by Campfire OK Seattle's Campfire OK will be at the Crocodile on September 23rd opening for Fences CD Release Show
Shenandoah Davis
Photo by Abbey Simmons ::: Saturday September 4th at 4:30pm Shenandoah Davis plays the Bumbershoot edition of the Round with Goldfinch and Tomo Nakayma
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.
Here is my list of thirty songs that dominated my iTunes, the songs that moved me to learn them on guitar, and the songs I will identify with 2009 forever. In no particular order. Though I suppose the top five could be my top five.
“Lust for Life” by Girls from Lust for Life (True Panther Sounds/Matador Records) Listen:Download MP3 courtesy of True Panther Sounds/Matador Records | Watch the Video Below
“Stillness is the Move” by the Dirty Projectors from Bitte Orca (Domino Records) Listen:Stream Track via Domino Records
“Magic Mtn” by Arthur & Yu from Don’t Piss into the Fire Sub Pop Singles Club Record Store Day Release and Hardly Art Label Sampler (Sub Pop/Hardly Art) Listen:Download Track at Amazon via Hardly Art
“Let Me Fall” by the Final Spins from THIS IS THEN/THAT WAS NOW (self-released) Listen:Download MP3 via KEXP Song of the Day
“Ed Jackson” by See Me River from The Great Unwashed EP (Aviation Records) Listen:Download MP3 via KEXP Song of the Day
“Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh” by Say Hi from Oohs and Aahs (Barsuk Records) Listen:Download MP3 courtesy of Barsuk Records
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.
It was clear from the standing ovation she got from just stepping on stage, that Tuesday night’s audience at The Paramount was in love, not like, with Regina Spektor. And considering the performance she gave, you can hardly blame the audience for being so smitten. Clad in a perfectly prim pinafore Regina Spektor captivated the Paramount audience for an hour and a half with a set that constantly surprised and never bored.
Regina has nothing to worry about when it comes to her fans forgetting the words to their favorite songs, as she sang in the second song of the evening, “Eet.” The crowd sang softly along to nearly every verse (stopping only for the Russian verse in “Apres Moi”), showing an impressive familiarity and fondness for her entire catalogue. While the set was clearly focused on songs from her most recent release Far, Regina also played most of Disc 1 of Begin to Hope (”Samson,” “Fidelity,” “On The Radio,” “Hotel Song,” ”Apres Moi,” “That Time”), fan favorites from Soviet Kitsch (”Ode To A Divorce,” “Poor Little Rich Boy”), and a number of bawdy acapella gems. As someone more familiar with Regina’s older tunes, I felt very well taken care of that evening. She played through my wish list of old songs, while introducing me to new favorites. Any worry that her best songs had already been written or her witticism dulled by mainstream success was allayed.
Seeing Regina Spektor live was a wonderful reminder of what I liked so much about her in the first place: her undeniable talent and surprising dualities. Her songs and performances are as complex and sophisticated, as they are goofy and quirky. She is classically trained, but retains a raw edge and a bold personality. Her lyrics and her voice traipse between soothingly sweet and jarringly bitter. She is unabashedly talented, showing off impressive vocal range, trilingualism(she sang in English, French, & Russian), a sneaky wit, and an insatiable curiosity to try and master new things. During the set Regina played guitar, grand piano, and drummed on a chair, while still playing piano. She performed pieces that ranged from comedic performance art, to the emotional intimate cabaret tunes she was first noticed for, to an all out country shit kicker. Surprising no one (and simultaneously everyone) Regina Spektor proved she would be a kick ass honky tonk singer with her final encore “Love You’re a Whore.” By the end of the night and that encore, which made the Parmount seem like the world’s swankiest barn, I was convinced Regina could do most anything she set her mind to, and do it well.
And I wasn’t the only one with overflowing appreciation for Regina. Between every song someone in the audience cried out their devotion. There were choruses of “I love you Regina,” “I love you mores,” numerous requests to have her babies, and she was even showered with a few sweet nothings in Russian. And it’s not just adults who are captivated by the ingenue. A toddler in our section yelled at the top of her lungs with a speech impediment, “I wuv you Weh-gee-na!” During the encore, perched upon her mom’s shoulders, the same toddler presented Regina with a boquet of flowers. It was enough to make the most hardened jaded heart melt into a puddle of awwwws.
Throughout the show Regina seemed stunned by the audience’s response, though I’m sure she’s hearing the same thing at sold out shows across the country. She said that men all across America have been calling out about having her babies this tour. (“….um thanks, I guess.”) Her nerves were palpable during the first few songs, leaving her vocals shaky and soft. About four songs in, she found her stride and confidence, singing with surprising force. When she really lets herself belt out a line, the tone of her voice is rich, sassy, and full of personality. Much like her piano arrangements, Regina’s vocals are rewardingly complex. Her lyrics are as clever as ever, still lamenting life’s most unfortunate situations with levity.
Was Regina Spektor’s show at the Paramount perfect? No. But you wouldn’t have known that with the audience continuously crying out about their love for Regina, or the three standing ovations, or the way it felt to witness her boundrayless talent. It’s the kind of talent that makes the tiny hairs on your arms stand on ends, that gives you chills, that makes your chin quiver uncontrollably. (I admit, I cried.) Seeing Regina Spektor live was more than enjoyable, it was inspiring. And based on the devotion of that audience and the talent we were treated to, I suspect we’ll be seeing Regina selling out the Paramount for years, if not decades to come. And we’ll all be there in the audience, not a one of us forgetting the lyrics to our favorite 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
The Shortlist Award nominee’s have been announced. The award is peer-selected and “recognizes the most creative and adventurous albums of the year.” Basically, this is an award you will never hear about but one where you might actually see a few band names on it that you like. (The Grammy’s are a very foreign land to me….who the fuck are these people?!?)
And the nominee’s are….
Band of Horses
Beirut
Bonnie Prince Billy
Cat Power
Girl Talk
Hot Chip
Joanna Newsom
Regina Spektor
Spank Rock
Tom Waits
The winner will be announced “in May,” which is um, now.
tip of the hat to Three Imaginary Girls Imagi-Blog
When trying to write this list I originally wanted to say something about each album. Obviously that didn’t work out, there is too much that I have to say. I couldn’t even limit it to ten. All that really needs to be said is that these are the albums that instantly moved me and convinced me of their brilliance. These are the albums I listened to the most. These are the albums that after repeated listens, still intrigue me.
20. The Antiques - Nicknames and Natives
19. Beirut - Gulag Orchestar
18. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat
17. Thee Emergency - Can You Dig It?
16. Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
15. Figurines - Skeleton
14. Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
13. Bob Dylan - Modern Times
12. Cursive - Happy Hollow
11. Cat Power - The Greatest
10. The Cold War Kids - Robbers and Cowards
9. The Mountain Goats - Get Lonely
8. Silversun Pickups - Carnavas
7. Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
6. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
5. Built to Spill - You in Reverse
4. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
3. The Thermals - The Body, the Blood, The Machine
2. The Long Winters - Putting the Days to Bed
1. Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday
I am pleased to say that choosing the best songs of 2006 has been a daunting task with all the incredible tunes that have been released this year. The following are, after much consideration, a thousand listens, and just about as many changes… my favorite songs of 2006:
1. (Gasp! A Tie!) “Hospital Beds” and “We Used To Vacation” - Cold War Kids - Up In Rags EP Hospital Beds
2. “Hold On, Hold On” - Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood Hold On, Hold On
3. “While You Were Sleeping” - Elvis Perkins- Ash Wednesday
4. “Fire Island, AK” - The Long Winters- Putting the Days to Bed 5. “Here’s Your Future” - The Thermals - The Blood,The Body, The Machine Here’s Your Future
6. “Samson” - Regina Spektor - Begin To Hope
7. “The Phantom Limb” - The Shins - Phantom Limb Single
8. “Flag and Family” - Cursive - Happy Hollow
9. “The Funeral” - Band of Horses- Everything All the Time
10. “Cream”- Thee Emergency- Can You Dig It? Cream
11. “Moon Over Goldsboro” - The Mountain Goats - Get Lonely
12 “Future Foe Scenarios” - Silversun Pickups - Carnavas
13. ”Sad Sad City” - Ghostland Observatory- Paparazzi Lightning Sad Sad City
14. “Just A Thought” - Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
15. “Bad Education” - Tilly and The Wall - Bottom of Barrells
16. “Start of Something” - Voxtrot - Raised by Wolves EP
17.”Good Weekend” - Art Brut- Bang Bang Rock & Roll
18. “All Fires” - Swan Lake- Beast Moans All Fires
19. “Handle With Care” - Jenny Lewis with guests Ben Gibbard, Conor Oberst, & M. Ward- Rabbit Fur Coat
20. “Jah Didn’t Kill Johnny” - Sage Francis - A Healthy Distrust
Beloved Songs of 2006, That Were Not Released in 2006
“Lisa” - Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers
“The River (live)” - Atmosphere w/Heiruspecs - from First Avenue, Mpls
“No Children” and “Best Ever Death Metal Band Out of Denton”- The Mountain Goats
“I Found a Reason” - Cat Power
“Breathe Me” - Sia
“Heartbeats”- Jose Gonzalez
In comparison to the previous unnatural week this week is rather tame. I can’t wait to see Regina Spektor at Easy Street though. Her album is a top ten album of 2006 in my humble opinion.
10/23 - The Black Angels - Neumos
10/25 - Now It’s Overheard - Chop Suey
10/25 - Cut Chemist - Neumos
10/25 - Ziggy Marley - Showbox
10/26 - Regina Spektor - The Moore
10/27 - Regina Spektor - Easy Street Records - Free In-Store - 6pm
10/27 - Silversun Pickups, Viva Voce - The Crocodile
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