Daniel G. Harmann & the Trouble Starts (DGH&TTS) are going to be at The Crocodile tonight, and it promises to be an emotional event. This Seattle band plays honest, sincere music that typically has the audience in tears from song one. Musically and emotionally, the band is very reminiscent of Bon Iver. Harmann’s lyrics are very personal, and the emotion carried in his voice indicates that his life’s path hasn’t been easy. Audience members that relate look to him as the expression of words that they haven’t found yet or been ready to give voice to. If any of these words apply to you, than being with Daniel G. Harmann & the Trouble Starts is kismet, family, and reality.
Musically, DGH&TTS have a lot of different things going on. If you’re looking for some thick guitar, they’ve got some of that; if you’re looking for some swirling layers, there’s some of that too. The array of sounds allow for different moods to rest in the ambient, while meaty guitars give listeners emotional release. Through the assortment of moods conveyed by the music, the audience can count on being caressed by Harmann’s fragile voice.
Embrace fragility, and enjoy tempered moods orchestrated by Daniel G. Harmann & the Trouble Starts tonight at The Crocodile. Until then, please enjoy a clip of a recent Daniel show at The Comet Tavern.
As a bonus, Shenandoah Davis will be opening at 9PM, so check out SSG’s exclusive interview with her HERE, and be sure to arrive early and see both of these talented musicians at the show tonight.
Seattle has a couple more rising stars that eat, sleep, and breath music. I’m talking about none other then Shenandoah Davis and Scott Teske. Davis, fresh out of college, made her way to Seattle two years ago. Not having any family or friends here, she made a home inside of her music, and opened her home for anyone who wanted to come in. Davis’s story continues. Her music has lead her to find a family inside the band Grand Hallway, she has had much success with her self titled solo work, and she has had lavish experiences with the Seattle Rock Orchestra.
Speaking of Seattle Rock Orchestra, SSG took the opportunity to get up close and personal with Scott Teske, founder, lead bass player, and conductor, of Seattle Rock Orchestra(SRO), and new bass player in The Kindness Kind. Scott Teske has been making so many waves with SRO, it was time to get the inside scoop directly from the horse’s mouth. In the following interview with Scott Teske, joined by Shenandoah Davis, you will see me, Nikki Benson, doing my utmost to start rumors and get the hidden juice. Before you enjoy that, please enjoy the solo interview with Shenandoah Davis, some exclusive, private performances, and some oh-so-silly banter.
Enjoy your afternoon tea with Shenandoah Davis and Scott Teske.
An interview with Shenandoah Davis
Private Performance with Shenandoah Davis and Scott Teske
Shenandoah Davis & Scott Teske performing “Proof”
Shenandoah Davis & Scott Teske performing “These Rocks”
Shenandoah Davis & Scott Teske performing “We Camera”
An interview with Scott Teske joined by Shenandoah Davis
This post is something of a special feature. Special occasions call for special feature posts! November 17th at The Fremont Abbey was a red carpet affair for Seattle’s finest musicians. There were best of performances, a worst of, and a couple that were somewhere in between. Hats off to Scott Teske and the Seattle Rock Orchestra.The Seattle Rock Orchestra created an event where people felt like Gods gallivanting in the clouds. Five thousand years from now, there will be a class on Seattle Rock Mythology where they will tell about music being played by angels among humans. Scott’s conductor hand was as powerful as a titan, and the celebrity guest singers were like the children of God’s among us.
The outstanding celebrity guest performers will be given SSG awards with blurb explanations. The first goes to . . .
Matt Shaw, with the “Way to kick off the set, you understated hottie!” award.
Matt Shaw, of With Friends Like These, started the set off with “Neighborhood #1 – (Tunnels).” He walked to the front of the room, handsomely understated, and sang with fire, energy, and yearning. He embodied the desperation of the song perfectly. Shaw set the bar high for the other guest singers. When he completed, the audience roared.
Ian Bell receives the “Yeah I’m a tool, and what are you going to do about it?” award.
Ian Bell, of Black Swedes, took the stage as if he were the main act, and everyone else in the room just happened to be there.It was very awkward.Shenandoah Davis joined Ian to sing “Une Annee Sans Lumiere.” She was speaking to him privately before the song about God only knows what, then directed him to the microphone as if he were drunk. “Une Annee Sans Lumiere” was very awkwardly preformed. There was about a minute where Bell and Davis danced at the end of the song that felt like the audience was peering in on a private moment–that we shouldn’t have been peering in on. NEXT!
Ian Bell had center stage for “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out).” This song started a bit awkward with Bell’s face contorting and him not singing directly into the microphone, but about halfway through, he really brought joy and happiness to the song–and the room. The second half of “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)” almost made me forget that when they announced his name he looked at the audience with water bottle in his mouth and lifted his eyebrows like he was Cosmo Kramer. Ian Bell FTW!
Alessandra Rose gets the “MORE, MORE, MORE–HOT! HOT! HOT!!!” award.
Alessandra Rose, of The Kindness Kind, was dressed to kill! Her blonde hair was in a full-on Sonic the Hedgehog hawk, she had a golden sequenced dress on, she could have walked on anyone’s back with her golden spiked heels. Even with all that going on, Rose was nothing of an egocentric performer. Her rendition of “Wake Up” embodied pure strength. Each note off of her lips was powerful, poignant, and s-e-x-y! She was a high note of the evening.
Alessandra Rose and Shenandoah Davis performing “Haiti” was another high note. This song is simple and sweet, but three minutes of it was not enough. 10 minutes of “Haiti” would have been perfect, but thankfully SSG came FTW and brought the video camera–you can watch these leading ladies sing sweetly over and over.
Last but NOT least, Shenandoah Davis with the “DAHHHH!” award.
What is there to even comment about this? For most of the show, Shenandoah Davis played the fine roll of supporting actress, coming in with those intrinsic harmonies that made the leading vocalists shine. When Shenandoah Davis humbly took front and center to sing “In the Backseat,” she delivered controlled explosions. Her rendition was so emotional, there were tears falling all over the room. After the set, Shenondoah had an exchange with a fan that sounded something like, fan: “Shenandoah, you were making me cry!” Shenandoah Davis: “Good! I thought I was the only one crying.” No Shenandoah, you were NOT the only one crying. Thank you for being an integral part of the evening, and closing the set, pre-encore, with a BANG.
Thanks again to Scott Teske, for setting up a beautiful evening, and for letting the early bird Seattleites be a part of it.
THE SEATTLE ROCK ORCHESTRA PRESENTS FUNERAL: A TRIBUTE TO THE ARCADE FIRE
November 17th at 8pm at the Fremont Abbey
Seattle, WA – On Tuesday November 17th, 2009 the Seattle Rock Orchestra will perform The Arcade Fire’s iconic album Funeral in it’s entirety, featuring 50 piece orchestra, backing band and guest vocalists including Matt Bishop (Hey Marseilles),Ian Bell (Black Swedes), Jima (The Purrs), Alessandra Rose (The Kindness Kind), Matt Shaw (With Friends Like These), Jasen Samford & Danny Oleson (Exohxo) & Shenandoah Davis. Exohxo opens with a set of fully orchestrated indie-pop tunes.
Since December of 2008 the Seattle Rock Orchestra has accompanied local artists Jeremy Enigk, Jesse Sykes, Damien Jurado, Rosie Thomas, and bands Black Swedes and Grand Hallway. Comprised of some of Seattle’s best professional & amateur classical and pop musicians, SRO collaborates with bands and artists to produce one-of-a-kind symphonic shows.SRO is directed by bassist and orchestrator Scott Teske.
This is an all ages show.Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm.Presale tickets can be purchased online on the Fremont Abbey blog at www.fremontabbey.org/?p=541 for $12 (general) and $10 (students/seniors), or for $15 at the door.Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended as past shows have sold out and tickets have not been available at the door.The Fremont Abbey is located at 4272 Fremont Ave N.
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.
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")
