Shabazz Palaces at Sasquatch ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Congratulations are deserved all around this morning with the news that Sub Pop has signed local hip hop visionaries Shabazz Palaces. We love it when local support local (it’s kind of our thing here …) and we couldn’t be happier for both parties with this new partnership. I think Ishmael Butler (or The Palaceer) said it best in this morning’s press release, “And, of course, Seattle is the immeasurable muse, the backdrop, backbone, the foundation to how we all get down.”

Here are the important parts of that release and a five tracks from Shabazz via Sub Pop’s soundcloud. You can expect to hear new Shabazz out on Sub Pop sometime in 2011.

Seattle, WA— Sub Pop’s recent signing of Seattle’s ascendant hip-hop collaborative Shabazz Palaces highlights an exciting, new example of the city’s legendary and ever-evolving music community. After self-releasing 2 EPs, Of Light and Shabazz Palaces, in 2009, the group quickly gained local acclaim, especially (and most noticeably to us) here within the Sub Pop offices. The Stranger, on Shabazz Palaces: “Shabazz’s almost subliminal messages are universal: ‘Find out who you are and see it/Find out what you are and free it/Find out who you love and need it/Find out what you can and be it.’It’s a timely sentiment for Seattle hip-hop, which, after years of self-negating/hating or looking too much to the Bay Area and Brooklyn for direction, is enjoying a creative surge and homegrown industry that is—no bullshit—changing the landscape of Seattle music.” With their debut full-length expected and anticipated in 2011, Shabazz Palaces will keep busy playing shows, receiving awards and turning heads.

“I think we both have a lot of love, appreciation, respect and energy for music and for each other. Recognizing the fact that business is necessary for maximizing exposure to it, I think we mutually feel that doing business is less a ‘job’ and more an opportunity to exercise those feelings in dope ass ways. Shabazz, we bring a distinct hip-hop mentality from left to Sub Pop, which has established itself wide and deep in r&r from that same field. So, it’s going to be cool to see what gets born from rolling together. And, of course, Seattle is the immeasurable muse, the backdrop, backbone, the foundation to how we all get down. So SP feels a lot of pride around this partnering-up as well. The people, the office, the deal, it all feels super plush. So stay tuned, it’s ’bouts to be on.”—The Palaceer, Shabazz Palaces

I’m sick.  Raging fever, various other unmentionable ailments directly tying me to the bathroom.  Regardless, Sub Pop’s signing of Shabazz Palaces is something to celebrate.

Briefly.

Shabazz Palaces - 32 leaves dipped in blackness making clouds

Vampire Weekend ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Vampire Weekend pissed off a whole field of fans this past weekend at Marymoor Park canceling their set after making the crowd wait over an hour for an announcement, which then came from some unlucky manager and not the band themselves. Concert goers on Twitter and blog commenters wanted Vampire Weekend’s blood. (No pun intended, but it stays.) So how does the band make up this grave disappointment to local fans?

They announce two make-up shows in the coming month (September 22nd and 23rd) at The Paramount Theater and they tap these guys for their opener, for both nights:

The Head and The Heart ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Well played Vampire Weekend. And congratulations to The Head and The Heart, whose next gig always seems to be the biggest of their lives. We couldn’t be happier for them.

[Editor's Addendum]: After I got over my initial “holy cow, that is big news!” high I realized I already had plans to see The Head and The Heart on 9/23 opening for Fences at The Crocodile. So I emailed the band and they confirmed that they’ve had to back out of that show and that they are working on ways to make that up to fans who purchased tickets for it.

Last week we shared two new Maldives songs with you as part of the inaugural Doe Bay Session and today we’re happy to share another with you courtesy of KEXP at No Depression Fest.

We were treated to a similar acoustic solo rendition of the brand new song after filming The Maldives Doe Bay Session, but Jason asked us not to film it. We are so glad he changed his mind and let KEXP capture it. Around our picnic table at Doe Bay, a small audience sat silently stunned after he finished the delicate tune, before erupting in hoots, hollers and whistles. For a moment, we were dumbfounded by what we’d just heard … was it possible that The Maldives and Jason Dodson’s best songs are yet to come? All signs point to yes and “Muscle for the Wing” is a strong contender for the best thus far.

Take a listen for yourself and then see the band perform this Saturday at 3:00 on the Starbucks Stage (see: Mural Amphitheater) during Bumbershoot.

Off to conquer Bumbershoot ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

This is what our Bumbershoot schedule looks like, because we are insane. If you’d like to see what covering Bumbershoot looks like with a lens focused on local talent, follow our schedule. It usually means catching 15 minutes of sets here and 15 minutes of another set there. It always means running around Seattle Center like a marathoner.

If you’d like to actually take your time and enjoy full sets at Bumbershoot, follow the schedule below, but with just the bolded choices. Sometimes we bold events at the same time, even for you, because it is worth splitting your time between two acts. Spend Saturday finding the best short cut between stages and by Monday, you’ll be a pro. We’ll see you all over the Seattle Center grounds this weekend!

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Saturday September 4th

12:15 - Grynch (Fisher Green)
1:15 - Star Anna & The Laughing Dogs (Starbucks Stage)
2:45 - Zoe Muth & Her Lost High Rollers (Northwest Court)
3:00 - The Maldives (Starbucks Stage)
3:45 - Wheedle’s Grove (Fisher Green)
4:30 to 6:00 - The Round (Northwest Court)
4:45 - Justin Townes Earle (Starbucks Stage)
5:30 - The Decemberists (Mainstage)
6:45 - See Me River (EMP Skychurch)
7:15 - Neko Case (Mainstage)
7:30 - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (Broad Street)
8:15 - The Cute Lepers (EMP Skychurch)
9:00 - Bob Dylan (Mainstage)
9:45 - Visqueen (EMP Skychurch)

Hey Marseilles ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Sunday September 5th

12:30 - Unnatural Helpers (Broad Street Stage) or School of Rock All-Stars (EMP Skychurch)
1:15 - Horse Feathers (Starbucks Stage)
2:00 - The Lonely H (EMP Skychurch)
2:15 - Hey Marseilles (Broad Street) or Fresh Espresso (Fisher Green)
3:30 - The Redwood Plan (EMP Skychurch)
4:00 - Dave Bazan (Broad Street)
5:45 - Ra Ra Riot (Broad Street)
6:45 - Fences (EMP Skychurch)
7:30 - Delorean (Broad Street ) or for pure train wreck potential … Hole (Mainstage)
8:15 - The Physics (EMP Skychurch)
9:15 - Weezer (Mainstage)
9:30 - Fatal Lucciano (EMP Sky Church)

Japandroids ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Monday September 6th

11:45 - Brent Amaker & The Rodeo (Starbucks Stage)
12:30 - Bobby Bare Jr. (Broad Street) or People Eating People (EMP Skychurch)
1:15 - JEFF The Brotherhood (Center Square)
2:45 - Chris Pureka (Northwest Court)
4:00 - Meat Puppets (Broad Street)
4:45 - THEESatisfaction (EMP Skychurch) or Baroness (Center Square)
5:00 - The Moondoggies (Starbucks Stage)
5:45 - Japandroids - (Broad Street)
6:30 - Anvil (Center Square)
6:45 - Jenny & Jonny (Starbucks Stage)
7:45 - Wild Orchid Children (EMP Sky Church)
8:00 - Laura Veirs & The Hall of Flames (Northwest Court)
9:00 - Mary J. Blige (Mainstage)
9:15 - The Thermals (Broad Street)

Junius ::: Photo Courtesy of Fanatic Promotion

Do any of you have friends you haven’t seen in a while? I ask you that question assuming that you have had some form of companionship at one point of your life.  If the answer to my question was “yes,” then I want you to think back to ancient history. Let us go back in time to a place where there was no such thing as social networking, smart phones hadn’t been invented yet, some guy who failed at running the Texas Rangers was your President and the #1 song of the year was “Crazy in Love” by a relatively unknown artist by the name of Beyonce Knowles. Ladies and gentlemen, let us go back to 2003.

In 2003, I met/saw Junius in a small club in Boston and was blown away. They were young, they were shaved, they hadn’t started wearing all-black yet and if I remember correctly, they were still weren’t signed to Radar Recordings (awesome record label).  Even though one of my dear friends has Junius cover art tattoed on his arm, I have failed to keep track of this band until recently. As with anyone you haven’t seen in a long time, things have changed. Obviously speaking completely in superficial terms, the band wears all black now and are a bearded lot. Musically, I remember them being quite ferocious and noisy. Sure their stage space has always been dominated by pedal boards with the necessary tools to create a dreamscape, but I don’t remember their songs being as airy. Some of the Junius I’ve been listening to lately has a B-grade Depeche Mode feel, I’m not sure I approve of it. What makes it worse is that it’s predictable and leaves little to the imagination. Hopefully these songs are just an anamoly and my memory of them being great in Boston is correct.  In a live setting, Junius are much more impressive and crushing than they are on record. This band isn’t Neurosis. Let’s not get carried away like the doldrums at Rolling Stone but they have bite nonetheless.

Honestly, the band I’m the most curious to see is Portland’s Ghost and Monsters. They play what I would describe as, “some straight up dude shit.” You know what I’m talking about? You go to their show and there isn’t anyone with two “X” chromosome unless they are dating someone in the band. Discordant hardcore with timings more awkward than your first kiss. Sometimes they remind me of old-school Every Time I Die but with occasional “cookie monster” vocals. I don’t like to impress my will on total strangers, but they should really consider getting rid of vocals remniscent of Sesame Street’s favorite cookie glutton. Ghosts and Monsters sound like they grew up being exposed to a lot of the same bands I was. Bands like Drowningman, Deadguy, Botch, Jerome’s Dream, Dillenger Escape Plan, pretty much anything that was cool and heavy between 1996-2002. Enjoy this band while they still fall on the floor while playing, one day they’ll be old, standing upright and singing folk songs.

Doe Bay Love for Drew Grow ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Where do I even begin talking about what may have been the greatest weekend of my life?

—

The Doe Bay Resort is situated on the far end of nowhere, about as far from the ferry dock on Orcas Island as one can hope to get. It is on the way to nowhere, and that is kind of the point. Among the yurts, cabins, campsites and forest, there’s no 3G to sap your attention. Only an idyllic setting to focus on relaxation and nature and the people you are with. A place to soak in the mineral spring and bathe in the expansive starlight, things normally obscured by the lights and pace of the big city.

Doe Bay faces southeast toward Cypress Island, and then the Cascades further on. An organic cafe overlooks the bay and getting up to watch the sun rise above the Cascades while cradling a hot cup of coffee is a favorite activity. We certainly spent our share of time waking up under a rising sun while sitting out on the Cafe patio, sipping coffee and attacking a truly delicious selection of breakfasts made with ingredients grown in an organic on-site garden.

Courtesy of resort den-mother and wonder woman Jami, our specially set reserved campsite ended up being a geodesic dome hidden among the trees on the opposite side of the inlet from the Cafe, a space age feeling structure with a bed. More importantly, it came with a pair of picnic tables spectacularly overlooking the resort. Prime property. These picnic tables would play host to series of mostly unplanned magical moments over the four days we spent at Doe Bay: A Hey Marseilles Doe Bay Session. Meeting new friends. A magnificent effort to fix our brand new generator that would ultimately be unsuccessful but a bonding experience just the same. A late night rap battle that went on and on. Getting a listen to a new Maldives song that is just exceptional. Having the privilege of hearing Kelli Schaefer and friends singing “Over the Rainbow,” with all of the festival bigwigs in attendance. And sharing countless Doe Bay hugs. It all added up the one of the most memorable and life affirming weekends of my life.

The Mainstage ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth


I think we might need to come up with a new word for what Doe Bay Fest is. Sure, it has a few stages, great bands are present, and it is nominally about seeing music. But calling it simply ‘a music festival’ doesn’t communicate the quality of interaction that a gathering in this setting encourages and makes possible. For four solid days I had no want to leave. In actively forgetting our worries and forgetting about clocks, Doe Bay became a real-life Utopia for those present, if only for an instant. And that’s not something that happens at just a ‘music festival.’

Read the rest of this entry »

Drew Grow and The Pastors Wives on the trail ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

By asking bands to come and play some songs in the forest, we were asking them to strip their songs down to their most fundamental elements, to distill them into their most concentrated existence. For some bands that means a single person. For others, the emotion portrayed is more complicated than a single person can fully express.

Drew Grow and the Pastor’s Wives had to compromise nothing, in that it’s the human power of their songs that are the real strength. Amidst the boughs of 150 foot tall trees, in the middle of the trail, Drew, Seth, Jeremiah, and Kris proved they’re not simply a great rock band on stage, they’re intensely present and able musicians in any setting. The mossy surroundings would amplify the voices across the resort and deliver this Doe Bay Session to everyone as it happened, foreshadowing the incredible showing the band would deliver the following day and the larger impact their presence at the festival would amount to. It was glorious.

The Doe Bay Sessions - Drew Grow and the Pastors’ Wives from Sound on the Sound on Vimeo.

Drew Grow and the Pastors’ Wives play Columbia City Theater September 11th with Pablo Trucker and Yuni in Taxco. You can purchase tickets here and we recommend you do so early.

Watch the first Doe Bay Session with The Maldives.

While it will be difficult to tell here on Sound on the Sound and most local music publications, there are other things happening in Seattle this coming weekend that aren’t Bumbershoot.

If you didn’t have the cash to shell out or you hate big crowds or you’re not into the headliners or whatever the case may be, but you still want to attend a kick-ass arts and music festival, you are in luck. Happening Saturday at the Underground Events Center in Belltown is Bumblefuck, the anti-Bumbershoot hosted by the fine folks at Bad Horses. Featuring 16 local bands and even more local artists, the event costs $5 to Bumbershoot’s economy option of $30 a day. If you don’t have $5 to spend, you can donate canned food, or bring supplies and make art and you’ll get in for free. The event also needs volunteers to work the door and sell merchandise, if you do volunteer, your time and efforts will be rewarded with free beer and band merchandise. You can email agtsk@hotmail.com if you’re interested.

The music starts at 3pm and goes until 2am with sets from folks like A Gun That Shoots Knives, Curious Mystery, Partman Parthorse and Spurm. If you’re not going to Bumbershoot, let this be your alternative … or if you are heading to Bumbershoot and you’re looking for a non-sanctioned after-party alternative, head underground in Belltown for Bumblefuck.

You’re going to be hearing the whole “sounds like Madlib drinking Pina Coladas off the coast of Dominica” comparisons in the weeks and months to come about Monster Rally, and rightly so.  This is chopped up tropics, filtered through the finest mesh of hip-hop, and then stretched and pulled until its the speed of slippin’ molasses.  This is the relaxation of a day at the beach turned and twisted, intertwined and layered until you’re watching your multi-coloured umbrella and coco-butter skin lotion from every angle.

I can’t say it’s even remotely summer in San Francisco, but this track smells like aloe and tastes like coconut water.

Monster Rally - Holiday