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42 Listens – REVERB has the new local sound.
REVERB, the Seattle Weekly’s music blog, has been one of the city’s biggest advocates of local artists for years. At the beginning of this month they gathered samples from 42 local artist and label releases they reviewed and put them in one place for you to get serious earful for the latest sound here in the “City of Music”. It will take the better part of your day to listen to them all but what do you really have better to do.. work?
If you want to save time, here are a few that stuck with me. There’s a link at the bottom for you to enjoy them all. -it’s worth it.
REVERB highlights – Metal Chocolates
Come out early on Sat, Oct 8th to catch Metal Chocolates set the Sunset Tavern into a moody psychedelic spin. The experimental hip hop duo consists of Ric Rude also known keep a smooth beat for Fresh Espresso, and OCnotes who is rumored to be straight dope. It’ll slide the day into a perfect groove. Check track #2 Opium of Love below and you’ll see what I mean.
REVERB Festival, your best spent $10 – ever.
It’s been years since Seattle’s sound was something that could be easily defined. Artists throughout the Emerald City vary so greatly, there is no longer a single unifying -or flannel- element. You’ll find influences immigrating here from the entire nation, joining the local talent and expanding the “scene” to form distinct pockets of creativity. We have throwback punk bands like Virgin Islands, folk-pop like Gold Leaves, whimsical rockers the likes of Spurm, and New Jack Swing stylings of Mash Hall. How can you ever hope to get an handle on it all?
Well, Next Saturday, Oct 8th, all of these different avenues of Seattle’s sound converge onto one spot for the single most categorical experience of local music, Seattle Weekly’s REVERB Festival.
This is one day I look forward to most every year. It’s not because the bands showcased are the hottest or the biggest the city has to offer, but because its a chance to see the roots of the industry. To see OUR local bands spilling their guts out for our pleasure. These are the bands that keep Seattle music evolving and revered nationwide. Every year, REVERB Festival crashes into the sleepy little condo villa of Ballard and draws heavily on it’s stockpile of venues, even expanding into neighborhood restaurants and infiltrating the mysterious Eagle’s hall.
A mere $10 gets you an all access pass to the 69 bands performing at 9 venues throughout the neighborhood. You can find a handy-dandy map with band listings on the REVERB site. This year, I feel there is much more integration of styles at each venue. You can find the hip-hop of Dyme Def and lo-fi of Witch Gardens happening on the stage at the NY Fashion Academy. PartMan PartHorse mostly naked punk rockers will be sharing the same dark corner in the Sunset Tavern as the psychedelic rappers Metal Chocolates. I dig this melding of genre, twisting even what is considered normal for a venue. Plus there is the distinct possibility I can plant my ass in just one spot for the day and take in all the city has to offer.
By the way, all of the bands mentioned above can be found playing the festival. You can get your tickets for the Seattle Weekly REVERB Festival here, or you can get wristbands day-of at the info booth or at any of the venues just before their first show.
Remember Reggie…?
Ex-Seattle Rennaissance man, Reggie Watts, has put his mark on over a dozen local bands but is probably known best as the lead vocalist for Maktub (and my favorite- Das Root). Watts been stirring up the music/comedy/visual arts scene in NYC for the past 7 years and has begun turning his talents into straight dolla dolla bills. Check out this great promo he did for Nando’s Restaurants. Consider it the tip of Reggie’s iceberg of skills.
If you dig, you’ve got a chance to see the miracle worker himself perform at the newly renovated Neptune venue in the U-District on Aug 21. (tix here!)
Gritty blues on the cheap tonight with C-Leb and the Kettle Black (7/27)
With their first LP just over the horizon, C-Leb and the Kettle Black have ground their grimey sound to a fine jagged edge. Fans of the site (all 6 of you) may may be more familiar with C-Leb’s electronica based works with the likes of A-Bro. I can assure you that this is a totally new creature. The music is inspired by 30′s and 40′s blues artists and infused with some more modern electric riffs and backed with the gruff whiskey-soaked vocals C-leb himself .
CL&TKB open the night taking the stage at 9:00 sharp. Tix are only $6. Lets party!
See you there.
Amy Winehouse Dies at 27
Amy Winehouse, known as well for dragging Soul music to the forefront of the rock-n-roll scene as for her bouts in rehab, was found dead at 4:05pm this afternoon in her apartment in London. The death is “unexplained” but not thought to be suspicious, according to police. Sadly but not surprisingly an overdose of drink and drugs are the suspected cause of death.
Amy, along with her 50′s glam and 00′s tattoos, came raging into the limelight in 2006 with her second release “Back in Black” which received countless accolades. Her music is riddled with references to heartache, breakups and ironically, rehab. All reflective of her tumultuous lifestyle. Not only did she introduce a new genre of singer songwriter to the industry but she helped open doors for many other women musicians. I can’t even begin to say how saddened I am to hear this news. May she find her peace.
Detroit Cobras @ Neumos
Another killer event happening for Noise for the Needy. The Detroit Cobras are consist of the sweet smoky voice of Rachel Nagy with the raw and boozy blues at her back.
Detroit Cobras, Girl in a Coma, The Fucking Eagles
21+ | $13 ADV | Buy Tickets
Donations Benefit Real Change
Fresh Espresso and Redwood Plan @ Chop Suey
Fresh Espresso and the Redwood Plan top off this great line-up on the final evening of Noise For the Needy at Chop Suey. One of many awesome shows backing this great cause.
Sunday June 12th 21+
Tickets are $10 ($12 dos) so grab them early here.
Shenandoah Davis with Vince Mira @ Can Can
Tucked down under the Pike Place Market lies a dark and bawdy little joint called the Can Can. One of my favorite spots to catch an intimate (pun intended) show. On this night, two of my local faves, Shenandoah Davis and Vince Mira will be putting down the soundtrack for your night.
Also joining them is Ashia Grzesik, chanteuse, amazing cellist, and member of two of my amazing groups: Vagabond Opera and Portland Cello Project.
C-Leb & the Kettle Black @ a Muth Effin PIG ROAST!
C-Leb and the Kettle Black are making their public debut at the Great Southern Pig Roast happening as a part of the Seattle Beer Week at Quinns on cap Hill this Saturday May 21st. A fantastic pairing of classic American fare, rockin blues and the best brews around.
Event starts at Noon
Tickets are $20 in advance
In case you didn’t catch it the first time around, below’s a little taste of what to expect!
