to none in terms of quality and fan appreciation. I can’t think of another festival that dares to put Grace Jones as one of the top headliners, and also manages to get Saves the Day to jam out to Stay What You Are so we can relive our teen years.

It also never fails to feature some of LA’s most sought-after artists. So even if there’s a shortage of lesser-known independent artists this time around (a need that’s more than satiated with festivals like Echo Park Rising and Eagle Rock Music Festival), the festival will still feature a good number of stellar artists who we’ve seen flourish from local favorites to notable international acts.

Below are some of our top local undercard picks for FYF 2016:

1. Chelsea Wolfe: Performing at an appropriately-timed 11pm slot on Saturday night, the darkly seductive singer-songwriter will provide her doom-laden folk anthems to anyone who likes that perfect symmetry of pitch-black ambiance and intense, feral passion. Having seen her evolution throughout the years has been a delight, especially last year’s Abyss, a breakthrough effort that is testament to her tireless work ethic and unrelenting talent.

2. Julia Holter: Julia Holter is a fiercely independent artist who continues to surprise with every new project. Last year’s Have you in a Wilderness was vastly celebrated, both in the States and abroad, another eye-opening creation that showcases her compositional prowess and nuanced intimacy.

3. Boogie: The Compton-based rapper has released two mixtapes, one of which included last year’s sleeper hit “Oh My”, and yet he still remains an enigmatic character. Having recently signed to Interscope Records, it’s safe to say that Anthony Dixsom’s last days as an under appreciated artist are numbered. Expect a rousing set at the newly-minted Club tent, which will serve as an appropriate training ground to test some of his new material.

4. Kelela: This is the second FYF appearance from the experimental singer-songwriter, who’s soulfully-tinged R&B remains unfairly overlooked behind artists like FKA Twigs and Banks. The fact that she’ll be performing in between artists like Ty Segall and Wolf Parade on Saturday night demonstrates her crossover appeal, coming from an artist who’s really come into her own performing her alluringly provocative songs on stage.

5. Ty Segall & the Muggers: We’ve seen Ty before, (many, many times, actually), but this year he’s bringing The Muggers along to perform this year’s wildly idiosyncratic release, Emotional Mugger. At FYF, some things will never change.

Roses are no stranges to this blog. From their luscious Dreamlover EP to last year’s single "Quiet Time", the synth rock trio has been steadily growing into a bone fide new wave act with their slick, jangly love songs. "Accessory", their latest single off of their upcoming debut full-length Camera Trouble, is another jittery pop cut with a new romantic flair that continues their love affair with bands like The Cure and The Wake.

Camera Trouble is out on October 28 via Group Tightener. The band will be playing new songs at the Hi Hat alongside French Vanilla on September 9. – Juan Rodríguez

Springtime Carnivore, the nom de plume of singer-songwriter Greta Morgan, was going through some significant changes after the release of her self-titled debut. A number of unfortunate life events, from a devastating breakup to becoming a first time solo-dweller, turned Morgan’s world upside down, except that she took from those learned experiences to fuel her spirit and settle her mind as well. This self-actualization can be heard on her latest single "Face in the Moon", off of her upcoming follow-up Midnight Room, a bouncy, finger-snapping number that highlights Morgan’s sweet and tender croon as she confronts the loneliness that overtakes her. In spite of this, the effervescent mood of the track symbolizes a rejuvenating place of sweetness and light.

Morgan recently anounced a fall tour supporting friend and collaborator Katy Goodman (of La Sera). The tour will kick off on October 7 at Pomona, and will continue across the US before wrapping it up with a hometown gig at Bootleg Theter on November 5. Midnight Room comes out on October 7 on Autumn Tone Records. – Juan Rodríguez

It seems as if LA. alt-rockers Goon take from two stylistic genres on their latest track "Dizzy" – either they crunch their guitars like their grunge forebearers, or they play their melodic hooks with an unpolished quality that mimics the garage stomp of the last decade. But then you listen closely and you notice they compliment those melodies with pop harmonies. It becomes quite clear how Goon are not concerned with replicating a sound that already exists, more so seeking some way to make it new. One first impression (albeit, a very good one!) is not enough to make a clear assessment of where the band is headed, but to think they’ve already written such a tuneful song that connects on more than one level proves that they are onto something special.

"Dizzy" is the first track off of Goon’s debul EP Dusk of Punk, which will be self-released on September 16. The band is also slated to play a local show opening for Lucy Dacus at the Echo tomorrow, August 11. – Juan Rodríguez

A calm, gentle drift washes over like a rippling tide in "Winona", the reverb-drenched track that opens Talk Before Sleep’s self-titled debut EP. Not to be confused with that other shoegaze ode to "Winona" by Drop Nineteens, but of a similar vein in how it treats distortion with a considerate touch, the El Monte trio later follow suit with a pair of tracks that veer from lushly poppy ("Clean") to more tensioned in its drige-like songwriting approach ("Lights"). A promising debut, Talk Before Sleep is a prudent first effort that emits a tranquil energy with its ambiguous curiosity. – Juan Rodríguez

Alternative rockers Oblio have an intriguing way to officially present themselves into the world. The Long Beach outfit are intent in revealing what their upcoming project truly means, entitled Autophobia, which at this point alludes to a nameless character who has a phobia for isolation. They’re carrying that concept into their first single, "Days", a brittle, visceral rocker that is the first reveal off of a conceptual debut album that is currently slated for a September release.

Oblio are playing at Reel Rock tomorrow, July 30th. – Juan Rodríguez

Just when you think that the current electronic R&B craze has finally reached its saturation point, there’s always a new artist that’s ready to prove how that’s simply not true. Case in point: Stalgia, a songwriting duo that manages to bring out a lot of feeling to their soulful synth arrangements. The duo of Lauren Day and Brandon Leslie’s latest single, "In the Trees", is a brooding, trap-influenced ballad that fuses the soothing textures of trip-hop with some coolly detached vocals. A truly engaging listen, "In the Trees" creates an airy, sensual atmosphere that’ll truly haunt you for days. – Juan Rodríguez

"Control", the new single by BOYO, is a sauntering psych-pop number that unspools in an unhurried manner. The group incorporates a smooth, Beatlesque chord progression that lulls the listener into passivity with its cosmic folk touch.

This is the first single off of their upcoming record of the same name, which is due out August 26 on Danger Collective Records. – Juan Rodríguez

Risen from the demise of local favorites Fonda, People & Stars wave goodbye to the miasmic sounds of shoegaze and welcome some good-natured indie pop on their latest incarnation. Featuring both original members David Klotz and vocalist Amanda Tate, the duo’s latest single, "You’re Not Alone", is a brightly uptempo number akin to the immaculately crafted chamber pop of bands like Acid House Kings and The Postmarks.

People and Stars are set to release their self-titled debut EP on July 15 via Minty Fresh. – Juan Rodríguez

Adam J. Cook first got some attention in his hometown Austin as a member of country rock bands like Genuine Leather and Dangeresque. After those two projects, the relocated Cook is taking those musical sensibilities to our shores in a slightly different direction with his first solo project, Attack Formation (Demo), a meticulously crafted collection of singles that closely resembles the current alumni of singer-songwriters looking into the early 70s for inspiration. Songs like "Adam Vile" and "Days Just Begin" blend winding folk and sophisticated soft rock elements with a keen focus on arrangement.

Cook will also be releasing accompanying videos for all the six tracks of Attack Formation. You can stream it in its entirety on his official soundcloud page. – Juan Rodríguez

Venus & the Moon are Frally Hynes and Rain Phoenix, a collaborative duo that writes brooding country-folk that strikes a heavy balance between shimmering atmospherics and lumbering balladry. The hushed harmonies play a big part in ampliying some very insular emotions, a haunting quality that gives the songs off of their upcoming full-length, Brother, Son, a quiet power. 

Brother, Son has an official date of July 15 via Mother May I Records. The duo will also be celebrating the album release with a performance at Hotel Café on July 13. – Juan Rodríguez

"Keep your head in the clouds", Water District vocalist Tice Griffin sings over a sauntering piano lead as he contemplates over an unrequited love. There’s something old-fashioned about their latest, "Supernova", an unabashedly romantic rock ballad that sports an upbeat melody against biting lyrics that resonate with subtly dramatic effect. It’s a even-tempered love song that has that crisp, uncomplicated sound akin to that of a John Vanderslice production.

Water District will be headlining a show at Ham and Eggs on July 17. "Supernova" is out now via Normandie Records. – Juan Rodríguez