We have a treat coming our way by the name of daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra! If you haven’t heard the word on the street, DHHO started in their home town of LA and have been tooling around the country spreading love and hip-hop sexiness. They are going to be finishing their US tour at Seattle’s favored venue and my home away from home, Neumos, 05/30/2009.
First of all, DHHO is such a one of a kind act that calling them unique would be a gross understatement. When was the last time you heard hip-hop with woodwinds, trumpets, and a harp? Not only do they have those elements, they also incorporate guitars, bass, drums, percussions, turntables, piano, trombone, viola, and violoncello! Oh, did I mention that they have MCs, spoken word poets, and singers? HOLY COW! There is so much happening on stage, I don’t even know what to say! You might thing that such a vast array of music might sound a bit busy. I assure you — they know how to work it; the only thing you’ll notice is the splendor and majesty of hip-hop it’s finest!
DHHO brings thick flavor. Not only do they have a variety of musical instruments, but the vocal presence is intense as all get-out! They rap about things that are relevant and thought provoking. Check out the song Reap What You Flow(remix) to hear a playful and beautifully orchestrated song about choices and consequences. They have such a cool thing going on that I have a feeling this is going to be a once in a lifetime show. I don’t plan to miss it and you shouldn’t either!
If you’re a last minute person, plan to be at Neumos on May 30, 2009 at 8pm to make sure you can get in. If you are feeling lucky, enter to win free tickets by emailing meHERE with the name of you and your guest; please feel free to add a love note. I will be drawing winners between now and Saturday at 5pm; you’ll get an e-mail back if you’ve won! Happy clicking! I’ll see you at the show! Until then, please enjoy footage from a recent daKAH event.
Hello Chickens!
Every once in a while SSG has to flip the script from music related posts to show you something that is worth catching. In this case, we take a closer look at Jim Henson’s Fantastic World. Partnering up with Electronic Voice Phenomenon, Justin Spicer and I took EMP|SFM by storm! Please enjoy the following article by Justin Spicer of EVP accompanied photographes taken by yours truly.
Pictures by Seattle Show Gal
The Jim Henson Legacy has brought Jim Henson’s Fantastic World to Seattle’s EMP|SFM. The exhibit opened to the public over the weekend, but EVP and Seattle Show Gal were invited to a preview of the traveling exhibit.
Greeted by bright paint, unhung plaques, and wall mounted fur, the surroundings EMP|SFM provided the kid-friendly nostalgia of Jim Henson’s Fantastic World was an immediate draw. While the finishing touches were still a few hours from being completed, the kinetic energy generated with a large room’s worth of Henson memorabilia was undeniable. Henson icon, Kermit the Frog, welcomes attendants in all of his plush glory. Karen Falk, archivist for the Jim Henson Legacy and our private curator, told the story of Kermit’s humble beginnings as a cut-out from an old coat of Henson’s mother. As to be expected, we weren’t laying eyes on the ORIGINAL Kermit, who is locked–breathless–in an unnamed bank vault, but we were starring at the ping-ponged eyes of the legendary Muppet with a glee only youthful Christmas days could hope to match.
The tour begins with a look at the humble beginnings of Henson. With the limited (but plentiful) space provided, an in-depth look wasn’t what was in store. However, there were plenty of sketches, posters, and storyboards to give detailed insight into Henson’s genius. As a college student, Henson met many of the people who would become confidants and colleagues throughout his many projects.
Thanks to video, we were treated to a handful of Henson’s post-collegiate works: commercials. His beginnings were local advertisements for Baltimore and Washington D.C. (Henson was a graduate of the University of Maryland in the late 50s). His work didn’t go unnoticed, as he was eventually doing station identification shorts for nearby television studios before eventually working with national advertising campaigns. While the voices of his early Muppets were identifiable, many of Henson’s original creations were rudimentary. The Muppet humor, however, was as sharp and witty as it ever was during Henson’s life.
The meaty part of the exhibit lies in the many recognizable Muppets that are scattered throughout the premises. The story they tell, of Henson’s initial idea for a Muppets-based show (that initially failed) that morphed in to The Muppet Show more than 10 years later. During his ’starving artist’ phase (though he was not starving), Henson flirted with avant-garde film. His pursuit of the equal pleasing medium became a hot button issue for the young Henson: should he follow his keen eye into film or should he try once more to concentrate on the antics of his fabric creations? That decision, fortunately, was made for him when an old friend helping to develop a kid show for PBS rang Henson up. Sesame Street was born and the rest, as they say, is history.
Henson didn’t abandon his love of cinema. Beyond the now famous Muppet movies (which aren’t represented with any form of memorabilia), the exhibit focuses it’s last one-third on the work of The Dark Crystal and the inspiration it lent to Fragile Rock. There was plenty of Dark Crystal items to behold, and it truly became the first time Henson’s England-based shop transformed itself into the juggernaut it is today. The cast, crew, creators, and animators worked on creating a world completely unique and onto itself.
While we were fortunate enough to have the company and wisdom of Karen Falk, the beauty of EMP|SFM is the ability to rent an iPod and have the experience of Falk curating thanks to podcast/MP3. If you bring your own iPod, you can download the podcase/MP3 or you can just download and listen without hitting up the exhibit–it’s as easy as visiting the EMP|SFM subsite dedicated to Jim Henson’s Fantastic World. However, don’t feel the need for a curator as Jim Henson’s Fantastic World will allow your imagination to run wild, tapping into those kid sensors that tingle whenever something simple and good comes your way. If you have children, there couldn’t be a more (pardon the use) fantastic way to spend an hour.
As it happens, EMP|SFM will be hosting Henson’s films–both Muppet and avant–through the exhibit’s run (which ends August 16th). Many of the showings will feature those who worked closely to Henson, including wife Jane Henson with a special look at home movies and rarely-seen archival footage. Dates and times can be found at the EMP|SFM website.
The Fading Collection Band Members
Sarah McCulloch – vocals
Matt Frickelton – bass, programming
Jeremy Hill (live) – drums, samples
Tavia Wormstedt (live) – backing vocals
Corey Paganucci (live) – keyboards
I had the pleasure of seeing The Fading Collection for the first time January 15, 2009 and again in the earlier part of this month. Five months later I still think they are as entertaining as ever. This is a band that is worth you getting off your lazy buttocks and getting out for a night of sassy fun!
There is a LOT of music in this city; it’s rare to find a new band to check that out that has a unique approach to fun, entertainment, and class. I’m telling you, The Fading Collection is a good find! Well, I have good news and bad news for you for you. The good news is that they are playing at El Corazon TONIGHT! The bad news is that the supporting band is Deathbed Repentance. YIKES! I hated Deathbed Repentance with the fire of a thousand suns but who knows, you might like them. The act before Deathbed Repentance is Urban Bombshells Burlesque. ??? I don’t know anything about them, but I would assume that the title tells all. However, you know what happens when you ass-u-me.
Deathbed Repentance put on a well performed show when I reviewed them. They had the dynamics of stage presence and sound, I just didn’t like it. Now I am fully admitting that this is my taste since on paper they would have everything that quantifies a good show. They have a heavy industrial thing going on that is well represented with costumes and fear evocation. My disdain for Death Bed Repentance could have merely come from them doing their job too well — they made my skin crawl. I felt creeped out, and not in a good way. I do think that darkness can be alluring at times, but this wasn’t alluring dark, it was creepy dark. On album the sound a bit like NIN with a dash of Maralyn Manson. Live, their sound resonated to me as a second rate version of Alice and Chains with a dash of Filter. I was into Filter, but for a current band their sound was a bit dated if I remember correctly. I am not re-watching the video to refresh my memory, I had enough the first time around. But hey, maybe you’ll go check the out just to see for yourself, think they are great, and then tell me what a closed minded a-hole I am.
Getting back to the good stuff, The Fading Collection is fantastic! You can count on them looking great, sounding great, and creating an atmosphere that is ideal for a party. Their sound is full and pulsing. Sarah is a beautiful and passionately inviting. The vocal dance between Sarah and Tavia has the allure of Greek mythological Sirens. The Sirens lured with beauty, but their allure turned sour those who came for pleasure were annihilated — YIKES! Fortunately, I can attest that when you go The Fading Collection’s live show, you get the pleasure AND you get to leave with your lives. It doesn’t get much better then that!
Please enjoy clips from The Fading Collection captured earlier this month, and if you chose, you can watch the Deathbed Repentance video too.
Band Members
Neah: Vocals, Keys
Marian: Drums, Back-up Vocals
Alex: Guitar, Back-up Vocals
Kissing Girls puts on quite a show. What stood out to me from the first moment that I saw them that they love music and are truly dedicated to their craft. However, a band can put in the effort to make their band put on a 10 out of 10 show but it just isn’t going to be that. I would assert that perfuming artists would have to be advocates for what they have to offer otherwise they would not be playing publicly. But where is the line between their advocating their music and others advocating it simply because their music falls on a sympathetic ear?
First of all, I thought that as musicians they were a well polished act. They have the seamless flow of a band that has put a lot of heart into their craft; the fruits of their labors are having finished music performed in a way that satisfies their creative dreams. You could tell by their fans enthusiastic response that they were elated to be able to see some of their favorite Kissing Girls songs performed better then they could have hoped for.
That being said, the line that will be drawn between their ardent existing fans and potential new fans would be if their style of music is to your taste. There are bands that will pull you into their live show regardless of what kind of music you are into. In my opinion, Kissing Girls doesn’t have that genre surpassing quality. They have a catchy tunes, but their sound occurred to me as little bit dated. Although I have reservations about new music that isn’t timeless or scene fresh, the package of Kissing Girls presents their style well enough for them to make their mark.
The energy that was put into the set was very enjoyable. Neah has an honest quality in her stage presence. I thought the way she danced around was lively and fun; she created the space for everyone to dance freely and the party just happened naturally. I also enjoyed the mix of emotion throughout the set; they diversified the moods well enough to keep the audience entertained from start to finish. They were also a highly audience engaging show; wherever there was space for participation they welcomed it. I think their fans felt like the event was more of a party then a show, and who doesn’t like a party? All and all, if their brand of music hits your spot then I’m happy to introduce you to a band that is definitely worth your time to see live.
Please enjoy clips from their Seattle Showbox SoDo performance.
Seattle had the pleasure of hosting a first class evening of blues, roots rock, and all American goodness by none other then the nationally acclaimed Jackie Greene. He has been dedicating himself to music for half of his 28 years and his life’s work is well manifested at his live shows. The ease of his delivery highlights his passion, soul, and the human emotion. He is one of the most relatable and charming performing artists of his ilk.
Jackie Greene’s take on The Blues provides the space for each audience member to indulge in a bit of nostalgia. His foundation starts with the basic elements such as the eight to twelve bars that you would expect in a blues musical structure, but Jackie brings the human element reminiscent of where The Blues was drawn from in the late 19th century. The heart of The Blues developed from the space of a people being so deep in their own emotion that instead of calling to others for agreement they would call to their own souls as they themselves were the only ones who could fully know what they were going through. Jackie Greene gets that. He delivers his music so passionately that it transcends genres and tastes; he appeals to the human spirit.
On the American Rock note, Jackie Greene goes strait for the top in harnessing a classic and making it a creation his own. Jackie takes the song “Waiting for My Man” by The Velvet Underground and seasons it up with a little extra soul, some resonating thickness of sound, and a little extra attitude. If anyone were going to have the stones to take on this song I’m glad it was Jackie Greene; he pulled it off with joviality, style, and grace.
Not only was Jackie Greene a pleasure to listen to, he was also a Joy to look at. His performance quality didn’t have the impression of being forced or fake; it felt like Jackie Greene hanging out with his guitar and his friends. Fortunately for the listening audience, we had the pleasure of being able to take in the music and join the party. I’m not entirely sure if it was the music or the flowing booze, but people were cutin’ loose and havin’ a good ol’ time! Don’t take the last statement out of context; Jackie Greene puts on the kind of classy show that is fun for the whole family.
Please enjoy clips from The Crocodile taken Jackie Greene’s spring tour of 2009.
Upcoming Shows
May 21, 2009 Downtown Brewing Company San luis obispo, CA
May 27, 2009 WORLD CAFE LIVE Philadelphia, PA
May 28, 2009 Ram’s Head On Stage Annapolis, MD
May 31, 2009 Mountain Jam Hunter, NY
Jun 24, 2009 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
Jun 28, 2009 Duck Room at Blueberry Hill St louis, MO
Jun 30, 2009 REDSTONE ROOM Davenport, IA
Jul 1, 2009 Schubas Chicago, IL
Jul 8, 2009 Cambridge Room at House of Blues Cleveland Cleveland, OH
Jul 11, 2009 Mark G. Etess Arena Atlantic city, NJ
Aug 27, 2009 Mountain Winery Saratoga, CA
Band Members
Takaakira “Taka” Goto: guitar
Tamaki: bass
Yoda: guitar
Yasunori Takada: drums
Special Guests:
Jeff Milarsky and the Wordless Music Orchestra
Trying to describe being at this show is like trying to describe color to a blind person; if you weren’t able to see and hear it for yourself there aren’t words or even media recreations that can appropriately convey the experience, but here goes nothing — here goes everything.
Being an audience member for the 10 year anniversary celebration of MONO’s first show was an emotional experience of the most profound kind. Their newest release entitled “Hymn to the Immortal Wind” includes a full orchestra. The evening of May 8, 2009 was the first time that MONO recreated the full orchestra for a live concert; it was a smashing success.
The evening before the concert I had the honor of interviewing Taka. We were able to talk about some of the meanings behind MONO’s music and what being able to deliver that music meant to him among other things. In the interview below Taka discusses a song entitled “Ashes in the Snow.” This song is about a woman who loses her husband — her soul mate in death. Still yearning for connection with her partner, she takes his ashes and scatters them at sea. The sun lifts the ocean water commingled with her husband’s ashes into clouds. When the clouds release it’s matter into snow, the woman knows she is enveloped in the presence of her husband. This is the type of rich emotional substance that goes into MONO’s work. Even if you aren’t aware of the stories behind each of the songs, MONO has some of the most emotionally evocative material that I have ever been able to experience.
Even with that foundation, I went to the concert unprepared for what I was going to get. The tender lulls of the music were organic and spiritual; in those moments I felt motionless and fetal. The swells were so intense that the only matching physical manifestation would have been if I had run to the edge of the third floor balcony and jumped off.
I have an affinity towards music of this ilk because I crave the ultimate rush. The music had the same effect on my guests but it occurred to them as unsettling. My sister likened this concert to extreme sports and other forms of pleasure that aren’t suitable for the faint of heart. I could not have agreed with her more. MONO is an accessible realm for me to get the same type of rush as free falling out of a plane. For some, that experience is fearsome. For others like me, it is the thrill of a lifetime.
I invite you to have the experience the way that I did. Please enjoy the interview with Taka followed by the full songs Ashes in the Snow, Follow the Map, and Everlasting Light.
What the jailbirds? I think we’ve got ourselves an occasion for a party!
Looking at the video that I’ve included below of The Staxx Brothers, it appears that there was hamburgler jailbreak! Soon after The Hambugler’s escape, he was then joined buy the orange suits. Just as the armed guards caught up to outed fugitives, they all erupted in song! The Staxx bring the party, and it’s going to be a buck-wild party when they release their new album this Friday a Nectar Lounge.
On the evening of May 8th you will be at no loss for visual stimulus because I counted 8 people on stage singing, dancing, and playing their hearts out to the point of leaving blood on the stage. Well, I don’t know if there was physical blood, but I did see a guy gyrating while playing the harmonica and that is pretty much the same.
The Staxx Brothers have a jazzy, down-home southern jam band thing going on accentuated with a twist of rock. Having a full band gives their show depth of sound; they have a strong foundation to play around in. Just as you think you’ve figured out what their show is all about, DC Staxx -aka The Hamburgler- throws in some free styling to change things up.
If this isn’t enough impetus to get off your lazy buttocks and come to see them live, did I mention that Mad Rad is their supporting band? OH SNAP!!! Things just got EXTRA BUCK! Or, should I say Super Dope? Either way, it’s going to be getting crazy up in Nectar on May 8th and you best be joining the party. I don’t need to say anything else… it’s done… you’re at the show… done.
Be Sure to Get you’re tails over to High Dive that is located just across the street from Nectar Lounge first to check out Psmoov and Rik Rude in Seattle hottest up and coming act Fresh Espresso! After P does his thing over at High Dive, follow the leader over to Nectar Loungebecause he is making is way over there to tear up the stage as one of Seattle’s favorite bad boys that we like to call …Mad Rad…
Check out the vids, and see you at the shows suckas!
Band Members Kristian Dunn – Guitar, Bass, Loops, Pedals
Tim Fogarty – Drums, Electronic Drums
I am not going to bother being bashful admitting that I was already a fan of El Ten Eleven before I saw the show that is under review. However, my opinion is unbiased because my first exposure to El Ten Eleven was at a live show. On top of the fact that my first exposure was at a live show, it was at the very same venue as the show in question; The Sunset Tavern. When I first saw El Ten Eleven, I was blown away. Happily they have only gotten better.
The first stand out quality about El Ten Eleven is their technical excellence. Kristian’s pedal station is so massive that it’s on the verge of becoming an unincorporated city! Some might argue that working pedals is no extraordinary feat -no pun intended- because most bands these days use pedals and loop stations. Am I right? WRONG! The way that Kristian works his loop stations and pedals creates expanding structures; his skills are uncontested and his style is indubitably unique. There are songs when Kristian will only play his guitar and there are songs when he only plays his bass. For those extra special songs Kristian gets crazy and plays his double-headed beast of a guitar/bass combination guitar. While he is navigating through his instrumental structures, he works multiple pedals to create sound layers that most people can only create in studios. Although complicated, El Ten Eleven manages to recreate a flawless sound with no pre-recorded material.
With all of their changing structures El Ten Eleven has a great variety of moods within their music. My favorite moods are the fun, exciting, playful ones. There are songs that evoke emotional tangents towards reflection and pondering, but even within those songs there is a playful forward moving style that is signature to El Ten Eleven.
El Ten Eleven extremely fun to listen to, but they wouldn’t be complete if they weren’t as fun to look at too. There really isn’t even a need for me to expand on that statement. I mean… come on. Wouldn’t it be weird if their music was action packed but the band members were dead pan on stage? Yeah, El Ten Eleven isn’t weird. To sum it up in one statement, an El Ten Eleven concert is a fun place to play.
Please enjoy the footage for El Ten Eleven at The Sunset Tavern in Seattle, WA. I’ve got a sneak peek at their brand new song Indian Winter, and one of my favorites, I like Van Halen Because my Sister Says They’re Cool.
“Indian Winter”
“I Like Van Halen Because my Sister Says They’re Cool”
The Interview
Now after ranted and raved about El Ten Eleven, wouldn’t it be weird if I didn’t snag an interview? Don’t worry, I wasn’t weird.
This interview was unplanned on my part nor on El Ten Eleven’s, but they were great sports. Please enjoy an extra special interview with El Ten Eleven!
Upcoming Shows
May 5 2009 10:00P Skull Alley Louisville, Kentucky
May 6 2009 11:15P Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, Georgia
May 8 2009 10:00P Orpheum Tampa, Florida
May 9 2009 9:00P Sluggo’s Pensicola, Florida
May 10 2009 10:00P Jack Rabbits Jacksonville, Florida
May 12 2009 9:00P sticky fingers little rock, Arkansas
May 13 2009 10:00P The Circle Bar New Orleans, Louisiana
May 14 2009 11:00P Rudyard’s British Pub Houston, Texas
May 15 2009 11:00P Beauty Bar Austin, Texas
May 16 2009 11:00P Double Wide Dallas, Texas
May 18 2009 10:00P Plush Tucson, Arizona
Band Members
Brandon Salter: Bass, Programming
Brian Woods: Guitars, Loops
Michael Clark: Drums, Percussion, Piano
I have had the pleasure of Seeing You.May.Die.In.The.Desert (YMDITD) three times; each time I pick up a little something different from them. The first time I saw them, the structural diversity that Brian Woods brought to the songs stood out. The second time I saw them, Brian Woodsstage presence stood out. This time when I saw them, I noticed that there are more people in the band then Brian Woods.
You.May.Die.In.The.Desert is a really great band. To be honest, they are one of my top five local bands to see live. With such a bold statement you might wonder, why were the previous SSG reviews so short and sweet? And for that matter, why weren’t they rated higher? YMDITD is a solid band that I think has a niche appeal; it just so happens the unique style of music that they give is the unique style of music that I want. However, just because they are my brand of a perfect live show doesn’t mean that they are going to occur that way to others. I factor a bands general likability into the “To See Rating” and I assert that a YMDITD show will either be something that you strongly connect with, or you won’t at all. I pity the fool who doesn’t get as much pleasure out of YMDITD as I do though; it’s a fun and powerfully explosive place to be.
My opinion of YMDITD has grown higher every time I’ve seen them which is in part to my perception of them growing as a band. The first time I saw them in December of 08, I enjoyed them quite a bit. I couldn’t justify rating them higher then a 6.5 because the drumming was a bit sloppy. YMDITD’s mathy song structures have abrupt changes. When you write show-off math-rock songs and they aren’t played exactly right, it looks like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. I really enjoyed the Dec 2008 show, but I cut out most of the footage due to the drumming. When I saw them in January 2009at The Vera, I thought that they were all in sync. As much as I enjoyed it, it wasn’t a YMDITD show; it was a Brian Woods show. There is something about Brian’s energy and presence; if not vigorously kept up with, he will leave the other band members behind. What can he say? He can’t help it! He’s a wild stallion! The most recent show at The Sunset Tavern was spot on. The band was a well oiled machine, my attention was focused on the entire band as opposed to a single member, and the quality of the music was atomic.
If the growth of this band over the past few months is an indication of their forward moving velocity, they are going to amass a strong cult following and be a fearsome band to behold. I’m scared. I look forward to seeing YMDITD many times to come.
Please enjoy a clip of a song that is so new, I don’t even know what the name of it is.
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")
