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The High Dive Celebrates Six Years of Music
This weekend, to be clear, this entier weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday The High Dive will be hosting some of the best up and coming Bands in the North West, covering a few different genres.
First up on Friday night, get ready to have your senses rocked with Hounds of The Wild Hunt ( Formally The Whoremoans) Shim, and Hobosexual. It will be one exciting night of rock infused punk that will make you bang your head and pump your fist in the air. Drink whiskey during these sets. Trust me. Now if this is not quite your scene Saturday night will be a whole different line up of greatness. Pickwick, Kelli Schaefer, and The Legendary Oaks will all take the stage this night. Come ready to dance your ass off for Pickwick, they will make you sweat with their brand of Blues/Funk/Rock They played to a sold out crowd at the Tractor a month ago, and it was Amazing. Kelli Schaefer will make the room fall silent with her beautiful songs, then blow them away with her full out Rock and Roll.
If you are still not satisfied with these two line ups, Sunday night there will be a Benefit for Rob Sydow The High Dive’s sound man, Virgin, The Filthy None, DJ Taco Supreme will be playing that night and all sales from Sunday nights show will go towards helping Rob Sydow with medical bills. Ticket’s will be at the door with a suggested donation of 20$.
Whew! that is a ton of music and fun in three days.
Friday and Saturday nights show’s are sure to sell out, So get your tickets now…
April 22nd
Shim, Hounds of the Wild Hunt, Hobosexual
Get your tickets here - http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/164496
April 23rd
Pickwick, Kelli Schaefer, and The Legendary Oaks!
Get your tickets here – http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/164499
The High Dive is the place to be.
This Thursday Night the High Dive is hosting some of the best upcoming acts in Seattle right now. Bryan John Appleby, Young Lions, Fort Union, and Widower. WOW! New comers Fort Union, who consits of members of GoldFinch and former members of Friday mile will be celebrating the release of their newly release Single ” Solstice Day Parade” which you can listen to HERE Also celebrating a new release will be Young Lions, who just finished recording with Seattles own Grammy winner Kory Kruckenberg which you can listen to HERE To top off the night will be Bryan John Appleby who is one hell of a singer song writer watch this video to see what I am talking about http://vimeo.com/15634254 and Widower who’s main man Kevin Large is also in Grand Hallway and has another show that night with his Tom Petty Cover band, music will start promptly after 8pm and you do not want to miss Widower or any of the band’s on the evening’s bill.
Come out!
Thursday 3/31: The Young Lions, Bryan John Appleby, Fort Union, Widower – 8pm/ $7
Kelli Schaefer Album Release @ CCT
This Friday make no other plans. You will want to be down at Columbia City Theater for Kelli Schaefer. She will be releasing her debut full length record (on a 12″ limited edition white vinyl) “ Ghost of A Beast”. Also available at the release show is a white and pink splattered vinyl record for just a few extra bucks. Its totally worth the few extra, as it’s a beautiful piece of vinyl.
If you have never hear Kelli check out the video below. She is one hell of a singer, her song’s will send chills down you, and for some bring a tear to your eye. Her song’s are so deeply personal and touching, add in the fact that she singing at the top of her lungs and playing an electric guitar and you have one hell of a female lead. This will be the best show of the weekend. Joining her for the night will be Joseph Giant, and Ships.
Tickets are still available, but its sure to sell out! get them while you can. They are only 8 bucks!
Friday Feb 25th 9pm
Kelli Schaefer
Joseph Giant
Ships
Campfire Ok’s Album Release
Saturday night’s show at Columbia City Theater is the stuff dreams are made of. With a line up of some of my favorite bands in Seattle right now and a sold out crowd that was actually listening, it was damn near a perfect night. Koko and The Sweetmeats opened the night with a cover of Campfire OK’s “Strange Like We Are” doing it solo and on a electric guitar. It was a pretty rad move. After Koko, one of my favorite musicians and voices right now, Bryan John Appleby, came out and played one hell of a set. Doing a few of his songs solo he captivated an audience. When he brought out his full band he blew the room away. During “Cliffs along the Sea” Tony Kevin Jr. graced the stage to sing back up. It’s great seeing this community of talented people come together on stage. I predict big things from Bryan this year. He is set to release a full length album later this summer and I for one am really looking forward to that.
As Campfire OK came out on to the stage the the room filled. This was the first time many people would be seeing this band. Having played almost no shows as they worked on this album there was excitement to finally see this band. With KEXP playing the title track from the record and a few videos floating around the internet, the buzz behind the band was a lot to live up too. They exceeded all of my expectations. They had this set nailed down. It’s rare when a band can take the sound from the album and translate it to the stage or vice versa, but Campfire OK has done it. They played one hell of a tight set, and enjoyed every minute of it. This is a band that has worked very hard for a night like this. Even going as far as setting up a whole new lighting set up for their performance.
They did an amazing job and it showed, the crowd was hanging on every song always ready for more. They ended the night with an acoustic performance even going as far as to sing to the room without mics. This is really one of the only places in town that you could see something like this. Not too many other venues or crowds for that matter can handle someone singing and playing guitar with out being plugged in. It was truly one of the best nights of the year. I look forward to seeing more of Campfire OK. Who knows what they have up their sleeves next.
A Community Coming Together To Help
The other night one of the NW’s best artists and close friend, Drew Grow was in a car accident. He got pretty banged up suffering from multiple broken bones and requiring surgery. While he will heal, it will take a lot of money to pay for doctors bills as well as finding a new van for him and The Pastors’ Wives to go out on the road with, to distribute their music. Within hours of hearing this news the local Seattle music community came together and set up not ONE but THREE benefit shows and a donation fund to help out one of its own in a time of need. I have never experienced something like this. It is pretty amazing. If you have ever met Drew or been to one of his soul raising concerts and want to help out, please do.
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Update Benefits Information (current as of 1/16/11):
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Donate to Drew NOW via PayPal
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* January 21st – See Me River, Big Sur & Special Guests – The Comet (Drew was originally scheduled to headline this show but a special guest will be stepping in for the Pastors’ Wives)
* February 18th – Portland Cello Project with Shenandoah Davis – The Woods (Portland)
* February 19th – The Maldives, Kevin Murphy (of The Moondoggies), Mychal Benjamin Goodweather (of Campfire OK), Jake Hemming & many more / Plus a Silent Auction – Columbia City Theater
* March 2nd – Benefit Show – Doug Fir (Portland)
* April 1st – Benefit Show – The Comet
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Bootstraps from Dylan Priest on Vimeo.
Damien Jurado, Widower & Tony Kevin Jr @ Columbia City Theater
Friday nights line up at Columbia City Theater (CCT) was the stuff dreams are made of. The night started off right with Tony Kevin Jr. Tony really commands a room with his large folk songs and heartfelt lyrics.
He handled himself well in front of the sold out crowd when he broke a string in his first song with his full band. Having to borrow a guitar, which was then a left handed guitar belonging to Kevin Large. It didn’t seem to faze him at all. Once it was all sorted out the show went on. He was joined for a few songs by Melodie Knight, She is an amazing singer. I have a feeling that she will be one of the singers most collaborated with in 2011.
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Next up was Widower, Which is Kevin Large playing some of the best and saddest country songs you will ever hear. Kevin played an amazing set, even having the lovely Kaylee Cole on stage to help him sing “Come Monday 
Morning” and a few others. When Damien Jurado confessed that the first two songs he played he had just written that day I was blown away. This was my first time seeing Damien and I was completely drawn in by his songs. Playing with his full band, which was just about all of Kay Kay and his Weathered underground, and Sam Anderson. He played through most of his Saint Bartlett album. Damien talked a bit about how nervous he was to be playing for Seattle. “Playing in Seattle is like your first kiss. What if my lip gets caught in her braces?” The rest of his set it seemed like he truly enjoyed it though. Pretty much rocking out from the chair he was seated on.
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The whole night was a testament to the local folk/indie music scene in Seattle right now, it felt like a huge community on Friday, loads of familiar faces and a crowd that was completely respectful of the music. Not a soul could be heard talking during any of the nights three acts. That’s something that very rarely happens.
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See all the photos HERE
Two Nights Of Shows, Three Great Bands
I headed out to Neumos for two nights in a row this week. I caught a few amazing acts. The first night was compromised of joshua Morrison, Sharon Van Etten, and Junip. For those unfimilar with Junip it is the full band project from Jose Gonzalez ( Listen : Heartbeats ) While Joshua Morrison and crew put on a fantastic set, Sharon Van Etten (pictured) took my breath away. She was amazing, not even needing her backing band as she played a few solo songs. Her voice was just incredible. She seemed a bit shy and awkward in between songs, but that all disappeared once she starting singing. Pouring her heart and soul into the songs, it was truly touching.
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Following her set Junip came out and played most of their new album “Fields” I was expecting a very subdued set as the record is great but doesn’t seem to blow you away. Performed live however and the songs transform becoming so much fuller. At one point during the set they had a musical interlude that lasted a few mins, It was an amazing wall of sound. Jose Gonzalez was great to watch, he is a fantastic guitar player, and that voice! 
so smooth. If his vocals are not filtered at all I am impressed. It was clear that he had a love for playing these songs to a crowd, always smiling and at times forgetting when to come in on his songs. Though no one seemed to care. It was a great crowd, not too much chatting during the sets save for the few reeeaaally drunk guys near the front. When Junip or Sharon come back through town make sure to catch them. It’s worth it.
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On to Thursday night. There is not to much to mention about the first two opening bands, other than an extremely long name, not even kidding “Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin” while I can see a need for them at a Super Sweet Sixteen I was not really into it. The Lonely Forest however came and rocked the place out. They were kicking off their newest tour here in Seattle, where they haven’t played in awhile. They got a great start, playing through loads of their next album, fan favorites of the night included “turn off this song and go outside” and “I don’t want to live there” sing alongs were had! We were lucky enough also to get a few songs from “We sing the Body Electric” , “We sing in time” and a very short version of “Stick Upon Stick” since he forgot how to play it. They were full of energy jump and singing as loud as they could, even a stage dive and a smashed instrument. The crowd was loving it, dancing,singing, and enjoying one of the best bands to come out of Seattle.
Drew Grow and The Pastors’ Wives Make The World A Better Place
Last night at the Columbia City Theater Drew Grow and The Pastors’ Wives had their vinyl release show. Thats right vinyl, not CD (more on that in a bit).The Crowd went silent as they took the stage, most people there had seen them perform before. Some had even come prepared with extra tissues to wipe their eyes. Seeing Drew Grow and The Pastors’ Wives play is seeing a band bare their soul on stage. I find it hard to put into words what their live show is like, its just very personal. Every song comes from the heart. To have a Seattle crowd just shut up and listen just shows you how they move their audience. Playing mostly songs from their new Self titled release while sprinkling in a few old favorites they never missed a beat, and kept everyone there wanting more. The highlight of the evening was Drew’s solo performance of “Premonition”(see an Iphone video of that HERE). He never sang into the microphone during the whole song he just belted out the lyrics, and the crowd sang right back at him for the back up lyrics. It was truly one of the most moving moments of this year in music for me. Also during the set the stage was graced by Kelli Schaefer and Shenandoah Davis, Kelli came in to sing back up vocals on a few songs while Shenandoah brought her accordion and played piano on a few songs. They were a wonderful added bonus to the nights already stellar performance.
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So as i mentioned before, they were celebrating the release of their new record on vinyl. The limited Self Titled album that was released on Amigo/Amiga records, which is Jeremiah Haydens label (he is their drummer), came on White vinyl. It is a beautiful record. As of this time there are no plans (to my knowledge) to release it on CD though the vinyl does come with the digital download card which also comes with two extra songs. Having the album only on vinyl might turn off some people from buying it, but it shouldn’t. This is the best way to listen to this record. Most of the tracks were recorded in Drew’s home studio aka his basement/living room/kitchen. The way it was recorded and put out into the world really speaks to the music itself. Their gritty rock and gospel sound, I would like to think of it as “Epic Alt Gospel” are made that much better by the quality of the vinyl. This is an album you want to listen to on high in your headphones. You can order a copy HERE.
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If you missed this show and want to see them play, they are doing another album release show in their hometown of Portland,OR on September 24th @ Mississippi Studios, Opening that show will be The Head and The Heart and Fences. This is a show really worth driving down to Portland for. More info and to get tickets to that show go HERE
Doe Bay Fest Should Just Be Called Heaven
I was looking for adventure, and it came in the form of a last minute opportunity to go and volunteer at the 3rd annual Doe Bay Fest out on Orcas Island. For those not in the know about this festival, it is two full days of music and fun set to the back drop of the beautiful Doe Bay Resort & Retreat.
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Having been to many music festivals this summer and in the past, I was completely blown away by Doe Bay. While Capitol Hill Block Party was, well, just a big fucking party with terrible sound, Doe Bay had something like 700 people drinking, singing along and just enjoying themselves without being complete jackasses. It was refreshing. The sound from the main stage was just perfect. The stage sits in a natural amphitheater and the sound travels through the grounds so that you can hear the bands play perfectly from anywhere.
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Highlights from the main stage were, Hey Marseilles, The Maldives (who have played all three years), Drew Grow and The Pastors’ Wives, Grand Hallway, and the Portland Cello Project who did an amazing job on their own, but also accompaniment to most of the bands that played this year. Truly impressive.
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After the main stage shuts down for the evening, things go inside. There is a cafe and yoga studio at the resort where the after party shows start. The cafe is a great place to sit and listen to some of the performers play acoustic sets, while the yoga studio is a sweltering hot mess of bodies and dancing. At one point my camera fogged up from the steam in there.
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My two favorite acts and performances of the weekend were The Head and The Heart set and Drew Grow and the Pastors Wives with Kelli Schaefer in the yoga studio. This was really their fest this year. Both acts just blew everyone away with their fantastic music and just plain kindness. At Doe Bay everyone is just one big family.
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Sunday was the best day to have been there. Most of the crowds left to battle with the Ferries for a ride home, while the rest of us stayed and just relaxed. There was even a slip ‘n’ slide set up by Chris and Kenny of The Head and The Heart. It was the perfect way to cool down on a hot Doe Bay day.
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Sunday night was just a jam session by the remaining musicians. We were all hanging around the Sound on the Sound kids’ camp site playing music and singing along with Drew Grow and The Head and the Heart and Hey Marseilles. I even heard a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” that Kelli Schaefer did acapella. It was the best evening I have had in a long, long time.
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Doe Bay, you have truly impressed me with the people I met, new friends I made, and beautiful music I heard. I will be going back for years to come.
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If you want to check it out next year, make sure to get your tickets early. It sold out in 10 days this year. I am sure it will take even less next year.
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A video from the Yoga studio
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Drew Grow and The Pastors’ Wives with Shenandoah Davis, and Kelli Schaefer from Dylan Priest on Vimeo.
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See more Videos here. http://vimeo.com/user4534866/videos
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See more Photos here. http://is.gd/enTfq
The Best Venue You Have Yet To Go To
I got the chance this past week to get a behind the scenes tour of the newly revamped Columbia City Theater. Kevin Sur, resident booker and historian, and Abbey Simmons, press relations, gave me the low-down on the Theater, where it’s been, and where it’s heading.
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“The Columbia City Theater was built in 1917 and is the oldest vaudeville theater in the state of Washington. Having played a major role in the Seattle Jazz boom in the 40′s, the theater played host to the likes of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Fats Waller.” [taken from Columbia City's website] It’s reportedly one of the first venues at which Jimmy Hendrix performed in the 1960s.
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The current owners, CB Shamah and Rob Hillman, were originally looking to open a bar. They wanted a place that could house fun and unique events. They found out the theater was for sale, and brought on Kevin Sur to take on the task of putting together one of the finest music venues in town—and he succeeded. After about five months of renovations and updates, the Columbia City Theater now hosts a beautiful stage—the type with deep red curtains and fantastic moldings that really makes you feel like you are watching a show back in the vaudeville days. The lighting in the theater is beautiful as well, using old halogen bulbs instead of L.E.D.s (which many venues use), lending a wonderful warmth to the space.
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Jim Anderson (of The Crocodile fame) was brought in to handle sound for the remodeled theater. He came in with a different, “less is more” approach, and he was able to get the best sound I have heard in Seattle. The room was built with such great acoustics that it does not take much to get optimal sound in the place. Just two main speakers and four massive subs fill your ears with the beauty of the music and nothing else.
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Kevin has put together one of the finest places for touring musicians to have a chance to play. The Theater now boasts a full bath and shower—and for anyone who has been on the road touring, there is nothing like a shower to make you feel human again. They also have two great green rooms for artists to relax in. Perfect places to kick back and forget the troubles of the road.
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One of the best things that I got a chance to see and learn was the Theater’s recording studio. Gary Mula, who used to be over at The Dutchman (which was home to many early Sub Pop bands like Mudhoney, and Soundgarden) runs the studio Sunday through Thursday, enabling the Theater to offer any musicians who play there a live recording. I had the chance to hear a few tracks from the recent Maldives show, which sounded great, since they have multi-track recording built right into the sound board. In the future, they plan to release more live recordings and even DVDs of live performances.
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With a fantastic D.I.Y approach to space and sound, the guys and girls over at the Columbia City Theater are ushering in a new era to the local music scene. If you have yet to catch a show there, they have plenty of great artists coming up. Head over to their website to find out more about upcoming shows and events.
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Big thanks to Abbey and Kevin for Showing me around!
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The Maldives Blow My Mind Performing “Riders of the Purple Sage”
Seriously.
“I have never been sucked into a silent film like that before.”
“I was totally enthralled.”
“I really need to have that soundtrack!”
These were my conversations after the show.
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The Maldives played amazingly scoring the “Riders Of The Purple Sage” like it was a modern day western. With theme songs for the characters and long winding epics that were the perfect back drop for revenge on the open range. I was truly impressed by this and wish I could have stayed for the 9:30pm show as well. I did find it hard to follow the movie at points. The music would just pull you in and you would forget that the film was still going but that’s just me. The movie was great though. It had everything a Western should. Quick-draw cowboys, numerous outlaws and villains, a cattle stampede, and an avalanche. Yeah an avalanche. I Would say the whole experience was one not to be missed. I hope SIFF does more of these in the future. Live music to a silent film is amazing. I know that Steven Merritt is going to be performing to “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea” on June 9th. Go to that one.
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The Maldives Perform Riders of the Purple Sage @ The Triple Door
Local boys The Maldives are going to perform a movie score the way a movie score should be played. Live during the film. I have always been a fan of live music accompaniment to films. Without music, movies would be boring. Having a fantastic live band perform for you while you watch an old film takes that film to a whole new level.
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“The Maldives have been breaking hearts and melting faces with their Northwestern brand of country rock since 2006. Their music is made of blue jeans and brown beards, fiddle tunes, and moonshine. They will provide musical accompaniment for cowboy legend Tom Mix’s silent 1925 film, “Riders of the Purple Sage”. Adapted from the sensational novel by Zane Grey (1911), this 1925 silent film is a consistently action-packed Western featuring quick-draw cowboys, numerous outlaws and villains, a cattle stampede, and an avalanche. Tom Mix plays easterner Jim Carson who reinvents himself as cowboy Jim Lassiter when he learns that his sister Millie and niece Bess have been kidnapped by dastardly lawyer Lew Walters and his cronies. Lassiter devotes himself to hunting the fiends down, and after several years on the trail, he comes across Walter’s three henchmen in a frontier saloon and kills them all in a gun duel. With the help of ranch owner Miss Jane Withersteen, Lassiter learns that Millie is dead but continues his quest to catch up with the wicked Lew Walters and rescue Bess from whatever fate may have befallen her. Maldives front man Jason Dodson explains, “There’s a band from the late ‘60s called ‘New Riders Of The Purple Sage’ that Mayor McGinn compared us to at his inauguration, which was a big influence on our selection!”
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This will be some great fun.
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Get your tickets for one of the TWO shows that night HERE.
Thanks to SIFF for putting this out there. I WANT MORE.
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The Maldives perform “Riders of the Purple Sage” @ The Triple Door
May 25, 2010 7:00 PM and May 25, 2010 9:30 PM
Tickets are 16$ in advance.
