Seattle Subsonic - June, 2011
Capitol Hill Block Party Day 1 – Friday July 22
It might seem early to some, but with less than a month until the Capital Hill Block Party (CHBP), I figure I’ll throw my two and a half cents in and plan something of that weekend. I’ve secured a pass thus, and the Friday off work. Now, I just need to decide what to do, where to go, who to see.
It’s a tough call. Some of the bands I’ve heard and seen before. Some I’ve just heard of. Others are a mystery. Case in point, Unknown Mortal Orchestra. I like to see bands I know next to nothing about other than perhaps one tune. I will admittedly listen to one song to make sure I’m in the ballpark for something decent, to make sure of the possibility that I may be inspired to write something about them later. So I listened to the first song on UMO’s Facebook page, “Ffunny Ffriends”. It isn’t the sonically best recording, but my guess is that’s intentional, and it suits them. It has enough umph and melody to make me think that live it will have a force they couldn’t capture in the studio. As I’ve said before, live is the thing. I hope so anyway as I’ve decided on them as my opening thing for this whole Block Party weekend. 4:15 – 4:45 – Neumos Stage – Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
I’ll wander after that. I’ve never been to the CHBP so the need to explore will be ever present. I’ll end up at some venue or other though. Perhaps, I’ll overhear some people talking, “Hey, you got to check this band out.” Perhaps, I’ll look for drink specials. Perhaps, I’ll spy me a beauty and go where she goes. That will all last until 7:45 though when, again, another band I know little of will take the stage. Elephant Rider. I listened to one song, and it rocks well. I know they will rock live. There’s a looseness to their energy that I like. 7:45 – 8:15 – Cha Cha Stage – Elephant Rider
I’ll be in the mood for some grub after that, and then I’ll do the obvious. The Head and The Heart. How could I not? Sure it figures to be crowded, and even though I tend to avoid crowds in general, it will be worth it. I’ve seen them once so I know the tunes, I have the CD, but I took notes that whole time at the Moore Theater. I scribbled and scribbled all the while missing nuances, and they have their nuances. This time, I’ll set my notebook aside and take it all in and see what remains in memory days after when I finally get to the writing of it. 9:15 – 10:15 – Main Stage – The Head and the Heart
Before seeing The Head and The Heart the first time, I listened to one song … and it got me
True, there are bands on later than 10:15, but it’ll be a tough call. When 10:15 rolls around, I could feel perfect, settled, or I could be in the mood for a kick in the ass to end the night. That one, we’ll play by ear, and head and heart of course.
Capitol Hill Block Party: Website | Tickets
Capitol Hill Block Party Day 1 – Friday July 22
Utopia / Dystopia
FUCK. YES. Modern music video-making at its peak (dig the nod to 2001: A Space Odyssey at the end):
YACHT Utopia / Dystopia (The Earth Is On Fire) from DFA Records on Vimeo.
Utopia and Dystopia (The Earth is on Fire) were filmed in Los Angeles, California, at Mad Dog Video. They were conceived & directed by Rene Daalder, and edited by Aaron Ohlmann. The special effects were animated and composited by visual artist Pascual Sisto, and the geodesic grid animation at the end of Utopia was created by Michael Young. John Allen was the director of photography, with additional camera by Gabriel Noguez, while Josh Pangell acted as key grip. J. Scott Teeples was Art Director. Icarus designed the sets, and Benjamin Ralston dressed them. Props were provided by Michael Sehnert. The inimitable Megan May Daalder was the production assistant and psychedelic mascot. Marissa Micik catered. All of this was produced by Rene Daalder & Aaron Ohlmann.
Both videos star Jona Becholt & Claire Evans, as well as the democratic dance collective Body City (Meagan Yellott, Lake Sharp, Cristina Paul, Alexis Hyman, Katie Bachler, and Annie O’Malley) and the Straight Gaze (Katy Davidson, Jeff Brodsky, and Rob Kieswetter). Clothes were provided by Rad Hourani, complexgeometries, and Native Son. Jewelry by Brook & Lyn. Hair and Styling by Ryann Bosetti.
Re: Maureen and Ish, The Full Interview
This is a few weeks old, but here’s the follow up to that teaser we had a little while back. The Maureen (who, according to Andrew Matson, is Sup Pop Vice President Megan Jasper’s mother) queries The Ish:
“Make sure you tell ‘em what you’re talkin’ about”
Little Beirut, Philosophy, The Lottery
I went to tbe Skylark Cafe last Saturday without knowing what or who I’d find. I was actually supposed to go downtown to see Soul Asylum at the Kingcat, but sometimes it’s just hard to make it downtown, and well in recent years, I prefer the smaller venues, the up and coming bands, the seat at the end of the bar with a good view of the stage and easy access to the bartender. True, I do catch some rough shows by just showing up to bars sometimes, those bands that should take more time practicing or figure out what they want to do before hitting the stage, but on the other hand, there are the nights of pleasant discovery. Saturday was one.
Little Beirut was up from Portland to play the middle slot which turned into the opening slot when some unknown Canadian outfit pulled out of the show. I got there just in time for the soundcheck which informed me I’d made the right choice for the evening. They played the first minute of a song that had a bit of power and a bit of pop edge, and a cool bass line. They stopped and after adjustments were made by the sound man, they played the first minute or so of another song that had bits of power pop and a little more edge.
“That’s all we have, ” the singer said when they stopped again, “just two short half songs. Thanks for coming out tonight.” There was some laughter from those already in the bar. “Oh, wait. You want more? Well, we’ll be back up here after a couple quick drinks.” And so there were a few drinks and some introductions between myself and the band, and before they went on, I was given a copy of their latest recording, Fear of Heaven, their third effort, on both CD and blue vinyl. The artwork was definitely cool, and they assured me they’d play the extended versions of the two half songs I’d already heard, both of which I now had on CD and vinyl.
The first of those tunes was “Last Light” which stands out in my mind of course for the bass line. The bass player, John Hulcher, is one of those guys that makes everything seem effortless. He had the expression of someone who if he looked down might be surprised to find a bass in his arms, to see his fingers moving of their own accord to make the sounds. Good player. Good tune. Good break near the end with just the guitars driving on the chords. It built up well from the rest of the song, not to a frenzy, but it built. They seemed to have the philosophy to err on the side of pop rather than rock, but it worked for them.
The other of those two half-soundcheck songs was “Armageddon Rag”. A quiet beginning, delayed guitars, soft vocal, and then of course, big chords that held on a note for a beat and then chunked again. It seemed like they might abandon their philosophy, but they held it in check. Perhaps it’s something akin to pop sensibility, something melodic and at times driven but never losing control. Again, it worked for them.
After the show, we hung outside behind the Skylark, and there was much smoking, most of which was cigarettes. There was a guy introduced to me as “The Fan”. I never got his name, but he was that as he went on about the show. The band went on about melody and finding bass players on Craig’s List, of beginning to age and having jobs and families but still trying to make a little magic on stage. They spoke of not being interested in guitar solos where chords would suffice. It was true, there was only one song that had anything approaching a solo. “That’s why we always play that one last,” I was told. It was on their second CD which someone then stuffed into my hands, “Here, it’s called ‘The Lottery’, track 5.” I counted down the song list, and there it was, track 5 indeed, “The Lottery”, the closing number, the one with the solo.
There were cheers after “The Lottery”, calls for more. They held to their philosophy though, just enough popsy rocking to build it up, but never too much. Again, it worked for them.
Little Beirut: website | myspace
Pop and Die Tour with Alabaster at El Corazon
One of my favorite local bands lately is Alabaster. I’ve seen them a few times now and to say it quite simply, you should too. Most recently was at The Showbox at Sodo where as evidenced by the photo the crowd was sizable and enthusiastic. For those with exceptionally discerning eyes, I can be seen in the photo way back by the bar drinking my tall $10.00 Bud Light and not minding at all that it cost $10.00 because Alabaster was playing. And there are few bands indeed that can make me content with a Bud Light.
Their next Seattle gig is for the Pop and Die Tour at El Corazon on July 19. They’ll be playing with New Years Day, The Material, and Goodnight Sunrise. Get there early though for Alabaster will be opening the show
Who: Alabaster
Where: El Corazon
When: Tuesday, July 19 7:00
Tickets: $10 ADV / $12 DOS or discounted here for $8.00
Supernauty at The 2 Bit Saloon
Geezer Butler was the first bass player I heard that made me want to play bass rather than guitar. It was the album that I still have on vinyl, Paranoid. Songs like “Iron Man” and “War Pigs” of course, but what really caught me was “Hand of Doom” and the simple power of those five notes played just so, lightly and then with much force. I love both the Ozzy and Dio forms of Sabbath, even the Ian Gillian version had some cool songs.
I am always curious thus when I hear about Black Sabbath cover bands, and it was no different when Seattle’s Supernauty came to my attention recently. I haven’t heard them, but I do of course know much of what they will play, and it’s damn near impossible to go wrong for an evening’s entertainment when the main thing is Sabbath riffs played loud.
Black Sabbath – Hand of Doom – Paris 1970
Also on the bill are Exit To Main, Dead Language, Dave & Confused(SF)
Who: Supernauty Exit To Main, Dead Language, Dave & Confused(SF)
Where: 2 Bit Saloon
When: Friday, July 8 8:00
Eighteen Individual Eyes at The Comet July 6
Not long ago, I saw Eighteen Individual Eyes at The Comet and was suitably impressed to see them a week later at the EMP. They are alluring, subtle, delicate, and yes powerful too, the kind of music that doesn’t blow you away so much as seep quietly in until you say, “Hmm, that’s pretty cool,” and then makes you see them only a week later at the EMP. Good stuff.
Also on the bill are The Bruises (from San Francisco) and Debutante Year.
Who: Eighteen Individual Eyes The Bruises, Debutante Year
Where: The Comet
When: Wednesday July 6 9:00
Tickets: $6.00
Wine, Women, and Song at The Neptune Saturday July 9
Wine, Women, and Song
What’s not to like about all three?
The Wine: There will be a wine tasting prior to the women and the song with the wines coming from such regional (and female) winemakers/owners as Sonoris Wines, Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, Baer Winery, Bergevin Lane Vineyards, Guardian Cellars, Hightower Cellars, Sleight of Hands Cellars, and possibly more. I’m more typically a beer guy myself, but I appreciate a nice glass of red now and again … and again, and tasting wines that are probably well out of my price range is always a good thing.
UPDATE: I had the opportunity last week to meet with Hillary Sjolund, owner/winemaker of Sonoris Wines. She was kind enough to come to my little apartment with a bottle of red and a bottle of white. The red was a Cabernet Sauvignon blend, Burney’s Blend after her grandfather, and is the debut wine for Sonoris. We spent about two hours together, and in between talk of starting a new company (Sonoris is brand spanking new), age and aging and breathing (humans and wine), winemaking and writing as comparative art forms, and wine itself as a medicinal thing, we drank Burney’s Blend. It’s a little woody at first, just a little, and the longer it sits, the more of the fruit elements will come out. It’s smooth and yummy and everything a wine that will retail for about $40.00 should be, and it has a touch of what Sjolund described the “peanut butter effect”. It will stay in the mouth and make you want to lick your chops. As for me, it just made me want to drink more. And I did. Try this wine for sure on the 9th.
The Women: In addition to the female winemakers/owners, there will be female singer/songwriters, and this is where the evening starts to really get interesting with such Northwest talents as Star Anna, Kim Virant (of Lazy Susan), Barbara Ireland and others on hand and performing “their favorite songs by women artists that have Inspired and Influenced them.” Virant, Anna, and Ireland were all on last year’s Wine, Women, and Song bill. Ireland did an interesting version of “White Rabbit” (always a favorite cover of mine to play) which has me a little eager to see what she’ll arrange or rearrange for the show this year.
Star Anna is a name I’ve only recently come across, but everything I hear is great. She was even kind enough to send me a copy of her second CD, and I must say her voice captures. That’s the simplest way to put it, and that voice is the reason for me this show is a must see. Last year, she did “Wish I was the Moon” and to hear her sing “I’m so lonely, and I wish I was the moon tonight” tingles the spine, raises hairs on the arms, and that’s even without any wine in me at the moment. Perhaps, it’s time for a bottle of red.
The Song: Missing from this year’s list of artists is one of my local favorites, Kristen Ward, but she did this gem last year which is a good indication that with all the wine to be drunk …uh, I mean “tasted” … and all the singing and playing women on hand, there will be more such gems this year.
In the moment though, I’ll pop the cork on a bottle of Wild Horse 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (the bottle of Burney’s Blend is unfortunately empty) and keep hitting replay on that Star Anna video. “I wish I was the moon tonight.”
Indeed.
Who: Wine, Women, and Song featuring Star Anna, Barbara Ireland, Carla Torgerson of The Walkabouts, Kim Virant, Victoria Wimer Contreras & friends backed by the house band which includes locals Justin Davis, Chris Friel, Leif Andersen, Robert Mitchell, Travis Yost, William Stover and Miles Ward.
Where: The Neptune
When: Saturday July 9 7:00
Tickets: $25.00 21+ buy online
Wine, Women, and Song at The Neptune July 9
Who: Wine, Women, and Song featuring Star Anna, Barbara Ireland, Carla Torgerson of The Walkabouts, Kim Virant, Victoria Wimer Contreras & friends backed by the house band which includes locals Justin Davis, Chris Friel, Leif Andersen, Robert Mitchell, Travis Yost, William Stover and Miles Ward.
Where: The Neptune
When: Saturday July 9 7:00
Tickets: $25.00 21+ buy online
Wine, Women, and Song
What’s not to like about all three?
