The Montreal-based band Patrick Watson will drop Wooden Arms on May 5. In the meantime, check out “The Storm” and “Close to Paradise”:
May 4 New York, NY City Winery
May 8 Los Angeles, CA Hotel Cafe
May 9 San Francisco, CA Cafe du Nord
May 11 Portland, OR Doug Fir
May 12 Seattle, WA Crocodile Cafe
He says: indie pop.
I say: indie folk-pop.
You cry: splitting hairs!
They say: Sweden’s Jens Lekman emerged from relative obscurity to quickly establish himself as the darling of the global indie pop set, winning widespread acclaim from fans and critics for his uncommonly witty and well-crafted pop songs.
She says: Jens Lekman with special guest Tig Notaro on Thursday, June 4, and Friday, June 5, 2009 at 9:00pm at The Crocodile.
KEXP says: we often play his fine track The Opposite of Hallelujah and here it is from Swedish TV for your enjoyment:
Fifteen months after abruptly closing its doors, the Crocodile has reopened. To kick things off the venue hosted a pair of free shows. On Thursday night Hypatia Lake, the Kindness Kind and the Quiet Ones welcomed the Crocodile back to the Seattle music scene. Last night Akimbo, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, and Patrol thoroughly blew out any dust that might have remained from the remodling.
First, the Belltown neighborhood hasn’t changed much. There is still no place to park and it’s full of weekend warriors from the burbs (as I walked to the venue I heard a woman yell, “Oh my god, my boobs are popping out.” as she tried to run across a cross walk before the light changed). The Crocodile on the other hand is almost unrecognizable. The entrance is now on Blanchard street (the doors at the bottom of the ramp near where the restrooms were that were never used. The old entrance on 2nd Ave now leads to a smokers pen.) When I walked in Patrol was already playing. One thing that hasn’t changed is the sound. The place still sounds fantastic. It’s great to see Jim Anderson at the sound board doing what he does best. The new stage runs along the south wall of the show room and seems much bigger. The new lighting is going to make every band look like huge stars. When you stand looking at the stage it’s easy to think you are in a much larger venue.
Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, AKA Tad Doyle’s new band, proved the sound system can easily handle the loudest, heaviest bands. And the sight lines are great. The huge column is now gone and there is a mezzanine (I think this mezzanine is what caused all the Neumos comparisons I overheard last night. Rumor has it that the bar in the mezzanine serves stiffer drinks). But the room does not have a good flow. The main bar is now opposite from the stage along what used to be the window in what was the cafe area. All night long people who were going to get drinks were running into people returning with drinks as they all tried to weave through the people watching the bands.
And what’s with the bathrooms? They seem way too swanky. Especially since at the end of the night they are still going to end up looking like the bathrooms at El Corazon.
I’ve only recently gotten into Akimbo. I’ve always thought they were great musicians, but never fell in love with their music. But damn are the fun to watch. The crowd was really into their set. Full-on moshing was going on and it made the place feel alive. Akimbo promised a Nirvana cover if anyone took a stage dive. And when the singer from Patrol did just that, the band kept their word played a version of “Breed” that whipped the crowd into a frenzy. I thought it was a fitting tribute to the house that grunge built.
This is not the old Crocodile. Some of the coziness has been lost, but overall I think the new version will be seen as superior to the original. I look forward to seeing many shows here.
There is a rift in the Seattle music scene this month. Like the entire society that controls our nightly musical experiences is on a giant purge session.
First the Showbox is sold off to AEG, sure, sure they placate us with promises that the original booker and talent scout will remain in his position, but everyone just knows Celine is coming to town. It’s inevitable. This is a company concerned with nothing but the bottom line and they’ll throw any Clear Channel shit at you to make that dolla.
THEN, the Crocodile just up and closes it’s doors. Apparently, this was a long time coming. Stephanie Dorgan (owner) was reportedly brought to court after her first year for keeping shoddy accounting records. Her husband and partner in the Croc, Peter Buck-of R.E.M. fame, pulled out after their divorce last year. So I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. And every club is first and foremost a business. Yeah, right, I get it. But these are the places we revolve our social lives around. The places we go to see that little band from Albany we’ve been tracking all year. Of course we’re up in fucking arms about them being bought out by giant promoters and buttoning up shop.
Now, it’s rumored that the Comet
Tavern is up for sale. The Stranger pulled a posting from Craigslist stating the following
——————————-
Seattle’s oldest bar – $400000
Seattle’s oldest tavern/bar, centrally located in Capitol Hill. Very established. Possible Class H and pull tabs. NDA required. DO NOT TALK TO EMPLOYEES. ——————- Check out the post here
Just when it was becoming a standard in the Seattle Music Scene. I mean. I’m pretty sure pull tabs AND punk rock can coexist, but damn! What the hell is going on here? Are we on the turn of a new music revolution? Or is Seattle Music just going to be systematically wiped off the face of the Pac NW?
UPDATE————-
The Comet Tavern HAS BEEN SOLD!!! The Seattle Times reports that the comet Tavern was sold TODAY – Wed Dec 19th. It is said that all will remain status quo with the venue/bar. Whew!
you can check out the short article here
Driving in to the office this morning I heard on KEXP that the Crocodile Cafe was going to close its doors for good. I’ve been digging around hoping for something to dispel this awful news but info is scarce right now, and what info there is all points to the news being true. Three Imaginary Girls reports that the venue just doesn’t have the capitol to remain viable. It is also reported that all remaining shows have been canceled.
The Crocodile has been the go-to spot for the greatest sound in Seattle forever. I was just having a conversation this weekend about the best shows I’ve seen this year and 2 of the top 3 were at the Croc. The Blakes with the Cops, and Britt Daniel’s solo acoustic show. Over the years there have been so many good bands and good memories spawned at the Croc. I can only hope it falls into the right hands (stay away AEG!!!) and that Jim the sound-guy finds a proper home. It will be truly missed.
You have some favorite memories about the Croc? Best show? Most rediculous evening? Let’s hear ‘em.
I’ve been keeping an eye out for the biggest and best events happening for New Years 2008. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best things going down in the Seattle area.
(All events happen Dec 31st)
more››
The Cops record release riot for “Free Electricity” ensues tonight at the Crocodile with the Pleasureboaters and the Whore Moans and they will play Portland’s Tonic Lounge tomorrow night.
“Will The Cops make my tap my foot and have a good time?” you ask? Well, KEXP included The Cops’ infectious “It’s Epidemic” onto the Free Song of the Day podcast, and pumped out the provocative “Light If Off” one morning this week while I was stuck in traffic. Check the podcast directory to get a free taste.