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July 19, 2012

Reverb Fest 2012: Bringing Super Groups & A Solid Local Line-Up to Ballard Ave.

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REVERB Music Festival

Cosmic Pantherland Band ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Josh reported this morning on Slack Fest as being our ideal version of a summer Festival. But when it comes to an ideal local music festival, I have to nominate Seattle Weekly’s annual Reverb Fest. Held every October on Ballard Avenue, Reverb Fest offers an inexpensive, curated introduction to what’s happening right now in local music. The festival transcends genres, offering a little something for everyone whether you like Ballard Avenue twang, hip hop, garage punk, power pop, or metal. For just $10-$15 you have the chance to discover a couple new favorite bands and see some old favorites, all within a convenient couple block radius. For this reason, it is, year after year, one of my favorite events and days.

This year’s Reverb will be held October 6th and features one of the Fest’s strongest line-ups to date. I’m especially excited to see a couple Seattle supergroups names on the line-up: “The Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band in the World” (featuring members of The Blood Brothers and Wayfinders) and Cosmic Pantherland Band (featuring members of The Moondoggies, The Maldives and more playing cosmic country). Other acts I’m eager to catch at Reverb this year include: Country Lips (traditional country covers and originals, that wowed at Slack Fest), Erik Blood stepping from behind the boards and on stage, Hardly Art’s Grave Babies, the sultry songs of Prom Queen, the heady raps of OCNotes, the psychedelic drone of Midday Veil, the sweet songs of Shannon Stephens and a trio of Good to Die bands: Brokaw, Monogamy Party and Deadkill.

Arrington De Dionyso / Ayron Jones & The Way / BOAT / Brain Fruit / Brokaw / Brothers From Another / Chocolate Chuck / Christina Bautista / Cosmic Pantherland Band / Country Lips / Deadkill / Erik Blood / Eugenie Jones / Full Toilet / Gabriel Mintz / Grave Babies / Haunted Horses / Kithkin / Lifestyles Of The Poor & Unknown / Midday Veil / Monogamy Party / Naomi Punk / No Rey / Noeula / OCnotes / Posse / Prom Queen / Rachel Harrington / Secret Colors / Shannon Stephens / Shelby Earl / Side Saddle / Soul Senate / Spoonshine / Sweet Pups / Sweetwater / The Chasers / The Crow Quill Night Owls / The Greatest Rock N Roll Band In The World / The Shivering Denizens / The Wheelies / Ticktockman

March 21, 2012

Who Wants To Win A Copy of the New Hunx Album?

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The new Hunx album Hairdresser Blues has been circulating about the blogosphere for a minute now and to say the least, it’s a another solid entry in this prolific glam-punk’s output. Gritty and raw, and sassy and full of sneer, the album hits on similar themes with the same reserve of talent the hairdresser-turned-rock-and-roll-star brings to every bit of sparkly tunes he pumps out.

But why do you need me to fill your ears with hoo-ha about this fantastic album? Why don’t you just listen to it yourself … for free!

The delightful people at Hardly Art have given us four, count ‘em FOUR, albums to give away to a few of our lucky readers. In the comments section below tell us the worst experience you’ve ever had with a hairdresser has been. We’ll pick the four that we love the most and send off a copy of this great album to their waiting mailboxes.

Hunx plays tonight, March 21st in San Francisco at Bottom of the Hill with NOBUNNY, Heavy Cream, and Shannon and The Clams. He’ll then pop up the West Coast and stop in Seattle on the 23rd for a show at The Crocodile with TacocaT, Heavy Cream and Grave Babies. Don’t miss these shows!

Hunx – Always Forever

December 15, 2011

A Few End of Year Lists From Our Friends At Hardly Art

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hardlyart

It’s been a banner year for Hardly Art.  Seemingly back-to-back-to-back-to-back fantastic albums filled out a year capped of by the Gem Club album Breakers, a truly somber bit of orchestration. To celebrate the festive days cluttering up the calender before the inevitable turn towards 2012, the good folk at Hardly Art sent over a list of some of their favorite albums this year.

For your enjoyment:

Sarah Moody

Albums

01. The Sandwitches – Mrs. Jones’ Cookies 02. Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring for My Halo 03. Shannon & the Clams – Sleep Talk 04. Tim Hecker – Ravedeath, 1972 05. Magic Trick – The Glad Birth of Love 06. Grave Babies – Deathface 07. Fucked Up – David Comes to Life 08. Grouper – A I A : Alien Observer 09. A Winged Victory for the Sullen – s/t 10. Woods – Sun & Shade 11. Thee Oh Sees – Carrion Crawler / The Dream

Best live shows

Ty Segall, Davila 666, Nu Sensae, White Lung, Thee Oh Sees, Pictureplane

Honorable mention

Demdike Stare, The Babies, Hunx & Tuffy, up all night in Austin, up all night in NYC, Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx, Factory Floor, Clap reissue, Bill Cosby & His White Pudding Pops, James Blake, Total Control, Iceage, Grass Widow, Case Studies… everything on Hardly Art and Sub Pop that I am refraining from putting in the proper 10.

Read the rest of the Hardly Art family’s favorite things (more…)

July 21, 2011

Hardly Art Signs Seattle’s Grave Babies

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gb7

Some label is going to have an awfully hard time wrestling the title of “favorite local label” away from Hardly Art if they keep investing in such great local talent. With Gold Leaves, Seapony, Shimmering Stars (from Vancouver) and now Grave Babies, Hardly Art is putting out local records I want to listen to. Grave Babies 7” is due out August 16th, the same day as Gold Leaves debut, making is an awesome day for local releases, all thanks to Hardly Art.

Grave Babies open Capitol Hill Block Party on Friday at the Vera Stage at 4pm.

Grave Babies – PLEASURES by hardlyartrecords