Blog Archives

August 30, 2012

My Most Anticipated Acts of Bumbershoot

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Key Arena Seattle Center Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival
Don't Talk to the CopsPhoto: Josh Lovseth
Don't Talk to the Cops

Lots of good things happening at Bumbershoot this year. When was the last time Jane’s Addiction played in Seattle? Does anyone remember that Porno for Pyros song “Tahitian Moon”? Were you there? Did they play “Mountain Song”?

Saturday 

Don’t Talk to the Cops (1pm on Fisher Green Stage) – A few weeks ago a reader berated me saying that Don’t Talk To The Cops are trash terrible. I disagree. For those out there who still aren’t sold on this charismatic group, you have to see them at least three times minimum. I promise by the third time you’ll finally understand what you failed to comprehend the previous two performances. Yeah, I drink coffee, so back up off me, bitch. You can send all thank you notes and haikus paying tribute to the song “Big Ass Head” to the following address: phil@soundonthesound.com

Polecat (1:30pm The Promenade) - I saw Polecat at the High Dive this spring and I thought they put on one hell of a show. A friend of mine begged to differ. He had to leave because, “This band is playing reggae shit that is my kryptonite.” I didn’t want to be responsible for the death of Superman so I trusted his words. Later that night a stranger asked me if I knew what clogging was. It was a weird night. Polecat aren’t reggae and they aren’t the kind of music that one would clog to. They are an amalgam of all things groove oriented in Bellingham. Are you into bluegrasscelticfolkreggaeamericanacountryjams? If that’s the case, I think this band is going to blow your mind.

Unnatural Helpers (1:45pm Sub Pop Stage) – A couple of years ago this band wrote my favorite song of the year. I’ll always be grateful to them for penning a tune that represents 98% of my brain activity. Sunshine and pretty girls.

Missy Higgins (1:45 Bumbershoot Main Stage) – I think we should all give this Australian singer/songwriter our undivided attention for the suffering she has endured opening up for Gotye on a recent. Can you imagine hearing “Somebody I Use to Know” on an every single night? Brutal. If I see anyone I know at Gotye I am going to capture them in a giant burlap sack normally meant for potatoes and throw them in the back of my trunk.

Black Breath (2:45 Exhibition Hall Stage) – I have been in Black Breath detox all year. I saw this band so much in 2010 and 2011 that something had to be done. If I am exposed to a band too often I begin to resent their music. Clearly something is wrong with me. I haven’t even heard Black Breath’s  ”new” album yet. Honesty, I am frightened it won’t be as good as Heavy Breathing and my affections for this group will wane dramatically. I can be a coward in more ways than you can possibly imagine.

Sera Cahoone (3:30 Sub Pop Stage) – Arguably the most calming voice in Seattle. This isn’t a snide remark, I am being serious.

Eyehategod (6:15pm Exhibition Hall) – Sludge metal from the Big Easy. Not to be confused with Virginia’s Lamb of God. Out of all the acts performing this weekend, I am looking forward to this and Tony Bennett the most. Maybe they’ll perform together? At Bumbershoot anything can happen….

Jane’s Addiction (9:30pm Main Stage) – Duh.

Sunday

Why? (1pm Exhibition Hall Stage) – A couple of years ago when I was a young man, eager to don an apron at Pasta and Company in the U-Village when I use to work at Pasta and Company, my co-worker would always play Alopecia on repeat throughout the morning. At the time I can’t say I had heard anything like it. I don’t say that because the music was incredibly innovative (although it was). I make that remark because if you stepped outside of the kitchen and into the front of the store, you were bombarded with adult contemporary crap and “rich people” jams. “Oh, is that Joni Mitchell playing somewhat audibly? I use to protest Vietnam before you were born, now I protest poor people. I’ll take 20 pounds of that $32.95 per/lb petite filet. My retired racing greyhound is hungry.” I haven’t heard Alopecia since. Why do I do this to myself? What pleasure can I possibly derive from failing to buy albums I already know I like? I did that for almost the entirety of high school to Lifetime’s Jersey’s Best Dancers. I need a shrink.  

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings (1:45pm Main Stage) – One of the premiere acts of this contemporary “soul revival” that everyone is really into these days.

Tony Bennett (3:15pm Main Stage) – For all you young folks out there that aren’t familiar with this legend, let me contemporize his greatness for you in a jejune language that you can understand. Tony Bennett* was in a movie with Gwenyth Paltrow in which he sang a duet with her. The name of that movie was called “Duets.” Gwenyth Paltrow is married to Chris Martin. Chris Martin is friends with Jay-Z and Beyonce. Mr. Martin is also the frontman in Coldplay. How many of you remember Coldplay? Many blank faces.

In other words, Tony Bennett is a member of the illuminati by six degrees of separation in relation to Jay-Z and Beyonce.

Yelawolf (4pm Fisher Green Stage) – I don’t much about this cat except that he’s from Alabama and I get hyped to this song. I’m wondering if he’ll be the “Jay Electronica” of this year’s Bumbershoot (read: slightly under the radar, shows up and crushes all other mic grippers that perform this weekend).

Fruit Bats (5pm Sub Pop Stage) –  I haven’t heard tracks from the album Tripper but I am looking forward to hearing them this weekend. I’ve never seen a sub-par Fruit Bats performance. Never.

The Promise Ring (6:15pm Exhibition Hall Stage) – I can write millions thousands hundreds of trillions of words about this band. Some would be positive. Some would be negative. As of right now, I am only going to say one thing. If they’re too cool to play “E. Texas Ave” I am going to throw a multitude of footwear at their visages. I’m taking my size 12′s and they are going to land right between the eyes of Davey von Boehlen. Then I am taking your flip flops and I am tossing them at the drummer whose name I don’t recall. If any of you are planning on wearing heels (To a music festival? Do you masochist much?), please let me know so that I can make proper use of them.

Mudhoney (6:45pm Sub Pop Stage) – Duh.

Big Sean (8:15pm Main Stage) – 313 in the house! Straight from the D! Not Dallas, that’s Big D That’s all I have to say about that.

Mac Miller (9:45pm Main Stage) – This guy was born in 1992! How ancient are you feeling right now!?! Steel City’s finest if you ask me (in comparison to the young man who was at Bumbershoot last year, Wiz Khalifa).

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February 14, 2012

Sweet Sounds from Hey Marseilles, Modest Mouse & Kaylee Cole for Valentine’s Day

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Whether you’re celebrating with a sweetheart, you’re single and shaking your fist at the holiday or today’s just a Tuesday, I think we can all agree that free music and sweet-sad cover songs are a good thing. And thanks to Valentine’s Day, we’ve got a few to choose from. In honor of the holiday Hey Marseilles are offering a download of Daniel Johnston’s “True Love Will Find You in the End,” while Kaylee Cole breaks our hearts singing Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” Valentine’s Day related or not, Suicide Squeeze is giving us all a gift with a free download of Modest Mouse / 764-HERO, a split that tempts me in the record bins constantly.

However you’re celebrating or avoiding or ignoring, we hope these make it happier.

Available for free download today at their Bandcamp

Modest Mouse / 764 – HERO “Whenever You See Fit”:

Available for free download today on Suicide Squeeze’s Bandcamp

Kaylee Cole covering Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”:

Kaylee Cole will be playing love songs with Matt Bishop (from Hey Marseilles) and Tim Wilson (from Ivan and Alyosha) at Columbia City Theater tonight.

June 17, 2011

KEXP’s Concerts at the Mural Summer Line-Up

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Black Whales Ravenna Woods Gold Leaves Whalebones The Maldives Hey Marseilles Mad Rad Drew Grow & The Pastor’s Wives

 

 

Since the weather’s not cooperating, we’re going to have to take cues from other places to remind us it is, in fact, summer. Things like a partial peek at KEXP’s always excellent free summer concert series at the Mural Amphitheater during the month of August.

There’s lots of Sound on the Sound favorites on the list – Pickwick, The Maldives, Ravenna Woods, Drew Grow & the Pastors’ Wives – but its the August 19th, all rock line-up that has me most excited. Headlining will be my favorite discovery of Sasquatch, Vancouver BC’s Black Mountain with two of the most solid rock bands in town, My Goodness and Whalebones, lending their support. Whether you’re in the front row (fingers crossed for a mosh pit) with me or in the very back of the beer garden, that’s a bill you’ll want to bring your ear plugs for.

August 5 – The Maldives, Hey Marseilles, Black Whales

August 6 – KEXP’s Summer BBQ: Fool’s Gold, Capsula, Virgin Islands, Mad Rad

August 12 – Seapony, Gold Leaves, Math and Physics Club

August 19 – Black Mountain, My Goodness, Whalebones

August 26 – No Depression Presents: Shane Tutmarc, Pickwick, Drew Grow & The Pastors’ Wives, Ravenna Woods

Tip of the Hat to SSG Music for the line-up.

June 16, 2011

A Bonus Doe Bay Session with Hey Marseilles

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Hey Marseilles Doe Bay Resort Doe Bay Fest The Doe Bay Sessions

 

Hey Marseilles ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

 

 

Here it is friends, the final Doe Bay Session from 2010. We’ll have a whole new series of Sessions come fall from this August’s Doe Bay Fest, but we hope you’ve enjoyed our inaugural series as much as we have.

Last but certainly not least, our final session was actually one of our most memorable ones. After waiting impatiently on the picnic table outside of our yurt, Hey Marseilles decided they couldn’t wait any longer for late drummer Colin Richey to make his way down the trail and they began their session without him. Pulled down the trail by the strings and accordion swells of his bandmates, Colin bashfully joins the band using the picnic table as a drum, never missing a beat after his arrival.

You can see Hey Marseilles tomorrow at noon for Free at the Harbour Steps as part of the Out to Lunch concert series.

April 21, 2011

“Out to Lunch” Summer Concert Series Lineup

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The Maldives ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

The truth is, we all have day jobs (or are unemployed) and few things sound better on a sunny summer day than escaping the office (or the pile of job applications) for the great outdoors and some good tunes. If you happen to work (or are attempting to get a job) near downtown this summer, you’re in luck. The perpetually uncool sounding “Out to Lunch” free concert series was just announced and some great local bands will be singing for the downtown lunch crowd this summer including: The Moondoggies, Hey Marseilles, Wheedle’s Groove, The Maldives and Star Anna.

Here’s the schedule, now to work on that whole “summer” thing actually happening.

June 15: The Moondoggies – Westlake Park June 17: Hey Marseilles – Harbor Steps June 22: Chokolate – Occidental Square June 24: The Maldives – Harbor Steps June 29: Kris Orlowski – Bank of America Plaza July 1: The Paperboys – Harbor Steps July 8: Rodney Crowell – Harbor Steps July 13: Star Anna and The Laughing Dogs – Waterfront Park July 15: Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks – Occidental Square July 20: Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three – Federal Courthouse July 22: The Damnwells – Waterfront Park July 27: Ian McFearon – Bank of America Plaza July 29: Po’ Girl – Occidental Square August 3: Jovino Santos Neto – Federal Courthouse August 5: Wheedle’s Groove – Westlake Park August 10: Pearl Django w/ Greta Matassa – Two Union Square August 12: The Dusty 45s – Harbor Steps August 17: Vicci Martinez – Two Union Square August 19: The Harters – Harbor Steps August 24: Portland Cello Project – Two Union Square August 26: Clinton Fearon & Boogie Brown Band – Harbor Steps August 31: Orchestra Zarabanda – Bank of America Plaza September 2: LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends – Harbor Steps

November 10, 2010

A Doe Bay Session Wrap Up & Sincere Thank Yous

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Black Whales Curtains For You Drew Grow & The Pastor’s Wives Fences Grand Hallway Hey Marseilles Kelli Schaefer Ravenna Woods The Head and the Heart The Maldives Doe Bay Resort Doe Bay Fest The Doe Bay Sessions
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The Doe Bay Sessions Team ::: portrait by Hilary Harris

 

Another Tuesday has passed with no new video, which means I’m sitting here missing The Doe Bay Sessions and reflecting in wonder that they happened at all.

For the folks involved with the technical side Doe Bay Sessions, they have another nickname: the serendipity sessions. Everything that could possibly go wrong did, but so did everything that could go right. Despite months of planning, the only thing that made the Doe Bay Sessions go as beautifully as they did was the kindness of strangers, phenomenal timing and two very talented men behind the scenes: videographer Tyler Kalberg and sound guy Chris Proff. While mine and Josh’s work with the sessions was all but done in August (other than sharing them with you) both Tyler and Chris spent hours upon hours the past couple months, editing, mixing and perfecting the videos and their sound. It is only due to their hard work and talents that the videos turned out as wonderfully as they did. If you enjoyed the videos, these are the people you should offer your gratitude to.

But it took more than Josh, Tyler, Chris and me to make the sessions happen. It took the support and approval of the folks who run the Doe Bay Resort and the Doe Bay Festival. No one has been bigger fans or supporters of the sessions than Joe Brotherton, Kevin Sur and Chad Clibborn both before, during and after the filming. And then of course, there was the serendipity and the hefty dose of Doe Bay magic that made the videos possible. When our brand new generator broke before our first session, the head of the Doe Bay grounds not only lent us his infinitely quieter generator for the entire weekend, but he delivered it to our distant campsite with a smile. The next day, when our “mobile” 80 plus pound soundboard died, a stranger who happened to be walking down the trail as we lamented our terrible luck, turned around and offered his mobile recording system for the entire weekend to total strangers. Not only did this allow the project to continue, it gave us more flexibility where we could record sessions. What could’ve been terrible, turned out to be totally for the better. From day one, though we’d never done anything of the sort before, everyone who came in contact with the project believed it could be done, put their whole heart into it and did everything in their power to make sure it happened. It would not be overstating to say, its the kind of thing that restores your faith in humanity.

And of course there was the bands who took the time to hike down the trails and share themselves and their songs with us. We could not have dreamed of a more talented (or pleasant) group of musicians to work with. Our sincerest thanks goes out to:

The Maldives Drew Grow and the Pastors’ Wives Kelli Schaefer The Head and The Heart Hey Marseilles Fences Ravenna Woods Curtains for You Tomo Nakayama Black Whales

Last and certainly not least, thanks to all of you for stopping by the site every Tuesday to check out the new videos, for sharing them with your friends and for all the kind words.

Stay tuned for two new video series coming soon from Sound on the Sound and the whole Doe Bay filming crew. And we’ll be back next summer with even more Doe Bay Sessions!

October 29, 2010

Your Halloween Weekend as a One-Sided Conversation

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So much to do this weekend and you only have 72 hours to do it. Why is partying so stressful!?! Ugh. The things we put ourselves through as social mammals. It’s exhausting. What’s your costume? Where are you going to be? Who are you going to be with? How are you going to get there? You don’t have any money. You don’t have any good ideas. Luckily for you, Sound of the Sound is wearing a cape, a mask and svelte tights with a sock in the crotch. Nice bulge? We know. Here’s a preview of your weekend in the form of someone eavesdropping on a scenester having a cell phone conversation with an unknown entity. We’ll call this fictional character Iggy Crane because I’m afraid I’ll get sued if I use the first name Ichabod. Food stamps can’t pay for lawyers. Don’t Enjoy.

[Scene: Iggy Crane is a very slight individual with a heroin users build. He's about 6 ft tall, maybe 85 pounds after a huge brunch. His complexion is translucent. It's bleach. One might mistake him for an individual that takes spelunking to a whole another level if it weren't for his body paint jeans and over-sized high tops. Crane wears a five o' clock shadow on his face. He's got Grey hair, dyed of course. It makes him appear to be a man of refinement. A blue hoodie underneath a black leather jacket. Don't ask why. He knows what's up. He's hanging out at Cafe Zoka in the U-District.]

[Iggy Crane dialing one of his uber cool buddies. One of his uber cool buddies answers the phone -- on the last ring of course.]

Iggy: Yeah man. What’s going on? What’s going on this weekend? Got any plans?

[....]

Iggy: Well on Friday night I can’t decide what I want to do. As of right now I feel like raging but I’m not sure where. There’s so many shows this weekend. I wish I were Michael Keaton in Multiplicity, only with better results obviously. There’s going to be shenanigans taking place at the Funhouse. How fitting right? Hounds of the Wild Hunt are going to be opening up the gates of Hell for the greatest Misfits cover band of all-time, Glenn or Glenda?

[Iggy pauses to take a sip of coffee and look at who is walking on the Burke-Gilman. Nobody that is traversing its path holds his gaze. He thus turns his attention back to his cellular device.]

Iggy: That’s not a question idiot. That’s the band, Glenn or Glenda? They named the band that because there is a female performer who plays the role of Glenn Danzig while her better half portrays Glennda Danzig. “Glennda is the repressed feminine aspect of Glenn Danzig brought to life, rescuing him from his own machismo through glamour and hilarity.” I swear I did not get that from a press release. In other words, Glenn or Glennda are absolutely ingenious. I’m surprised Glenn or Glenda is not the biggest celebration on Halloween every year. It’s the only day of the year they perform and it’s amazing every single time.

[....]

Iggy: What? You’re thinking about going to that Lesbian CD release show at the Comet with Brothers of the Sonic Cloth and Diminished Men? Argh. Moments like this make me wish all the venues were built on top of one another like some kind of skyscraper of debauchery. Have you heard that new Lesbian record? It slays, literally. I heard three people died on the night of its release due to rocking too hard! Where’s Tipper Gore when you need her!?! Let’s prosecute records to the fullest extent of the law.

[....]

Iggy: Shut-up. You do not want to have sex with Tipper Gore. Why would you do that? Gross. I hear Mrs. Gore is a huge fan of Throne of Bone and Owen Hart. Maybe you’ll see her at the Block Lodge later? It’s a tough call between that, the Comet and the Funhouse. I didn’t even mention that You.May.Die.In.The.Desert. is rocking Healthy Times Fun Club as well. I wish Halloween was tonight, that way I could go all out and put myself in a coma until Monday morning.

[...]

Read the rest of Iggy’s one-sided conversation after the jump … (more…)

October 21, 2010

It Was Only A Matter of Time …

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… before Thomas Hunter (of Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground, Wild Orchid Children and his own solo project) and his magnificent mustache inspired great art. That time is now.

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Not only is that one of the best posters I’ve seen in some time, that’s one hell of a line-up. Add it to your growing, how the fuck can I choose what to do on October 30th list. It’s not just time to start planning your costumes guys, its time to start debating where you’ll don them too. Here is a curated run down of your options thus far.

Sufjan Stevens at The Paramount (if you already bought tickets or can afford to pay 100s of $$ for Craigslist Tickets)

Best Coast, Sonny and the Sunsets, The Calligraphers at Neumos

Hey Marseilles and Fences at Columbia City Theater

Battle Hymns and Joseph Giant at The Blue Moon

The Annual Come as You Aren’t featuring sets from M. Bison, Watch it Sparkle and Levi Fuller at the Skylark.

October 19, 2010

The Doe Bay Sessions: Hey Marseilles

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Hey Marseilles Doe Bay Resort Doe Bay Fest The Doe Bay Sessions
hey marseilles

 

Hey Marseilles at the picnic table ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Hey Marseilles weren’t just at Doe Bay to play another music festival. They’d made the trip up to the Islands for a second year in a row looking to double down on the fun they had last year, hopefully minus any broken limbs. Throughout the weekend one might see any one of these gentlemen throwing a frisbee, frolicking in the ocean, rushing headfirst down a slip n’ slide, or just enjoying the company of their fellow local musicians. For a band who’s spent plenty of time this year cooped up in a van, Hey Marseilles surely took advantage of the moment to maximize their relaxation. With the rest of the band leaving Seattle a day earlier than him for just that reason, frontman Matt Bishop was able to dispense with the band van entirely, opting to cruise the windy island roads on his scooter. I’ll bet he had no trouble getting right on the ferry with that ride!

As the festival went on, our picnic table at Doe Bay gradually earned a spot as a shadow stage and green room, only advertising the presence of something happening in the area to those passing by on the trail while that something was happening. In the case of Hey Marseilles, the picnic table became a literal stage, the center of gravity for three sublime songs from the band and an effort to squeeze all that we could out of our ‘mobile’ 8-track recording setup. Sans amplification with the full array of accordion, strings and a trumpet in hand, two of those songs are presented above, an old favorite and a brand new song, with “Rio” in particular the capturing the full spirit of the festival and the place. In a way, for four days, we’d made Doe Bay into our own northern beach paradise, one we’d have no trouble getting lost in for a while.

 

 

 

 

Saturday October 30th Hey Marseilles will be celebrating Halloween a day early at the Columbia City Theater with Fences. Tickets are $12 in advance.

September 3, 2010

Bumbershoot 2010: Day Two Preview

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Redwood Plan ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

“God, won’t you just die already?”

– A line of dialogue that exists in approximately 72% of all action movies.

I said the same thing when I saw who the headliners were for Day Two of Bumbershoot 2010. Hole? Weezer? This would have been amazing back in 1994. Actually, I take that back, for the benefit of fictional concertgoers I’ll say 1996. That way Weezer would have the chance to treat fans to a full onslaught of Pinkerton tunes and Courtney Love would-still-almost-kind-of be relevant musically before hitting complete flat-line status. Unfortunately, we’re in the year 2010 and all I can do is shake my fists.  Did concert promoters forget to ask Tonic and Sponge for their for admission onto this “alternative rock” gravy train? In honor of our introductory quote, this day two preview is going to be cinematic in nature. Who doesn’t love a good matinee? Every band that I have chosen to speak about will have a movie assigned to them that best explains what they are all about. This should be a complete failure because I’ve only seen 11 movies in my 27 years on this Earth. Enjoy.

• Hole – Over the Top– A 1987 drama starring Sylvester Stallone about a long haul truck driver who tries to win back his alienated son while becoming the king of the arm wrestling world. What does this have to do with Courtney Love and Hole? Everything. The title of this Stallone film could sum up Miss World’s entire career. As ridiculous as this 1980’s “blockbuster” was, it’s not nearly as ludicrous as Hole being allowed to play anywhere in the year 2010. (7:30pm on Bumbershoot MainStage)

• Weezer – Sugar and Spice- A popular high school cheerleader becomes pregnant with the star quarterback’s child. She then gets her cheerleading squad to help her become the biggest bank robbing menace since John Dillinger. I know what you’re thinking, “How does this relate to Weezer? I just don’t see it.” Think of Weezer’s music as having the same persona as “stereotypical” cheerleaders. Now let’s reflect on how they’ve been robbing you (read: getting away with serious cash) for more than a decade now! Outrage! Ever since Matt Sharp left the band, Weezer albums have been so bad that Lifehouse would think twice about releasing them. (9:15pm on the Bumbershoot MainStage)

• School of Rock All-Stars – This one is fairly obvious, seeing as the musical act is named after the Jack Black movie. Both are highly recommended. (12:30pm at the EMP Sky Church)

• Eldridge Gravy and the Court Supreme – Happy Feet – A colony of Emperor Penguins are excellent singers but can’t dance a lick. Somehow, someway a penguin is produced that can only dance but can’t sing! Eldridge Gravy has nothing to do with penguins but everything having to do with toe tapping. (12:30pm on the State Farm Stage)

Horse Feathers ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

• Horse Feathers – Bio Dome – Two friends get trapped in a Bio Dome, hilarity ensues because these two friends are Pauly Shore and Stephen Baldwin. Horse Feathers don’t sound as bad musically as the premise for Bio Dome. I actually liked the movie (I was 13 and Joey Lauren Adams was in it) probably as much as I enjoy this band. Whenever I hear Justin Ringle’s vocals I feel like plants should be growing in the background. I almost gave Horse Feathers the movie FernGully. (1:15pm on the Starbucks Stage)

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