New Music, Concert Previews, Reviews, and Interviews
March 9th, 2010
Written by: Nikki Benson
Category: Look mom … shiny
This is all sorts of fun. Play OMNI Says until you start to drool, and download the MP3 Minus the Bear just leaked for their May 4th release OMNI.
Categories: New Music, Special Features | Tags: Free Minus The Bear MP, Minus the Bear, OMNI, OMNI Says | No Comments
March 7th, 2010
Written by: Jodi Kaufer
Category: Special Features
KEXP 90.3 Spring Pledge Drive 2010 | 3/5 – 3/12
Once again, SSG is heading into the KEXP studios to help power Seattle’s premier independent radio station. Tonight during the one and only Larry Mizell Jr’s “Street Sounds” program from 6-9pm, 10 SSG staffers will be manning the phones and taking your pledges. As much as we feel guilty for dominating an entire shift in the volunteer room, we love what Larry Mizell Jr has meant for KEXP, so here we come!
Three times a year, KEXP asks for your support in bringing you the best selection of music available. KEXP is listener supported; that means YOU! If you listen, you should not only support, but be proud that your contribution will help keep this great public radio station afloat in these tough economic times.
Are you interested in keeping this radio station free from the man? Do you love finding all sorts of cool interesting music to listen to? DO YOUR PART! Call 206-903-KEXP, 866-903-KEXP to become a member or renew your membership today! Don’t want to call? No problem! You can also visit kexp.org to make your donation! Every dollar helps. Talk to you soon!
Categories: Special Features, Tonight | Tags: KEXP, Larry Mizell Jr., Spring Pledge Drive 2010, Street Sounds | 2 Comments
March 2nd, 2010
Written by: Suzi Pratt
Category: Special Features
You may have been hearing a lot of buzz over the past year about season 2 of MTV’s $5 Cover series being filmed in Seattle. The 12-episode series won’t air on MTV until June, but last night featured a one-night-only screening of the entire $5 Cover: Seattle series at the SIFF Cinema. Most of the cast and crew were present, and director Lynn Shelton opened the evening with rounds of thanks and recognition to all participants who made $5 Cover: Seattle possible. The screening opened with a clip from $5 Cover: Seattle B-Sides, taking an intimate look at Kevin Murphy and Caleb Quick of The Moondoggies, revealing Murphy’s pre-performance anxiety and Quick’s near-death experience. The series then launched with a comically epic scene of Billy the Fridge attempting to defend his title as the Top Pot Donut-Eating Champion. These two scenes alone captured the humorous and poignant sensations conveyed throughout each episode of $5 Cover: Seattle.
Director Lynn Shelton
All characters play themselves and perform their own music. Each episode tells stories drawn from the musicians’ personal lives and builds up to a live performance or recording session enabling the musicians to showcase their talents. At the screening, many of the stars such as Jason Dodson of The Maldives, both ladies of THEESatisfaction, and Dita Vox of Thee Emergency were present; I overheard their comments after the screening. While some complained of not having enough on-screen time compared to how much had been filmed, many agreed that the editing seemed appropriate given the 12-episode limit. Perhaps the most unique feature of $5 Cover: Seattle is how it emphasizes the human aspect of each musician, drilling home the fact that making music is hard work and even rock stars have to juggle day jobs, familial commitments, and money issues, in addition to creating the music their fans all know and love. The series focuses on an eclectic mix of 13 of Seattle’s local musicians including THEESatisfaction, Whiskey Tango, The Lights, Thee Emergency, The Moondoggies, The Maldives, Correspondents, Champagne Champagne, Tea Cozies, Sean Nelson, Harvey Danger and more, demonstrating Seattle’s musical diversity. Also featured in every episode is a local neighborhood or venue, including Chop Suey, Blue Moon, Easy Street Records, and more. $5 Cover: Seattle will make you proud to live in a city with an impressive and diverse music scene, and will spread the word out to the rest of the nation. Tune in later this summer, and help get the word out!
Categories: Special Features | Tags: $5 Cover, $5 Cover: Seattle, $5 Cover: Seattle screening review, Billy the Fridge, Blue Moon, Champagne, Chop Suey, Correspondents, Easy Street Records, Harvey Danger, lynn shelton, MTV, Sean Nelson, SIFF, Tea Cozies, the lights, The Maldives, The Moondoggies, The spits, Thee Emergency, thee satisfaction, Top Pot Donuts, Whiskey Tango | No Comments
March 1st, 2010
Written By: Billy McManus
Category: Special Feature, Interviews
We here at SSG have recently had the pleasure of spending some time with Let’s Get Lost, and since doing so have decided one thing: We are completely sold on their music! These two gentlemen are representing the Top Hat neighborhood of South Seattle, and are creating a sound that’s all their own. They carry into their music influences that range from literature and philosophy, to good conversation and friendship. Mostly they just write about life, but their perspective is a little deeper than your average indie band. Their song writing and musical arrangements are nothing short of fantastic; they’ll have the listener singing along for sure. After you’ve taken in the aesthetic of their sound and give the lyrics a good listen, it’s apparent that these guys are trying to tell you something.
They were kind enough to invite Nikki Benson and I into their home, and eventually into their “Bat Cave,” to play us some tunes. We have posted two of them here along with the interview. They actually played us a ton of songs, however due to the bands extreme sense of modesty, we can only post two of them for now. Hopefully we will be able to talk them into letting us post the rest at a later date. Until then, these two clips should hold you over. Now go get lost!
Categories: Interviews, Special Features | Tags: An interview with Let's Get Lost, Carrousel, Hold On, Let's Get Lost | No Comments
February 22nd, 2010
Written by: Nikki Benson
Category: Special Features, Interviews
As already mentioned by Jon Olken this morning, SSG has a major crush on People Eating People. That being said, we’re in the practice of getting up close and personal with artists we have the hots for. Good news readers, you get a peek inside Nouela Johnston’s basement to hear her sing her heart out one-on-one style. 
Since you can read about how much we at SSG love Nouela Johnston here, here, here, here, and here, lets get right down to the business of the private performance and interview. Nouela Johnston and I talk about her background in music, how she feels about the being a musician in Seattle, some personal nuggets about her lyrical content, and her future aspirations. It’s hard to imagine, but you just might love People Eating People more after you watch these videos. Enjoy, and be sure to check her out tonight at The Crocodile.
Categories: Interviews, Special Features | Tags: Nouela Johnston, People Eating People, SSG Exclusive, The Crocodile | No Comments
February 17th, 2010
Written by: Nikki Benson
Category: Special Features, Interviews
First of all, Dessa could be the most beautiful girl in the world. I had the esteemed privilege of being in the same room with Dessa on February 12th. This is a woman who has made a career for herself with her mind, body, and spirit. Not relying on vanity to get ahead, or even having an interest in fame for that matter, Dessa began her career on a secular level. This innate desire for Dessa to develop her mind and express her art is what initiated the series of events that lead her to be a hip-hop professor, published author, singer, and rapper. Words lead her to poetry. Her poetry lead her to the Doomtree family and eventually the stage as the hip-hop artist we know as Dessa.
Before her sold out show at Nectar on February 12th, I had the joy of being able to interview her. Please enjoy the interview, and check out her new video for her song “Dixon’s Girl” from her new release A Badly Broken Code. Also, check out the special feature with her on Minnesota Public Radio singing A Capella, reading a short story she authored, and rapping. Dessa, the beautiful trifecta.
Categories: Interviews, Special Features | Tags: A Badly Broken Code, Dessa, Dixon's Girl, Doomtree, Video Interview with Dessa | 2 Comments
February 17th, 2010
Written by: Billy McManus
Category: Special Features, Interviews
P.O.S. Interview | Seattle Show Gal
P.O.S. recently passed through Seattle and was kind enough t give us an interview. I hate to repeat myself so frequently, so instead I will just quote a little bit from my February 11th preview:
Now when I say fresh, I mean to say that from the first beat, you get the feeling that you are about to hear something new and different. It’s a truly fresh perspective. His beats have that unique rhythm that makes you immediately bob your head, cocked slightly to the side with curiosity for what is coming next. When the beat finally hits it’s stride and the hooks start kickin’ in, you immediately start grooving along with the energy. The arrangements of his tracks are truly above average in the genre. P.O.S.’ music has all of the standard stuff, solid beats, good hooks, and strong backing vocals. He also has slow breakdowns, tempo changes, stops and a noted lack of sampling. There are the little extras that distinguish him as a true musician.
Here is the interview conducted by Nikki Benson:
Categories: Interviews, Special Features | Tags: P.O.S, P.O.S. Video interview | No Comments
February 16th, 2010
Written By: Billy McManus
Category: Special Features, Sasquatch 2010
The Sasquatch Music Festival kicked the springtime festival season off in style last night at the Crocodile with their line up announcement concert featuring Fresh Espresso, Surfer Blood, and Atlas Sound. Sponsored by Esurance, it was definitely a full blown party that peaked with a video announcement of the partial line up for this year’s Sasquatch Music Festival. Partial you say? No need to worry, we have gotten access to the entire line up and are posting it here for your excitement, and enjoyment. Bon appetite!
Categories: Sasquatch 2010, Special Features | Tags: Atlas Sound, Esurance, Fresh Espresso, Sasquatch 2010 Launch Party, Sasquatch 2010 Lineup, Surfer Blood, The Crocodile | No Comments
February 15th, 2010
Written by: Nikki Benson
Category: Special Features, Interviews
I had the joy of spending Saturday afternoon with Ravenna Woods. They have been tearing it up a little bit around Seattle these days, and it was long overdue for SSG to get up close and personal with these gents. You might remember reading about Ravenna Woods on SSG in the beginning of January when James Gannon shared a couple tracks from their debut album, Demons and Lakes. Gannon hit the nail on the head when he said,
The album’s eponymous track “Demons and Lakes” showcases the group’s flagship sound. The slightly coarse vocals that Chris Cunningham has used in his other project Navigator vs. Navigator provide striking contrast to the otherwise sweet folky melodies, giving this band just the right edge to hold their own in the indie-rock arena.
Or perhaps you remember reading about Ravenna Woods when we shouted out their shows here and here. It’s pretty clear that SSG has a crush on Ravenna Woods. What’s with all the love? These boys are creative, fresh, exciting, and pretty darn brilliant. Taking sounds of classic rock and mixing them with the influence and ingenuity of hardcore math-rock, Ravenna Woods creates catchy, alluring aesthetics. The listener could be sucked in by the mechanics, or perhaps just the sheer enjoyment factor–Chris Cunningham shreds on his acoustic guitar.
Throwing another spoke into Ravenna Woods’ wheel, their lyrics are dark, clever, and curious. There are overt lyrics of angst sang over friendly sounding melodies, and then there are songs such as “A Devil’s Coming” that have roots firmly planted in opposition to mindless political control sang in minor tones. Whatever mood Ravenna Woods is evoking, it is sure that the listener will be enthralled with their experience.
Let’s get the party started, yes? Enjoy three songs from the beloved Ravenna Woods, and then check out the interview. Special treat: e-mail contests@seattleshowgal.com with “I crush on Ravenna Woods TOO!!!” in the subject line and the answers to the the following interview trivia questions for your chance to win a copy of their album, Demons and Lakes.
Question 1) Where does Chris Cunningham wear his sleigh bells?
Question 2) What is the nickname that Nikki Benson gave to
Brantley Duke?
Enjoy the afternoon with Ravenna Woods, and be sure to check them out tomorrow night at Chop Suey! (More on this from Billy McManus, mañana.)
Categories: Giveaways, Interviews, Special Features | Tags: Careful Where You Are, Demons and Lakes, In the World, Ravenna Woods, Video interview with Ravenna Woods | No Comments
February 9th, 2010
Written by: Suzi Pratt
Category: Special Features
Joining Seattle’s prolific music scene this week will be the Emerald City’s own Hard Rock Café. The restaurant, bar, and store set to open this Wednesday, while live music performances will begin in March. Before you label the Hard Rock Café as a mere tourist chain, I’m here to tell and show you that it’s more than that. Sure, they caved in to a Seattle stereotype by making their featured burger an espresso-rubbed Java Lava burger, but this place is full of winning aesthetics, technology, and other comforts. Located at Pike street, the new Hard Rock is a hop skip and a jump away from Pike Place and The Showbox at the Market. Upon entering, you notice the exposed wood beams and brick walls that give it a rustic, homey feeling. This welcoming atmosphere is further offset by the phrase on the back-wall of the main floor that reads “Love all serve all.”
One of the coolest parts of the new Hard Rock is the technology. A large touch screen, the size of a full-length mirror, greets guests at the front door. Dubbed the “Rock Wall,” it invites curious hands to interact with all 72,000+ of the Hard Rock Café’s collective musical memorabilia located throughout the world. Also in the entry way is a touch screen embedded in a communal table where guests waiting to be seated can do everything from play music videos to challenge each other to interactive video jigsaw puzzles, all using the magic of touch screen. Each booth on the ground floor also has its own touch screen where guests can peruse merchandise and vote on which video plays next. Seattle’s Hard Rock Café is the only other branch besides Las Vegas to implement this touch screen technology.
Booth seats with personal touch screen monitors.
Touch screen jigsaw puzzle.
Like all other Hard Rock Cafés worldwide, Seattle’s has music memorabilia lining its walls, with each piece being somehow connected to our city. The ground floor is dedicated to the music of the 80s on one side, and the 90s on the other. Besides the center piece guitars of Eddie Vedder, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Alice in Chains, there were also a few random pieces such as an original handwritten letter written by Courtney Love to Spin Magazine, and a leather jacket once belonging to Keith Moon. Most pieces are numbered, and this is where another unique Seattle-only technology is revealed: guests can take a personal walking phone tour of the Hard Rock Café by dialing a phone number and punching in the number corresponding with each piece of memorabilia to hear the story behind it. That’s pretty slick.
Music memorabilia from the 90's
The new Hard Rock isn’t dedicated solely to vintage or iconic rock stars. Out of the limelight were crowd photos by Lance Mercer, best known for accompanying and photographing Pearl Jam in the early 90’s. These black and white photos are charged with the chaos and energy of hard core concert-goers. Also intermixed with the memorabilia were a couple of recent Bumbershoot posters Finally, the best local interactive piece of the Hard Rock is the ability for local artists and bands to book a night to rock the stage on the second floor. Find more details in my previous post HERE.
Stage area on the second floor.
Last but not least, the new Hard Rock will be one of Seattle’s only restaurants/venues to have a rooftop deck, securing it as one of the top places to be during the summer. Complete with a bar, lounge benches, and fire pits, this will be an ideal place to socialize, catch a breath during a show, or just take in the gorgeous views.
Rooftop deck of the new Hard Rock Café.
With that, SSG warmly welcomes the Hard Rock Café to Seattle, and we can’t wait to see your faces in the crowds or onstage once the live music begins!
Categories: Special Features | Tags: Hard Rock Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe Seattle, Lance Mercer | No Comments
(Click image to see review)
"There is Wind"
Tim Kasher
Taka of MONO
