Seattle Subsonic - Venues
Vibrations Festival: August 20th in Volunteer Park
Cairo‘s plans for world domination trudge on, with barely a wince or flinch from the destruction left in its wake.
This Saturday, August 20th, the multi-faceted art & music venue/boutique/label (you might have heard about their first album here) enters into the festival fray with a zero dollar admission concert in one of the country’s most carefully and beautifully designed urban parks, that of Volunteer. (Designed by a pair of bros. who copied their dad’s design of Central Park! Yes, that Central Park! Plus, like, the entire city of Seattle!) Vibrations runs from 2pm to 11pm and is non-ageist in its admittance policy. You can find all the fun at the band stand in the northwest quadrant near the reservoir.
If, as a frequent looker or occasional gazer of SSS, you find your tastes aligning with mine, then we will agree to agree that the lineup is something to behold. Especially for a sunny summer Saturday. If you can’t decide whether the music will be any good or not, I’ve added some mp3′s here for you to peruse and/or sample beforehand. Do yourself a solid:
Charles Leo Gebhardt IV – “Teach My Heart”
Witch Gardens – “Small Daring Boy”
More on Purple & Green here
More on Metal Chocolates here
Press Release after the jump/cut/fold/whatever:
Free Tix to Columbia Theater CD Release this Weekend – Kelli Schaefer & Hotels
This Friday and Saturday the CCT is hosting two of the best local CD Releases and we’ve got free tickets to get you there!
First on Friday, Feb 25, is a not to be missed c.d. release show at The Columbia City Theater, celebrating Kelli Schaefer’s new album Ghost of the Beast
Along with the ethereal and lovely Schaefer, the bill features talented singer songwriter Joseph Giant, and the always dreamy pop sound of Ships.
February 25 – 9pm / $8 / Get tickets here
For a chance to win 2 guest list spots, email us HERE with your name and KELLI in the title
Winner will be picked at random and notified on Friday morning
Next Up: Local synth pop soaked outfit Hotels new album On the Casino Floor will be released this Saturday, Feb 26, at the Columbia City theater, along with up and coming touring band The Devil Whale from Salt Lake City, and 80’s dance rock influenced, The Royal Bear.
w/ DJ Marco Collins
9pm / $10 adv – $12 day of /
Get tickets here!
For your chance to win a pair of guest-list spots for the Hotels show, just email us here with HOTELS in the title.
Winner will be drawn at random and notified Friday afternoon.
Lovers At The Swanky Sorrento
Last week, in advance of their show, I publicly geeked out on the new record from Portland’s Lovers. As planned, the show went down this past Sunday at the Sorrento Hotel on the corner of Madison St and Terry Ave. Apparently, the hotel has been recently booking shows devised for their “Hotel 503″ series “where musically talented bands from Portland join us for an intimate acoustic set in the Fireside Room.” (503 is the area code for Portland, duh.) The Fireside Room is a swanky, old Seattle-era lounge not really set up for viewing music: listening, fine; viewing, not fine. There’s a huge circular bench in the center of the room and tables, chairs, and sofas scattered about the perimeter. It’s kind of an intimate, awkward venue set up for piano singers and other mellow, mild musicians where hotel patrons kind of stop in and gawk for moments at a time before opting for the soiled tavern stench of the tapless Hunt Club. That said, if you’re there to simply hear the music and have a cocktail, it suits just fine.
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I asked synth savant Kerby Ferris before the show if their electronic foundation would be pared down for the venue’s acoustic leaning, and she simply pointed to the band’s gear and retorted, “Uh, no.” But as I pointed out in my Dark Light review, the real force behind the band’s power is not some sort of in-your-face blastoid beat rave, but rather an acute emotional tug that comes from Cubby Berk‘s endearing voice and irresistible lyrics, a carefully dense electronic soundscape from Ferris, and Emily Kingan‘s attention to detail rather than brawn. Their music suited the space simply splendidly. The art-electro balladeers played most of the songs from Dark Light, plus a subtle version of “Igloos For Ojos” from I Am the West. They sounded practiced and polished—even taking a jazz club intermission—and the merch table absolutely blew up afterward. One young lady who missed the 7pm set still decided to pick up two albums on her way out and one couple came back three separate times for more souvenirs. People are sweet. Hearts were touched.
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If you check the band’s myspace, you’ll notice a US tour in the immediate future, so if you happen to be reading this in another city (I know, a reeeeeeeeeal long shot) check ‘em out. Below is a video of “Figure 8″, their blood-rushing #1 hit single.
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Melrose Market Street Festival – Sunday Sept 12th
This might be worth your gander on Sunday. If you haven’t already, it’s a great chance to check out the awesome new Melrose Market on the western slope of Capitol Hill (up the street from the Paramount Theatre). Only a portion of the Melrose Project, it’s a well-thought urban market that boasts sustainable, farm fresh restaurants (Homegrown, Sitka & Spruce), an artisan cheese shop (The Calf & Kid), an organic butcher (Rain Shadow Meats), fresh flowers and produce from the Snoqualmie River valley (Marigold and Mint), and a wine shop selling local seafood (Bar Ferdinand). Next door Velouria Boutique & Gallery has fashion, and Sonic Boom Records has music.
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This Sunday, they’ll try to stimulate the local economy with your local dollars using a BBQ, a beer garden, a fashion show, an impromptu farmer’s market, and, of course music. City darlings Head Like A Kite play at 5pm, preceded by the Ghost of Kyle Bradford at 3pm and New Roman Times at 1pm. The weather will probably be crappy, but maybe not!
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Here’s a recent news interview of HLAK in Guam. For reals!
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YellowFever, Flexions, & Stephanie At Cairo Friday Night
Tomorrow night is Friday. Friday is a good night for doing things and having fun. With that logic in hand, I’ll assert an option of the show-going variety to my dear like-minded readers; that is, if you consider yourselves “dear” and/or “like-minded”. Cairo, which opened a little more than two years ago, is a small venue/art space over on Mercer St. (between Summit and Belmont). It has developed a wonderful habit of hosting shows featuring many of those deviant subterranean bands who I spend so much time blabbering on about here on SSS. Bands like U.S.F., PWRFL Power, Talbot Tagora, White Rainbow, Big Spiders Back, Butts, Katharine Hepburn’s Voice, and Partman Parthorse. The space is filled with far-out farrago and mixed-up mélange that aims to warm your heart, bedeck your body and shatter your conventions. Much like the music it decides to showcase.
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Tomorrow’s bill will feature a few local bands I’ve mentioned in the past, Flexions and Stephanie. Flexions are a groovy and menacing dub-rock trio featuring Devin Welch from Past Lives on guitar/vocals and Tyler Swan from Truckasauras on drums. Robin Stein plays bass and also sings. I haven’t seen them since the Block Party of 2009 (my video here), when Swan’s predecessor was a drum machine, but word has it the live skin-pounder and widened scope of interest has subtly transformed their militant, often steely, post-punk into something more ominous and bedazzling. You can listen to their self-titled EP here (drag the faders for each song). You might recall my review of Stephanie’s weird-pop debut back in June. While it did feel incomplete, it did show extreme promise with jaunty, Casio-worn tracks like “Freak Flag” and “WASP”. Expect something buoyant, unfamiliar and stylish.
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The “headliner” is the Austin duo YellowFever, whom I know little about, other than the pop classicism tunes they have on myspace immediately grabbed me (go figger). The band features core members Jennifer Moore (guitar/vocals) and Adam Jones (drums, etc.) and has a few releases under its belt. Moore sings with a smokey sort of nonchalance (often about cats, incidentally), coming off both aloof and impassioned as she chooses her octaves wisely. Her concise guitar melodies contradict the rambling, rumbling jazz-inspired drum parts Jones favors. Their off-kilter approach to pop is not unlike Micachu and the Shapes. Kudos to whoever put this bill together—should be a good one.
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8pm
$5
all ages
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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It's Gonna Get Hot Tomorrow Night at Cafe Fusion!
You all love KEXP, right? Well then here’s a show you won’t want to miss! Tomorrow, Saturday, August 7th, indie surf pop darlings The Hot Toddies will be performing at Fusion Cafe, a little known, yet wonderful, all ages venue in the heart of downtown! If you’re in the know, then you’ve already been here to see one of the numerous national touring artist that has performed here in the last year and a half. But if not, here is your chance!
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For all you avid KEXP listeners our there, you’ll remember The Hot Toddies from back in 2007 when their last album was released and they got major airplay on the station. In fact, they even did a great live in-studio performance (that you can listen to here). I think that the band’s bio gives the best description I have heard of them yet: “Oakland’s sweethearts,The Hot Toddies, mix 1950′s beach pop with indie rock riffs, a bottle of whiskey and a dry sense of humor.”
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Along with the Toddies, a bunch of other great local bands will be performing. There will be great acoustic sets from Chris Crusher (of Smokejumper, who were recently named one of the next 5 Seattle bands to get signed), Jefferson Death Star (Ryan Koreski from the Damage Done, another band who was also on that list mentioned above), MT148 (melodic singer/songwriter indie with inspirations ranging from the Weakerthans and Apple Seed Cast to the Murder City Devils), and Arms Like Cables (two guys playing together that sound like Chuck Ragan)! In short, it’s a show you don’t wanna miss. And do note…IT STARTS EARLY! 7PM.
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So, be sure to come out out if you love bands that “[blend] 60′s pop, doo-wop, and beautiful harmonies,” or local music. Either way, you will not be disappointed!
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Saturday, August 7th
The Hot Toddies (http://www.myspace.com/thehottoddies)
Chris Crusher (of Smokejumper)
Jefferson Death Star (http://www.myspace.com/therealjeffersondeathstar)
MT148 (http://www.myspace.com/mt148)
Arms Like Cables
@ The Fusion Cafe (909 4th Ave)
$6 – 7PM
Bumbershoot Music Lounge Acts filling up fast
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Amongst the hustle and bustle of Bumbershoot, there is a tiny reprive. The Music Lounge sponsored by KEXP features some of the best bands at the event nestled into intimate venues around the grounds. Below you’ll find the bands that will be featured at this year’s Bumbershoot. In order to reserve a seat you must visit the KEXP website and register, but hurry, seats are filling up fast!
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Saturday, September 4: Plants and Animals, Justin Townes Earle, The Budos Band, Visqueen, The Raveonettes
Sunday, September 5: Fences, David Bazan, Aterciopelados, Horse Feathers, Surfer Blood
Monday, September 6: Ra Ra Riot, The Moondoggies, Bomba Estéreo, The Thermals, The English Beat
EXTEND BAR SERVICE HOURS POLL!!
The Mayor has released his new Nightlife initiative. He is getting feedback on it via an online poll. Please make sure you voice is heard!
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Take it HERE! It takes 5 minutes. If you want extended service hours, tell them here!
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Filling out this survery WILL really make a difference. PLEASE do this. And pass it on to other supporters of nightlife you know.
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It takes 5 minutes. If you want extended service hours, tell them here!
Fremont's Full Of Music This Weekend
If naked bicyclists and bizarre floats aren’t enough to fulfill your overcast Solstice weekend, then get behind an awesome free music lineup. Check out: http://www.fremontfair.org/music/
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My recommendations:
Saturday – Loosen up to some funk and jammy ska rock; proceed to mellow out with some folk and indie rock groups (who are on the rise) for FREE!!:
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2:30pm- Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme
3:45pm- Panda Conspiracy
4:15pm – Ravenna Woods
7:00pm – To the Sea
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Then, drink some beers, pretend it was sunny all day, and head to the Big High CD release @ the High Dive. I’ve been interested to see what this pool of Seattle rock vets (and some gnarly beards) have put together, including drummer Barrett Martin (from Screaming Trees and Mad Season), bassist Sandy (he’s in a dozen bands), Mesa and Ari (who have their own duo act). That should be good times, post-watching the sunset over at Golden Gardens.
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Sunday – Find a bloody mary [several] and an omelet (Mae’s or Pete’s Egg nest?); get back in the game. Wander around the fair and let me know, which Sunday acts were worth checking out. I’m unfamiliar.
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4:00pm – Thaddillac – I was listening to his stuff and its good (and hard to spell 2 ‘d’s and 2 ‘l’s. ok. got it). Thaddeus Turner is Seattle’s guitarist extraordinaire, as lead guitarist for Maktub and touring guitarist for too many great bands to mention (look it up). He’s made a long overdue solo debut and I think it’ll be worth checking out.
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Recover.
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You’ve got a busy summer of music ahead.
