Who is ready for something fresh? I’ve got something for you! Shenandoah Davis has been around Seattle for a bit, but her talent is slightly underappreciated. Some might know her as the tinkering, dexterous compliment to Tomo Nakayama in Grand Hallway, but not so many know that she is an accomplished solo artist.
Mark Baumgarten of Seattle City Arts invited Shenandoah Davis to the September showcase of The Song Show. Davis performed three songs and was interviewed while still onstage by Baumgarten. She showed herself to be something of a free spirit, unique character, and someone who possesses an immense amount of talent.
After the show, Shenandoah put a copy of her 2008 releases, Our Favorite Idols, and We;Camera, in my hands; this lead to many days of curious listening. With vocals that sound like she was simultaneously breathing in and out in falsetto with a shrilling vibrato, it makes for something of a love/hate relationship with the listener. Shenandoah Davis is a distinct flavor, but much like Spumoni Ice Cream, when you love her you can’t get enough of her! If you haven’t bent your ear towards this fresh, unique talent, it is assuredly worth your exploration.
Please enjoy a clip that I snagged from the September 2009 addition of The Song Show.
Champagne Champagne tear it up on a regular basis. Here is what SSG had to say on Champagne Champagne when the tore it up at Bumbershoot 2009. We’ll see what we have to say after they tear it up at REVERB 2009.
“Right before the set started, Thomas Gray and Pearl Dragon danced circles around each other getting hyped for the show. As soon as they took the stage the audience started to chant ‘Champagne Champagne … Champagne Champagne!!!’ Being intoxicated with their own greatness, they started the set.
This band has a pretty cool set up. Mark Gajadhar, the musical mastermind, creates thick sexy beats. Combine those beats with Thomas Gray and Pearl Dragon’s thick sexy voices, and you have a thick … sexy band. Thomas and Pearl didn’t have to do anything but stand on stage and everyone was sweating. Even the people backstage inched closer and closer to the restricted area in front of the stage to get a better look. This wasn’t a show where anyone wanted to be on the sidelines. Having nothing but confidence, Champagne Champagne rocked the show like the wildcats they are.”
Here are some clips from Champagne Champagne at Sasquatch 2009. After that, please enjoy an assortment of other Champagne Champagne goodies. See you at REVERB!
Several great bands spawned after Gatsbys American Dream went into hiatus. Kirk Huffman and Kyle O’Quin have formed two of them, Wild Orchid Children and Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground. Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground’s first album is a incredible mix of styles and influences, changing from late Beatles to Bob Marley, but always flowing together.
Kay Kay only has three permanent members, Huffman, O’Quin, and Phil Peterson, but they will almost defiantly have more on stage with them. At Bumbershoot 2009, there were at least eight other performers on stage with the three of them, all playing a wide variety of instruments, including a flugelhorn! Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground is a performance to be seen once. What’s the best part of the show? They are on at 12:30am! This will be a great way to finish off the REVERB 2009.
Their new album is streaming on their Myspace, and should be released soon.
Band Members:
Kirk Huffman
Kyle O’Quin
Phil Peterson
What is it about funk bands and having a small army of players? I’ll tell you what it is, funk NEEDS a small army to make the sound come alive. Eldridge Gravy & the Court Supreme (EGCS) is obviously aware of this unspoken pre-requisite; with 11 members in the line-up, the sound is big, funky, and oh so much fun! Recently described by Seattle Weekly as being one of the best live acts in Seattle, it’s a wonder I’ve not seen them around while traversing the local music scene. Mind you, I’ve definitely heard the buzz, but EGCS just isn’t saturating the local landscape with live shows.
Their solid and rousing debut album, Us Is What Time It Is, was released in May of this year and delivers a swift kick in the rear to remind you funk is alive and well. Frontman Eldridge Gravy provides smooth, charismatic vocals that the founding fathers of funk can be proud of. The Court Supreme don’t just make for a crowded stage, they also supply the audience with the grooves to move you from the back wall, straight to the dance floor. Claim your patch of dance floor early at the Tractor so you don’t miss what is sure to be one of the liveliest sets at REVERB.
Band Members:
Eldridge Gravy – vocals
Lady Gravy – vocals
Ms. Bean – vocals
Donnie Dollerstack – vocals
Ol’ Pollina – drums
Wilson Mason – bass
The Crime – guitar
Daddy Diddio – keys
Yeager – tenor sax
The Colonel – bari sax
G.I.T. – trombone
I’m sure the amount of REVERB pre-coverage hasn’t gone unnoticed. However, even with all of the previews, this REVERB week would not be complete if SSG didn’t talk to Mr. REVERB himself, the Music Editor of Seattle Weekly, Jonathan Cunningham.
Most people might know Jonathan by his swagger, rugged good looks, and taste for Champagne, but SSG wanted to get the his thoughts on the upcoming REVERB music festival. “What is this festival all about anyway? Jonathan, who are your favorites? What acts do you recommend for the readers?” Lets scrape the psyche of this oh-so-cunning music editor.
Born Anchors, have received plenty of buzz (much deserved by the way) over the last year since their debut full length album, Sprezzatura, dropped in early April. Straddling the line somewhere between pop-rock and post-punk, they are one of only a few bands able to do what they do, and do it so damn well you don’t even notice its happening. Searing guitar riffs paired with beefy bass lines and a drummer who can fill the pocket or spank you into submission, make for a lively, well-rounded sound on disk, but Born Anchors truly shine brightest on-stage. Not only do Born Anchors bring the heat, energy, and talent to the stage one would expect from a rock band, but they leave you humming or singing their pop-like lyrics for weeks on end.
Band Members:
Jason Parker – bass & vocals
Justin Martinez – drums
Gregory Scott – guitar Born Anchors on MySpace
Seattle’s thriving alt-country/Americana/folk scene seems oddly out of place in the city known the world over for it’s grunge-y history. Not to be confused with the other anti-grunge movement, indie rock, this faction has banjos, beards, and a touch of swoon-worthy twang. The Maldives join the likes of the Fleet Foxes, Cave Singers, and The Moondoggieswho have all been doing their part in the revival and modernizing of a generations old genre. Songwriter and founder, Jason Dodson, pens haunting lyrics based on disappointments and heartbreak as well as optimism and hope. Jason’s beautiful poetry brought to life as epic musical tales and journeys only after working collectively with the other eight members to develop the arrangements. With plucky banjos, weepy steel guitar, foot-stomping beats, and guitars galore, The Maldives bring their twangy rock to the masses and yes, there are masses flocking to see them (most of them without cowboy hats).
Band Mambers:
Jason Dodson – Guitar
Jesse Bonn – Guitar, Piano
Tim Gadbois – Guitar, Piano
Ryan McMackin – Drums, Percussion
Chris Warner – Bass Guitar
Chris Zasche – Pedal Steel Guitar
Seth Warren – Violin
Kevin Barrans – Accordion, Banjo
Tomo Nakayama – Percussion, Piano The Maldives on MySpace
After Fresh Espresso warms the crowd up at 3:30, Grynch is going to move in. Did someone order a Red Carpet? It’s fairly curtain that Gynch, our resident gonorrhea survivor, will be rolling in as the undisputed, self-proclaimed King of Ballard. Grynch, your royal highness, we’re glad to see that you are in good health.
Here are some things that SSG has posted on Grynch in the past:
With the recent release of his Chemisty EP, Grynch has been tearing down the city brick by brick. The response has been overly positive and Grynch has literally exploded onto the main stage of Seattle hip-hop. Grynch all by himself is an interesting specimen; while his rhymes are filled with punchlines and quick whit, they cut with precision and boom with authority.
Grynch was on point the whole set. He bounced around, constantly moving to connect with every eye that was fixed on him. He never left the avid show-goers feeling like they missed out on anything. He always interacted with the crowd, and they ate up every second of it. (07/15/2009)
Being one of many who has seen Grynch perform multiple times, I can attest that his performance quality is unswerving, and is always worth the time and energy to see him. Here is a little video sample of the good things to come. See you at REVERB!
GMK is another one of Seattle’s favorites that is going to be leaving is mark in the NY Fashion Academy stage. GMK produces some of the thickest, danceable beats in the city right now. He is a pioneer for creative thinking. When GMK creates music, he doesn’t sit down and think, “How am I going to make a catchy song that people are going to like?” but on the contrary, he is a pioneer for pushing boundaries and creative thinking. GMK creates concept albums; it just so happens that his concepts are relevant and accessible. It’s easy for people to grapple onto his music because it’s the bomb. I am definitely looking forward to getting some of that brown sugar at REVERB.
Here are some juicy bits that SSG has posted on GMK in the past.
GMK opened his set by calmly walking onto the stage as the accompanying live band, comprised of bongos, drums, keys, and a live dj that played the building smooth intro as he welcomed the crowd. As soon as the tempo built and the drums hit, GMK exploded with energy that you wouldn’t expect. He glided and moved across the stage without ever loosing focus throughout his set. He doesn’t perform “songs” per se; he creates a musical journey for the audience. The album Songs for Bloggers flows and is intertwined within itself that it indiscernible where a song ends or another song begins. For nearly the first 12 minutes GMK continued bouncing around the stage. At one point, he broke down a quick choreographed dance with hype-man/brother/producer D-Dot — the crowd ate it up.
GMK is a very engaging artist. His facial expressions and the movement tell the emotion behind his music. His voice strikes with authority yet cuts through the music in a capacity where nearly every syllable can be made out. There isn’t any stuttering, pausing, or stammering over his intricate flow — even while he is literally ricocheting off the walls. You can tell he loves the music he makes and enjoys performing it. (08/13/2009)
If you haven’t heard about Fresh Espresso (FE), I don’t even know what to say to you. The good news is, on FE’s quest to take over the world, they will be kicking off REVERB at the NY Fashion Academy stage. I’m not just talking about any kick off, FE is going to be kicking this festival with the fire of a thousand suns!
Here are a few things SSG has posted on Fresh Espresso in the past to get your appetite wet for the lusty event.
Psmoov, Rik Rude, and Terry Radjaw were able to rouse quite a crowd to “drink Fresh Espresso“ at Chop Suey. It came as no surprise that these gentlemen were able to draw a crowd; Fresh Espresso (FE) is blowing up this city. Topping local charts from KEXP to Easy Street Records [with their debut album Glamour], FE have cemented their feet firmly in the local hip-hop community; they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. (08/03/2009)
Psmoov and Rick Rude bring the energy to the stage full force. There were times when Psmoov was dancing that if there was a female standing in front of him, she would have been left defiled. Psmoov’s tomfoolery is a necessary additive. Seeing him cut loose gives you a different perspective on his work; thus, giving impetus to come out and be a part of it. Rick Rude brings his manly sophistication to the table… [he] is a strong addition, and the perfect MC to be the second shot in the Fresh Espresso crew. (04/22/2009)
Here is a Fresh Espresso live performance video and an interview for you to enjoy. See you at REVERB! Robots comin’ for your baby…
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")
