Seattle Subsonic - January, 2010
Virgin Islands @ the Comet
Saturday Feb 20th, has a full slate of local rock all smashed into the Comet – likely to cause an implosion of awesome. Former lead man of the COPS (RIP) Mike Jaworski takes the front again with his newest and greatest project, Virgin Islands. They have only have a single EP, The Age of Anxiety listen here, recorded so far. I have to say, it’s righteous front to back and there is not a scrap of fat on it. Fast, furious, frantic rock-n-roll straight through.
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Little Cuts, also on the bill, have quietly been putting together a fan-fuggin-tastic punk rock trio of their own. Consisting of former COPS bassist Drew (Droo) Church along with Dave Hernandez (of Shins fame) and Curtis James (Old Haunts) taking up the skins. Tight licks ranging from freight train to F-15. Say goodbye, face. This is a supernova of Seattle greats.
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Who the fuck said Seattle rock was dead?
See you there.
Saturday February 20th, $7
@ the Comet
with Western Hymn,
Little Cuts and
Street Lights For A Ribcage
So, I’ve had Street Lights For A Ribcage pretty much on repeat for the past ten days. This, as you may know, is the first LP from local robot-rockers Sleepy Eyes of Death, released in 2007. It’s turned out to be one of those records that I bought a while ago and is just now dominating my cognizance. Funny how that works. In short, it’s highly recommended.
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In long, it’s a fantastically dense sci-fi record of cyborgian proportions, filled with caustic synthesizers, shimmering vistas and thundering drum crackles. There are scant vocals, and only of the vocoder variety. One gets the sense that this could be the “singer/songwriter” album of a gentle yet erratic T-1000 in a post-human war-torn compuscape. In fact, there’s an alluring (for fans of artificial intelligence, anyway) string of thematic imagery that combines both the organic and the synthetic in bombastically beautiful ways. In the album’s title, in the song titles (i.e. “Tired Channels”, “Capsule-Collapse”, and “Static For Blood”), and even in the arrestingly varied moods found throughout.
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“Eyes Spliced Open” has a wonderful change of pace 3 minutes in where the manic drumming and suffocating sheets of laser suddenly cease, as if to recharge, or shake hands with their inevitable demise. I often envision the final scene of “Terminator” during this song, feeling as though I should be in an abandoned steel mill, thick steam pouring out of loose valves, precariously perched on rickety catwalks. This outro is indicative of a pensiveness that pervades SEOD’s modus operandi and shows up in other places, in other forms. This thoughtfulness, melded with such a brisk and futuristic record, should be cause for applause.
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Fun Fact: Did you know Sera Cahoone played drums on “Cells Divide”? Man, she just keeps getting cooler and cooler.
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Half-Price Studio time!
Putting together an EP? Trying to get that demo polished up? Check this!
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Robert Lang Studios is offering studio time for less that 1/2 price . You can track, mix, record, do voiceover work, whatever they want. Normal price is $850 for a 10 hour session or $425 for a 5 hour session. Some of the albums they have recently helped produce are Death Cab For Cutie’s “Narrow Stairs“, Nada Surf’s “Lucky” and Minus the Bear’s “Planet of Ice“. The deal is available through the “Living Social Friday Deal” and if you’re waffling, it will be held-over until Monday morning (2-1) at 5:00 am. Gives you the weekend to stew on it. You have to purchase the time up-front but it is good for use all the way until the end of the year. Anyway, I thought it was a good enough deal to share.
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Anyone use Robert Lang? Let us know what you think! (I just hope their recording is better then their web design… nice montage.)
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Here is the link to the deal www.deals.livingsocial.com (fri 1-27 thru mon morning 2-1 only)
THEESatisfaction Leads Ladies Night At Neumos
Don’t see too many of these types of shows advertised, so in the name of all that is good and equal, you’re gonna damn well hear about it!
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Ladies Night goes down at Neumos February 9th, and decidedly leans to the hip-hop side of things (what doesn’t these days?). I haven’t seen any of these cats live yet (check that: I did catch Canary Sing on the Seattle Channel once; Art Zone with Nancy Guppy, ya’ll!), but word on the street is that the spaceified art-house jazz-rap THEESatisfaction utilizes tends to rock whatever structure is currently housing them. Snow Motion might be a bit asymmetrical for the typical consumer, but good portions of it flow quite nicely and I’m always down for some weird shit anyhow. Sample a couple of its tracks below.
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Lisa Dank seems to be out for stardom, I do know that much about her. She’s a glam-conscious 21st Century product (see: “Social Networking”) with some saucy beats and sexed-up electro flava. The costumes are plenty and the pop is blatant; gentlemen, the Lady Gaga epoch is officially upon us. You can taste what the ladies in Canary Sing are pushin’ here.
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And, no, Kool & the Gang won’t be making an appearance. I know, I know, it’s heartbreaking. Please watch this to mend your heart. Damn, those guys were good.
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THEESatisfaction – “Cabin Fever”
Macklemore vs. Mad Rad
Photos by Blush Photo
In theory, last Thursday’s show was all about Mad Rad‘s return to Capitol Hill. The bad boys back on the beat. The party-rappers keepin’ it clean on the scene instead of bein’ mean. Macklemore, while exhibiting his own solid footing of late with a magnificent EP (Vs.) cut with beatmaker Ryan Lewis, was simply a tantalizing opening act. A warm up to the big up.
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Turns out Macklemore had something else in mind. And not maliciously or vigilantly, of course; the homegrown hero was simply going to go out, put on a euphoric performance in front of a packed crowd, and let fate run its course. That is to say, Macklemore absolutely slayed. And that’s not to imply Mad Rad tanked; quite the opposite. I just thought Macklemore’s set was stronger. His songs were heavier, fleshier and given to more purpose. His cadence was unmistakable. Could be that I was wowed by never having seen him before, or it could be that he’s a native Capitol Hiller, like myself, and his self-aware, reminiscent style resonated clearly on this faux-reunion night. Look, I’m a fan of Mad Rad—”My Product”, “Superdope” and “Crack the Blunt” are some of the illest cuts to come out of Seattle the past few years—but their feasting ways and high wattage displays are a whole other ballgame. I’m not sure I was sold on some of the guys’ new tunes.
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But one of the ideal aspects of Seattle’s incredible palette of hip-hop and rap, amidst aesthetic differences, is the seemingly high level of kinship amongst the plethora of boxers in the local ring. These guys are preposterously fraternal; sure they’d like to duke it out a bit, but playfully, with gloves and a smile. Macklemore almost immediately brought out his step cousin to assist in “Crew Cuts”, talkin’ ’bout haircuts, Sam Goody, tether ball and Labyrinth. Chris Mansfield, aka Fences, played his guitar for 3 or 4 songs, beginning with “Otherside”, the Red Hot Chili Peppers-sampled story of the MC’s recent drug addiction. Pearl Dragon and Sir Thomas Gray of Champagne Champagne joined them for the Arcade Fire-sampled “Kings” and unflinchingly brought the house down (especially with that organ from “My Body Is A Cage”…oh man). Cripes, Mack even put on a wig and fur coat for the bouncy “Life is Cinema”.
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“The Town” is an homage’s homage and provided my favorite line of the night: “the skyline is etched in my veins / you can never put that out no matter how hard it rains.” He closed with “Irish Celebration”, another ode to his past in which Lewis uses Beirut’s “Scenic World” to set the scene. A huge Irish flag got run around the stage like it was the 12th Man at Qwest Field and the live trumpeter and violinist—first time I’d seen that at a hip hop show—were especially on point. In the end, Mad Rad eventually re-elevated the party, and even brought Rik Rude out for a couple Fresh Espresso jams (man, Smoov REALLY loves that vocoder). I think I was just surprised by how good Macklemore was.
The Album Leaf @ Neumos
Life as a traveling musician can become monotonous. Sleep, eat, perform. Load in, load out, pass out. Repeat. This is your day, and before you realize it, your life. After a decade of the three-step grind James LaValle the classically trained multi-instrumentalist whose tone poems have been collated as The Album Leaf since 1999decided to get off the well-worn path.
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“A lot of traveling and time away from home, learning about yourself while losing yourself, that’s what has gone into recording for me,” “says LaValle. “Following a year-and-a-half of straight touring I took a break from worrying only about where The Album Leaf was going and instead concentrated on the best parts of what it’s been this entire time.”
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If musicians could keep time in a bottle its consumption would likely outpace vodka and bourbon combined within the first year. Next to a comfortable place to sleep, time is the luxury few touring musicians are afforded. Time alone is even more rare. Following stints with instrumental artisans Tristeza, post-hardcore spastics the Locust, contorted punk-funk ritualists GoGoGo Airheart, shadowy conjurers The Black Heart Procession and is often a special guest of Iceland’s celestial menagerie Sigur Rós, LaValle recognizes this lifestyle and its constraints.
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Doors at 8 PM :: $13
‘They Live!’ Will Be ‘Mash Hall’ After This Next Show
Man, Seattle hip-hop’s really blowin’ up, huh? Around every innernet corner, there’s a superb new posse, a sold out show, or a free EP to download. (As an aside from a dutiful rock fan: contrary to what the hordes of local “beat writers” will tell you, local rock is not dead. Or gone. Or lame. It’s simply being overshadowed. There is nothing wrong with that. Rock is best served underground, anyway.)
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As you know, there are shows aplenty, and posters abound. To the left there is one of the better ones I’ve seen (raarr). It’s got an Out For Stardom stamp, so that means Terry Radjaw (Mad Rad, Fresh Espresso) put it together. Mad skillz, as they say. This show here, I can’t endorse enough. I’ve gushed profusely over Champagne Champagne and am a casual fan of gonzo thrash-punks Wild Orchid Children.
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They Live!, featuring Larry Mizell a.k.a. Gatsby of The Stranger (he also now hosts KEXP’s Street Sounds on Sunday nights) and Bruce Illest a.k.a. djblesone, have been on the scene for a bit now. However, they’ve run into some “copyright” infringement when they found another They Live had already claimed the moniker. (They’re a horror punk group, supposedly; my web-sleuthing turned up empty.) Well, now Gatsby and Bruce are going by Mash Hall, but not before their “final” show as They Live!. Confused? Eh, I know, it’s a lotta superfluous detail; but the cartoony, ol’ skool mashed up tunes they pump out are pretty righteous.
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You can download They LA Soul, for free, here. In advance of January 29th at the High Dive.
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UP EARLY IN EM feat TAY SEAN, SPACEMAN, RONNIE VOICE
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GET YOUR ASS TO MARS feat THEESATISFACTION
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'They Live!' Will Be 'Mash Hall' After This Next Show
Man, Seattle hip-hop’s really blowin’ up, huh? Around every innernet corner, there’s a superb new posse, a sold out show, or a free EP to download. (As an aside from a dutiful rock fan: contrary to what the hordes of local “beat writers” will tell you, local rock is not dead. Or gone. Or lame. It’s simply being overshadowed. There is nothing wrong with that. Rock is best served underground, anyway.)
.
As you know, there are shows aplenty, and posters abound. To the left there is one of the better ones I’ve seen (raarr). It’s got an Out For Stardom stamp, so that means Terry Radjaw (Mad Rad, Fresh Espresso) put it together. Mad skillz, as they say. This show here, I can’t endorse enough. I’ve gushed profusely over Champagne Champagne and am a casual fan of gonzo thrash-punks Wild Orchid Children.
.
They Live!, featuring Larry Mizell a.k.a. Gatsby of The Stranger (he also now hosts KEXP’s Street Sounds on Sunday nights) and Bruce Illest a.k.a. djblesone, have been on the scene for a bit now. However, they’ve run into some “copyright” infringement when they found another They Live had already claimed the moniker. (They’re a horror punk group, supposedly; my web-sleuthing turned up empty.) Well, now Gatsby and Bruce are going by Mash Hall, but not before their “final” show as They Live!. Confused? Eh, I know, it’s a lotta superfluous detail; but the cartoony, ol’ skool mashed up tunes they pump out are pretty righteous.
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You can download They LA Soul, for free, here. In advance of January 29th at the High Dive.
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UP EARLY IN EM feat TAY SEAN, SPACEMAN, RONNIE VOICE
[audio:http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/06-UP-EARLY-IN-EM-f-TAY-SEAN-x-SPACEMAN-x-RONNIE-VOICE.mp3]
GET YOUR ASS TO MARS feat THEESATISFACTION
http://www.seattlesubsonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/07-GET-YOUR-ASS-TO-MARS-f-THEESATISFACTION.mp3
Stream Charlotte Gainsbourg's IRM
NPR is streaming Charlotte Gainsbourg’s Beck-produced/co-written album over at their First Listen site. It’s really good. Based loosely on health scares the singer/actress endured a few years back following a brain hemorrhage, IRM (MRI in French) is an atmospheric, murky and ebullient pop and electro-folk record that is every bit as good as, say, The Reminder by Feist. But also a little weirder and less defined than that album. Beck’s widescreen, motley sonic musings are unmistakable.
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I’ve seen a few of her movies, but I haven’t really listened to much of her music until now; IRM is technically her third album, following a 1986 duet album with her famous father and 2006′s 5:55. Given her pedigree and the collaborators she’s chosen in both her film and music career, it’s not too surprising that her output has been steadily intriguing. Did you guys see the insanely awesome video for “Heaven Can Wait”? Please watch it, it’s one of the best. EVER.
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Grand Hallway w/ Seattle Rock Orchestra @ Triple Door
Grand Hallway is an eight piece orchestral pop band from Seattle, Washington. Featuring singer/songwriter Tomo Nakayama (Asahi, Jen Wood Trio) and various members of local favorites Voyager One, the Maldives, Sleepy Eyes of Death, Widower, and Shenandoah Davis. By popular demand, Grand Hallway team up once again with the 50 piece Seattle Rock Orchestra and Perkins School Children’s Choir to bring you “Promenade” in its fullest form. It will also be the record release show for openers Mighty Tiger, who are putting out their debut album on Paper Garden Records. This is one show not to be missed. Last September’s GH+SRO event sold out weeks before the show, so be sure to buy your tickets in advance!!! www.thetripledoor.net
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Grand Hallway, w/ Seattle Rock Orchestra
Triple Door, Sat March 6, 7-11 all ages.
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UPDATE!!
SECOND SHOW ADDED: 21+ late show will start at 10PM and openers will be majestic folk duo Thousand.
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