A Diversion with Derby

A week and a half ago, the writers at NWMB had our first ever meeting at King’s in Ballard. This was a big to-do considering many of us have never met each other. I was very excited for this little get-together however a couple of nights before, I was torn on what to do b/c as you see, I found out that my favorite Portland pop band Derby was playing at the same time, same night.

Well, I knew where my priorities were… I, of course, went to go see Derby. They’ve been a favorite for a while, for about 2 years now. I was driving one evening when I first heard them playing on KEXP — I immediately called my friend to look up KEXP’s playlist online to see who this infectious, melodic bundle of sugary pop goodness was. It was Derby. Soon thereafter my friend Christina and I caught an early show at the Sunset to check’em out and they did not disappoint. They were just as good live as the band I loved on the radio. So fast forward 2 years… Christina and I were at the Sunset again for an 8pm show. Now, I have to admit I sort of love the early show b/c I’m awake and in a good mood b/c it’s just the beginning of the evening however I feel sorry for bands that get that slot. Let me set the scene for you… We walk up to the Sunset and I hear Nat Johnson singing one of their catchy pop songs that you just want to play loud and sing along to on a sunny day, driving around in your convertible with the top down. (I take that back, since we do live in the Northwest, let’s say with our windows down instead.) I was so excited. Well after we walked in, the crowd was circled like 8 feet away from the stage and some people were actually sitting on the floor of the Sunset. Huh?!?! Where’s the Seattle welcome that Derby deserves? And jeez, what can you catch from sitting on the floor at the Sunset? The crowd was pretty lame but Derby was the exact opposite. They were still happy to be up there and ready to please, playing favorites from This is the New You while sprinkling in some songs from their new CD due out in June. It was a short set leaving me and Christina feeling like we wanted more however there was no more (so we thought at the time) and we headed over to King’s….

After a few beers and lots of talk about music, the party broke up and Christina, Kevin (editor-in-chief) and I headed out to the Smokeshop. As we walked past the Sunset, I was like “let’s go invite Derby for beers!” So we hightailed it into the Sunset and saw Isaac (the drummer), introduced ourselves and invited him and the rest of the band over. And I’m here to say, that made a recipe for a good time: 1 part Smokeshop, 2 parts Derby, 3 parts Rainer, a bucket of gin & tonic for Kevin and a dash of a little drumming toy bunny that everyone had to sing a tune to (you had to be there…). We talked with Nat and Isaac for a while. We found out they were heading out to play at the Brick (in Roslyn) the next night and were excited how they had some Foreigner and Night Ranger lined up for the set. Also playing an acoustic set at Hattie’s pre-giant fish tank was one of their favorite shows and more. All in all a very fun night! Definitely looking forward to checking out Derby’s new CD and a “later in the evening” show in Seattle. Meanwhile, go to www.derbyrock.com, I promise, they’ll be a new favorite.

Popularity: 22%

Fast Foxes? No, FLEET Foxes.

As a dyed-in-the-wool music fan, it’s rather gratifying to watch a band ascend from the ranks of relative unknown to the enviable height of homecoming success story. As fellow music aficionados, I’m sure we can all boast about a band that we knew way back when, or an album we purchased before anyone else. Shoot, I know I gots hella bands you ain’t heard yet…the White Stripes? Check ‘em out. This local band the Blakes? Awesome, get their record. I kid, I kid. Frankly, I’m not here to brag, but there is a real sense of satisfaction that comes with witnessing a sold-out show for a group whose trajectory I’ve followed for some time. Case in point: baroque pop jammers Fleet Foxes, one of the more talented bands to come out of Seattle in recent years.

You may not be a fan of the outfit’s hymnal bucolic folk, but if you had been at Neumos last Friday night (4/18), you would’ve no doubt been impressed with at least the opening choral song, Sun Giant’s leadoff title track (sans mandolin). Bandleader Robin Pecknold and bassist Christian Wargo pilot most of the vocal harmonies throughout the Foxes sound, and they delivered with an astonishing climb into the stratosphere to start things off. Most bands amp up the guitar and drums more than anything else, but the focus with this one is clearly “more vocals in the monitor.” The sound engineer did a fine job at Neumos that night (though the drums could’ve used a boost), and the voices of the two main vocalists carried quite well. My lady made the comment following the first song, “How many bands can do THAT?” Not many, I answered.

The band proceeded to follow in order with the next two tracks off Sun Giant, “Drops in the River” and “English House”, much to the enjoyment of the crowd who were unabashedly there to support the local troupe; labelmates and headliners Blitzen Trapper aside. Much of the audience had clearly dissipated by the middle of BT’s set, and looking over my shoulder to the sea of heads during the Foxes set cemented this conviction even further. Next up were a few songs from their forthcoming full-length, including “White Winter Hymnal” and “Sun It Rises”. Pecknold played solo on another. Yielding to its popularity, fan-favorite “Mykonos” was played toward the end of the set, shortly before BT came on stage to offer brotherhood and five different versions of percussion (tambourines, shakers, etc.). The two groups had clearly bonded over their recent tour together, a first for the sly Foxes, who were quite overwhelmed with the adoration the hometown fans were showing. Pecknold kept saying how much he “loved Seattle.” Good for him, so do I.

The Fleet Foxes’ carefully considered songs played live aren’t quite as polished as their recordings would have you believe, but that’s not to say the guys aren’t accomplished musicians. Just more organic. True, some of the supplementary instrumentation that adorns their record goes by the wayside when they step on stage (to reiterate, someone build a statue of Phil Ek in a town square somewhere), but their music endures. Skye Skjelset, the lead guitarist, meticulously strums his jangly guitar, while drummer Nick Peterson pounds his toms with an ominous and lively excellence. Keyboardist Casey Westcott adds some harmony and texture of his own. I realize that they are still a fairly young band, but I’m excited to see how they progress and how their LP turns out.

The band is fast becoming a popular draw, as they don their Sasquatch attire next month. Saturday, the festival’s best day, will feature them along with other local heroes such as Grand Archives, Vince Mira, and Modest Mouse. Sustained success and inflation have made this a spendy concert, but it will be a good one. Start growing your beards now.

Popularity: 27%

8 Bands 1 Day - A Synopsis of SP’s National Record Store Day

“Hey mark April 19th on your calendar as National Record Store day, were going to be having a few bands do in-store performances during the day… are you interested in running sound?” emailed the current Marketing Manager of Silver Platter’s record store to me sometime in February.

“Sure,” I replied, “Just lemme know how many.” Little did I know that the 3 confirmed bands at the time would turn into a 9 band bill for the first annual National Record Store day celebrated by record stores across the country last Saturday. I had the pleasure of mixing sound for most of the 9 acts booked at Silver Platter’s Queen Anne location. One band didn’t show and the headliner brought a hired gun to run sound so technically it was 7, and this is my story.

1:00 - The Mary McPage Band
The whole band showed up about an hour early, hung out, got to know me a little while they set up. And killed it with a terrific blues set. Mary McPage is a seasoned veteran of blues music in Seattle. So much so that The Mary McPage band, Mary McPage herself, guitarist Jevon Powell, and drummer Bill Page were all nominated for best-of category at the 19th Annual Washington Blues Society Awards show at the Triple Door on Sunday. Her band is full of rippers and Mary is full of the blues, a great way to start the day off for sure. They are playing again at Monahan’s in Everett April 25th if you wanna catch em.

2:00 - Matt Jorgensen + 451
You know a jazz player once told me a joke; a jazz musician plays thousands of notes to only a few people, and a blues player a few notes to thousands of people… In this case both blues and jazz had only a store full of peep but the jazz of Matt Jorgensen and 4-5-1 (separate letters as in chord structure) was really good and a nice second up to bat. A sax, drums, upright bass (which I love), and a Fender Rhodes keyboard brought me back to my days at the Lionel Hampton School of Music where jazz was the subject and we all studied it. Nice fills, good transitions, and solid playing with a cocky little jazz attitude to boot made for a good show. Their at the Sunset Tavern on the 23rd.

3:00 - Pat Monahan
Remember Rex Manning day in the movie Empire Records? Well Pat Monahan was Rex Manning on Saturday (although I don’t think any of the staff slept with him). If your not familiar with his work he was the lead singer for the Grammy winning band Train and wrote songs Drops of Jupiter and Meet Virginia. It was like asking The Eagles to play a song you don’t know… impossible. Regardless of my pre-disposition about his top 40 work in the past, the crowd was big and he had a certain magnetism and charisma about him which drew everyone in and laid them out with his ever recognizable voice. And whether you like the music or not, major label songwriters at this level are actually really good at what they do on stage, and he was no exception. His guitarist and keyboard players were badass to say the least, and he separated the pros from the ams in what I will continually reiterate on this blog… the delivery. It was flawless, and that made the show, with 5 fuckin songs… I have no idea where he plays next, you’ll have to look that one up for yourself.

Popularity: 24%

Partman Parthorse Booted Off Bill By Camel

Yes, Camel sucks, indeed.

You might be wondering what in the world is going on in this picture of Gary Smith, flamboyant frontman of Seattle punk group Partman Parthorse, his distaste for the cigarette giant in plain view. But if you’re keen to the Seattle scene, you’re most likely not surprised at the antics of one of the city’s most thrilling live acts.

Turns out this act of defiance was in reference to the sponsor of a show the band played at the High Dive in February of 2007 (read Philip’s lively account here), where they shared the stage with another explosive and talented local band, The Heavy Hearts. The company’s mobile advertising/survey system was definitely all up in peoples’ grills that night, and I recall thinking, “Wait…people still let Camel sponsor their shows?” I didn’t give it much more of a passing thought than that as I enjoyed the strong musical lineup. However, in a health-conscious city with an indoor smoking ban—in effect since January of 2006—it’s anyone’s guess as to why Camel would still be able to subsidize shows without the names ‘Nickelback’ or ‘Puddle of Mudd’ on the marquee. But I suppose, despite what we may prefer, American corporations still have some clout in this world, even in the seemingly detached enclave of the Seattle music scene.

Unfortunately, that clout has once again reigned supreme, as PMPH, scheduled to play that same High Dive this coming April 26th for their pals the Heavy Hearts CD release show, have been unceremoniously booted from the bill. Obviously, Camel didn’t take too kindly to the anti-smoking message Smith was flaunting last time around, and decided to rectify the situation. I guess I’m not all that familiar with how a conglomerate like Camel comes to sponsor a particular event, but I suspect record labels and club owners and their relationships come into play. Word on the street was that the HH asked PMPH to play the show, only to succumb afterwards to the political whims of the show’s sponsor, and the equine-obsessed band was promptly ‘86ed. Now, who actually succumbed, I’m not sure, but the simple fact that this happened pretty much…sucks. The Hearts appear to be genuine, hardworking musicians, so I can’t imagine they made the final decision. Maybe the High Dive has a hard-on with the unscrupulous backer? Considering the show is free, that may not be too far off the mark.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a cigarette smoker; I think it’s quite possibly one of the most short-sighted, albeit addictive, habits one can engage in. Yet I also believe in free will, so smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, ya know? But when it comes to the sanctioning of certain bands over others based on the preference of well-heeled, crooked cigarette pushers, you’ll forgive me if I find that repulsive.

Popularity: 28%

Joshua Morrison at Home

Washington native Joshua Morrison doesn’t have the typical background you might imagine for a singer-songwriter who’s on the verge of making his mark in music. An Iraq war veteran, and still serving in the U.S. Army, Joshua is a young and contemplative musician whose time overseas has shaped his musical output. Eloquent and sincere, seductive and sultry, Morrison’s wispy, soft-spoken vocals and catchy acoustic melodies melt your heart. His full-length debut, Home, is one of the most refreshing albums I’ve heard since its 2007 release. It’s a collection of compassionate diary entries that expose elements of loneliness, solitude, longing and love. His brooding and soulful lyrics are reflective of a man worn down from his displacement abroad and, perhaps, from having no choice but to await freedom and the far-reaching hope of returning ‘home’.

Luckily, home is exactly where Morrison was last Thursday night, if only for a brief stint between his transfer from North Carolina to Kentucky. His presence on stage at the Tractor Tavern contained a grateful and inspired energy. He spoke to the audience between songs and had a giddy enthusiasm and appreciation for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. When he broke into Madness’ ‘when I see your face, it gives me hope’, he seemed to have renewed hope and patience for his inevitable, yet distant, return home. Morrison confesses that he yearns for the day when he’ll return to Seattle for good, most likely in a couple of years’ time. And it’s hard not to root for him, since he’s such a gracious and likeable guy.

Given the lonely, personal and soul-searching nature of Morrison’s songwriting, one would expect him to be quiet and introverted. The truth is, he has a jovial, energetic and down-to-earth nature, and he enthusiastically addressed friends and fans who approached him throughout the evening. A sturdy man in his mid-twenties, one might mistake him for a football player, not a singer-songwriter.

Morrison’s performance at the Tractor Tavern was endearing and enchanting. He was accompanied on-stage by a cellist, bassist and drummer, all of whom were just as smooth and magnetic as he was. Together, they gracefully launched his gentle songs forward. Only a quieter audience and perhaps better sound pickup of Morrison’s whispery vocals would have made the performance perfect.

Morrison plays at Sasquatch Festival on Saturday, May 24th at 3:15 PM. His debut album, Home, is available at your local record store or by clicking here.

Popularity: 26%

Overheard at Breakfast (File Under Non Sequitur)

Having coffee before class yesterday, I was doing some reading (last minute last minute!) and some chatty folks sat down at a neighboring table and had a lively conversation. Two highlights to share, then back to finishing my 1040A:

Regarding Radiohead’s latest, In Rainbows: “Radiohead’s new album is so good, other bands should just apologize…. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t at least like Radiohead.”
Turns out this was a paraphrase of another website’s critique/courtesy reacharound of this landmark release.
What is the deal with the ads for the on-sale date for the Radiohead appearance this summer? No show date, just “on sale Saturday 10am”. It just comes across as a little arrogant: “You know you want to come to the show no matter where or when.” Yeah, I am an adoring fan, but that’s a bit much.

“Dude, I heard Linda’s is closing!”
While not a music venue itself, it is a great pre- and post-show watering hole. I called a friend who is a manager for Linda, and have no fear, the official word is that Linda’s is here to stay.

Popularity: 24%

King Cobra, Seattle - This Snake’s Got Bite

King Cobra, up on Capitol Hill has officially sunk its fangs into the Seattle music scene. The venue struck at the perfect time-just after the Crocodile Cafe had (un)expectedly closed its doors and Seattle was in the lurch for a venue named after a dangerous animal. Now, only a couple months out of their infancy, King Cobra is booking night after night of fantastic bands. I thought I’d share a couple of the highlights happening over for the next several weeks

Friday, April 18
The Pharmacy, The Pleasureboaters, Strong Killings, Tacocat

Saturday, April 19
9:00pm
Seattle Semi-Pro Wrestling…….. w/ Black Eyes and Neckties

I’ve seen Black Eyes and Neckties scorch the floor at the Comet Just before Monotonix lit the damn place on fire. Paired up with high energy dudes jumping off of fences and yelling obscenities at each other (and the crowd) during Amateur wrestling, this should be a night among nights.

Sat, May 17th 9pm
Thee Emergency (Record Release),
The Hands,
The Valley
Three of Seattle’s Superstars are gathered up here at Capitol Hill’s hottest new digs. Be sure to get here early and stay late. Nothing on this bill is going to disappoint. Thee Emergency is going to be celebrating the release of their new CD Solid due out in May.

Friday, May 30
Emeralds, Cancer Rising, Caves, The Physics
The Physics have been touted here by DJ 100 Proof as Seattle’s best Hip Hop group. Considering that they are opening this bill, I can only expect that this is going to be a lit-up show!
Friday June 25 and Sat June 26
Capitol Hill Block Party

Last but not least, King Cobra will be hosting bands this year at the Block Party. Not clear as to who will playing yet but given the current schedule, it’s going to be soemone worth seeing.

For more of the goings-on on the ‘Hill, you can find the entire King Cobra Schedule after the break (Updated 4-15-08)

Popularity: 34%

Love Is On The Menu

Most of you have probably already forgotten about my Portland-promise from earlier this year to try and highlight more music from our sister city to the south. I almost did myself, so I can’t say I blame you. Luckily, however, I’m here to back it up and expose a bright spot in the Rose City’s art scene.

In what seems like an increasing (but by no means recent) trend in the world of music, musicians these days are more than just simply musicians; they design stylish clothing, they fashion sustainable jewelry, they create visuals for a local concert, or they manipulate photographs for a friend’s gallery. In short, they’re multitalented, versatile and resourceful. At least, many of them are. One such example is Portland folk outfit Love Menu, featuring a crop of designers and musicians working together to bring their innovative ideas to the world. More specifically, the band will be bringing said visions to a trunk show and par-tay at the Last Waltz Boutique in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood on Saturday, April 26th.

Originally the solo project of organic clothing designer Emily Katz, the band has now progressed—and taken off—to include a slew of additional collaborators such as Bobby Smith on guitar and glockenspiel, Steve Kierniesky on the banjo and guitar, vocalist Jeevan Singh, and drummer/designer Emily Baker. Baker, who cloaks herself under the veil of Clever Castle, is a bonafide veteran of the Seattle music scene, sitting behind the drum kit for such bands as Sinestro, Enemy Kite, Via, Panda & Angel, and Touchdown Eagle, among others. Recently transported to Portland in the hopes of improving her chances as a jewelry designer, her body ornaments have garnered much acclaim for their uniqueness, their sustainability, and, of course, their magnetic charm. Now teamed with Katz, she and the rest of the Love Menu gang are taking the west coast by storm with a soothing catalogue of flourishing acoustic folk tunes. Katz’s hauntingly beautiful voice wafts through each of their songs as the players embellish with a flock of instruments, including melodica, autoharp, concertina, and, oh yes, handclaps.

The band will be embarking shortly on a tour through California, Oregon, and Washington in the wake of a successful recording session at the legendary Dub Narcotic Studios (that of K Records founder Calvin Johnson) in Olympia, WA. The party in Seattle will be the final stop. Come out and support local artisans as they weave their homegrown magic.

Post Script: Proceeds to benefit Baahaus, a Vashon Island animal shelter!

Popularity: 22%