Nick of Elvis Perkins in Dearland ::: photo by Abbey Simmons
I have to say, with such a vibrant year of local music, I spent the vast majority of my 2009 exploring things made in the Pacific Northwest; rather than venturing out in to the vastness of the internets and the rest of America. So most of these are pretty well known tracks, albums, and artists or from Noah’s Daily Choices — though I do hope you discover a new favorite you hadn’t heard before too. These are the records and tracks recorded outside of the 206 that I most enjoyed and listened to on repeat in 2009. (The top 10 may be in some sort of hierachal order, but after that the order is not nearly as thought out or meaningful.)
The Ironclads CD Release Show ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth
As a person who goes to grippa shows, it’s a hopeless task to put properly put into any meaningful order the favorite shows they’ve been two beyond saying a few were the very best or stand out as special moments and deserve recognition as such for the annals. So I’ve chosen a list of twenty shows and sets from this year that I’ll never forget, presented in chronological order.
The Maldives and Moondoggies Sing-Along ::: photo by Abbey Simmons
2009 was an inspiring year for live music locally. My favorite shows ranged from intimate living room gatherings to huge festivals. They spanned genres from horror punk to hip hop to Ballard Avenue twang. They were almost all exclusively local, though I’ve seen a number of great touring bands in 2009. My hometown is where my heart is musically. Lucky for me (us all really) it was a banner year for local music, with a new found energy in the air and coming off the stages of Seattle.
Seeing that we have a couple weeeks left in 2009, I’m hopeful there’s still another show in my near future that will be worthy of being dubbed a favorite. Considering how great 2009 has been, it would surprise me more if that didn’t happen. While this list isn’t ennumerated, it is in a hierachal order of most cherished towards the top.
In a year where we’ve seen hundreds upon hundreds of sets by bands of all calibers and genres, few have made as lasting an impression as Bon Iver’s Sasquatch set.
Bundled up today in more layers than I feel comfortable admitting, it seems funny to me that these songs resonated so deeply in that hot and dusty summer setting, because Bon Iver sings for winter days like today. Days where the air is so cold, every breath you draw aches. Where the layers we wear mimic the walls we put up to keep people from getting too close. I recommend treating your headphones as ear-muffs, putting on some Bon Iver, taking a long frigid walk, and embracing the lonely loveliness of the winter weather and his songs.
The Moondoggies ::: Secret Set at The Blue Moon ::: photo by Abbey
We’re half way through 2009, which means it’s as good a time as any to reflect and share what were my favorite releases, songs, and shows in what’s proving to be an exciting year of music.
I’m not ready to list these in any sort of ranked order just yet, you’ll have to wait for Decemeber for that. But these are the albums, eps, songs, and shows that have helped make 2009 a memorable year of music, so far. (No Animal Collective or Dirty Projectors necessary!)
Best Albums So Far:
The Ironclads - Space Between the Maps
Elvis Perkins In Dearland- Elvis PerkinsIn Dearland
The Lonely Forest - We Sing The Body Electric J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues
Kaylee Cole - We’re Still Here Missing You Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
The Curious Mystery - Rotting Slowly
Nurses - Apple’s Acre Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
Shane Tutmarc - Shouting at a Silent Sky
I had to whittle down that list to a round, solid 10, which is pretty exciting considering there are albums scheduled to come out from the following bands in the remaining months of 2009:
The Cave Singers, The Maldives, The Dutchess and The Duke, Black Whales, Black Eyes & Neckties, Thee Emergency, J. Tillman, and David Bazan.
Bon Iver at Sasquatch ::: Photo by Abbey
Best EPs or 7” So Far:
Bon Iver - Blood Bank
See Me River - The Great Unwashed
The Moonodoggies - Terreberryy EP/Record Store Day EP
What What Now - Self Titled 7”
J. Tillman ::: photo by Abbey
Best Songs So Far:
“We Sing In Time” - The Lonely Forest
“Blood Bank” - Bon Iver
“Steel on Steel” - J. Tillman
“Shampoo” - Elvis Perkins
“Alamagordo” - The Ironclads
“Airplanes” - Local Natives
“The Hardest Part” - The Moondoggies
“Folding Chairs” - Regina Spektor
“Magic Mountain” - Arthur & Yu
“Gossamer Hair” - Pearly Gate Music
“Driftwood Doll” - The Traditionist
“Car Wreck” - Kaylee Cole
“The Ballad of RAA” - The Rural Alberta Advantage
“Coast of Carolina” - Telekenesis
(I have to admit, 2009 has been a year of albums/EPs/7” much more so than singles and songs, so I feel like this is more a list of my favorite songs from my favorite albums than the best singles or songs of ‘09. I’ll work on broadening that a bit before December.)
The Whore Moans Play Our 2nd Blue Moon Birthday Bash ::: Photo By Abbey
Sasquatch 2009 was filled with memorable performances and some truly stellar sets. Despite being only three days long, it’s impressive what a wealth and diversity of acts we managed to catch during our time at Sasquatch, all while largely avoiding the “headliners” of the festival. During the festival, in part thanks to an orthopedic boot, I only made it to the main stage five times, for: Animal Collective, Avett Brothers, The Decemberists, Murder City Devils, and the tail end of the Fleet Foxes. While I missed the acts that got most people through the gates, there’s no doubt in my mind that I caught the highlights of the entire Sasquatch! Music Festival: Bon Iver’s soaring set on Saturday night and Monotonix’s Monday afternoon insanity.
Bon Iver and Monotonix couldn’t be more opposite musically or performance-wise. A Bon Iver set is all about the songs and the nuance of Justin Vernon’s vulnerable vocals and lyrics, while during a Monotonix set you barely hear the songs amidst concerns of survival and avoiding Ami’s hairy, sweaty, Speedo-clad ass from landing on your face. During Bon Iver’s set everybody sang softly along as the bearded folkie sang: earnestly with shut eyes. During Monotonix’s set everybody did their best to keep Ami and the rest of the band upright as they crowd-surfed for what seemed like over half of the set. When early on, the crowd failed and Ami went crashing to the ground (and on top of the the bass drum he’d been standing on) he emerged from the crowd bloodied and with a large gash on his cheek; but completely undeterred at conquering the human wave below him. One set was pure over-the-top punk performance, while the other was staggering singer-songwriter genius.
While they may have nothing in common musically, the thing that Monotonix and Bon Iver did share was their ability to harness the epic moments possible in a festival-style setting like Sasquatch. For Bon Iver, it was a spine-tingling set, and that sense seemed to reverberate through the entire audience when he asked the crowd to act as his chorus during “The Wolves (Act I & II).” The audience, which had been dutifully singing along to every aching word already, happily obliged in a collective sway of song. Even the photo pit sang along. And as cheesy as it all sounds, standing there with the hairs on my neck standing on end, it felt like you were witnessing a moment of collective grace and something larger than yourself.
Monotonix’s set may not have been as profound as Bon Iver, but the band certainly harnessed the chaotic energy of the festival setting. Monotonix feeds on the thrill and fear of unexpected consequences from their performances. Out of the three previous Monotonix sets Sound on the Sound had seen, two had been shut down prematurely thanks to the band’s and crowd’s antics. When the security guard in charge of the Wookie Stage photo pit mentioned that he expected the band might be crazy enough to be shut down, and he did so during the first set of the day Monday, we fully expected Monotonix’s Sasquatch set would face a similar fate. When Ami and the band set their instruments up in front of the barrier and were crowd-surfing before the end of their second song, we were POSITIVE they’d be shut down at any moment and that certainty continued throughout the set. But no. No matter how crazy, bloody, sweaty, and hectic Monotonix’s set became, the security and powers-that-be let them continue. A Monotonix show is all about spectacle, participation, and a crazy communal experience — and they out-spectacled themselves with the audience’s eager help at Sasquatch – you’ve never seen anyone more thrilled to grope the Speedo’d ass of a hairy Israeli man than this year’s Sasquatch! audience.
Ultimately, as diametrically opposed as they may be, for both Monotonix and Bon Iver, we ended up sharing a sense of renewed wonder about these bands, their performance, and their ability to realize the full potential of a festival setting. When we look back at Sasquatch 2009, these will be the bands we recall most fondly and with a sense of wonder.
Bon Iver with Shara Worden ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth
Bon Iver with Shara Worden ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth
Inevitably festivals like Sasquatch always result in some major scheduling dilemmas, where two of the bands you want to see the most are playing at exactly the same time. This year’s Sasquatch is no different, diametrically opposing not just a few great bands, but genres.
The dilemma of Sasquatch 2009 is this: singer-song writers or screamers? You’ll have to have the great debate on both Saturday and Monday. On Saturday night it’s Bon Iver at the Wookie Stage versus the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the Main Stage. Monday it’s Fleet Foxes on the Main stage versus Monotonix at the Wookie Stage. All four bands can certainly make compelling arguments as why they are the unmissable act at that time slot and really, with these bands, whoever you see, you’re going to see a great set.
I’m having the great debate myself over these dueling acts. It’s an especially heated debate for me, because if you had to boil down my favorite types of music it would pretty much come down to singer song-writers and screamers/rockers.
For our first bout, the big Saturday night fight, we have the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the Main Stage and Bon Iver on the Wookie Stage. I’m sad to say that I haven’t caught either band live yet and they are both at the top of my list of acts I’m dying to see live. So, no easy opt out for me. The positives for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Karen O. I have never heard a single bad thing about the manic front woman of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and as someone who likes antics, I am promised that Karen O. will blow my mind. Plus, I really like the spectrum of the band’s catalog, though I’m not as thrilled with their new disco-y direction. But basically, as long as they play a few older tunes as well, I’m pretty sure I’d enjoy the entirety of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs set.
Not in the Yeah Yeah Yeahs favor: they’re not Bon Iver. I like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but I love Bon Iver. I suspect that I (and the rest of you) will be listening to Forever Emma Ago long after any of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ records. Forever Emma Ago was quite possibly my favorite albums of 2008 and it is filled with some of the most beautiful songs of recent memory. The chance of seeing these stunning songs performed at a place as beautiful as The Gorge, really seems like an unmissable music moment.
So the Saturday Night Fight Winner is: Bon Iver
Singer/Song-Writers: 1
Screamers: 0
MP3:“Blood Bank” by Bon Iver courtesy of Jagjaguwar Records
Stream: Zero by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’s
Fleet Foxes ::: Photo by Josh
For the Monday early evening battle we have Seattle’s own Fleet Foxes on the Main Stage versus Monotonix on the Wookie stage. I have seen both bands before and have been impressed by their live performances. So, once again, no easy way out. Definitely playing in the Fleet Foxes favor is the fact they’re one of the biggest buzz bands in the world right now. More importantly to me, they’re a local band. A local band who is bringing attention back to the Seattle music scene and proving we’re not just a grunge rock town.
I can say from experience that The Fleet Foxes, despite their intimate sound, translate really well to a place like The Gorge. I was captivated by their Main Stage show at Sasquatch last year, where their soaring Northwest hymnal harmonies seemed perfectly matched to the beautiful natural surroundings. Fleet Foxes have basically been touring non-stop since last years’ Sasquatch and in the process have become an even tighter band, with harmonies that have become even sweeter. As we’ve previously discussed the band is also playing some new songs which I am itching to hear live for myself.
However, you won’t find me at the Main Stage on Monday at 4:55pm. I’ll be over at The Wookie stage waiting eagerly to see what insanity Monotonix is able to drum up at a festival like Sasquatch, at a venue as epic as The Gorge. I believe it’s your duty to see Monotonix any time you can before they are banned from playing every venue in your town, ala Jesus Lizard and Seattle. (Until CHBP 2009, of course.) For the same reason that venues don’t invite Monotonix back (see: fire, garbage dumping, leading crowds out of venues, drum crowd surfing, climbing and jumping off tall structures) they’re pretty much a one-time-only band for most festivals. We all know there isn’t a chance in hell that Bumbershoot is asking Monotonix back after last year, when they shut the band down after less than 15 minutes.
And it’s those things, the things that make the venues and promoters nervous, that make Monotonix a must see. I’m not saying this band is only about antics, they have some dirty punk grooves that get punks dancing and dancers moshing. But the band’s antics are so damn good, so over-the-top, so in your face, and such an experience, that there’s no way I’d even seriously entertain the thought of seeing one of the biggest bands making music today, on one of the most beautiful stages in the world, if it meant missing Monotonix’s set.
So the Monday Matinee Fight Winner is: Monotonix
Singer/Song-Writers: 1
Screamers: 1
MP3:“Mykonos” by Fleet Foxes courtesy of Sub Pop Records
MP3:“Ride” by Monotonix courtesy of the SXSW 2009 grab bag
Final Score: We’re all tied up at 1-1.
I’ll be enjoying the songs of Bon Iver rather than the shrieks of Karen O. on Saturday, while I’m opting for the chaos of Monotonix over the lush harmonies of the Fleet Foxes on Monday.
Bon Iver performs “Flume” with The National and Shara Worden on 5/3/09
Did you happen to make it to New York City last week for the Dark Was the Night live concert at Radio City Music hall? No, I didn’t either. But a few of our twitter friends were there, and “Flume” had everyone drooling.
Below the fold find another Bon Iver and National performance of a song from the comp titled “Big Red Machine.”
* The Fruit Bats - Live from Berkely on KEXP
Finally after two years of not being able to listen to the Fruit Bats, thanks to unpleasant memories and a negative association with their stellar album Echolocation, I am so so glad to have the band back where they belong–in regular rotation. After two years off the Bats, they’re harmonies are sounding even sweeter to me.
* Shane Tutmarc - Dark Circles Shane yet again proves he’s one of Seattle’s most talented song-writers. There isn’t a bad song on the album, but I’m especially smitten with “Idle Hands” and “Let Me Down Easy.”
* See Me River - The Great Unwashed EP Half Smiths album, half classic See Me River, all good. Kerry Zettel has one of my favorite voices in the Seattle scene today.
* Kaylee Cole - We’re Still Here Missing You
Kaylee Cole’s album is hauntingly beautiful. I guarantee you “Car Wreck Song” and “Uncertain World” will be high on my Favorite Songs of 2009 list.
* Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP Ask anyone who’s been spending any amount of time with me recently (see: my co-workers) and they will tell you that I’ve been listening to the title track of this EP obsessively.
* Painted Hills - Magnolia EP The next Maldives? Mark my words, you’ll be hearing a lot more from this band very soon.
Happy 2009 all! Here’s the first ‘09 edition of what I’m listening to. Hope 2009 has been treating you all swell thus far. As you’re about to see, 2009 has been a lot less of my usual heavy rock & roll and a lot of enjoying singer-song-writers and quieter tunes.
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@kittywuwuwu *sobs* we're not! Just watching w/pride from Seattle. No surprise to us, but SO glad to see Shabazz getting mad love. Have fun! in reply to kittywuwuwu3 hrs ago
RT @recordstoreday: Just confirmed: Neil Young 7" for Record Store Day 3 hrs ago
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