This list represents the strongest 25 albums we heard in 2009 from bands based in the Northwest. We approximated the Northwest as Vancouver to the North, Eugene to the South, Boise to the East, and the Olympic Peninsula West. Even though we snuck in a few Portland bands and a Vancouver band, this is largely a list of Seattle releases. We did our best to feature the vast array of the Seattle Sound in 2009, though there’s no denying some genres fared better than others–genres that you might be surprised by, genres we were surprised by. If there was any doubt left, 2009 proved Seattle isn’t just a rock town.

2009 was an incredible year for local music in Seattle. There’ve been some unnecessary put-downs of Seattle’s musical output in 2009, because the scene didn’t spawn a new Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, or Death Cab for Cutie, and the biggest local record label didn’t sign a single Seattle band. That’s “the industry” and Sub Pop’s loss, not ours. Just because the rest of the world isn’t blasting The Maldives or Macklemore yet (or even if they never do) it doesn’t reflect poorly on the scene or the talented folks who call Seattle home. From our front row vantage point, Seattle had an embarrassment of riches in the local music department.

The local hip hop scene bubbled with excitement and slowly-but-surely burgeoned into a topic on everyone’s lips, thanks to the energy of head-turning acts like They Live!, Champagne Champagne, Fresh Espresso, Macklemore, as well as the notorious antics of Mad Rad. Across town from Pike St., Ballard Avenue continued to cultivate a tight-knit community of Americana and rockin’ country bands where pedal steel and fiddle were the instruments du jour. The Maldives, The Moondoggies, Sera Cahoone, Zoe Muth and so many others inhabited both the stages and the bars at the Conor Byrne, the Sunset Tavern, Hatties Hat, and the now 15-year-old environs of the Tractor Tavern, feeding a spirit of collaboration and verve. King Cobra, a rock club which opened up in 2008 in the wake of the Crocodile Cafe’s closing, shut its doors after barely a year of rough business–just in time for a newly revamped Crocodile (without the Cafe in the name) to reclaim its place in March as one of the premier venues in Seattle to see live local music.

While Seattle didn’t spawn a new Fleet Foxes sized success in 2009, we certainly won’t be surprised if a few of the many bands on this list find national attention come 2010. No matter what, we’ll look back on 2009 with warm nostalgia as a vibrant year of local music, when we saw these bands play in living rooms and local bars: the year Seattle knew the words before everyone else could sing along.

25. Zebra by Karl Blau (K Records)

Psychedelic shape-shifter Karl Blau creates an utterly Northwest soundscape that identifies strongly with the output of the Haight-Ashbury facilitated psych movement, as well as the more modern creative likes of Grizzly Bear. “Waiting for the Wind” reminds me of Esquivel’s avant, arty piano, while “Welcome in NW” sounds like it was banged out of an actual sixties basement, fueled by homegrown psilocybins. “‘Tha Ole Moon Smile” makes me do a “Is this a Sixto Rodriguez cut I haven’t heard?” double-take every time. Each new song turns in a completely different direction. By the end you’re left dazed, trying to decipher where you started and what just happened. What happened was Blau presented a reverent journey into musical history through a warped and hazy Technicolor filter. [Josh]

24. From Slaveships to Spaceships by Khingz (self-released)

Much like D. Black’s record this year, Khingz’ From Slaveships to Spaceships finds an MC ignoring hip-hop’s self-imposed strictures about toughness and content, and succeeding through sheer force of purpose and humor. Even though MC Khalil Equiano left town for a while and now lives in British Columbia with his significant other, he obviously loves his hometown scene and returned to the Northwest with this new album in tow, showcasing a rapid-fire rhyming style and spitting dense, wordy verses filled with references to science fiction and his former life on Seattle’s Southside. This is another record distinguished by its brazen autobiographical nature and the surety of the conclusions that follow. “Intellect is a weapon,” he says in “Escape Society.” “You’re at war, please respect it, your struggle is a blessing, embrace, don’t deflect it.” Hip-hop was once widely known as a vehicle for imparting social understanding, and Khingz’ latest is his contribution toward seeing it return once more to that primary function. [Josh]

23. Life On Earth by Tiny Vipers (Sub Pop Records)

Each time I listen to this record I’m reminded that I should probably mentally prepare myself before taking in a whole Tiny Vipers record, unsure if the tears that will inevitably form in my eyes are due to the inherent sadness being communicated, or if I can attribute it to the effect of the one-of-a-kind voice of Jesy Fortino. Four songs in, “Dreamer” hits the headphones; as she coos, “I’m dying for a way out,” I feel as though I’m vibrating on an inter-dimensional frequency, able to sense every haunting ghost, able to see each person’s natural aura of sadness in hues of deep blue. Even though I know this record isn’t for everyone, and though I can’t guarantee you’ll like this record as much as I did, I can guarantee it will change your perspective. If you let it, Life On Earth will overwhelm you. Whether you like it or not, the remainder of your day after a listen is liable to be heightened emotionally because of it. [Josh]

22. The Way We Live by Erik Blood (self-released)

It’s very possible that Erik Blood went around to every hot studio in London ,yoinked every good idea he heard and used it for himself. If he didn’t, maybe they should be coming to him, because he clearly has lots of good ideas. Early on, the title track, “To Leave America,” and “Home & Walk” all synthesize the best of the expansive guitar and organ Brit-rock sound (think Doves), while later in “Broken Glass” and “Too Early & Too Late” we’re notified Blood also has a handle on turning uncomplicated rhythms into sonically interesting pop songs that also sound modern. My one criticism of the record would be that the material is all over the place, and maybe he should have stuck to a rock record instead of including the final two R&B inspired cuts. But then again, “Better Days” is one of the stronger tracks on the record, fusing soul-ish singing with very rock backing to unexpectedly great results. There is something to be said for being able to do experiment with anything and make it sound not just good, but as good as those who do it best. [Josh]

21. Ali’Yah by D. Black (Sportin’ Life Records)

Though much of the recent focus on Seattle hip-hop has been tied to the so-called “3rd-wave” of party rap, one can’t ignore the continued influence of the second wave and its socially conscious approach to concept and performance. In his second album, Ali’Yah, D. Black does a 180 from his previous effort–a stereotypical rap record where he thought he had to be hard–instead opting to be completely REAL about his choices, his identity, and his mistakes. The record is an indictment of his former gangsta self, and by dropping in “The Return,” “I can’t associate with them fake ones/to add to their fake bullets coming out of fake guns,” he’s no doubt turning his back on old friends and the possibility of success by usual means. Yet one can only come away from this record with the conclusion that D. Black is not only confident in his conviction, but righteous. As I said earlier this year, “the force of his example on this record serves to quash any weak retorts that it’s not so easy to turn your back on the game. Not simply inflammatory words, he’s genuinely attempting to engage a nuanced conversation from the inside.” [Josh]

20. Shouting At A Silent Sky by Shane Tutmarc (self-released)

For almost the entirety of his musical career, Shane Tutmarc has been on a journey through history, beginning with an intense interest in classic pop lyricists before more recently being entranced by the gospel recordings of Elvis and the songs of the South. Billed as his first solo effort as Shane Tutmarc, Shouting At A Silent Skyis also probably the most complete, and therefore satisfying, of his recent records–though the Traveling Mercies records are notable themselves for their raw pre-rock quality. By recruiting a few ringers to form his studio support (local producer Johnny Sangster among them), Shane was able to focus on just being Shane at the mic, and the practiced performer really showed through. If Shane’s music occasionally seems styled from another era, just remember that when they came up with the term ‘Rock n’ Roll’, this is what they were talking about: dirtied up blues and church numbers warning about “Crimes of Passion” and the dangers of “Idle Hands.” [Josh]

Read the rest of Sound on the Sound’s Top 25 Northwest Albums of 2009 after the jump

Read the rest of this entry »

The Maldives ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

These are the albums that defined my 2009. Some I consider to be the strongest local albums of the year while others held my attention and memory in a special way such that I kept coming back to them. While many of these albums are admittedly made by bands whom I’ve also developed a strong affinity for over the past year, this is an albums list, and not simply a “my favorite bands who over the last year put out a record list.” Seven of the top ten are acts I was not familiar with at prior to the start of 2009. This includes the Ironclads. Man, a lot has happened this year.

Though the concept of the “album” may not be as relevant as it once was, I still consider myself to be an album person, for me such a group of songs is an important body of work for helping me come to relate to and really like a band. A single song usually just doesn’t do it for me. Simply put, these are the releases from this year that I listened to all the way through, over and over and over again.

1. Listen to the Thunder by The Maldives on Mt. Fuji Records
Listen: Download an mp3 of “Tequila Sunday” courtesy of Mt. Fuji Records
If any band conquered Seattle in 2009 it was the Maldives. For so many reasons, this record was the most important record in my life this year.

2. Curse Your Branches by David Bazan on Barsuk Records
Listen: Stream the entire record at Barsuk.com
David Bazan isn’t simply a musician. He is a religious philosopher. You might say this is “The Book of Dave.” A deeply personal record with very real ramifications for those who might have questions like he did about the consequences and realities of his long held beliefs. Though I don’t count myself particularly religious, I identified. To my mind this is the best album about religion and family that Bazan has ever done.

3. Apple’s Acre by Nurses on Dead Oceans
Listen: Download an mp3 of “Caterpillar Playground” courtesy of Dead Oceans
Through the power of the Internet I came into the possession of a 30-minute single-file live recording of Nurses. I can say without hyperbole that this recording is the most played “song” of the last year on my iTunes. They are playful, unique sounding, and completely DIY. This is the quintessential example of what everyone hopes a Portland band can and will be.

4. The Space Between the Maps by The Ironclads (self-released)
Listen: Download an mp3 of “Alamagordo” courtesy of the Ironclads
Advanced garage pop that’s well traveled and downright bombastic. Inventive lead guitar work and imaginative storytelling are this foursome’s forte and the record is a successful recreation of their live aesthetic.

5. Lust for Life by Girls on True Panther Sounds
Listen: Watch “Laura” on Youtube
Sad Bastard pop that doesn’t make me sad. Sign me up!

6. Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers by Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers (self-released)
Listen: Get an MP3 version via KEXP Song of the Day
I’m waiting for one (or three) of these songs to be covered by Dolly Parton. Another record like this and Nashville is gonna scoop her up, post haste.

7. A Strange Arrangement by Mayer Hawthorne on Stones Throw Records
Listen: Watch “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” on Vimeo
A DJ becomes a soul crooner, FTW. An album that you never want to turn off.

8. Keep it Hid by Dan Auerbach on Bloodshot Records
Listen: Download an mp3 of
What’s old is new again. More please. Other bands should take notes. The Blues are your friend, and mine.

9. Fanfarlo by Fanfarlo on Canvasback Music
Listen: Stream the record at Fanfarlo.com
Fronted by a clarinet playing choir boy, Fanfarlo take the cake for making this year’s most accessible orchestral pop record, and the best thing I heard out of the U.K. all year long.

10. I and Love and You by the Avett Brothers on Columbia
Listen: Stream via theavettbrothers.com
The Avett Brothers made a massive followup effort to Emotionalism, that drops the emo that marked it’s predecessor while striking a more hopeful and romantic note. This is another album that I feel wrong turning off in the middle.

11. In Dearland by Elvis Perkins on XL
Listen: Watch “Chains, Chains, Chains” Directed by Seattle’s Sean Pecknold
Elvis and his cohorts delve deep into old Americana and early rock for a record that is uniquely sad in it’s disposition, but overflowing with happy in the energy and passion of the full band performance.

12. Vecktamist by Grizzly Bear on Warp
Listen: Stream the Video for Two Weeks
Maybe this album should be higher on the list, but when I first got a hold of it I felt like it was just too much. Now, I’ve come to feel like this is a bold statement, and these guys are the vanguard of modern pop.

13. Year in the Kingdom by J Tillman on Bella Union/Western Vinyl
Listen: Download an mp3 of “Earthly Bodies” courtesy of Western Vinyl
Just when I thought J Tillman’s voice was an ideal, he goes to work for the Fleet Foxes and comes out the other side an even stronger singer.

14. Logos by Atlas Sound on Kranky
Listen: Get an mp3 of “Walkabout” via FADER
This was my official go-to chill record this year.

15. The Life of the Of the World to Come by the Mountain Goats on 4AD
Listen: Download mp3 of “Genesis 3:23″ courtesy of 4AD
As many of John Darnielle’s albums can be, this one is a grower, that really hooks you after you listen to it by yourself for a while. Seeing the songs performed live with a bit of Darnielle’s humor added in between songs for context allowed me to listen anew, and understand better than how the songs initially came off on the record.

1. Widower by Widower (self-released)
Listen: Stream at Myspace

2. VS. by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, (self-released free digital EP)
Listen: Download EP via Myspace

3. The Moondoggies by The Moondoggies on Hardly Art Records (for Record Store Day), Ltd. Ed.
Listen: Stream at Myspace

4. Don’t Piss into the Fire/Magic Mtn Single by Arthur & Yu for a Sub Pop Singles Club release for Record Store Day
Listen: Stream via Myspace

5. Fun & Laughter Land of Talk on Saddle Creek Records
Listen: Watch “The Man Who Breaks Things (Dark Shuffle)” at Vimeo

The ones I missed in 2008 and I banged the most in 2009:

Hometowns by The Rural Alberta Advantage (originally released 2008, digitally released with eMusic November 2008, then re-released by Saddle Creek Records in mid-2009).

We’re Still Here Missing You by Kaylee Cole (self-released in November of 2008)

The one from last year’s list that’s stood the test of time and stayed strong into this year

Caught In Trees by Damien Jurado, SOTS’s #20 Northwest album of 2008.
In retrospect, I should’ve probably lobbied for a top 10 spot for this album on that list.

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

“Eet” by Regina Spektor

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.

“Walkabout” by Atlas Sound + guest Noah Lennox from Logos (Kranky/4AD)
Listen: Get mp3 via FADER

“Technicolor” by Nurses from Apple’s Acre (Dead Oceans)
Listen: Download mp3 courtesy of Dead Oceans

“Lisztomania” by Phoenix from Wolfgang Amadaeus Phoenix (Glassnote)
Listen: Stream at Myspace

“World News” by the Local Natives from Gorilla Manor (Rough Trade/Frenchkiss)
Listen: Download a live version via a Daytrotter Session

“Come Monday Morning” by Widower from Widower (self-released)
Listen: Stream at Myspace

“At the Cut” by the Cave Singers from Welcome Joy (Matador)
Listen: Download mp3 courtesy of Matador Records

“Comets” by Fanfarlo from Fanfarlo (Canvasback Music)
Listen: Stream at Fanfarlo.com

“Alamagordo” by the Ironclads from The Space Between the Maps (self-released)
Listen: Download MP3 courtesy of the Ironclads

“Young Heart Sparks Fire” by Japandroids from Post-Nothing (Polyvinyl Records)
Listen: Download MP3 courtesy of Polyvinyl Records

“Eet” by Regina Spektor from Far (Sire Records)
Listen: Watch the Video above, Stream at Myspace

“Walk Away” by The Maldives from Listen to the Thunder (Mt. Fuji Records)
Listen: Stream a Video from a KEXP In-Studio

“Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” by Mayer Hawthorne from A Strange Arrangement (Stones Throw Records)
Listen: Stream the Video at Vimeo

“Ready, Able” by Grizzly Bear from Vecktamist (Warp Records)
Listen: Stream the Video at Youtube

“For Now” by People Eating People from People Eating People (The Control Group)
Listen: Stream at Myspace

“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

“Lust for Life” by Girls (Safe Version)

“Lazerbeams” by Fresh Espresso from Glamour (Out for Stardom)
Listen: Stream the Video at Youtube

“The Town” by Macklemore from The Unplanned Mixtape (self-released)
Listen: Stream the Video at Youtube

“Otherside” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis from VS. (Sound Records)
Listen: Download VS. EP courtesy of Ryan Lewis Productions

“You Only Believe Me When I’m Lying” by Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers from Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers (self-released)
Listen: Download MP3 via KEXP Song of the Day

“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

“Please Baby Please” by David Bazan from Curse Your Branches (Barsuk Records)
Listen: Stream a solo version at youtube

“The Perfect Space” by the Avett Brothers from I and Love and You (Columbia)
Listen: Stream via theavettbrothers.com

“What Took So Long” by the Moondoggies (unreleased)
Listen: Download a live session version via Luxury Wafers

“Summer of Hate” by Crocodiles from Summer of Hate (Fat Possum Records)
Listen: Download MP3 courtesy of Fat Possum Records

“Isabella” by Lands & Peoples from Lands & Peoples EP (self-released)
Listen: Stream via Bandcamp

“Norway” by Beach House from Teen Dream (Sub Pop)
Listen: Download MP3 courtesy of Sub Pop

The Moondoggies ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

These are the local songs I loved most during 2009. I can’t ennumerate the list, believe me I tried. My absolute favorites are at the top of the list, but once you get beyond the top five–I can’t really say what my 9th and 17th favorite songs are with a straight face.

What I can tell you is that these are all songs I played on repeat. That I know every word to. That I sang along to at shows. That mean something to me. That made me dance. That got stuck in my head. That I couldn’t wait to share with my friends and those of you that read the blog. If my 2009 was a mixtape, these would be the tracks.

* “What Took So Long” by The Moondoggies | download track courtesy of Luxury Wafers |
* “Alamagordo” and “Step to the Sea” by The Ironclads | download track courtesy of The Ironclads |
* “We Sing In Time” by The Lonely Forest | watch video from their sold out CD release show |
* “Technicolor” and “Lita” by Nurses | download Technicolor | download Lita |
* “Certainly Tonight” by Widower | watch video |
* “Otherside” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis | download Vs. EP |
* “Hard to Be” and “In Stitches” by David Bazan |watch video of In Stitches |
* “Scorpio” by Dutchess and The Duke  | download Daytrotter session of Scorpio |
* “Coast of Carolina” by Telekinesis | download track courtesy of Stereogum |
* “For Now” by People Eating People | listen to the debut album in its entirety on Myspace |
* “Lazer Beams” by Fresh Espresso | watch video |
* “Young Hearts Spark Fire” by Japandroids | download track courtesy of Spinner |
* “Raindrops” by Grand Hallway | download track courtesy of KEXP |
* “I Have Found (Redux)” and “Goodbye” by The Maldives | watch video of I Have Found |
* “All Things To All People” and “Going Home Soon” by M. Bison | download track courtesy of Obscure Sound |
* “The Running Kind” by Zoe Muth and The Lost High Rollers | download my other favorite Zoe song courtesy of KEXP |
* “Go Easy On Me” by Goldfinch
* “At the Cut” by The Cave Singers | download track courtesy of Matador Records |
* “Magic Mountain” by Arthur & Yu (with The Moondoggies) | watch video |
* “The Town” by Macklemore | watch video |
* “This Happens Every Time” by What What Now
* “I Was A River” by Pearly Gate Music | listen to a live KEXP session of I Was A River |
* “Down The Road” and “Let Me Fall” by Final Spins | download tracks courtesy of LHB |
* “Never Turnin’ Back” by Shane Tutmarc | watch video |
* “My Volvo” by Grynch | watch video |

Widower at the Sunset Tavern ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

We were beyond exasperated this year upon learning of the bumps in the road for one of our favorite bands of the previous year. Their five song EP was for us, the local EP of the year, so we were also beyond stoked to see that Widower isn’t done just yet. As now just Kevin Large solo, Widower will be playing a solo set the first night night of the Moondoggies and Sera Cahoone two-nighter at the Tractor in January.

Before then though, this Saturday December 26, Kevin Large will be playing a solo set at the Sunset Tavern sandwiched between New Yorker Drew Victor who’s headlining, and local Norman Baker.

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.

David Bazan in an Edmonds, WA Living Room

Bon Iver at Sasquatch

Black Eyes & Neckties Final Show - Halloween in Bellingham

Doe Bay Music Festival

Nurses in a South Seattle Living Room

The Moondoggies at The Blue Moon

 The Maldives Three Night Stand at The Tractor

The Lonely Forest, Telekinesis, and The Globes at the Showbox

 Blue Moon’s 75th Anniversary Shows

The Rural Alberta Advantage at The Sunset

 The Ironclads Final Show Before Hiatus

Widower with Pearly Gate Music at the Sunset

 Fresh Espresso at Seattle Weekly’s Reverb Festival

Hey Marseilles and all of the Bean Room Shows at Cafe Vita During Capitol Hill Block Party

J. Tillman and Pearly Gate Music at The Sunset

A Gun That Shoots Knives and Doctor Doctor at Neumos

Mad Rad at Sasquatch

The Ironclads CD Release Show with The Whore Hands and What What Now at Holy Mountain

D. Black CD Release Show at The Crocodile

The Lonely Forest at Bumbershoot

Though I don’t have a photo to include with the list Regina Spektor’s sold out show at the Paramount is also one of my very favorite concerts  of 2009.

While this video isn’t new, it is new to me. It was posted on YouTube in July, but before five minutes ago, I’d somehow never seen it. Makes me think maybe you haven’t either. Plus the video is for one of my favorite local tracks of 2009 and features Zaches doing a pedal steel boogie. Finding this video was the musical equivalent of finding a $50 bill in the pocket of a pair of old blue jeans.

Fresh Espresso ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

We spent last Saturday in Ballard being spoiled by the vastness of the Seattle music scene. We saw a number of  new bands and rappers, checked in with some old favorites, and sadly learned news that we hoped were just rumors.

We’re going to do this Spin Magazine online festival coverage style… basically some random “Best Ofs.”

Best Jolt of Much Needed Energy to Start the Day: Fresh Espresso

Fresh Espresso, the always in motion trio of MC Rik Rude, P Smoov, and DJ Terry Radjaw was our first objective for the day. They were the first set on the all-ages hip-hop stage at the New York Fashion Academy and one of the first sets of the Festival, yet Fresh Espresso attracted a good sized and responsive crowd. 8 year olds and their parents danced along to Lazer Beams, as P Smoov, Rik Rude, and Terry Radjaw played to the crowd like pros.  By the end of the set the MCs had the crowd frothy like a well-made capuccino and just as buzzed.

P Smoov in the crowd ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Rik Rude of Fresh Espresso ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

MC Radjaw flashes his Lazerbeams ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Best Local Band We’d Never Seen: Hallways

Other than listing them as part of a larger line-up we’d never given Hallways the proper attention, and that is officially our bad. The duo of Grant Burton and Stephanie Parrish front this outfit, offering a sometimes mournful take on that opposite sex dynamic. Even as Parrish’s voice and energy elevates her in the mix, Burton’s lyrics and delivered words distinguish him. Everything-man Kimo Muraki who plays numerous instruments in a bevy of other local rock and alt-country bands, provides Hallways a background of lap steel with an air of emotional authority that often thirds the harmony to spectacularly accentuate a moment. After seeing them live, we are absolutely believers and we’re paying attention now. Sorry it took us so long.

Hallways ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Hallways ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Best Old Favorite with Exciting New songs: Thee Emergency

Thee Emergency has been toying with a group of country songs for some time now, but those songs were left aside for mostly other new songs and a couple of their usual show stoppers at the all-ages Eagles Auditorium for their 8pm set. Tom T Drummer was as on as we’ve probably seen, fully recovered from his nagging foot injury, and the rest of the band seemed just as practiced. Lead singer Dita Vox continuously draws the eye and clouds the mind, as much for her dynamic rock n’ roll showmanship as her overpowering voice and her unrestrained sexual energy. We’ve been slowly getting a new song here and there over the last year or so, but hearing them all together in context, with a notable determination, was exactly the type of action this festival needed.

::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Best Worst Moment: Widower

So most any band would kill for the 10pm spot at the Tractor during maybe the biggest all local music fest around. For Widower that lucky opportunity was realized, but life had other plans. And as the day approached rumor had it this was to be one of the last shows, if not their last one (it’s the only one listed right now). After a half an hour wait to get into the Tractor with my brother, we arrive just in time to see a fiery five songs that showed how much they deserved that spot. But after that fifth song, to the surprise of the rest of the band, bassist Heather Cowan unplugged and was done. After a moment of processing, lead singer Kevin Large turned to the crowd and motioned with upturned spread hands as is if to say “What is going on?!” When it was clear she was headed off stage, he hung his head, unplugged himself, apologized and that was that. Widowed by Widower.

Widower ::: Photo by Abbey

Widower ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

Flickr: ReverbFest 2009 in Ballard on October 3rd, 2009

Widower ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

In a way, The Sunset has become one of the de facto centers of the Seattle music scene. You’re just as likely to see members of your favorite local band, from literally the largest bands in town to the smallest just formed bands, supporting their friends in the crowd and sometimes on stage in roles you hadn’t envisioned. Such was the case last Wednesday, when many corners of the scene were brought together to appreciate three of Seattle’s most promising bands. Every turn of the head brought into view a local personality of note.

First band on the bill was The Final Spins is the project of Joe Syverson, formerly of Throw Me the Statue, supported by many of the same crew who brought us Siberian, with Colin English of Hardly Art’s Pica Beats manning the drums. This particular Wednesday the band was celebrating the release of a new LP by playing three sets throughout Seattle in one day. First the traditional new release KEXP noon set, then a Sonic Boom Records all-ages set, before finally arriving at The Sunset for their last one.

The Final Spins are of a rock band in the mold of the Kinks supplying simply arranged and decidedly jilted and complex pop songs soaked in warm reverb. I almost feel like this band comes out of the thirteenth month of 1969, still feeding off of and reinterpreting the folk and rock traditions of that loomed large through the previous decade. Though a couple of those synthy intro’s even had me thinking on the Cars, if only for the intro.

Following a short smoke break on Ballard Avenue, where we caught a glimpse of Grizzly Bear member Daniel Rossen conversing quietly with Fleet Fox Robin Pecknold, we retreated back inside for the Zach Tillman led project, Pearly Gate Music.  With a band consisting of many of the same cast of Final Spins characters and big brother Josh Tillman on drums, Zach Tillman is now finally showing some confidence with his material and himself. We’ve been impressed with pretty much all of Pearly Gate Music’s material since their last appearance at the Sunset, so when on a tuning break Tillman revealed without ceremony that they had just finished recording an album, it was welcome news to our ears. Upon seeing the modestly large crowd, Tillman remarked that he was impressed to see so many people at the Sunset on a Wednesday night, declaring it “the last cool place in Seattle.” At least on this night, we could heartily agree.

Widower is fast becoming one of my favorite bands to come up from the Seattle scene. If their modern take on country delivers the mournful ballads and dysfunctional love songs expected of the style, wounded puppy lead singer Kevin Large would never pass muster in Nashville. His closed eyes and seemingly shy demeanor belie a songwriter and singer that makes me think of Wilco and Bright Eyes at the same time. Somehow he incorporates the turns of a phrase and even Tweedy-ish pronunciation like the former, while lyrically at times he matches the poignant and sometimes verbose sadness of the latter.

Next Week on August 2nd the Final Spins with Black Whales are opening for the Henry Clay People at the Crocodile. Pearly Gate Music is supporting Josh Tillman on a short California tour at the end of August. Widower will play next at the Comet on September 9th. That’s the Wednesday following Bumbershoot.

Pearly Gate Music ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

The Final Spins ::: Photo by Abbey Simmons

Flickr: Widower, Pearly Gate Music, and the Final Spins at the Sunset Tavern