Seattle Subsonic - June, 2009
Sera Cahoone – “Baker Lake”
Keeping with the video theme, here’s another *brand-spanking-new* video from Seattle’s own Sera Cahoone. “Baker Lake” is the title and said music video was directed by Ryan McMackin, who may or may not be the drummer for local outfit the Maldives (not to be confused with the prized Indian Ocean archipelago). Couldn’t quite nail that one down.
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This is one of my favorite songs off Only As The Day Is Long, and not just because it references my last name (though that did wonders for style points), but because of it’s understated somber tone and anguished relationship despair. Somberness, anguish, despair: those are things Sera has no trouble communicating through her music. The speed of the video’s film, which matches the song’s pace, works nicely as Sera and her bandmembers (Jeff Fielder, Jason Kardong, Jonas Haskins, Jason Merculief) squat in a seemingly-abandoned farmhouse to lay down their tune.
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[sultry female radio voice] Take a listen.
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And, FYI, there are at least four Baker Lakes: one in Canada, two in California, and one in Whatcom County near Mt. Baker. I like to think the song references the Washington one.
“Clearly I was born in a double orgasm”
Oregon rock guitarist Black Francis has just released a new video for the song “When They Come To Murder Me”. I thought you might want to watch it. The track is from his Svn Fngrs album, which was released in April of 2008 on Cooking Vinyl. That headline comes from this song.
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The man’s still got it (the gritty, narcissistic nonchalance, that is).
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Never Underestimate the Power of THAT Guy!
This is likely the greatest thing that happened at Sasquatch this year. A full-on dance party erupts around one incredibly enthusiastic Canadian. I’m not sure whether to give kudos to Collin Wynter (the dancin’ Canuk – oh yeah, you can find him on facebook!) to Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head for being so awsomely-dance-inspiring, or to the second dude. Without whom, I think we would have just a whirling Canadian in jorts. Regardless.. it’s awesome!
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thanks to Line Out for intially posting this vid
Camera Obscura @ Showbox Market
| Saturday, June 6, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | ||
| 8:00 pm |
Camera Obscura
Camera Obscura have been making music for a decade, carried through the ups and downs of various line-up changes and the tender pain of daily life by the sweetly sad voice of Tracyanne Campbell. Their greatest achievement to date is arguably the critically acclaimed 2006 album Let’s Get Out Of This Country.
Let’s Get Out Of This Country showcased the band’s ability to produce quality heartfelt pop that can sail unselfconsciously through six impassioned choruses in Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken, alongside the stark, sweeping wails of Country Mile.The album was made in Stockholm and was ably enhanced by the production magic of Sweden’s Jari Haapalainen, who was more than qualified to indulge the band’s enthusiasm for reverb.
The release of the album was supported by extensive touring through the UK, Europe, North America, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and has seen Camera Obscura develop from a somewhat timid live proposition into a confident, dynamic and hopefully charming spectacle.
Camera Obscura’s back catalogue is also a haven of treasures well worth investigation, featuring along the way the talents of Belle and Sebastian’s Richard drumming on early EP Park and Ride, the aforementioned Stuart Murdoch’s production sheen on Eighties Fan, and the many dulcet outings of erstwhile members John Henderson and David Skirving. A full discography can be found on their official website at www.camera-obscura.net
with Agent Ribbons and The Lonely Forest
| Day: Sat, Jun 6, 2009 Days until show: 5 Doors open: 8:00 PM Ages: All Ages to Enter, 21 & Over to Drink On sale now Ticket Prices*: $16.00 ADV-$20.00 DOS <!–Seating: Concert Setup –> |
www.camera-obscura.net
MySpace Page
Cursive @ Neumos
| Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | ||
| 8:00 pm |
One of my all time favorite bands. Touring in support of their new album “Mama, I’m Swollen”. If you haven’t had a chance to check out their new work you need too. This album brings back some of what I loved from “The ugly Organ”. Although toping that release is almost impossible they have given us something better than 2006′s “Happy Hollow”
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“”Mama, I’m Swollen finds Kasher at his literate, lyrical best, where references to both Poe (“Going To Hell”) and Pinocchio (“Donkeys”) are intertwined seamlessly within his own tales of characters grappling with the moral quandary of being human, adult, and playing a role in ‘civilized’ society. Musically, Cursive is as smart and sophisticated as ever, the songs’ rousing, cerebral content complemented by moments alternately hushed and exhilarating (the cathartic “From The Hips,” the noisily melodic romp “I Couldn’t Love You”), eerily moody and jaunty (the almost prayer-like “Let Me Up,” “Mama, I’m Swollen”) – moments that often occur within the very same song. From the charging bass lines of album opener “In The Now” to the quiet first chords of confessional closer “What Have I Done?”, Mama, I’m Swollen is a natural progression that remains distinctively Cursive: a fluid amalgamation of the band’s sound past, present, and future – a band that both your punk kid sister and English lit grad student best friend can call their own.”"
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I have seen them live a few times and they never dissapoint. Make sure to get out and catch this show.
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Tue.Jun.23.09 Cursive
Cursive,
Mt St Helens Vietnam Band,
Box Elders
:: Doors at 8 pm :: $15adv
Peaches throws down @ ShowBox Tonight!!!
I have high hopes that the Peaches show at the Showbox tonight is going to be the enthusiastic insanity that I’ve been desiring. I have been completely enticed by all the trashy pics and lyrics that I’ve seen since I heard the Teaches of Peaches album. Peaches is the dirty electropunk predecessor to other attitude filled leading ladies, like Lady Ga Ga and Lady Sovereign. I have big expectations that the mastermind behind such catchy angst-filled vulgarity ,and great beats, will have a raging show and moving crowd. Plus, she’s now performing with a live band.
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@ The Show Box tonight (6/1)
Doors open: 8:00 PM
Ages: All Ages to Enter, 21 & Over to Drink
Ticket Prices: $18.00 ADV-$20.00 DOS
http://www.myspace.com/peaches
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The Showbox write-up is pretty detailed http://showboxonline.com/market/eventdetail.php?id=22099
Is Pearl Jam on Target for a Coverup?!
Last Thurs, May 28, local uber-stars, Pearl Jam, performed a uber-secret show at the Showbox without any prior announcement. The lucky crowd contained 300 hired extras, many of whom were from the area’s unemployed ranks. After entering the venue, the extras soon discovered they were not there for a private concert as it may have seemed, rather Pearl Jam was filming a commercial for Target with Cameron Crowe at the theater to direct filming.
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According to “websites” (that have since taken down all reference to the concert ever happening) Pearl Jam toyed with some new material from their yet untitled album.. a little diddy called “Something’s Going On,” now more likely to be titled “The Fixer” was played over and over to get just the right shots.
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Rumors has it that Pearl Jam could release their album exclusively at Target stores. Fan club members would still be able to purchase the album online as thi would only apply to retail sales. So why this change ofr heart for the thr supposedly anti-corporate rock giants? Some might say.. sell out?!?! Regardless of what you’d call it, I still commend them for their stand against the TicketBastard but question why all websites with reference to this show/commercial/etc have since deleted their articles.
For those of you wanting to check out the new song-whatever it’s called, you can see it tonight (June 1) on the Tonight Show. For more on the totally secret show at the Showbox, check Antiquiet here:
NFTN: Point Juncture, WA, The Pica Beats, Black Whales, Grant Olsen @ Chop Suey
| Saturday, June 13, 2009 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
Two folk-n-pop bands will be at the Chop Suey Saturday June 13th as part of the Noise for the Needy festival. Point Juncture, WA’s (PDX) jangly country-rock will take on the dense poetry and thoughtful ghostliness of The Pica Beats. Both outfits are more than able to captivate your aural attention, and the stellar-ness won’t stop there. The epic emo-rock of Black Whales also fits the bill, along with Grant Olsen (Of Arthur & Yu fame) playing solo. You’ve no doubt heard Black Whales’ “The Diamond Divide” or “The Boxer” if you listen to KEXP for even 10 minutes a day.
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There’s an absolute crapload of pensive pop-rock outfits enjoying success in Seattle right now (Telekinesis, Say Hi, BOAT, Slender Means, Throw Me The Statue, etc.) and this bill only exemplifies the trend (though from Portland, Seattle label Mt. Fuji Records released Point Juncture’s latest, Heart to Elk). The Pica Beats are easily my favorite of the bunch, with a macabre aspect to their semi-traditional pop and folk stories. Head Honcho R. Barrett, at times brandishing a sitar, weaves a thick web of myths, parables and familial tension on Beating Back the Claws of the Cold, while his bandmates hauntingly “oooooo” and “aaaaaah” all around him like specters of the old world. Drummer Colin English is one of the better beatkeepers around.
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$10adv/dos
9pm Doors / 21+
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My Pica Beats favorites:
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/01-poor-old-ra.mp3]
“Hikikomori and The Rental Sisters“
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/09-hikikomori-and-the-rental-sisters.mp3]
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/07-cognac-rum.mp3]
“Hope, Was Not a Smith Family Tradition“
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/08-hope-was-not-a-family-tradition.mp3]
Helio Sequence FREE SHOW @ Neumos
| Thursday, June 18, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
If you happen to be a cash-strapped, Helio Sequence-loving Seattleite, today is your LUCKY DAY, my friend: Neumos is hosting a FREE show for the band on June 18th. The occasion is the 5-year anniversary of the popular Capitol Hill venue, and all you have to do is buy a drink in Moe Bar sometime before the show (and, presumably, ask for a ticket). First come, first served, and it sounds like tickets will be available starting this Friday (5/15). Has it only been 5 years? Huh…
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No word on the openers yet, but the headliner alone should kick your salivary glands into fifth gear. Here’s a snippet of what I experienced last time I saw them, at Neumos coincidentally:
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“[W]hat stood out to me was the torrential thunder of [Benjamin] Weikel’s drumming, much more prominent on stage than on the album. It actually almost drowned out both his laptop and his partner, but [Brandon] Summers did a fine job of making his musical presence felt with poignant and precise guitar playing. Of course, he is the voice of the band, and the changes he’s gone through are definitely noticeable—vocally, he actually resembles Bob Dylan quite a bit. Maybe that’s the reason there are more than a few songs on the new record that sound like true folk music; acoustic guitar, weighty, lovelorn lyrics and all. Or not, who knows, but in my opinion the formula works.”
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[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/08-hallelujah.mp3]
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/02-cant-say-no.mp3]
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8PM Doors
FREE with purchase of a drink in Moe Bar
Admittance to show is on a first come basis.
21+
Love Is All @ Neumos
| Monday, June 8, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
Back in January when all this fancy “sun” wasn’t part of my (or your) daily equation, I passed the dreary days and glistened my mood listening to Love Is All. The boisterous and sprightly Swedish dance-punk group—who has single-handedly made the rock saxophone cool again—released their excellent second album A Hundred Things Keep Me Up At Night to much critical acclaim. Tumbling and deft bass work, breakneck drums, breezy sax, slick, jagged guitars and a harmonious backdrop all dutifully take a back seat to the precocious pixie frontwoman, Josephine Olausson. Musing (nay, erupting) on the unexpected banality of luxury cruises or settling for the last dude at the party or the dizzying effects of weirdo apartment neighbors, Olaussen and her bandmates keep the pedal to the metal. Hundred Things rushes by so catastrophically fast that you’ll barely have time to dance. Barely.
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w/
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8PM Doors
$12 ADV
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“Sea Sick“
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/05-sea-sick.mp3]
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/04-last-choice.mp3]
“Big Bangs, Black Holes, Meteorites“
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/09-big-bangs-black-holes-meteorites.mp3]
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/11-19-floors.mp3]
Rye Rye, Champagne Champagne & Tigerbeat @ Neumos June 2nd
| Tuesday, June 2, 2009 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
If your familiar with M.I.A. then you already know who Rye Rye is. Rye Rye is the first artist signed to M.I.A.’s record label N.E.E.T. Her debut album was set to come out in March 2009, but has not been released yet. Rye Rye collaborated with several artists on the LP which is set to feature artwork by M.I.A. With DJ Diplo, she worked on a song called “Wassup Wassup”. “Hardcore Girls” with The Count and Sinden, and “Reasons”. “Hardcore Girls” appears on the Hardcore Girls EP by The Count and Sinden via Domino Records. She has described her sound as “unique, hard-hitting,” saying “anything thrown I can handle it.”
Along with local hero’s Tigerbeat and Champagne Champagne? Oh this is gonna be good.
Double Tee and Neumos Present: Rye Rye, Champagne Champagne, Tigerbeat :: Doors at 8pm :: $12 adv :: Advance tickets on sale now at: www.ticketswest.com, Rudy’s Barbershops, Moe Bar, select QFCs, [Buy Tickets Online] :: 21+ :: MIA’S PROTEGE
Grand Archives, See Me River, the Curious Mystery @ the Crocodile
| Friday, June 12, 2009 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
Since I’ve belabored the point already, I won’t tell you how high my opinion of Grand Archives is (ok, I will: it’s really high). I also happen to be a pretty big fan of See Me River. (I’m actually an even bigger fan of the band’s creator, Kerry Zettel, for introducing me to one of the best tequilas I’ve ever tasted: Chamucos. We’re not friends, he tends bar at the Cha Cha.) Their last record, Time Machine, is the kind of dark-seeded country-blues that fits perfectly with a tortured soul soaking up some sunny rays.
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Local psych-wanderers The Curious Mystery recently dropped a stellar album with K Records, full of cinematic soundscapes, droning and/or jangly guitar charming, and molasses-thick sonic fiber. Read more about my “hallowed” opinion here.
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This concert is part of the Noise for the Needy festival, and since I’m also a big fan of helping out the needy, you’ll find me at the Crocodile June 12th.
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21+ / $12 Adv / $15 DOS
