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.

Blind Pilot @ The Triple Door (January 2009) - read the full review

The Murder City Devils first show back at the Showbox at the Market (February 2009) - read the full review

Dan Auerbach at the Showbox at the Market (March 2009) - read the full review

The Ironclads CD Release w/ Hands, Whore Moans, What What Now (April 2009) - read the full review

Blue Moon 75th Anniversary Show w/ High Class Wreckage, Thee Emergency, Hopscotch Boys, and The Whore Moans (April 2009) - read the full review

The Lonely Forest CD Release at the Vera Project (April 2009) - read the full review

Bon Iver at Sasquatch (May 2009) - read the full review

Nurses at the South Pole (DIY venue) (June 2009) - read the full review

David Bazan in a Living Room in Edmonds (June 2009) - read the full review

Robin and Josh ::: Photo on Film by Josh Lovseth

Robin Pecknold at Neumos (July 2009) - read the full review

Rural Alberta Advantage at the Sunset Tavern (July 2009) - read the full review

Widower, Pearly Gate Music, Final Spins at Sunset Tavern (July 2009) - read the full review

Doe Bay Fest (August 2009) - read the full review

The Maldives CD Release at the Tractor Tavern w/ The Moondoggies and Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers (August 2009) - read the full review

Macklemore at Bumbershoot (September 2009) - read the full review

Dirty Three at the Crocodile (September 2009) - read the full review

Fanfarlo at Chop Suey (September 2009) - read the full review

Grizzly Bear at the Moore (October 2009) - read the full review

Black Eyes & Neckties Last Show (October 31, 2009) - eulogy never written

Regina Spektor at the Paramount (November 2009) - read the full review

Taking in the Bay at Doe Bay Music Fest ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Robin and Aja Pecknold ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Here’s to hoping you are able to spend your holidays with family and friends this year. …even if none of our impromptu sing alongs or carols sound quite as lovely as when the Pecknold famliy gathers around the Christmas tree.  

A big thanks goes to youtube user TwinSparrows for posting this.

Robin Pecknold and his sister Aja ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

While Robin Pecknold himself may have stuck to water last night at Neumos, it was clear by the end of the night he was one of a bare few. He contributed in his own way though, offering a wry humor and a one of kind night of music made up of some of his favorite traditionals, notable covers and songs from his own band Fleet Foxes. He was even joined on a few of the songs by some of his bandmates.

MP3: Robin Pecknold - “Two Headed Boy (Neutral Milk Hotel Cover)” recorded 7/11/2009 at Neumos in Seattle ( look for the full show download link below)

Grand Hallway opened the night and with a short half-an-hour of fully realized orchestral indie rock, that this time around felt not only practiced but natural, as if in the intervening months since I’ve last seen them, lead singer Tomo Nakayama now truly has as much control of his voice as his ability on guitar or keys displays.

Capitol Hill residents Throw Me the Statue are a band that has grown from a motley crew rambling around doing synthy jangle pop and riding a wave of critical acclaim into a tight cohesive force that is now truly deserving of that acclaim. With plenty of backup these days, lead mind Scott Reitherman seems to be sticking to the guitar for the duration performance, and if anything it gives the band a more consistent sound. If the unevenness of however Reitherman and whomever he had with him decided to play a song on a given day was part of the charm before, Throw Me the Statue is now a full-on band, and the new songs portray that identity clearly. Much of set list were songs from a new album, titled Creaturesque, and out in August on Secretly Canadian.

After the obligatory pass the hat speech, as this was a benefit Seattle’s all-ages haven the Vera Project, Robin Pecknold got down to business. Informing us he was just going to play a jukebox of songs he liked, and maybe a few requests, he began with songs he’s done as his myspace alter ego White Antelope. Then with no warning he dropped a Neutral Milk Hotel cover on us. “Two Headed Boy” no less. He forgot a few words near the end, but I’m sure I wasn’t the only one picking my jaw up from the floor still absorbing a moment that we wanted to never end.

Inviting fellow Fleet Foxes Josh Tillman and Skyler Skeljet to offer a little backup throughout (with Tillman also on comic relief), Pecknold took to the piano for a few songs, and at one point even threatened a Robert Goulet Version of a Fleet Foxes song. Unexpected laughter and humor seemed to be a reoccuring theme throughout the night, thanks to an enthusiastic and progressively intoxicated audience. “Blue Spotted Tail” was the only new song among the bunch, however a few covers did make appearances, foremost the Magnetic Fields’ “The Book Of Love” and an encore of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” with Pecknold sister Aja joining on backup vocals.

For those who missed it, the complete setlist and a full show download link are below the fold. It is highly recommended.

Robin Pecknold ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Robin Pecknold’s Cohorts ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Throw Me the Statue ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Grand Hallway ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Read the rest of this entry »

Ryann Donnelly of Schoolyard Heroes ::: photo by Abbey

As someone who goes to shows more nights than not, I know that most nights of the week there’s a great show happening in Seattle. In fact, as someone who often wishes she could split herself in two or three, there’s usually more than one show worth checking out many nights.

While we’ve hesitated doing a straight up weekly Sound on the Sound recommends post, there are just too many shows that are worthy of highlighting and attending for us to not try one out.  With that in mind, I’m starting “Night After Night” your weekly guide to going to a show a night in Seattle.

I’m sure some weeks won’t have a full seven nights of shows, because we’d rather not list a show we wouldn’t be excited to attend ourselves. But my hope for this features is to show and share with you the impressive number of awesome shows at your finger tips, on any given night of the week in Seattle.

Who - The Rural Alberta Advantage
Where - The Sunset Tavern, 9pm
How (Much) - 7$
Why- Saddle Creek’s latest band are creating haunting, charming tunes that defy  easy description. Singing songs about hometowns and heartbreak, the band mixes synth sounds and  indie folk sensibilities, with a side of Jeff Mangum vocals.

Who - The Curious Mystery, Born Anchors, Cataldo
Where - Nectar Lounge, 8pm
How (Much) - FREE, courtesy of Sound Magazine
Why - Because in this economy, we could all use a free show with three of Seattle’s most promising up and coming bands. The Curious Mystery’s Rotting Slowly is one of my favorite local releases of 2009.

Who - Mad Rad, Thee Satisfaction
Where - The Funhouse, 9pm
How (Much) - 6$
Why - It’s a chance to see two of Seattle’s most buzzed about bands at a venue that couldn’t be further from the vibe of Pike and Pine. Mad Rad is sure to bring the antics, and I dare you not to dance to Thee Satisfaction’s unique groove.

Who - A Gun That Shoots Knives, The Raggedy Anns,  Doctor Doctor
Where - Neumos, 9pm
How (Much) - 6$
Why - To hear F Bomb laiden PSA’s about staying in school and literacy and to celebrate the Raggedy Anne’s catchy fortchoming CD of swing rock and Tin Pan Alley tunes.

Who - Schoolyard Heroes, The Pharmacy, The Whore Moans
Where - VERA Project, 7:30pm
How (Much) -
Why - Because you want to be at what will doubtlessly be the craziest show of the week, no booze necessary. The popular former Seattle band The Pharmacy are returning for their first weekend back since moving to The Big Easy. The Whore Moans of capable of whipping a group of nuns into ruckus moshers and you have never seen local teenagers go more insane then when Ryann Donnelly of Schoolyard Heroes take the stage. Bring your ear plugs and elbows.

Awesome Alternative: Thee Emergency at The Sunset

Who - Robin Pecknold, Throw Me the Statue
Where - Neumos, 9pm
How (Much) -  15$
Why - See Robin Pecknold of The Fleet Foxes perform a rare solo set and a smaller venue then he’ll ever play again, all for one of Seattle’s finest musical resources: The Vera Project.

Awesome Alternative: The Hands, The Ironclads, The Beats Man at The Mars Bar

Who - Grynch (Chemsitry EP Release)
Where - The Nectar Lounge
How (Much) - $7
Why - On Tuesday you can download Grynch’s new EP for free. That way Sunday you won’t be laughing so hard from “My Volvo” that you can enjoy his other tracks.

Awesome Alternative: Azure Ray with Anomie Bell at Neumos

p.s. Please let me know if you think this a worthwhile feature for Sound on the Sound, or if it’s something you feel like you get already from the site and/or every other local newspaper and music blog.

Robin Pecknold of the Fleet Foxes ::: Photo by Josh

Saturday July 11, Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes will be taking the Neumos stage as the headliner for this years multi-day A Drink For the Kids fundraiser in support of the VERA Project. The multi-bar event features drink specials for us over-21-ers, and on the final night at Neumos this concert will cap the week, with all the proceeds going to Seattle’s place for all-ages.

A Drink For The Kids, the Vera Project’s annual 21+ benefit, includes six bar nights featuring beer and liquor specials benefiting the Vera Project and a grand finale benefit show. Visit any of the bars below and purchase a Stone Brewing Company beer and ask about liquor specials to support Vera:

July 5th at Cha Cha
July 6th at Hazelwood
July 7th at West 5
July 8th at Twilight Exit
July 9th at Linda’s
July 10th at Solo & Funhouse
July 11th at Neumos

Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10am at TicketsWest. Unless of course you know the password. Then they are available for you right now. Snap ‘em up because as we know, out of all antelopes, the White Antelope is about as rare as they come.

And if you doubt you should be there… watch a song from one of our favorite sessions of 2008:

Yikes, I think my old age is really starting to catch up with me.  The cobwebs surrounding the old brain pan have grown increasingly thicker and I more and more I find myself forgetting the, er, important things in life.  Thus, the idea of writing about an already alcohol clouded event nearly a week and a half (yes I know, my fault entirely) afterward is a fairly daunting proposition.  But for you, Sound on the Sound’s loyal readers, I’ll excavate the shattered remnants of my smoother-by-the-day gray matter to at least dredge out a few solid memories.

As always, thanks for reading.

Craig Finn, happier ‘n shit :: Photo by Josh

1.  In comparision to day one, day two of Block Party was an oasis of calm in terms of crowd size.  If I’d decided against returning for day two, I’d have left Block Party thinking that after three years, I might have to bade goodbye to the festival.  Day one was a swamp of drunken, underaged hipsters that you literally had to part to do anything.  It was frustrating and suffocating and took away from the experience in all ways.  Day two on the other hand was still crowded, but for whatever reason (no Girl Talk?  no Vampire Weekend?) it was completely bearable.  You could find friends, lines for the crapper were at a minimum - it was damn near civilized.  Block Party organizers take note: day one - painful; day two - slightly refreshing.

2.  For whatever reason The Cave Singers have sort of faded in to obscurity lately.  Blame it on the massive hype of another, somewhat similar Seattle band (ahem, Fleet Foxes, cough), but I haven’t heard, or even thought of the sweet Appalachian croons of Pete Quirk in a dog’s eye.  Luckily, I rushed through my mandatory three PBRs in the back of my van, so I could sprint to the Main Stage and catch three songs of their wildly impressive set.  I always imagined Mr. Quirk to be a dark, depressed man, but bearded and sporting a tank-top he seemed like the epitome of a friendly, bantering frontman.  Washboards were played, somber lyrics were song, the audience swayed as only a Seattle audience can - all in all a great way to start the day.

Well, I didn’t see this awesome part of Builders and the Butchers :: Photo by Josh

3.  As long as the subjects been broached: Fleet Foxes, I’m bored.  I love you guys, I’ve been hyping your shit since you broke out at SXSW, hell for a minute Keyboardin’ Casey was actually responding to my emails, but the last few times I’ve beared witness to your harmonic barage, I’ve been, I don’t know, disappointed?  It still sounds beautiful.  Robin Pecknold still has a face like a bear, and a voice like an angel, but it feels practiced now, rehearsed even, and that’s sad to me.  There was something so primal and organic about this music the first time I heard it, and maybe it’s the nature of the overplayed music, it just always seems the same now.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still buy your albums, I’ll still attend your shows, I just want the heart-wrenched emotion (see: Bon Iver) I know you’ve got in there somewhere.

4.  I’m really a terrible music writer when it comes down to it.  I told as many people as I could that The Builders and The Butchers were going to be the show of the festival.  I interview Ryan Sollee, I invited peeps to meet me at Neumos, I was fucking pree-pared to catch me some Builders and The Butchers and love the shit out of it … … … and then in a drunken stupor I saw that there was a line, turned directly around and found the nearest dispensary of booze I possibly could find, a continued what would end up being a near twelve-day bender.  I’m glad I at least guided some of you lucky folk in the right direction, and you better be damn sure that I’ll up front and center for their August 20th show at The Sunset.

This your brain on Chromeo :: Photo by Josh

5.  I watched Chromeo from a sitting position.  And as there are no seats at Block Party, I sat on a curb many many many feet away from the stage, staring at the fleshy legs of fellow concert attendees.  And you know what?  Chromeo still rocked.  They’re sort of fratty, melodic electronica was perfect for the waning hours of the day.  P-Thugg and Dave 1 kept the party rocking through out the whole set, and the visibly frantic mass of pre-twenty year olds celebrated in a restrained, enjoyable style.  Kudos to you Chromeo for completely kicking my expectations to the curb.

6.  Craig Finn, though I remember almost nothing of your set, you seemed very enthusiastic.  I remember you being very sweaty, and yelling many excited things at the crowd.  At times your face was so red I thought your head might pop, but in the end, if I remember correctly (which certainly I don’t) you performed admirably and no part of your body exploded.  Great stuff, really just fantastic stuff.

7.  That hazy little nugget is pretty much my last memory of Capitol Hill Block Party ‘08.  After this I believe many more beers were consumed, I was yelled at by someone important, pictures were taken in a small booth, and I may or not have swayed arm in arm with some sort of group of people I may or may not have known.  I think I’ll just mark this year up as another success!