In the mood for the silky smooth acoustic stylings similar to Bright Eyes with a dash of Sufjan Stevens? Well you’re in luck. Once again Drew Victor is bringing just that to the small confines of The Sunset Tavernall the way from the musical hot-bed of Brooklyn , New York. But don’t be fooled, it seems that Seattle is like a second home for him. His ninth album Stand Still Faithful Mountain was recorded here at Litho Studios with his friends from Grand Hallway, and The Maldives. So lets roll out the welcome mat, he’s going to deliver us some special musical goodies.
Speaking of The Maldives, this Seattle mainstay is going to be pleasuring the people with their rootsy-country sounds at The Tractor tonight after kicking off their spring tour last night at The Doug Fir in Portland. These co-stars of the $5 cover series Seattle shot over last summer with countless other Seattle faves are revving up their music prowess to showcase their sound at SXSW next week in Austin, Texas. So be sure to head down, and give them a warm send off tonight.
On the other end of the spectrum, but heading to SXSW as well, Neumos is hosting one of Seattle’s most up and coming metal bands known as Book of Black Earth. If you have some frustrations from the week or just want to let it all hang out, then you need to step right up. These boys evoke the metal gods to each and every show, so I am sure its going to be a rough and tumble night in the pit. Or, you could just stand back and let the vocals of T.J. Cowgills permeate your skin and saturate your pores. NO matter which you choose, this is going to be heavy, but its going to be good.
For more show ideas, please visit our friends over at ReignCity.com
Vancouver B.C. is making a name for itself as a home to some really good electronically-influenced pop bands, and You Say Party! We Say Die! is no exception. With their strong combination of bouncy guitars,and throwback 80’s synth riffs, you will definitely pick up on the new wave pouring out of their collective soul. If you still have a soft spot in yours for the 80’s you will definitely want to check these guys out. It’s hard to say exactly what they sound like, because it changes significantly from track to track. There are moments of the Bengals and Joan Jett, a brief Björk moment mixed in there for kicks—but overall, it’s definitely a Blondie Moment. While it is hard to say exactly what they are going for, their music is catchy and easy to listen to.
You Say Party! We Say Die! are on tour, and stopping off here in Seattle before hitting SXSW, then embarking on a European tour that will end in late Spring. They are playing Tonight at Chop Suey with Seattle Show Gal favs People Eating People, and guests yet to be announced. It will be a night of great music, and if you are so inclined, bad 80’s dancing. Be sure to brush up your Carlton and get your behind to this show.
Seattle Show Gal has two tickets to give away for this awesome show. If you’re interested in winning these tickets, click here or email contests@seattleshowgal.com with the subject line “You say Party! I Say Free Tixxxxx!!!” with your name in the body of the email. A winner will be picked this afternoon.
Seattle’s own Georgetown Orbits are a band that knows how to get the entire audience sweating. Vocalist Darryl Grandison spends a good bit of the show moving around, inspiring movement onstage and beyond. Though the Orbits are known for putting a few instrumentals into their set, Grandison’s distinct vocals are always welcome and add character to an already solid performance from a band whose musical chops know no bounds.
Last year the Georgetown Orbits opened for and nearly upstaged the mighty Aggrolites before a sold-out audience at the Croc. Tonight, they’ll rock the crowd while opening for the peace-loving reggae legend Pato Banton & the Now Generation show in what will surely be another memorable show.
For your chance to win tickets, CLICK HERE, or send an email to contests@seattleshowgal.com with the subject: “In the mood for SKA!” Be sure to include the name that should appear on the list at the venue. Winner will be drawn at 3pm! Good luck!
Summertime is warming right up, and not because of the obvious upcoming festivals and concerts. As the temperature rises in Seattle so do weekday shows. Today is no exception. There is a ton going on tonight in music of every genre, but here are a few of the hottest shows going down and get ready to call in sick tomorrow, unless of coarse your laid off, if which then you’ve got no excuse.
With dissonant female vocals, driving reverb-hall-filled guitars and long soaring instrumentals A Sunny Day in Glasgow pegs ambient-indie to a tee. The style adopted by guitarist Ben Daniels carries a Bjiork/Black Angels sound that reflects a transcendental nature and purity of spirit. Promoting the release of Nighttime Rainbows, which just dropped March 2nd, the group is scheduled to play a whopping eleven shows at SXSW this year.
Opening the night is local artist Perfume Genius whose fragile, airy approach to vocals and songwriting have earned him buzz in NW music. Mike Hadreas has adopted an uncanny approach that reveres post-crooner ambiance layered with song writing depth and balanced with piano and his tender voice to enable the song. This show should be really good, very laid back. Here’s a sample of Perfume Genius.
(Right click, “Save Link As” to download) Perfume Genius – Write To Your Brother
People Eating People, You Say Party! We Say Die! @ Chop Suey | 8pm | $10dos | 21+
This is one of the best lineups in the city tonight–especially for $10. Local stars People Eating People (Nouela Johnston of Mon Frere) are like watching a house burning down, you just can’t stop staring. That’s because they deliver a talent that would be like Amy Winehouse singing for The Dresden Dolls–unrivaled yet undiscovered. SSG has had a heart-on for Nouela (here), and for good reason. It’s only a matter of time before somebody sees this girl and carries her off to be more than just a Seattle star. In the meantime, go see People Eating People while the tickets are still $10!
Closing out the night is Canadian pop-punk You Say Party! We Say Die! and they deliver a 1-2 knockout for tonight’s show. Backing up the February U.S. release of their third album XXXX, they are packed full of energy, huge snyth-beats and ass-shaking songs. It’s actually believable You Say Party! We Say Die! is trying to kill you with their party music. The Chop Suey always has enough low end to drive you out of your Tuesday night shell, and along with People Eating People, you’ll be lucky to make it out alive.
SSG is going to have a giveaway for this show later today. STAY TUNED!!!
The Cool Kids are new prophets of Hip-Hop, dropping beats, samples, and rhymes like N.E.R.D. ate DJ Shadow and puked up the Beastie Boys.Combining old and new school sounds, The Cool Kids recreat one of the sickest styles in hip-hop with seemingly no effort. Listed as Rolling Stones top artists to watch out for in 2008 this show is going to go OFF. Guarantee The Showbox will bring in extra subs just to accommodate the shear apple-bottom-dropping bass that will crush the house into a finely ground powderto snort with a $1000 bill. Backing them up is So-Cal hip-hop brothers Pac Div, and If you got 20 bones this is the show to see tonight, no doubt about it. Here’s a taste of The Cool Kids teamed up with electro group Hey Champ. (Right click, “Save Link As” to download) The Cool Kids / Hey Champ – “We Are Champions”
For more concert ideas, visit our soul sistas at ReignCity.com
If you’ve never heard of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, then you’ve at least heard their influence on American pop music. The South African folk band was one of the main inspirations of Paul Simon when he recorded the groundbreaking album Graceland. Ladysmith Black Mambazo performs a type of traditional folk music, called isicathamiya (is-cot-a-me-ya), that started in the mines of South Africa. It’s a type of music that was suppressed in old South Africa but has been embraced by new South Africa. Nelson Mandela thinks so highly of them, that he had them play at his inauguration and had them accompany him to Norway when he received his Nobel Peace Prize. Ladysmith Black Mambazo are a national treasure and cultural emissary of their homeland, and we should feel privileged to have them perform in our great city. See them tonight at Benaroya Hall.
Matthew Good has been performing music for over 18 years. He was the lead singer of The Matthew Good band, one of Canada’s most successful alt-rock bands of the 90’s, before starting a solo career in 2003. His music is slightly folk, slightly rock, and entirely political. His most recent album, Vancouver, is his reflections and opinions on his hometown. When he’s not writing music, he’s a political activist writing his views on his blog. Tonight is the first show on his US tour. Automatic Loveletter will be opening.
Need to get some anger tonight? Maybe you something to make you forget that it’s only Monday? Check out the prog-metal goodness of Lethe at the Funhouse tonight. Not only will you be able to hear their epic rock songs, but you can also get hammered for cheap because it’s also $1 PBR night. They’re playing with Into The Storm, Audiwasska Travelers, and Labyrinth and The Desert. Preview Lethe on Myspace.
For more show ideas, please visit our partners at ReignCity.com
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!
Besides the soon to be sold-out Snoop Dogg showgoing down tonight, and performances by local bands Feral Children and The Cave Singers, SSG is recommending two events that will feature DIY and up-and-coming bands. You might just find your new favorite band or musician tonight if you go to one of these shows.
EMP Sound Off! Finals @ EMP SFM 3/6 | 8PM | $10
This is the ninth year of the EMP|SFM’s Sound Off! battle of the bands competition for musicians 21 and under to showcase their talents and launch themselves into the local music scene. The three semifinal rounds have been taking place throughout the latter half of February, and tonight four bands will battle it out for first prize honors.
Candysound is the Bellingham-based duo that won the first round. SSG Billy McManus describes Candysound’s music as “pretty/catchy hooks, soothing harmonies, with a tight grip on composition” that is as addicting as the sweets they are named after. They will blow you away, especially when you realize their full sound is produced by only two people.
Sea Cats of Kelso say on their website that “people seem to think [they're] a 90’s throwback band.” Whether that’s true or not doesn’t seem to matter since this all-male power pop band won a round of Sound Off! and is now vying for overall first place. Their brand new EP was released on February 27, and you can download it online on their MySpace.
Hooves and Beaksconsist of solo artist Whitney Flinn whose enchanting harp playing and candid Joanna-Newsome-like vocals blew Sound Off! judges away. She is said to be talented with playing the piano, accordian, banjo, and guitar, as well as the harp.
Great Waves is the final band contending for Sound Off! top honors tonight. Hailing from Sammamish, this band is led by singer Ashley Bullock whose clear, dreamy vocals enrapture listeners with her talent and revealing lyrics, while the accompanying violin and guitar sounds convey multiple influences of bluegrass, rock, and folk music.
Don’t miss any of these young, talented musicians at the final round of Sound Off! tonight!
Hollow Earth Radio Magma Festival, Day 2/10 @ The Mine | Doors @ 5PM | Donation
The Third Annual Magma Festival kicked off last night and will be running throughout the entirety of March on ten varying days at varying locations. Hosted by Hollow Earth Radio, this festival is meant to raise funds in support of operating costs of this unique 100% volunteer-run online free-form radio aimed at keeping the local DIY community radio alive. A $50 online donation via PayPal will get you into all ten shows (that breaks out to $5/show!). Check Hollow Earth Radio’s website for the full March lineup.
Tonight’s Magma Festival show will be at The Mine in Ballard, and ten bands/artists will be featured including A Rich Jensen Intensive, Alex Kostelnik, My Printer Broke, Butts, Human Skab, Al Larsen, Tom Price & Friends, Sleepy Workers, DJ Bruce Pavitt and The Throw Ups. If you haven’t heard of these bands, keep in mind that they’re all DIY, and since they are sponsored by Hollow Earth Radio, more than likely to be awesome. Check out Day 2 of the Magma Festival tonight, and plan to be at the rest of the events throughout March!
For several Seattle bands, tonight marks the countdown to this year’s SXSW Festival in Austin, TX. Known for “breaking” new artists and renowned for the wealth of networking opportunities, SXSW is the premier industry conference/shindig/festival/party/schmooze fest. For those who are unable to make the trek to Ausitn to show their support, Neumos is hosting a send-off party featuring a few of the bands scheduled to perform during SXSW.
Here is what Suzi Pratt had to say about Visqueen recently:
Rachel Flotard gazed out at the audience and exclaimed that it was probably the biggest crowd that Visqueen had ever performed for. Indeed, DTHB was a sold out event, even though there was so much open space at the WaMu Theater throughout the entirety of the event that it did not seem like a sold out show.
Visqueen opened with their biggest hit from the new album, “Hand Me Down,” which Flotard describes as a “rocker,” and rock the house she did. With radiant energy that flowed as vibrantly as the red in Flotard’s hair, Visqueen launched into a twenty-minute set, getting the audience warmed up for the rest of the evening’s bill.
Here is what Nikki Benson had to say about Mash Hall recently:
[Mash Hall] put on a fantastic performance. DjBlesOne came at the audience out of nowhere. Having experience in being a B-boy, he put energy, fire, and precision into his stage show. While performing the song “My Weed,” DjBlesOne belted out his lines without sounding like he is yelling, tired, or out of breath. He showed that he is more than a studio artist by bringing a little bit extra to the stage. DjBlesOne is a panther. He’s cool, sleek looking, and you don’t see him coming. Before the audience knew what happened – it was over.
Gatsby brought an equal amount of fire to the stage. This wildcat has soul pumping through his veins. When he hears music, he dances. It’s doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that he is on stage either. “Cogito ergo sum” translates, “I think, therefore I am.” In Gatsby’s case it translates, “I dance, therefore I am.”
Here’s a Mash Hall Video to get you in the mood to party!
Keep your eyes here over the next couple of weeks for some pre-SXSW coverage of bands heading to SXSW, the SxSeattle Showcase, and the festival in general. Also, SSG will have two of it’s very own staff in Austin bringing you all the happenings as they happen! Be sure to visit SSG often to keep up to date and share in some of the SXSW excitement.
Though we haven’t heard much from Portland luminaries The Shins in a couple of years, Shins front-man James Mercer has definitely not been twiddling his thumbs. Mercer recently paired up with producer Danger Mouse to develop a new project under the moniker Broken Bells. The pair have been working on a highly anticipated self-titled album to be released March 9th on Columbia Records.
If you’re too excited to wait another week to hear this awesome album, you’re in luck! Tonight the brand new Hard Rock Cafe is hosting an all ages Broken Bells listening party that will be broadcast on 107.7 The End! The event is on the second floor of the Hard Rock Cafe (located on Pike between 1st and 2nd), and runs from 8-11 p.m. Along with a sneak preview of Broken Bells, the party also gives listeners an opportunity to win free advance CD’s, vinyl, and, for one lucky person, a deluxe Broken Bells box set.
Last month, the dynamic duo debuted their first music video, “The High Road.” The track highlights Mercer’s distinctive swooping vocals, playing them up with very un-Shins-like instrumentals–featuring heavier drum breaks and a chorus reminiscent of a children’s choir. The imagery in the video for “The High Road” is haunting, but gorgeous. Enjoy, and see you at the listening party tonight.
The Croc is a showcasing local Seattle talent tonight. In the house will be CMYK, Hotels, The Fascination, and Noddy. If you’re in a dancing mood, you’d better plan on being present to catch Seattle’s own CMYK band. With a name based on a subtractive color model, this band makes colorful, poppy electronic music that, according to their website, has “the ability to coax even the crustiest of hipsters onto the dance floor.” CMYK is made up of musician/producer T-Minus, his sister Shorty Circuits, and friend Sex Brains. They started out in 2004 under the name The Long Ranger, and are now known for their music that is deeply-rooted in pop with influences of Motown, Hoedown, and any other music that gets your body gyrating and booty shaking.
Following in the same electro-music fashion as CMYK will be The Fascination Movement. While trying not to make comparisons to other bands, The Fascination Movement sounds very much like Cut Copy with their pulsing rhythms and electronic sound reminiscent of 80s pop. While the band is fairly new to the local music scene, one of its members played bass on the new Fleet Foxes album, and the band is signed to Aube Records, a German label with strict standards for electronica music. Bottom line: The Fascination Movement is a band that can’t be missed by fans of Cut Copy and electro music.
Building off of the colorful pop of CMYK and the synthy music of The Fascination Movement, the music of local band Hotels could be a “sci-fi film soundtrack synth rock.” The band was founded by bassist/vocalist Blake Madden and it splits both its time and members between Seattle and New York. Don’t miss their latest Seattle performance at The Croc tonight!
The final artist on The Croc’s bill tonight is Noddy. With a name based off of a popular toy man from a British book series, the musician Noddy is Jared Mills, who recently debuted his solo album A Seed. Mills is the singer/songwriter from Seattle band Man Plus. While some Man Plus fans might hear similar indie pop and punk sounds in his solo effort, the primary difference is Mills putting more emphasis on electronic edges and grooves when performing solo.
Don’t miss this great lineup of influential electronic groups within the Seattle music community at The Croc tonight! Below are a few videos and sound clips to get you inspired!
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")
