Over the last several years, Danish band Efterklang has been blending post-rock, folk, and pop in new and refreshing ways. Their first studio release, Tripper (2004), had prevalent female vocals and a static-ey Postal Service-esque feel to the instrumentation, which often toed the post-rock line. Efterklang’s 2007 release Parades leaned instrumentally toward the orchestral side of thingswithout completely abandoning their electronic roots. The tightly arranged music was seamlessly blended with downplayed and raw-sounding vocals, making for a beautiful, if not slightly jarring, combination.
Efterklang brings something new to the table yet again with their latest album, Magic Chairs (released Feb. 22nd on 4AD Records). Here the vocals take center stage, accompanied by more real live instruments than electronic ones. The album has a much stronger indie-folk-pop feel that the others, giving it more general appeal and palatability to potential listeners. Efterklang’s set looks very promising. This band of Scandinavian multi-instrumentalists is often ten strong on tour, and it should be fun to see how all of these songs come together live at The Triple Door, Seattle’s classiest venue.
Below is a video of Efterklang performing “Cutting Ice to Snow” (from Parades) with the Danish National Chamber Orchestra in 2008.
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
There’s not a lot I can say that hasn’t already been said about Mudhoney–they’re a Seattle legend. They’ve been around since the late 80’s, and despite their lack of commercial success, they’ve have had a profound influenced on the Seattle grunge and alt-rock scene. They were one of the first bands signed to Sub Pop records, helping it bring grunge music to the rest of the world. Recently, the band has been touring following the 2008 release of The Lucky Ones.
Tonight at Neumos, Mudhoney will be playing a free show, yeah that’s right FREE, in conjunction with the release of New Belgian Brewery’s Ranger IPA. There’s going to be lots of high distortion rock and plenty of hops, two things Seattle loves, so get yourself down to Neumos. It’s tough to beat a night of tasty beer and free music, especially when the music is going to be provided by local legends.
For those of you looking for something mellow to do tonight, look no farther than The Triple Door.Local Beatles tribute band Crème Tangerine will be playing Abbey Road in its entirety plus a set of other classic Beatles songs. Crème Tangerine has been playing Beatles covers for several years now. It’s a tough job trying to recreate the experience of one of he greatest bands to ever exist, but these guys do the songs justice, while creating a rich experience for those viewing them. They recently recreated the famous Beatles rooftop concert at Pike’s Place Market. If you love the Beatles, then be sure to check them out.
Are you looking for something to do tonight? Well you’ve come to the right place, because SSG has a SLEW of recommendations. We’ve been giving you sneak peeks at tonight’s amazing lineup, so scroll away for a host of musical ideas for tonight, as well as a chance to win tickets for one of them (pay close attention!). Fire away!
Flowmotion is Seattle’s “best-kept-secret” of Seattle’s live music scene. They’re a live rock band whose expert blend of funk, jazz, and smooth rock are known for producing a sound as large as the packed crowds who come to watch them. Playing everything from tender ballads to balls-out hard rock, this quintet’s sound and equated energy flows like no other. Also playing at The Croc tonight is Five Alarm Funk, a band that Jodi Kaufer raved about in a review last year for its “Afro-funk rhythms, blaring horns, and epic amounts of energy.” Read the rest of Jodi’s review HERE, then make your way to The Croc tonight to check out these two amazing bands!
Local band The Senate will be in town tonight playing two shows at The Triple Door. Below are a few words by yours truly from my earlier preview, which you can read HERE. Read on, and then catch one or both of The Senate’s shows tonight–it is their five year anniversary, after all.
The Senate is known for their ‘face-melting acoustic riffage‘…With only two acoustic guitars, an upright bass, and their voices, The Senate’s music ranges from sweet and simple to driving and hard-core, all the while sprinkled with smart, catchy lyrics. ‘I had no idea acoustic instruments could rock so hard,’ says bassist Andrew on the band’s website. You will have a similar feeling when you hear The Senate’s tunes.
Local radio station KEXP is hosting its monthly live broadcasting of radio show Audioasis and there are a couple reasons why you should be at The Sunset Tavern tonight. First, this live broadcasting event benefits a different charity each month, and this time, CD Forum is in the spotlight; all net proceeds of tonight’s show will go to Seattle’s leading Black arts and culture presenter. The second reason is tonight’s lineup which will include piano-based rock from People Eating People, 60’s style political rock from Blood Red Dancers, and conscious-inspiring rap from D.Black. Check out Billy McManus’ more in-depth preview HERE, and make your way out to Ballard tonight!
Jimmy LaValle and his band The Album Leaf will be making their way to Neumos tonight, bringing with them the ambient post-rock tunes they are known for. Their latest album A Chorus for Storytellers was recently released, coinciding with the band’s ten year anniversary. The 11-track album is full of crisp, flowing, complex tracks, and is said to be one of the band’s best. See what Gabriel Arguelles had to say about them yesterday by clicking HERE, and be sure to show up early tonight to catch Sea Wolf and Anomie Bell!
Who wants to be “Awesome”? Well tonight is your chance to be enveloped in awesomeness by experiencing said band at Chop Suey. Billy McManus has seen them several times before and has this to say about them:
Awesome is more of an artist collective than a band in reality. While it is true that all seven members are amazing musicians, that is really just the tip of their collective iceberg. Their wide range of talents and interests are what make Awesome’s music so worthy of their name…They can go from vaudeville to rock, then stop for a beat and go right into swing, with all of these changes often occurring in the same song…If you haven’t seen them yet, give them a chance and you might just find a new favorite band. At the very least, you will see something that is becoming increasingly rare: a band with actual musicians!
See Billy’s full preview HERE, and find out how you can WIN TICKETS to this show (there’s still a few hours left, so GO GO GO!!).
The Senate is known for their “face-melting acoustic riffage.” If that description alone doesn’t intrigue you, what’s even more interesting are the backgrounds of the rock and roll string band’s guitarists. Oliver Franklin was schooled in classical music, while Nick Drummond is a former African drummer-turned guitarist. Joined by bassist Andrew Pulkrabek, these three make up Seattle’s own The Senate.With only two acoustic guitars, an upright bass, and their voices, The Senate’s music ranges from sweet and simple to driving and hard-core, all the while sprinkled with smart, catchy lyrics. “I had no idea acoustic instruments could rock so hard,” says bassist Andrew on the band’s website. You will have a similar feeling when you hear The Senate’s tunes.
Since the band started in 2002, The Senate has won a handful of awards including first place in Washington State University’s 2007 Battle of the Bands, and most impressively, opening spots for well-known bands including Everclear, Vicci Martinez, and Handful of Luvin‘. To celebrate the band’s five year anniversary, The Senate is playing not one, but two shows, back to back, one night only, at The Triple Door this Saturday. Be sure to catch one of them if not both!
I went to more shows in 2009 than I have in many years–possibly since I was a teenager in Miami, going to hardcore shows twice a week. Things have changed. I don’t think I made it to more than two or three punk shows this year. Everything’s varied now and it makes me feel grown up if not a little sad for the loud passion of the past. For my top five, I won’t use numbers. I don’t have the one show that comes immediately to mind. It’s been a good year for music though and a good bit of that is due to my involvement with SSG. So thanks.
Laura Gibson opened. She was all by herself, standing on that big stage with an acoustic guitar. She was funny and pretty and played her heart out. I think she was nervous, too. I was so captivated with her set that I bought two of her CDs right then. I felt funny getting them signed, but that’s what she was doing with everyone else. I saw her later this year at The Crocodile and it wasn’t the same. The audience was overpoweringly rude and loud. They ruined it. She even asked for them to calm down, but nothing changed.
Juana Molina was also funny, and she spoke to the audience in english and spanish. We ate it up, too. Everyone was excited to see her. I remember someone yelling “I love you!” from the back of the room. Talent and charm both ooze off of this woman. She played through songs from her last two albums with her band and they even lit the background with the image of a night sky, with stars everywhere. It was lovely. Her music is kaleidoscopic and methodical and brilliant and it really is all her, despite the presence of a backing band for this tour.
The Tractor Tavern is a fantastic venue. Regardless of the band, one could really get close enough to smell them, should they want to. It truly is a beautiful thing. Kate Maki was the opener and she put on a hell of a show. She’s something of a bluesy guitar virtuoso and she looked so comfortable on stage that she just sat down on a chair and bantered with the audience for a good portion of her show. She rocked.
Great Lake Swimmers, however, were the softest music that could come from having that many people on stage. My girlfriend and I were right up front where we could see Tony Dekker’s signature snarl as he belted out what turned out to be a pretty long set. I think she fell in love with him, a little. Seattle ate it up, too. In such an intimate space, the audience made the noise of an enormous crowd. They played through a greatest hits selection from the last three albums and I was left feeling like they picked the perfect amount of songs and played for just the right amount of time. Everybody in the band was on point, too. I’ve been known to fault bands for just getting up there and playing their songs exactly like they’re played on the albums, and Great Lake Swimmers did just that, but so much louder and passionately.
Kid Koala’s The Slew at the Nectar Lounge – 09/24/09
What a killer show. Kid Koala, DJ Dynomite D, six turntables, and a couple of dudes from Wolfmother on drums and bass. They made so much noise and the audience went nuts for it. Not only was it great, but it was made better by the fact that The Slew, the album, isn’t all that memorable. It plays okay but live it really adds up to an entirely different experience. The bassist and drummer were thrashing around and Kid Koala scratched his records up as crazily as I’ve ever seen him do it. Still though, he didn’t miss a beat and he brought that trademark Kid Koala excited smile to the show. This was one of the ones I had to leave early because of an early shift I was working the next day, and it broke my heart to do that. I was right up at the front, too.
Om were deadly serious all night. Bassist and vocalist Al Cisneros didn’t crack a smile when he introduced the band, and didn’t say much else all evening. They played a quiet-then-loud-then-quiet again set of maybe 5 very long songs, exploring each song with extended jams. They brought Lichens, the opener, on stage with them and he played the keyboard for almost the entire set. They brought enormous ourange amps with them that made their entire set boom loudly. A band like Om deserves credit for being able to bring what they do to the table with only two/three musicians at a time. Stoner metal done the way it should be– slowly and with epic songwriting.
Dillinger Four and Riverboat Gamblers played to a packed house that night. Drunken moshers sang along, putting their stinky arms around everyone near them and forcing them to join in. Riverboat Gamblers played a solid set, singer jumping around like a cartoon character and swinging off the rafters. He was funny and told stories and jokes between songs and made fun of anyone who might have missed that show to be at that night’s Get Up Kids show. Dillinger Four were just… blazing-ly fast. The singer/bassist, Patrick, was funny throughout the set. Made jokes between every song, and eventually, as expected, his pants came down. He played the last couple of songs with his bare butt to the audience and everyone had a great time.
Band Members:
Thomas Beecham – vocals, guitar
Calvin Havnaer – vocals, guitar
Austin Jacobsen – vocal, bass
Garrett Lunceford – vocals, drums
Tony Moore – trumpet, clarinet
It’s not easy performing in a lounge. The hustle and bustle of people coming and going can be quite distracting. Clanking glasses and scattered conversation deter attention from the band while the delicious sight of food glides passed hungry eyes. Despite the commotion, The Raggedy Anns never fail to captivate anyone who walks in. Their high-energy performance and swinging sound causes people to stop in their tracks and take a moment to listen.
The Raggedy Anns played in The Triple Door’s Musiquarium Friday, July 31. Their gypsy-rock and country-folk sound filled the lounge enticing people of all ages. One of the great things about playing at The Triple Dooris the array of people who come and go throughout the night. This invites a wide range of exposure for bands that perform in the lounge, which introduces their sound to those who are unfamiliar. While waiting for the main stage show to begin, people can sit in the lounge and enjoy live music and drinks. Last Friday night, those who came to see comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer, were also treated to five boys wearing hats and scuffed oxfords that turned the Musiquarium into a scene from Ragtime.
Thomas Beecham’s scratchy voice belted out songs such as “Prospector Joe” and “Unlucky in Love.” Old-time Beatles favorites “All My Loving” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face” reverberated through the lounge. The vocals were at times hard to hear amidst the chatter. Though Austin Jacobsen’s bass lines were precise and intricate they seemed to drift between the noisy, ice-filled glasses. Calvin Havnaer’s fast and melodic guitar strumming paired with Garrett Lunceford’s steady drumming helped supersede the unavoidable bar racket. Tony Moore surprised the audience by playing the trumpet and clarinet on various songs. As a whole, The Raggedy Anns got your foot a-tapping making you want to grab a partner and dance.
Bearing a retro hip look and dirty boy charm, The Raggedy Anns have quite the following. Their debut, self-titled album was just released last month. With their sea-shanty, 60’s pop blend, The Raggedy Anns are making a name for themselves. They can be heard on KEXP and at various venues throughout the city. This is a band that cannot be missed. So pick up their album, request radio play and catch their next 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")
Local band The Senate will be in town tonight playing two shows at The Triple Door. Below are a few words by yours truly from my earlier preview, which you can read 
Local radio station KEXP is hosting its monthly live broadcasting of radio show Audioasis and there are a couple reasons why you should be at The Sunset Tavern tonight. First, this live broadcasting event benefits a different charity each month, and this time, 
