Seattle has a really strong hip hop scene, but often overlooked are the many female fronted groups that are also out there holdin’ it down. Whether you are unfamiliar with this side of the scene or an avid supporter, make sure you get down to Neumos Tuesday night to check out the action. THEE Satisfaction will be bringing their upbeat positive flows, and sweet dance moves to the stage to headline this all female review.
Their style is a blend of classic hip-hop hooks and smooth R&B vocal overlays reminiscent of Erykah Badu. Tracks such as “Waltz” are clean, jazzy, rhythmic, and have vocals that will leave you bobbing your head. Musically, they are solid all the way around, and as stage presence goes, you will not be disappointed. These ladies know how to perform. Check out this track from their set at Sneaker Pimps, and then go to their Myspace for a better listen.
If you ever found yourself on Katie Kate’s myspace, you wouldn’t have to look around very long before you started to notice that she is a bit of a contradiction. Self proclaimed farm girl turned hip-hop star, her music is a clever mixture of urban tales and country innuendo; particularly the track “hunting,” a song about hitting the club and looking to hook up, euphemized with lines about guns and bait. Her rhymes are smart and smooth, as are the beats and hooks. If you’ve never seen her, take the time this Tuesday to head down to Neumos. It’s a pretty deep bill, with Canary Sing, Lisa Dank, Queerbait, Sap’n, and DJ Colby B. Show starts at eight so get there early!
Band Members
Jimmy LaValle
Matt Resovich
Drew Andrews
Gram LeBron
Tim Reece
Andrew Pates
The Album Leaf graced Neumos on February 6, 2010, and it was no ordinary show. Not an official album release show, but with A Chorus of Storytellers coming out only four days prior, Seattleites were in the mode of celebrating the long awaited record from one of our own native labels’ artists. Not only did the audience get to celebrate A Chorus of Storytellers with The Album Leaf in their full glory, there was also the added bonus of the Anomie Belle String Quartet–and what a beautiful, organic gift.
Before the music started, the room was dark and thick with anticipation. The Album Leaf always accents their sets with a grand backdrop to deepen their cinematic effect. As the soft inclines of “Perro” began, the room expanded with the reflected flecks of moving light giving a subtle, ominous tone to the evening. The mix of programed sounds, keys, sound bites, textures, and the visual show had the audience acutely engaged. Continuing with “Blank Pages,” the room was gradually lifted with strings to relaxation and elegant euphoria. The Album Leaf’s presentation of ambient electronica was well received.
As the set progressed, a highlight was “Falling from the Sun.” This song was one of the riskier ones out of the mind of Jimmy LaValle. Being such an important figure in the realm of ambient electronic music, avid fans of The Album Leaf have firm opinions about lyrics and standard structures being introduced into the The Album Leaf’s vernacular. Jimmy LaValle and his merry men performed “Falling from the Sun” with earnest, open hearts, and the audience ate it up. It was a beautiful interchange.
After “Falling from the Sun” completed, LaValle addressed the audience saying, “Those were the first five songs off of A Chorus of Story Tellers that just came out on Monday.” The audience cheered. Accepting the adulation, LaValle said “And this song is … old.” with a giggle in his voice. With the first notes of “2214,” the audience went wild. More cheering ensued when the set continued with “Outer Banks” and “Shine.” “Shine” was another set highlight; the programed electronics were beautifully married with smashing cymbals from the snare drum set. Smash, smash, smash, the cymbals went, and the room filled with celestial sounds. Jimmy LaValle’s keys were bright, and the string quartet beamed.
The Album Leaf threw in a few more songs off of A Chorus of Story Tellers mixed in with some old goodies, and the energy of the room never wavered. The last time I saw The Album Leaf, it was disheartening to see so many people talking throughout the set. That was not the case on February 6, 2010. Looking around the room, I didn’t notice a single person who wasn’t enveloped in the set. It was a beautiful night from start to finish.
Please enjoy “There is Wind,” and an interview I did with Jimmy LaValle before the set.
Exciting news! Instead of industry leaks and blog posts, The 2010 Sasquatch lineup will be announced live at The Crocodile on 02/15! Not only do we get to hear the lineup at a red-carpet event, there is going to be red-carpet entertainment. Live Nation sent over a press release this morning, here are the details!
Seattle, WA – Live Nation and Adam Zacks are pleased to announce The 2010 Sasquatch! Music Festival Launch Party presented by Esurance and sponsored by Jack Daniel’s happening on Monday, February 15, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Crocodile.
For the first time in the festival’s history the lineup will be announced LIVE at this very special event featuring performances by Surfer Blood, Atlas Sound and Fresh Espresso and hosted by Luke Burbank. Prize packages from Esurance and Xbox will be given away all night, along with limited-edition festival posters and more.
Free tickets are available courtesy of Esurance by listening to 107.7 The End all week to win, or by stopping by either Easy Street Records locations starting Friday, February 12th at 9:00 a.m. (limit 2 per person).
Surfer Blood calls West Palm Beach home and, while still in their early 20s, pen summery indie songs that even the most hook-laden power pop band would rightfully be jealous of. Called “irresistibly catchy” by Pitchfork, Surfer Blood’s critically acclaimed debut album, Astro Coast, was released on January 19.
Atlas Sound is the solo moniker of Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox, so named since 1994, when a sixth-grade Bradford made recordings on a karaoke cassette machine. Now signed to 4AD, Atlas Sound is those ideas that he “can’t make work with a five piece rock band,” employing stream-of-consciousness writing alongside ambient electronics.
Fresh Espresso, named by local blog SoundOnTheSound as representatives of “the next wave of Seattle hip-hop,” is producer/composer P Smoov (of Mad Rad) and MC Rik Rude.
There’s not a lot I can say that hasn’t already been said about Mudhoney–they’re a Seattle legend. They’ve been around since the late 80’s, and despite their lack of commercial success, they’ve have had a profound influenced on the Seattle grunge and alt-rock scene. They were one of the first bands signed to Sub Pop records, helping it bring grunge music to the rest of the world. Recently, the band has been touring following the 2008 release of The Lucky Ones.
Tonight at Neumos, Mudhoney will be playing a free show, yeah that’s right FREE, in conjunction with the release of New Belgian Brewery’s Ranger IPA. There’s going to be lots of high distortion rock and plenty of hops, two things Seattle loves, so get yourself down to Neumos. It’s tough to beat a night of tasty beer and free music, especially when the music is going to be provided by local legends.
For those of you looking for something mellow to do tonight, look no farther than The Triple Door.Local Beatles tribute band Crème Tangerine will be playing Abbey Road in its entirety plus a set of other classic Beatles songs. Crème Tangerine has been playing Beatles covers for several years now. It’s a tough job trying to recreate the experience of one of he greatest bands to ever exist, but these guys do the songs justice, while creating a rich experience for those viewing them. They recently recreated the famous Beatles rooftop concert at Pike’s Place Market. If you love the Beatles, then be sure to check them out.
The Funhouse has some nice power-pop/punk happening tonight. King Louie’s Missing Monuments is headlining. King Louie’s rough voice makes some rather generic guitar into a perfect song for the audience to join the chorus. The band constantly reminds of Baloo the Bear, with the name King Louie and a song called “Talespin,” but this is more nostalgia talking than any intent on their part.
Also playing that night is MiniRex, a local all-girl pop-punk band. They typically wear matching costumes, and they are always rather complicated. One video has them all as different animals; another has them in striped dressed with a different letter on each member spelling out “MiniRex” when they are lined up. Their song “Stalker” reminds me a bit of Berlin’s “The Metro.” They also have covers of The Ramones and The Cramps, but instead of the raw power of the Ramones, they have a much softer and pop edge. Several of the members were also in the Japanese punk pop band Buttersprites, a band strongly influenced by Shonen Knife.
If you love reggae, go to the King Cat Theater. They are finishing their Reggae Consciousness festival.Rootz Underground, from Jamaica, will be performing a tribute to Bob Marley. While it is normally painful to hear bands cover the undisputed master of reggae, Rootz Underground should be a fitting tribute to Bob Marley. Norma Frasier will also be there, after an almost twenty year hiatus. She was on Studio One, which is pretty much the Motown of Jamaica, during the early days of reggae. Lloyd Brown and various dub artists should also be there. The twenty-five dollar cover will ensuring that only true reggae lovers will be there. Have a good time, lovers.
Originally some of the fastest, most dexterous hip-hop ever to come out of the Midwest, Scribblejam and DMC champs Eyedea & Abilities bring it in a scathingly fast way when they want to. By the Throat, their latest album, is a darker, more atmospheric record than what we’ve come to expect from this duo. Some might even call it more mature, since the strength of the record doesn’t come from the vocal and scratching gymnastics. It’s almost as if the guys have left the competitive, battling nature of their earlier work behind. There are more somber tones, Eyedea sings more often and there is an emphasis on instrumentation. There’s even a little bit of rock music in these 11 tracks. By the Throat is a game-changer for Eyedea & Abilities.
Eyedea and Abilities will perform at the Nectar Lounge with Anticon’s loop-heavy Dosh, a multi-instrumentalist and longtime Andrew Bird collaborator. Among other things, the man can play a keyboard and drums at the same time. Worth going to Nectar just to witness it.
Remember to arrive early since doors are at 5:30 and the show begins at 6pm!
Are you looking for something to do tonight? Well you’ve come to the right place, because SSG has a SLEW of recommendations. We’ve been giving you sneak peeks at tonight’s amazing lineup, so scroll away for a host of musical ideas for tonight, as well as a chance to win tickets for one of them (pay close attention!). Fire away!
Flowmotion is Seattle’s “best-kept-secret” of Seattle’s live music scene. They’re a live rock band whose expert blend of funk, jazz, and smooth rock are known for producing a sound as large as the packed crowds who come to watch them. Playing everything from tender ballads to balls-out hard rock, this quintet’s sound and equated energy flows like no other. Also playing at The Croc tonight is Five Alarm Funk, a band that Jodi Kaufer raved about in a review last year for its “Afro-funk rhythms, blaring horns, and epic amounts of energy.” Read the rest of Jodi’s review HERE, then make your way to The Croc tonight to check out these two amazing bands!
Local band The Senate will be in town tonight playing two shows at The Triple Door. Below are a few words by yours truly from my earlier preview, which you can read HERE. Read on, and then catch one or both of The Senate’s shows tonight–it is their five year anniversary, after all.
The Senate is known for their ‘face-melting acoustic riffage‘…With only two acoustic guitars, an upright bass, and their voices, The Senate’s music ranges from sweet and simple to driving and hard-core, all the while sprinkled with smart, catchy lyrics. ‘I had no idea acoustic instruments could rock so hard,’ says bassist Andrew on the band’s website. You will have a similar feeling when you hear The Senate’s tunes.
Local radio station KEXP is hosting its monthly live broadcasting of radio show Audioasis and there are a couple reasons why you should be at The Sunset Tavern tonight. First, this live broadcasting event benefits a different charity each month, and this time, CD Forum is in the spotlight; all net proceeds of tonight’s show will go to Seattle’s leading Black arts and culture presenter. The second reason is tonight’s lineup which will include piano-based rock from People Eating People, 60’s style political rock from Blood Red Dancers, and conscious-inspiring rap from D.Black. Check out Billy McManus’ more in-depth preview HERE, and make your way out to Ballard tonight!
Jimmy LaValle and his band The Album Leaf will be making their way to Neumos tonight, bringing with them the ambient post-rock tunes they are known for. Their latest album A Chorus for Storytellers was recently released, coinciding with the band’s ten year anniversary. The 11-track album is full of crisp, flowing, complex tracks, and is said to be one of the band’s best. See what Gabriel Arguelles had to say about them yesterday by clicking HERE, and be sure to show up early tonight to catch Sea Wolf and Anomie Bell!
Who wants to be “Awesome”? Well tonight is your chance to be enveloped in awesomeness by experiencing said band at Chop Suey. Billy McManus has seen them several times before and has this to say about them:
Awesome is more of an artist collective than a band in reality. While it is true that all seven members are amazing musicians, that is really just the tip of their collective iceberg. Their wide range of talents and interests are what make Awesome’s music so worthy of their name…They can go from vaudeville to rock, then stop for a beat and go right into swing, with all of these changes often occurring in the same song…If you haven’t seen them yet, give them a chance and you might just find a new favorite band. At the very least, you will see something that is becoming increasingly rare: a band with actual musicians!
See Billy’s full preview HERE, and find out how you can WIN TICKETS to this show (there’s still a few hours left, so GO GO GO!!).
A year and a half after accompanying/enhancing a screening of F. W. Murnau’s 1927 silent film Sunrise at the Seattle International Film Festival, Jimmy LaValle and company will be arriving at Neumos. In addition to LaValle and his myriad of synths and pedals, there will be the addition of the Anomie Bell String Quartet. Given how great a project The Album Leaf is when it’s just LaValle, this will be a show you might just regret for missing. Added bonus–The Album Leaf has inspired hundreds of tattoos. If you’ve got one, you’re allowed into the show, free of charge; for more info click here. Click here for a sampling of Album Leaf fan tattoos.
A Chorus of Storytellers, the newest album, makes good use of layered sound. This is the direction that The Album Leaf has been headed in all along: confident, percussive, electronically tinged post-rock that never meanders. It works. Be sure to arrive at Neumos early to catch Anomie Bell, Sea Wolf and The Album Leaf–you’ll be in for a huge treat!
Last December, SSG ran a special feature about Taking Aim: Unforgettable Rock ‘n’ Roll Photographs Selected by Graham Nash, an exhibit at the Experience Music Project | Science Fiction Museum (EMP|SFM). You can refresh your memory by reading that article HERE, but as a summary, the exhibit will feature 98 musical photographs taken by some of the best known music photographers in history. This much-anticipated exhibit is set to open this Saturday, and there are several daytime events to kick it off. Here are some descriptions from the website of the EMP|SFM; please note that some events are free and others are not, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Taking Aim on Neil Young
12PM at the JBL Theater, Free admission
Curator Jasen Emmons will interview Joel Bernstein (archivist and photographer) and Jini Dellaccio about their experiences of working with famous musician Neil Young.
All Access – Shooting Rock and Roll
4PM at the JBL Theater, Free admission
A live panel discussion with Jim Marshall, Neal Preston and Henry Diltz, moderated by Taking Aim editor Michelle Dunn Marsh. Hear their thoughts on shooting iconic musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and the Eagles.
If you can’t attend any of the photography panels on Saturday, there are a couple of ways you can still participate. First, check out the Taking Aim interactive exhibit at the EMP|SFM any time during normal hours from February 6, 2010 through May 23, 2010 for a general admission of $15. The exciting exhibit will feature 98 framed photographs, an audio tour, ambient soundtracks featuring music by artists featured in the exhibit, a photographer’s studio with props for visitors to take their own rock star photos, and an interactive editing station to brighten up those photos. Finally, there will be a grid of monitors that feature visitor-contributed photos, which is also where you can participate. Click HERE to upload and submit your very best rock star photos for possible inclusion in this gallery, and for a chance to win a Taking Aim book autographed by Graham Nash and Elvis Costello. Deadline is February 26, so hop on it! Or, better yet, submit your photos, attend Saturday’s photography panels, and tour Graham Nash’s exhibit. This is a EMP|SFM special traveling exhibit you won’t want to miss!
Neko Case and Her Boyfriends in Tacoma, WA, Photo by Alice Wheeler
The first time I saw Awesome, they were playing at Dante’s in Portland opening for a pirate band called Captain Bogg and Salty. I walked in about halfway through the last song of their set and that was all it took. Right away I knew there was something special about this band. It probably had something to do with the manic music they were playing coming to an abrupt halt, then starting back in with a five part vocal harmony followed by more mania. In that short minute and a half, this band conveyed to me what they were all about, and in five years of going to their shows, I have never been disappointed.
Awesome is more of an artist collective than a band in reality. While it is true that all seven members are amazing musicians, that is really just the tip of their collective iceberg. Their wide range of talents and interests are what make Awesome’s music so worthy of their name. To say a band’s music defies a genre is a bit passe these days and rarely warranted. However, in this case it would be futile to attempt to force one on them. They can go from vaudeville to rock, then stop for a beat and go right into swing, with all of these changes often occurring in the same song. I have said for a long time that they are possibly the most talented band in Seattle. Their music is truly hard to classify, and consequently it may not be for everyone, but the shear talent cannot be denied. If you haven’t seen them yet, give them a chance and you might just find a new favorite band. At the very least, you will see something that is becoming increasingly rare: a band with actual musicians!
It was hard to find a video that captured both the great quality of their sound, and their infectious stage performances, so I posted one of both. You can also listen to high quality recordings on their MySpace, or even more of their music on their home page.
SSG has a pair of tickets to give away to this show. Click HERE, or e-mail contests@seattleshowgal.com with the phrase “I WANT TO BE AWESOME!!!!” in the subject line for your chance to win! Don’t forget to include our name for the guest list. The contest winner will be notified by 3PM on the day of the show.
Seattle Show Gal is in hot pursuit of undiscovered talent! How many great bands are out there that are slipping through the cracks? Seattle is saturated with so much music, it would be nearly impossible to sift through it all to find the good stuff. The Seattle Show Gal staff is not so proud to think that we can bring you all of it, but we are actively pursuing all different types of acts to give you a pulse on what is going on--right here in Seattle! (See more in "About")
Local band The Senate will be in town tonight playing two shows at The Triple Door. Below are a few words by yours truly from my earlier preview, which you can read 
Local radio station KEXP is hosting its monthly live broadcasting of radio show Audioasis and there are a couple reasons why you should be at The Sunset Tavern tonight. First, this live broadcasting event benefits a different charity each month, and this time, 
