LISTEN/BAND BIOS
In the past, we have hosted band mp3s for you to download. Now, thanks to this lovely thing called "the Internet," we can just direct you to the free music. Yay! But that would be a bit boring now, wouldn't it? We decided to use this page to tell you a little more about this year's bands. Below you will find pictures, band bios, and links to the best place to hear samples of each artist's music. Hope you like it! This page is an ongoing process — more bands will be added as the festival approaches.
2009 Artists
Art Brut
Performing live at Neumos June 13th w/ Miike Snow & Special Guests
Formed in 2003, Art Brut is Eddie Argos (vocals), Ian Catskilkin (guitar), Freddy Feedback (bass), Mikey Breyer (drums), and Jasper Future (stage craft). Their name, which means “raw art,” comes from a term coined by French artist Jean Dubuffet for “outsider” art produced by self-taught non-professionals working outside accepted art-world culture, especially the mentally ill or institutionalized.
Their new album, “Art Brut vs. Satan” (Cooking Vinyl), features the single
“Alcoholics Unanimous” and was released on April 20. It was recorded right here in the Pacific Northwest, and was produced by Frank Black of the Pixies. “We recorded the album in a Punk-as-f@*k two weeks in Salem, Oregon,” said lead singer Eddie Argos. “'I don't always enjoy the recording process - all that fiddling with guitars and drum sounds waiting for my turn to ‘sing.’ This time though, we did it just right. We spent a day getting the sound of the instruments perfect, then with all of us in the same room at the same time, with the amazing Black Francis conducting us, we pressed record, jumped around and played our songs. This is how I always thought albums were made and it's definitely how we’re doing it from now on!”
Their debut album, “Bang Bang Rock & Roll,” including the single “Formed a Band,” was released in 2005; their second album, “It’s a Bit Complicated,” came out in 2007.
To check out their music, visit http://www.artbrut.org.uk/media/.
Grand Archives
Performing live at The Crocodile June 12th w/ See Me River & The Curious Mystery
Seattle band Grand Archives (Sub Pop) is Mat Brooke (Carissa's Weird, Band of Horses), Curtis Hall (The Jeunes), Ron Lewis (Ghost Stories), Jeff Montaño (The New Mexicans), and Thomas Wright. Formed in 2006, they were supporting Modest Mouse at Seattle’s historic Paramount Theater by their second show.
Grand Archives’ luminous, high-spirited pop features four- and five-part vocal harmonies, trombone, Flugelhorn, violin, whistling, harmonica, pedal steel guitar, slide guitars rubbed with violin bows, and cellos plucked to create bass lines.
Their self-titled debut album was released in 2008. Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/grandarchives.
Adam Stephens and the Finite Plain (Two Gallants)
Performing live at The
Sunset Tavern June 11th w/ Widower,
Jack Wilson & the Wife Stealers and Shane Tutmarc
San Francisco-based Adam Stephens and the Finite Plain(Two Gallants) Adam Stephens (along with band mate Tyson Vogel) recorded three critically acclaimed full length albums and one EP (Saddle Creek, first on Alive) and toured incessantly around the US and Europe during the last five years. Adam tours currently with his new band under the name Adam Stephens and the Finite Plain. The band, which played at this year’s SXSW, includes Donny Newenhouse on drums, Matt Montgomery on bass/piano and Jen Grady on cello and backing vocals. Then ended up doing a week long tour up and down the West Coast. Six demos were self recorded by Adam and went up on a new MySpace page . Expect more to come from this new project...
“Adam Stephens is what we’re calling this thing until i can settle down on something that resounds in the ears… but my name has nothing to do with these songs and in fact seems quite awkward and out of place in their company,” Stephens said of his new band.
To check out their music, go to http://www.myspace.com/adamstephensmusic.
The Constantines
Performing live at Neumos June 14th w/Crystal Antlers, Hey Marseilles & I Was a King
Founded in Guelph, Ontario, in 1999, the Constantines now live in Toronto. Their self-titled debut, released in 2001, landed them a Juno Awards nomination for Best Alternative Album. In 2002, they released “Shine a Light,” and “Tournament of Hearts” in 2005. Their latest album, “Kensington Heights,” came out in 2008. Named after the street in Toronto’s vibrant Kensington Market area where they practice in a basement, the album, like the neighborhood itself, has been described as a vibrant maze of histories and sounds.
The Constantines are Dallas Wehrle (bass), Will Kidman (keyboards), Doug MacGregor (drums), Steve Lambke (vocals, guitar), and Bryan Webb (vocals, guitar). They have occasionally played shows under the name Horsey Craze, covering Neil Young songs.
To check out their music, go to http://www.arts-crafts.ca/constantines/.
Throw Me The Statue
Performing live at Tractor Tavern June 11th w/ "Awesome" & Velella Velella
Seattle-based Throw Me the Statue was formed by Scott Reitherman in 2004 (their name was taken from an old mixtape title). Using guitars, keys, drum machines, melodicas, glockenspiels, and whatever else he could add to the mix, Reitherman began creating an album of jangly indie pop. Although he wrote and performed the majority of the album himself, some friends contributed to the process, including Casey Foubert of Pedro the Lion and Sufjan Stevens' band. A full band (Aaron Goldman, Will Cone, Joe Syverson, and Jarred Grimes) came into shape in early 2007 as Throw Me the Statue’s debut album, “Moonbeams,” was released on Reitherman's Baskerville Hill label and later on Secretly Canadian.
In 2008, Throw Me the Statue played at SXSW and the Sasquatch Festival, opened for Cake in Seattle, and toured with Jens Lekman. “Moonbeams” was one of the 100 best albums of 2008 according to Amazon.com, where it reached the 16th position. Their latest album, “Purpleface,” was released in February 2009.
To check out their music, go to http://www.myspace.com/throwmethestatue
I Was A King
Performing Live at Neumos June 14th w/ The Constantines, Crystall Antlers
& Hey Marseilles
I Was A King debuted in 2007 with the European release of the album Losing something good for something better. The band was labeled "Royally brilliant" and given 8 out of 10 by NME. The Independent, The Times and The Guardian gave equally flattering praise.
The debut's successor and first North American album entitled I Was A King will arrive in the Spring of 2009 on The Control Group. The recordings were done at Marlborough Farms in Brooklyn and features performances by Emil Nikolaisen (Serena Maneesh), Sufjan Stevens, Daniel Smith (Danielson) and Gary Olson (Ladybug Transistor).
Front man Frode Strømstad has a unique gift of creating addictive melodies with distinctive roots to the 60's distorted through the sound of the 90's. To me it sounds like Teenage Fanclub, Dinosaur Jr. & Guided By Voices.
"Unlike fellow Scandinavians Dungen, who employ a similar sonic palette, I Was a King features songs with genuine hooks. And unlike Apples in Stereo and Teenage Fanclub, with whom they share a similar love of fuzzed-out power pop, there is some truly gonzo guitar work here" - PASTE
Brent Amaker & The Rodeo
Performing live at The Comet June 13th w/The Valley, An Invitation to Love,
The Beautiful Confusion & The Thoughts
Formed in late 2005 by exiles from various Seattle rock bands, Brent Amaker and the Rodeo released their self-titled first album on J-Shirt Records. In 2006 and 2007 they supported that release with tours of the U.S., Canada, and Europe. In November 2008, they released their latest album, “Howdy Do!” (GraveWax Records).
Brent Amaker's voice will tell you everything you need to know about the Rodeo’s outlaw country style – what they call “cowboy arena rock.” The rhythm is kept on a two-piece drum kit and minimal electric lead guitar provides the only counterpoint to Amaker's deep, dark voice. The songs have a stark, bare, traditional sound that still fills the room, but their live shows are known for flair and style – the entire band dresses head to toe in black, and Amaker typically walks onstage draped in a red velvet cape, sometimes treating the audience to a “whiskey baptism” during their song “Bring Me The Whiskey.”
The Rodeo is Brent Amaker (vocals, guitar), Steve Davis (guitar), Sugar McGuinn (bass), Mason Lowe (drums), Ben Strehle (guitar), and Johnny Podhradsky (percussion, stage performer).
Check out their music at http://www.brentamaker.com/.
Crystal Antlers
Performing live at Neumos June 14th w/The Constantines, Hey Marseilles & I Was a King
Long Beach, CA's Crystal Antlers began turning heads in 2008 with their recording debut, “EP,” a release that was produced by Ikie Owens (known for his work with the Mars Volta) and noted for its blend of psychedelic, garage rock, and prog-rock sounds. The band developed a reputation for eccentric live shows and earned comparisons to Comets on Fire and Les Savy Fav. They made a number of appearances on the 2008 F*** Yeah Tour and signed with Touch and Go Records in August 2008.
Their new album, “Tentacles,” was released in April 2009, and they are currently touring internationally to support it. Crystal Antlers are Kevin Stuart (drums), Damian Edwards (percussion), Andrew King (guitar), Jonny Bell (bass/sings/woodwinds), Victor Rodriguez (organ), and Errol Davis (guitar).
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/crystalantlers.
Fences
Performing live at Neumos June 10th w/ Slender Means, New Faces & Red Sea Sharks
A former jazz student, Chris Mansfield abandoned his upright bass in Boston for an acoustic guitar and the indie scene in Seattle. His self-released debut EP, “Ultimate Puke,” a home-recorded labor of love, is sparse, scattered with small moments of softly brushed drums and simple key melodies. Drummer Matt Beacham provided percussion on the EP.
Much has been made of the contrast between Mansfield’s appearance – tough, tattooed, and a little scary – and the soft, introspective music he makes, which often invites comparison to Bright Eyes. “Local singer-songwriter outfit Fences write stripped-down, compelling songs about ordinary subjects — girls, estranged fathers, relationships,” said The Stranger. “But there's something that makes Fences' efforts sound more genuine than most. Singer Chris Mansfield's lyrics are delivered with a gentle guitar and coy mumble, forcing you to really listen to hear the stories he tells.”
In April, Mansfield recorded with Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara, so expect more to come from this noteworthy local artist.
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/fencesvswolf.
“Awesome”
Performing live at Tractor Tavern June 11th w/Throw Me The Statue & Velella Velella
Formed in 2004, “Awesome” has collaborated with Sean Nelson and John Auer, and played alongside A.C. Newman, the Long Winters, and Harvey Danger. They have created music for literary events with Miranda July, Neal Pollock, and Jonathan Safran Foer, and were declared “Ones to Watch” in the Stranger 2005 and 2006 Genius Awards.
“Part band, part art collective, ‘Awesome’ combines lush, dense vocal harmonies with a unique mix of electric and acoustic instruments including: guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, accordion, mandolin, banjo, theremin, typewriter, kitchen utensils, and anything else lying around that makes an interesting sound.”
“Awesome” is John Ackermann (vox, keys, mando, and more), Kirk Anderson (vox, drum, typewriter), Basil Harris (vox, bass), Evan Mosher (vox, trumpet), David Nixon (vox, banjo), John Osebold (vox, guitar, theremin, violin), and Robertson Witmer (vox, accordion, sax, clarinet).
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/awesometheband.
See Me River
Performing live at The Crocodile June 12th w/ Grand Archives and the Curious Mystery
Seattle-based See Me River, who describe their sound as “acoustic/gothic/country,” self-released a self-titled full-length at the end of 2006. Founder Kerry Zettel teamed up with Joe Arnone (Charming Snakes, Band Of Horses), then completed the band with Aaron Everett (Das Llamas), Kellie Payne (Charming Snakes, Weirdlords), Tosten Larson (Thorstone) and Ben Cisner (Tiny Vipers, Windsor For The Derby).
Their second album, “The Great Unwashed,” with producer Nick Dewitt (Time Machine), came out in March 2009. A track from the new album, “Ed Jackson,” was featured on KEXP’s Song of the Day blog: http://blog.kexp.org/blog/2009/02/20/free-local-music-see-me-river-ed-jackson/
“See Me River is a procession of phonic guitars that ardently stride along dark, baritone vocal harmonies. Glockenspiel and drums parade along an untraveled road paved by chord organ, autoharp and shotgun blast. Resinous melodies spend an equal amount of time haunting the soul as they do brightening the spirits.”
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/seemeriver.
Furniture Girls
Performing live June 13 at the High Dive w/ Hotels, Born Anchors & Anomie Belle
Furniture Girls began as a Seattle based electronic duo made up of long time friends, and troublemakers, Viking Snowcone(Nikki) and Butterfly Hambone(stayC).
The F-Girls ran into Bubba Jones (literally) and pelted him with tiny fish until he agreed to produce an EP with them. The introduction of Bubba to the duo provided an opportunity to expand the sound of the project. What began as two girls and their drum machines has morphed into a delicious stew of funky goodness with Bubba adding extra layers of bass & guitar and Thane adding live drums. Down the line, they picked up this Jim cat to slap the bass around.
Watch for an EP from Furniture Girls in the spring!
hear their music here: http://www.myspace.com/furnituregirls
Coulter
Performing live at The Comet June 10th w/This is a Process of a Still life, Safer,
Skeletons With Flesh On Them
“Sent To Coventry” is a British euphemism for being cast off from society, an apt title for Seattle singer-songwriter Coulter’s third solo release. This collaborative effort with producer Erik Blood (The Turn-On's, The Lights, The Moondoggies) shines with grand pop gems, wistful jingle-janglers, dance anthems, rockabilly, and even a foray into funk. Backed by players Will Hallauer (The Turn-Ons, The Little Penguins), Matt Brown (Trespassers William), Jerry Peerson (JLP, The Little Penguins), a special guest appearance by legendary bassist Gary Day (Morrissey), and mastered by Kramer, this broad record pleases the widest of musical palates and soothes the most aching of hearts.
From the pen of a man whose inspirations have always been firmly lodged in the spirit of last call, failed love, and hearts on sleeves, with an added dash of the Union Jack as a cultural condiment, “Sent To Coventry” is vital material. The album is due for worldwide release on May 8, 2009, as a free download on www.coulterclub.com.
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/coulter.
Hey Marseilles
Performing live at Neumos
June 14th w/The Constantines, Crystal Antlers & I Was a King
Seattle band Hey Marseilles plays simple folk songs, interweaving orchestral instrumentation with melodic musings on time and place. Having garnered favorable reviews since their formation in late 2006, including a spot on Seattle Sound’s “Top 10 Bands to Watch for 2008,” HM released their first full-length album, “To Travels & Trunks,” in August 2008. Hey Marseilles performed at SXSW 2009 as part of the SxSeattle party – a show headlined by the Fleet Foxes in 2008. HM has shared bills with Northwest acts Rocky Votolato, Throw Me The Statue, and The Builders and The Butchers.
Hey Marseilles is Matt Bishop (lead vox, guitar), Nick Ward (guitars, drumbourine), Jacob Anderson (viola, mandolin, banjo), Samuel Anderson (cello, bass), Philip Kobernik (accordion, organ, piano), Patrick Brannon (trumpet, tass, tambo, thighs), and Colin Richey (membranophones, idiophones).
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/heymarseilles.
Slender Means
Performing live at
Neumos June 10th w/Fences, New Faces & Red Sea Sharks
Seattle-based Slender Means released their debut album, “Neon & Ruin,” in 2005, which KEXP called “an amazingly accomplished album of indie pop-rock perfection.” They are currently working on a follow-up, and have posted new tracks from the forthcoming album on their website.
Slender Means is Josh Dawson (vocals/guitar), who knew Sonny Votolato (guitar/vocals) and Dave E. Martin (keys/vocals) from way back, who met and played music with Paul Pugliese (bass), who is kind of related to Eric Wennberg (drums).
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/slendermeans.
Half Light
Performing live at
Conor Byrne June 11 w/Trentalange, Cataldo
& Cosmic Panther Land Band
Half Light began when founding member and Seattleite Dayna Loeffler (Voyager One, The Purrs) was introduced to bassist Dayna Smith, whose vocals complement and harmonize with Loeffler’s. The rhythm section is led by drummer Jeff Baars. Scott Muhlbeier (guitar and rhythm), Brian Ackley (more guitar noises and rhythm), and Barb Hunter (cello) complete the band.
Their first full-length, self-released in June 2008, is titled “Sleep More, Take More Drugs, Do Whatever We Want.” The album was produced by Tim Powles of The Church. “This disc does not disappoint. In fact, it is the best release that I have heard by a Seattle band this year,” wrote Andrew Boe on the Seattle music blog “Three Imaginary Girls.”
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/halflightseattle.
Widower
Performing live at The
Sunset Tavern June 11th w/Adam Stephens and the Finite Plain, Jack Wilson & the Wife Stealers and Shane Tutmarc
Founding member Kevin Large, from New Jersey, met bassist Heather Cowan at a coffee shop in New York’s West Village around the corner from Electric Lady Studios, where she was recording with Ryan Adams. The two began to record and produce three new songs Kevin had written, along with pedal steelist Chris Zasche (The Maldives) and Dave Ulrich on drums and banjo. Widower released a split 7” with The Quiet Life in 2007. Their first EP was released in January 2009 and is available at Sonic Boom Records.
Widower is Kevin Large (guitar, vocals), Heather Cowan (bass, vocals), Dave Ulrich (banjo, percussion), Chris Zasche (pedal steel), Tim Gadbois (guitar), and Ryan McMackin (percussion).
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/widowermusic.
The Curious Mystery
Performing live at
The Crocodile June 12th w/ Grand Archives & See Me River
“A junkyard band with a heart of dirt, smoke, and wires, the Curious Mystery blends sixties-style psychedelia with American country-blues and garage experimentalism. Cool night air, slow burning heaviness, impregnation by blackberry, Captain Beefheart, late night crawlers, native fowl, dinner, river blindness; these are some of the things the Curious Mystery bides its time thinking about.”
The Curious Mystery began in 2005 in Seattle, where Shana Cleveland, a Midwestern daughter of blues and country rock musicians, met Nicolas Gonzalez, an experimental instrumentalist from Texas. Today, the band features Nicolas on guitar, vocals, and homemade instruments; Shana on vocals, banjo, guitar, and autoharp; as well as Faustine B. Hudson on drums, gong, dinner bell, plastic tube, and what-have-you; and Bradford Button on the bass guitar. In 2008, they met up with Calvin Johnson and recorded an album, “Rotting Slowly,” which will be out on CD and vinyl in May 2009.
The Curious Mystery are currently touring the West Coast, and there will be a record release party on May 15 at Seattle’s Sunset Tavern, 8:00 p.m.
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/thecuriousmystery.
Reptet
Performing live at
The Comet w/Gravelroad, Purty Mouth & Sam Marshall Trio
Reptet is a genre-bending band of musicians based out of Seattle. Often categorized as a "jazz" group (they are a sextet consisting of drums, bass, and four horns), these six multi-instrumentalists have a far more expansive approach, performing original compositions that incorporate reggae, rock, ska, punk, modern classical, avant-garde, eastern European folk influences, and more. Their internationally acclaimed 2006 release, "Do This!" (Monktail Records) was an Independent Music Awards finalist for Best Jazz Record of the Year and was chosen Top Jazz CD of the year by Jazziz magazine's Alex Gelfand. They also won two Earshot Golden Ear Awards (celebrating the best of Northwest jazz), including Best “Outside” Jazz Group and Best Performance of the Year (as part of the Monktail Raymond Scott Project).
In 2007, Reptet criss-crossed the United States touring in support of "Do This!". In May 2008, Reptet released their third CD on Monktail Records, "Chicken or Beef?" and plan on touring Europe, Asia, and (once again) the U.S. Their live performances have been described as "arresting, compelling, and just plain cranked-up!" with stage shows evolving into transformative performance art pieces using costumes, storytelling, dance routines, and absurdist humor.
Reptet is John "Jesus!" Ewing (drums), Izaak "Chicken Patch" Mills (reeds), Samantha "The Beef" Boshnack (trumpets), Chris "Chorro" Credit (reeds), Nelson "Bongo" Bell (trombone), and Tim "The Graduate" Carey (bass).
Check out their music at http://www.reptet.com/audio.htm.
The Whore Moans
Performing live at The Underground Events Center June 12th w/ Speaker Speaker, Wallpaper, Greatest Hits, The Raggedy Anns
Seattle garage punks the Whore Moans formed the core of their group as high-school friends in Tacoma: singer and guitarist Nick Anderson, lead guitarist Jonny Henningson, and bassist Ryan Devlin moved to Seattle and formed the Whore Moans with local drummer Jason Kilgor in 2005. Forming the combination record label and artistic collective Wizard Rock, complete with a communal house in downtown Seattle, the Whore Moans began developing a local reputation through regular hometown and regional gigs while recording their debut album with local power pop legend Johnny Sangster (The Posies, Mudhoney, Murder City Devils). That album, “Watch Out for This Thing,” was released by Wizard Rock in the spring of 2007.
Their new album, “Hello From the Radio Wasteland!” (Mt. Fuji Records) was released in January 2009.
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/thewhoremoanssuck.
Hotels
Performing live at the High Dive June 13th w/ Furnitrue Girls,
Born Anchors & Anomie Belle
Hotels are a local Seattle band who make what they call “sci-fi film soundtrack synth rock.” Hotels was founded in New York in 2003 by Blake Madden (bass, vocals). Blake moved to Seattle in 2006, creating two different divisions of the band on opposite coasts. The core band in Seattle comprises Blake, Brendan Malec (guitar), Kyle Frankiewich (synths), and Max Wood (drums). Additional members Rich Bennett (guitar), Hidden Shoal solo artist and songwriter in the band Monocle, and Rich Spitzer (synths, vocals) play shows on the East Coast.
“This is the most relentlessly paced, hauntingly melodic, damn catchy pop music you’ve never heard, each song an end credit for the weary traveller or the romantic dancer; a tune you should listen to just before you die. Throughout the album, crisp, propulsive drumming and beautifully melodic bass are buoyed up by sizzling synths and chiming guitars, with Blake Madden intoning urgent, compelling vocal lines.”
Their second album, “Where Hearts Go Broke,” (Hidden Shoal) was released in February 2009. “Kite Fight” was KEXP’s Podcast Song of the Day on March 6, 2009.
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/hotels.
Point Juncture, WA
Performing live at June 13th at Chop Suey w/Black Whales, Pica Beats,
Grant olsen (Arthur & Yu) & DJs Tom Conqergood & Cuddleup
For five years, Point Juncture has been a collaboration between four Portland, OR. songwriters, instrumentalists, recording engineers, and friends: Amanda Spring (vocals, drums) Victor Nash (keyboards, vocals) Skyler Norwood (guitar, vibraphone), and Wilson Vediner (guitar). Five years is middle age for a ban, but this one has aged well, having toured the country year after year and played with such like-minded bands as Stereolab, Britt Daniel of Spoon, Dirty Three, Aloha, 31 Knots, Mates of State, and Viva Voce.
"This band started as something we wanted to do at house parties and as a response to the growing underground music scene around Portland. When we were getting started we wanted to have something to flush all of our inspirations and frustrations into, not a business or something too precious to get a little rough around the edges from time to time. Something we could love but also let have a life of it's own. Portland has really worked with us towards that goal. The support we’ve gotten from this small but super talented music community has been overwhelming. Nowhere but Portland could we take two years between releases and still get the kind of support we’ve had so far in the making of our newest record. People seem to appreciate what we do even when it’s under the banner of one of our many side projects, cassette-only releases of our friends’ music, or in the form of band member and Producer/Engineer Skyler Norwood’s work with Portland’s best bands (Talkdemonic, Horse Feathers, Blind Pilot)."
“Heart To Elk” (Mt. Fuji Records) was released in February 2009. They are currently touring with The Thermals and Shaky Hands, and will be playing at Sasquatch in May 2009.
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/ptjuncturewa.
Black Eyes and Neckties
PerforminglLive at Wildrose June 13th w/Telepathic Liberation Army,
Loving Thunder & The Beats, Man
Black Eyes & Neckties (BENT) is a horror/punk rock band from Bellingham, Washington. The band currently consists of six members: Bradley Horror (vocals), Ryan Cadaver (guitar), Davey Crypt (drums), Brenda Grimm (keyboard), Josh Homicide (guitar) and The Fist (bass).
The band’s debut album, “Stiletto,” was released in 2004 by New Regard Media. Their latest offering, “Apparition!,” was released in October 2007 on Clickpop Records. They released a spilt 12” with The Russians in April 2009. BENT was awarded Best Rock Band in Bellingham in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 (tied with The Russians), and 2008 by What's Up! Magazine. They are touring throughout the UK in May 2009.
Check out their music at http://www.blackeyesandneckties.com/.
Emerald City Soul Club
June 13th at Lo-fi/Victory Lounge
Now in its third year, Emerald City Soul Club is a monthly soul night at Eastlake’s Lo-Fi Performance Gallery. The club specializes in what’s called “Northern soul,” which sounds like classic '60s Motown but is played by bands of the same era you've never heard of. On the dance floor, men in dapper suits and women in dazzling vintage cocktail dresses rub elbows with others in jeans and t-shirts; as long as you’re here to dance, anything goes.
Emerald City Soul Club features resident DJs Gene Balk, Mike Chrietzberg, Brian Everett, George Gell, KennyMac, Alvin Mangosing, Marc Muller, and Mike Nipper. Soul Club DJ Kevin Jones explains, “There is a specific reason why it's called Northern soul. During the '70s in the U.K., when the mod scene sort of tapered off from the '60s, in London those kids started listening to psych music and stuff like that. People in the north of England kept looking to the same '60s soul stuff. Eventually there was a magazine called Blues & Soul. One of the writers deemed the type of stuff they were dancing to in the north of England 'northern soul.' But it was always American music.”
To check out some of the music you’ll hear there, go to http://www.myspace.com/emeraldcitysoulclub.
The Pica Beats
Performing live June 13th with Point Juncture, WA, Black Whales, Grant Olson(Arthur & Yu) & DJs Tom Conqergood & Cuddleup.
The Pica (pronounced “pie-ka”) Beats began in Vermont in 2005 as a solo vehicle for Ryan Barrett, who soon made his way to the West Coast and had settled in Seattle by the time of his debut, 2007's self-recorded/released gem “All Mysteries Solve Themselves.” Shortly thereafter, Barrett joined forces with drummer Colin English to begin a collaborative vision for The Pica Beats — the product of which would grow to become the patient, post-summer soundtrack world known as “Beating Back the Claws of the Cold,” (Hardly Art) released in 2008. Spin Magazine declared them “buzzworthy” in their October 2008 issue. They will be playing at Sasquatch in May 2009 and the Capitol Hill Block Party in July 2009.
The Pica Beats are Ryan Barrett (guitar, sitar, vox), Colin English (drums), Garrett Kelly (bass), Adam McCollom (keyboards), and Alice Sandahl (vocals, percussion, and more).
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/thepicabeats.
Wallpaper
Peforming June 12th at the Underground Events Center w/The Whore Moans,
Speaker Speaker, The Greatest Hits & The Raggedy Anns
Wallpaper consists of brothers Derek and Spencer Kelley and their childhood friend Steven Potter. They formed in 2004 in Auburn, Washington, after years of bonding over their rock-and-roll obsessions. Having grown up during the heightened cross-section of rock music and popular television, these boys found themselves disillusioned by a decade of empty decadence and found themselves digging into the past to unearth that special spark of music that they bonded over in their youth: a classic three-piece. They play vocals and each other's instruments – guitar, drums, bass; melody, harmony, and rhythm in simplicity.
“We stripped away all the pedals, all the extra cymbals,” Spencer says. “We might play simple music, but it made us smarter musicians.”
Their debut album, "On the Chewing Gum Ground," (K Records) came out in November 2008. They will be performing at this year’s Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle.
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/publicstudents.
New Faces
Performing live June 10 at Neumos w/Slender Means, Fences & Red Sea Sharks
New Faces are a Britpop-influenced band, formed in Port Townsend in 2006 as Captain Incognito. The band won Seattle's local under-21 music competition, Sound Off!, in 2008. The band is also the youngest band to be signed by Seattle’s Loveless Records. The band released their first album, "Two Years," in August 2008, and played at Bumbershoot in 2008.
As young musicians – two-thirds of the band are still in high school – New Faces have had to work to overcome first impressions. “The advantages of being young are that people are easily impressed with your music. People say, ‘You're so good for how young you are...RAD!’ so people are more impressed that we're playing a lot of shows and getting some press and we're 16, 17 years old. On the other hand there are people that don't take us as seriously as we want them to take us, just because we're still in high school. We live with our parents, but we experience the real world just like anyone else. We are as much in the ‘music scene’ as any other band. The songs may mature with time, but I think we're writing stuff people can relate to. It's the human condition, you don't need to be 30 to get love or loss or connfusion. Everyone experiences those things, no matter how old they are.”
New Faces are Nico Janssen (guitar, vocals, words), Kyle Hove (bass, shouts, claps), and Conor Sisk (drums, shouts, claps).
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/newfacesband.
The Valley
Performing live June 13 w/ Brent Amaker and the Rodeo, An Invitation to Love,
The Beautiful Confusion & The Thoughts
Formed in 2001, The Valley is a Seattle-based three-piece band: Dan Beloit (vocals and guitar), Taku Mineshita (bass), and Jim Laws (drums).
The Valley released a six-song self-titled debut in January 2005 (Swingline Records), and the “Purple Octopus” EP in November 2007. “Come Down” was the KEXP Song of the Day on November 1, 2007.
“Guitar-rock band the Valley's mascot should be a cockroach. Hard, dirty and alive,” said the Seattle Times. “[T]he Valley plays in roach clubs, too, looking most at home in dirty dive bars like the Comet on Capitol Hill or the Funhouse by the Space Needle, places where everyone wears Chuck Taylors and it's not a big deal if you spill a beer on the floor. These venues are part of Seattle's rock soul, places where it's OK to be bratty, amateurish, experimental and noisy as all hell. No matter how hard you scrub, they'll never be clean. It's not a fault, but a style. It's determined dirtiness. It's the Valley.”
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/thevalleyrules.
Trentalange
Performing live June 11 at Conor Byrne w/Half Light, Cataldo & Cosmic Panther Land Band
Trentalange (pronounced Trent-ah-lahnge) is the project of multi-instrumentalist Barbara Trentalange, a veteran musician who has played with performers like Crooked Fingers, Calexico, Micah P. Hinson, Head Like a Kite, Sushirobo, and Mark Pickerel (formerly of Screaming Trees).
After fronting Seattle band Spyglass for five years, Trentalange released her first solo project in 2006, "Photo Album of Complex Relationships" (Coco Tauro Records). Her 2008 release, "Awakening, Level One," draws from diverse influences such as Black Sabbath, Massive Attack, and Blondie. Seattle's Sound Magazine put her in the top ten artists to watch in 2008.
Check out her music at http://www.myspace.com/trentalange.
Speaker Speaker
Performing live June 12 at Underground Events Center w/ The Whore Moans, Wallpaper, The Greatest Hits & The Raggedy Anns
Speaker Speaker is a Seattle-based trio, formed in the spring of 2005 by Colin
McBride (vocals/guitar), Danny Oleson (bass/vocals), and Jasen Samford (drums/vocals). Drawing inspiration from the harmonious pop of the Beatles, to the boisterous rock of Nirvana, to the up-tempo punk of Jawbreaker, Speaker Speaker exude a tireless work ethic, a dedication to crisp, aggressive pop songs, and exhilarating live shows.
Their self-released 2005 debut EP, “Again & Again & Again,” peaked on the CMJ charts at 147, with airplay on over 150 college radio stations across the United States. Following the release of the EP, they toured the Midwest in April 2006. In 2008, Speaker Speaker returned to work with Joe Reineke to produce the “We Won't March” EP, produced by J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines). They were 2006 winners of the Seattle Stranger Big Shot contest and a Seattle Weekly Best Pop Band Nominee in 2006.
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/speakerspeaker.
Telepathic Liberation Army
Performing live June 13 at Wildrose w/Blackeyes and Neckties, Loving Thunder
& The Beats, Man
Seattle-based punk rock/new-wave band Telepathic Liberation Army is an all-female band consisting of former members of bands such as Chromatics, Diamond Cut Diamond, Exit Drills, Flight To Mars, Infamous Menagerie, Shoplifting, 66 Saints, Me His Daughter, Models Own, Parini, Touchdown Eagle, and more. While they resist labels and pigeonholing, both musically and socially, they do say they consider themselves part of Seattle’s “queer community.”
Although they only have two songs recorded professionally, they have many more in their repertoire, and are working on getting studio time to release a full-length soon. They are currently touring the West Coast.
Telepathic Liberation Army is Lisa Orth (vocals), Stacy Peck (drums), Michelle Nolan (bass), and Alice Wilder (guitar).
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/telepathicliberationarmy.
Black Whales
Performing live June 13 at Chop Suey w/ Point Juncture, WA, The Pica Beats
& Grant Olsen (Arthur & Yu)
Seattle-based Black Whales describe their sound as “regional Mexican / garage / ghettotech.” They frequently perform live in Seattle, and they have several upcoming gigs this summer in the Pacific Northwest.
The Black Whales are: El Kulo Gris (vox/guitar) El Poeta Desnudo (drums), El Bebé Vago (bass), and El Pie Vicioso (guitar).
Their upcoming “Origins EP” will be in stores in fall 2009. They will be playing at Bumbershoot on September 6, 2009, on the EMP Skychurch Stage.
Check out their music at http://blackwhales.com/blog/downloads/.
Purty Mouth
Performing live June 14 at the Comet w/Reptet, Gravelroad & Sam Marshall Trio
“Camped-up country-tonk” band Purty Mouth sprung from the fertile imaginations of Kurt B. Reighley and Mark Mitchell, talented gadabouts from Seattle’s thriving arts community. Coaxing local musician Graham Short into the role of musical director, they honed their vision of country and western, as viewed through the eyes of three gay men – a cocktail of countrypolitan, costume, and camp.
Since their first show in 2002, a number of talented players have passed through the ranks, with founding members Mark, Kurt, and Graham remaining the core of the group until Mark and Kurt left in late 2005. The current lineup is Walter Harley (electric bass), Mikey Budd (lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, banjo), Timothy Dunn (drums), Alyssa Keene (lead and backing vocals, percussion, kazoo), Tim Moore (harmonica), Lori Ramon (lead and backing vocals), and Graham Short (lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars).
Purty Mouth is a regular at local festivals, performing at Seattle's Fremont Fair, Fremont Oktoberfest, the Bite of Seattle, Folklife, and Hempfest, and supports queer events as often as possible, including the Northwest Bear's Spring Thaw (2005), Seattle Pride (2006), Portland's BearTown MusicJam (2007), Gay & Lesbian Softball World Series block party (2008), and in 2004, at the Freedom to Marry benefit WEDrock, in Washington, D.C., where they shared the stage with Henry Rollins, Sandra Bernhardt, Bob Mould, and Hedwig creator John Cameron Mitchell.
Check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/purtymouth.
