Seattle Subsonic - April, 2010
Trainwrecked!
As Butts would say, I’m hung OVER. Here are 90 seconds of Puberty playing at Trainwreck last night. It’s only 90 seconds because I was standing on a chair cuz there were so many flipping people there and I couldn’t see even though I was standing on a flipping chair. Here’s to low quality internet clutter! They sounded extremely tight, by the way (pretty much like the Intelligence, but tight nonetheless). I really hope they release some recordings.
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The party, if you care, was extremely fun: 70 percent of the people were dressed in shipwreck sailor (this night’s theme) attire and I literally—LITERALLY—could not go to the bar without having a lengthy conversation with a complete stranger; and all friendly, too (except the super-wasted 50 year old woman who touched my face and called me “young” and “pretty”, that one was weird). DJ Porq and Ade (ah-day) were off the hook as well. Reserve your summer Thursdays now! More pics here.
Cock & Swan’s (un)Recognition
Maybe I haven’t been paying attention (which…c’mon), but there seems to be a dearth of good bedroom electronica here in the ol’ Puget Sound region. Am I wrong? I suppose there’s the current curl of the semi-experimental chillwavers, spearheaded locally by the likes of U.S.F., Alaskas, and Big Spider’s Back. But to me, that aesthetic represents a more freak-folkish/glo-fi means to a parallel end (think Strawberry Jam or Psychic Chasms). Cock & Swan, whose avian name—I’ll admit—excites me, just might have something unique and worth recognition on their new record Unrecognize.
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Granted, there are bands I’m reminded of upon first and second listens: Portishead, the Notwist, Neulander, Broadcast. Hell, even “Sunset Burns” has a stuttered, 8-bit Truckasauras quality to it. (FWIW, the band likens themselves to Boards of Canada and Mum). But as with every quality outfit, Cock & Swan mostly just sound like themselves. Johnny Goss and Ola Hungerford are the sidekicks behind the sounds and the two make fine use of soporific, squiggly synths, blurry and beguiling vocals, lonely guitar pluckings, patchwork electro touches, and the omnipresent ghostly undercurrent. Also, it’s a bit witchy. In sound, mostly; take a closer look at Hungerford’s winsome poems and they’re really not so spooky.
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The Bothell-based band mostly keeps to a patient, Tortoise-like pace, save for some spirited moments in “Morning’s Window” and “One Hundred”. Standout track “Goldmine” is buoyed by a fuzzed-out funk of a bass line and synthesizers that crackle like a midnight fire. Hungerford’s wrinkled whisper goes on for miles: “clouds are only part of the sky / skies are really clouds / don’t stay up waiting for the sun / it’s way across the universe”. On “I Let Me In”, Goss’ guitar resembles a requiem from a Spanish dungeon, while a sinister synth line bubbles in the background. And “Remember Sweet” is so woozy and bewildering that you’ll probably forget just how sweet it was.
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The album, densely packed with fifteen buzzing tracks, is cozy and eerie all at the same time. Especially the final 50 seconds, where Hungerford’s childlike chanting is hauntingly severed from the music. The band’s own co-op label, Dandelion Gold, released Unrecognize last week, and the release show is Saturday, April 10th at Ruby Restaurant on University Way. It’s free.
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Listen:
New Band of Horses Video is NOT Boring
I didn’t care much for the album art gracing Band of Horses‘ new one, Infinite Arms. This new video for “Compliments”, to the contrary, is NOT boring. Also, I think it’s telling me to be nice and that God is nature; or, rather, nature is God. I’m cool with that.
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There’s an unforeseen boot-stompin’ to this tune that gives me good hope that their third record won’t be a dud. Cheers to that.
I am in Love with Nightmare Air. I am not gonna lie.
On Hiatus from Los Angeles’s FILM SCHOOL, David Dupuis and James Smith have crafted a new project which exploits theirs, and bassist/vocalist Swaan Miller’s, love for British influenced, rhythm driven, guitar experimenting Post Pop. Crafting off influences such as Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins, Ride, My Bloody Valentine, and TV on the Radio, this three piece builds such Sonic walls that its baffling to hear their live shows recreate such massive undertakings.
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Live, Nightmare Air is a extreme contrast of frenetic energy and smooth calm. David’s and James’s Seasoning with FILM SCHOOL shine while the tender doe-like innocence of Swaan’s bass floats gingerly as her velvety voice blankets over David’s vocal mania. Nightmare Air returns pop sensibilities to space rock, a scene that has pretty much isolated itself into absolute self obsessed obscurity; a fresh breath of air into the catatonic ideology.
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Give this a listen!
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NIGHTMARE AIR IS taking a six month residence in Seattle. If you get a chance, go check it out. Well worth the price of admission.
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Greg Attonito et al @ Healthy Times Fun Club
| Thursday, April 1, 2010 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
It seems of late that it has been all the rage for rock artists to pick up an acoustic guitar and tour small DIY spaces and venues. While not everyone can pull it off, there are a select few who have flourished at it. And, somehow, we are lucky enough to get three artists of that ilk on one bill this coming Thursday.
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Thursday, April 1
Vic Ruggiero (of the Slackers)
Greg Attonito (of the Bouncing Souls) w/ Shanti Wintergate
Kepi Ghoulie (of the Groovie Ghoulies)
Jefferson Deathstar (Ryan from the Damage Done)
Megabog
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$5, 8pm, at Healthy Times Fun Club on Capitol Hill! ALL AGES!
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You’ll notice that Vic Ruggiero wasn’t on the flier, but he has been added to the group of touring bands, so we get the opportunity to see another great artists on what was already a great bill!
Spoon @ the Moore
| Friday, April 9, 2010 | ||
| 6:30 pm | ||
| Saturday, April 10, 2010 | ||
| 6:30 pm |
Spooooooooooon!!!!
I’ve been a fan since inception and some stupid crap ALWAYS comes up to get in the way of me seeing Spoon play. Finally with 2 nights in Seattle, nothing can go wrong….
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* Warning* Shows at the Moore tend to start RIGHT at posted times (6:30 in this case) so I’d suggest keeping that in mind while you’re pre-funkin.
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Fri, Apr 9 at the Moore 6:30
Sat, Apr 10 at the Moore 6:30
Redwood Plan @ Sunset
| Saturday, April 17, 2010 | ||
| 10:00 pm |
As is often the case with my recommendations, this is bill’s highlight isn’t the headline but rather the opening band, Redwood Plan. Powerful dancy hooks and rumbling bass-driven rhythm. This 4 piece fronted by Lesli Wood is a perfect party and wouldn’t you know, you’re invited!
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Eugene Wendell and The Demon Rind
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Sat 04/17 10pm:
$8 / Buy tickets HERE
Whore Moans and Virgin Islands @ Sunset
| Friday, April 16, 2010 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
Frenzied will not begin to describe how this night will unfold. The sheer amount of energy pent up in these 4 bands is honestly cause for alarm. I’d suggest fueling with straight bourbon. That should get you through it
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Fri 04/16 9pm:
$8 / Buy tickets HERE
Little Cuts and Ravenna Woods @ Sunset for KEXP Audioasis
| Saturday, April 3, 2010 | ||
| 8:30 pm |
We’ve been touting Ravenna Woods a bunch lately and considering that they’re OPENING this show should speak volumes of what’s in store (They headline the Tractor later this month) I caught Little Cuts play a make-up session here at the Sunset after they bagged on a show at the Comet due to an injury. It was Seattle All-Star rock and Roll at it’s finest and was well worth the wait. With a lineup like this, it’s going to be easy to stack some dough for the Audioasis charity this month.
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and DJ Hannah Levin
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$7 advance tickets HERE / $8 day of show. This show benefits Artist Trust
Creativity matters. Artist Trust invests in creativity one artist at a time. Since 1986 Artist Trust has distributed over seven million dollars in grants, resources and career training to thousands of our states most promising and interesting musicians, writers, performers, and artists working across all disciplines. Does creativity matter to you? Get involved.
Ravenna Woods @ the Tractor
| Wednesday, April 28, 2010 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
“If you were in a cult and you wanted a soundtrack for your seaside bonfire and kool-aid party, I would recommend you hire Ravenna Woods. Only don’t pay them in punch, we are going to want them around for a while” -Fobbs
For more on what makes Ravenna Woods one of our newest Subsonic favorites click here.
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Charge: $6
Buy Tickets
Time: 9pm
Ponys @ the Tractor
| Tuesday, April 27, 2010 | ||
| 9:00 pm |
Indie garage rock at the Tractor! The Pony’s are on a limited tour spanning only 7 dates. Catch ‘em again while you can.
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Charge: $10adv/$12dos ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Buy Tickets
Time: 9p – 21+
