Seattle Subsonic - June, 2008
3900′ Festival Canceled - Frig.
Well, it’s not that I’ve been getting all worked up for the past 4 months about the 3900′ Festival or anything. Meh. The idea of heading down to Horning’s Hideout for 2 full days of music, camping and down how easy livin’. Baah! I mean I’ve barely even heard of any of the bands on the roster. Why would I want to go to something like that. It’s scary. Who would want to be subjected to tons of new music anyway? Plus, being stuck out there…in the wilderrness.. without wi-fi. The horror. I’ll just jab my earbuds in and rock Dave Mathews on my iPod nano - repeat-all. “a-Little feet, little hands, a-little BAY-BEE” Oh Yeah, that’s what I need. Like mac n’ cheese. PB and J n white bread.
-
Fuk.
-
The Union Records issues this announcement, tucked tidily away on their website.
“DUE TO LACK OF INTEREST, THE 3900′ FESTIVAL HAS BEEN CANCELED. REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED STARTING JUNE 20, 2008.”
Luckily a friend who hadn’t heard of the fest wanted to know more and thought to Google it and found the announcement for me. I was practically packed an on the way.
-
I’m not angry at The Union Records for the cancelation. Lack of interest is on us. The idea of this event was beyond phenominal. It’s gone down smooth in the past and I can only pray they don’t give up hope.
Hhead Like a Kite – FREE @ Neumos
| Thursday, June 26, 2008 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
HEAD LIKE A KITE (11 PM)
SMOOSH (10 PM)
FOSCIL (9 PM)
Animals at Night DJ sets (before, between, and after bands) MC’d by KEXP’s Troy Nelson
Neumos 8:00
Head Like a Kite is essentially Dave Einmo, with live drummer Trent Moorman, and joined in the studio by a revolving cast of musical friends. They craft pop wizardry with progressive electronic tracks coupled with well-honed instruments. The result is a big-beat backing for indie rock hooks. They kinda sound like a indie band that’s been remixed by DJ Shadow.
If you want to catch a little dose before committing KEXP will be hosting them live at noon on Thursday 6-26, and then they blast confetti at Neumos with SMOOSH and FOSCIL (feat. members of TRUCKASAURUS), plus ANIMALS AT NIGHT spinning all night. Troy Nelson’ll be in the house, too.
The new record, “There Is Loud Laughter Everywhere” (Mush), released last week and is in stores across the US and on the radio, so request it on your favorite station. Speaking of radio and KEXP, last week it crept up to #3 on KEXP’s Top 90 and #1 on the Northwestlist. It’s big news for a little local band, so Thursday they cut loose and celebrate the new record.
If you check out the songs on HLaK myspace, you’ll also hear some pairings with Seattle’s Asya of Smoosh in Daydream Vacation.
Head Like a Kite CD Release Party - $Free.99
HEAD LIKE A KITE CD RELEASE PARTY at NEUMOS (Thurs June 26).
And like a true party, it’s $FREE!!
-
Head Like a Kite is essentially Dave Einmo, with live drummer Trent Moorman, and joined in the studio by a revolving cast of musical friends. They craft pop wizardry with progressive electronic tracks coupled with well-honed instruments. The result is a big-beat backing for indie rock hooks. They kinda sound like a indie band that’s been remixed by DJ Shadow.
-
If you want to catch a little dose before committing KEXP will be hosting them live at noon on Thursday 6-26, and then they blast confetti at Neumos with SMOOSH and FOSCIL (feat. members of TRUCKASAURUS), plus ANIMALS AT NIGHT spinning all night. Troy Nelson’ll be in the house, too.
-
The new record, “There Is Loud Laughter Everywhere” (Mush), released last week and is in stores across the US and on the radio, so request it on your favorite station. Speaking of radio and KEXP, last week it crept up to #3 on KEXP’s Top 90 and #1 on the Northwestlist. It’s big news for a little local band, so Thursday they cut loose and celebrate the new record.
-
If you check out the HLaK myspace, you’ll also hear some pairings with Seattle’s Asya of Smoosh in Daydream Vacation as well as some cute from the new album.
-
HEAD LIKE A KITE CD RELEASE PARTY – FREE SHOW Thurs,
June 26
Neumos
8PM - FREE
HEAD LIKE A KITE (11 PM)
SMOOSH (10 PM)
FOSCIL (9 PM)
Animals at Night DJ sets (before, between, and after bands) MC’d by KEXP’s Troy Nelson
Discounted Bumbershoot Tix
Just got an email thru KEXP and you can buy your Bumbershoot tickets now for $25/day — full price is $40/day. They do charge a $2 fee/ticket and a 3.75 handling fee per order when you check out (of course — no getting away from the stupid fees.) — but you still save 23%. Not sure if that’s better than the presale Starbucks’ price or not.
Anyhoo — if you want to check it out go here and enter promo code: 08-KEXP
Equality! Diversity! BBQ! Wet T-Shirt Contest! MUSIC!
I imagine you’re all getting a bit sick and tired of the downright glut of shows/festivals/musical gatherings that are going on in our fair city this summer. No? Well that’s good, cuz hopefully there’s enough to satisfy everyone’s tastes—ya’ll know how we love musical diversity. And speaking of diversity, C-Hill’s coolest “closet” (heh heh) concert venue, the Wild Rose, is hosting their 2nd Annual Pride celebration this weekend (Jun 27-29) at 10th and Pike. All are welcome (except assholes, of course).
They’ve got A TON of stuff going on throughout the weekend (BBQ, 3 full bars, Fantasy Casino (!?), WET T-SHIRT CONTEST, DJs, outdoor stage), but I’m here to pump the band lineup on Saturday. Wow, two of my favorites are playing—the Heavy Hearts and the Intelligence. You might’ve caught my review of the Hearts’ debut, which I love, but I’ve only recently been turned on to the dizzying, 60s-inspired electro-garage-pop-weirdness of the Intelligence. Seeing them at the Funhouse a few weeks ago was an absolute epiphany (I geekily bought the CD after their set), and am licking my chops to see them again. The spazzy, backyard entertainment of the Coconut Coolouts is also featured in one of more easily accessible concert fiestas around.
Cost is $12 Adv and $15 at-the-door, and benefits go to Lifelong Aids, Team Noelle, and Rock n Roll Girls Camp. Knock, knock. Who’s there? YOU.
Full lineup with times after the jump.
Chris Travis’ Birthday Bash at Sunset Tavern
| Thursday, June 26, 2008 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
Thursday, June 26th @ Sunset Tavern
$6
It’s 107.7 The End’s Young and the Restless host Chris Travis’ Birthday Extravaganza at the Sunset Tavern. Awesome headliners Speaker Speaker (uber loud) and Hungry Pines (I’ve seen these guys before and they rock out moody, catchy hooks alongside sultry vox) with To The Waves, and You.May.Die.In.The.Desert. To The Waves will surely provide more in-your-face LOUD following You.May.Die..’s pounding instrumentals.
21+
9:00 Sunset Tavern
Cave Singers Black Cab It
Seattle is being shown some serious love by the clever guys over at Black Cab Sessions. Last week, Fleet Foxes performed a Judee Sill cover, and this week they’ve got the Cave Singers cramped into the back seat with two guitars, one really tall dude, and a touching melody:
-
Check out lots more at Black Cab Sessions dot com.
The Dark side of Georgetown - Floyd Fest ‘08
-I already can feel myself becoming self-aware.
Sunday Bloody Sunday @ Sunset
| Sunday, June 29, 2008 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
Guns N Rosetti
Sunday Bloody Sunset with Trombone Cake, Guns N Rossetti and The Raggedy Anns! Come on out for super rock and great drink specials! Trombone Cake is a delicious plate served hot! They’re a smooth mix of the Kinks meet Velvet Underground.
Plus… $2 PBRs $3 Bloody Marys $3 Mimosas. Hell Yeah, Sunday Rocks!!!
KEXP Audioasis Has Rad Poster, Local Music
I think I’d like to take my top hat on a hot air balloon ride…
Venus Verse @ Comet
| Thursday, July 10, 2008 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
Venus Verse
Black Night Crash
C’est la Mort
Dulce Sky
(From LB)
The threesome—made up of Kevin, Stephanie, and Fausto—draw from (somewhat) equal parts 80s British icons The Cure and Echo & The Bunnymen (”Dreaming Again”, “Loving Arms”), contemporary Swedish pop invaders such as Shout Out Louds and Lykke Li (”Not Quite Juliet”, “Whisper”), as well as trip-hop pioneers Portishead (”Paris”). Some impressive names, indeed, for a small band from the corner of the Evergreen State to be compared to. And while the band still has the fresh sound of wide-eyed shoegazers, the poppy, ambient, even jazzy excursions their songs take off on make for a charming and captivating listen. You’ll find plenty of synths, machine-like drumming, and precise post-punk guitar work, embellished by wistful and tender lyricism. Lead vocals provided by both male and female, too; that’s always a plus in my book.
Fremont Fair - Chillin Out in Juneuary - June 21-22
Once you get past the hippie-dippie tie died summer solstice bit, the naked bicyclists (one word - chafe), and all the anti-this and pro-that propaganda of the Fremont Fair and Parade, you might not think you’re going to be left with very much.
-
To the contrary, Fremont Fair is - and has been for almost 4 decades - one of the best showcases for all sorts of local Seattle and Northwest music. You’re not going to find the big names bands up on stage, rattling the supports of the Fremont Bridge, but what you will find are tons of those unsigned and small label bands working their asses off for your attention.
-
This year there are a couple gems that are worth pausing between sips of RedHook to check out. I’m going to recommend Saturday as the day you want to hit the festival so here are the highlights: (Click here for the full line-up and links to all artists)
-
Saturday,
12:45pm - 1:30pm - Rocket Stage
17th Chapter take the stage and dish out an almost unclassifiable blend of dance-rock meets alt-country. Whichever direction a song happens to be taking, from blustery rock to blissful folk, the band is perfectly blended and will not lead you astray. Check out Don’t Try/New Friends below.
-
4:30pm - 5:15pm - Rocket Stage
Kristen Ward dips a little further into the alt-country with familiar lap steel backed songs of heartbreak, hard roads and hot love. You can stream her album Hard Drive here to have a listen
-
5:45pm - 6:30pm - Rocket Stage
Andy Werth has dialed in the classic pop sound to something reminiscent of Harvey Danger and Ted Leo. I’m hoping the horn section shows up today as they definitely make the sound. Check out “Tower” form Andy’s EP Seeing Stars below.
-
7:30pm - 8:15pm –Redhook Stage
The Dimes might immediately remind you of to their fellow Portlanders, The Shins, and this is by no means a bad thing. Their sound is steeped in the stylistic NW pop familiar to the Decemberists and Deathe Cab, but these guys are no copy cats. The music is smooth and effortless, and you’ll be making your traditional NW cross armed head nod before you know it. Check out Catch me Jumping below.
-
