It's Festival Season!

'Tis the season and there's a whole other reason for festivities. It's summertime and that means summer festivals. A few great reasons to attend local music and art festivals:
1) Supporting local art!
2)Gorgeous weather!
3) Free Free Free!
4) Meeting new people!
5) Something to do that isn't homework or laziness!

Recently, I attended Elkfest, a free music festival, where I saw Space Opera 77, a great Spokane band, and Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, a Seattle band that lives up to their crazy name. Both were great shows that also demonstrated the Unknown Band Phenomenon (my theory that the more unknown the band, the better their live show). Artfest accompanied Elkfest and I regret that I missed a lot of it by coming late, but I did get a lovely wooden ring from a jewelry stand...for $2! (I'm telling you, people, local stuff is the way to go if you're broke and cultured).

I also attended Bobfest (there's a post about last year's show as well....). Bobfest was a great opportunity to see what local teen bands are doing and is really quite impressive. All of the bands I saw put on a great show and, for many, their last show.


What festivals are you attending this summer?

-Katie

Rainy Pacific Northwest Playlist for those Rainy Pacific Northwest days

I love the Pacific Northwest. This quadfecta of states (it's a word!); Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon; has the best music, best people, best views, best EVERYTHNG. Now, I may be biased, but I have a theory. Part of my intoxication with the Northwest is the simply intoxicating scenery combined with the amazing music that seems to teem from these four states. It's been rainy recently - beautiful Northwestern Rain- so I put together a little mix of Northwesterny tunes together with various pictures from around the Northwest.

1. Furr- Blitzen Trapper: Portland, Oregon




2. No One's Gonna Love You - Band of Horses: Seattle, Washington

3. Pink Bullets- The Shins: Okay, this is cheating, because they formed in New Mexico...But they're based in Portland now!



4. Float On- Modest Mouse: Issaquah, Washington

5. Sixteen Military Wives- The Decemberists Portland, Oregon

6. Pop Song- Starfucker: Also known as Pyramiddd. From Portland, Oregon


7.Now We Can See- The Thermals Portland, Oregon

8. Throwin' Shapes - Minus the Bear Seattle, Washington

9.Albatross, Albatross, Albatross- Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band Seattle, Washington

10.Space Opera 77 Spokane, Washington (sorry for the quality...it's live)


Enjoy this small selection from a vast sea of wonderful music. What are your favorite Northwest bands?

-Katie

RAWK Final Four

Coming up this Saturday is the RAWK Final Four. The bands that are playing are Victory For A Day, The Sassmatrons, Act One Scene One, Yukon The Archer, and Executive Smack. I'm very very very excited for this show, as two of the bands have some friends of mine in them. The Sassmatrons actually practice across the street from my house and one of the bandmates went to school with me. Executive Smack also has some former grade school classmates of mine (a class ahead) as well as one member that still goes still school with me. For this show, Executive Smack is trying out a whole new show that should be pretty interesting and exciting. Check out the keyboardist's interview with checkitoutmusic.com.
http://checkitoutmusic.com/radio/archives/162

For more information, check out http://www.rawkonline.com/drawk2004/index.php

Matt Hires, Stephen Kellog and the Sixers, Tyrone Wells

What a night! Well, I know it took me quite awhile to put this up here, but Tyrone Wells' homecoming to the Knitting Factory was a personal and talent-filled show.

Matt Hires opened it up with his raw, acoustic stylings. I'm a huge Matt Hires fan, but this was the first time I've seen him since the release of his new album Take Us To The Start and I was excited to hear the live version of the album. As per usual, I was not disappointed. Matt puts on chill, laidback show but with his own personal touch. I am constantly blown away by his simplistic yet beautiful lyrics that continue to differentiate him from the legions of other acoustic musicians.

Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers followed Matt Hires. I was surprised by their almost pop-like (in the best sense of the word) approach to folk. They were a nice blend of rock, folk, and a pinch of ironic facial hair. With choreographed dances, keytars, and a wealth of plaid, Kellogg and his band quickly found their way into my heart. After the show, a friend and I went to get an autograph from Kellogg and I was impressed by his friendly demeanor and the time he spent with every fan. He even drew his "first portraits on the West Coast" of my friend and I.

Tyrone Wells returned to his hometown to headline the concert. His style was put-together and clean, but perhaps a bit unoriginal at times. However, I was deeply impressed by the complex lyrics of "What Are We Fighting For?" and "Sink or Swim." His music was fun and enjoyable, but one of the highlights of his set was when he helped a man propose to his girlfriend. Congratulations to those two strangers!

Katie's Prescription:
For those looking for an innovative acoustic musician bringing something new to the table: I prescribe Matt Hires
For those looking for a gentle introduction to the crazy, multi-layered world of folk: I prescribe Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers, (their blend means that you aren't just diving into that wild land!)
For those looking for a something similar to what you hear on the radio, but with better lyrics and vocals: Check out Tyrone Wells

Take twice a day with water and a bit of chocolate.

Read. Think. Type. Rock.
Katie

Summer Send off

Stage in the park, cool acoustic/freestyling music, good friends, warm air, slight breeze. Is there any better way to say goodbye to summer? I think not, my friends.

Last night, I enjoyed the musical stylings of Bushwalla, G.Love and Special Sauce, and Jason Mraz . Bushwalla played the host of the night, starting with a grin-inducing opener and frequent stage visits to freestyle and entertain the audience. G.Love and Special Sauce performed before Jason Mraz took the stage and I was intrigued by G.Love's signature style. His music was a delectable mix of soul, hip-hop, rock, and a dash of Special Sauce (see what I did right there? Oh the cleverness). The hilarious charm and nonchalance of Booty Call (video) immediately won me over. And then, when G. Love smoothly transitioned into a Beatles' classic, Why Don't We Do It In The Road?, he completely sealed the deal.

Mraz took the stage after G. Love and the audience went wild. A sea of people crushed towards the stage just to breathe the same air as the man(I was within 6 feet of him, I think that counts for something.) Mraz had an incredible stage presence and the intimate park setting suited him perfectly. A quick glance at my co-audience members revealed the transcendent quality of his music; immediately surrounding me were a grandma, a few hipsters, moms with their toddlers, some sorority girls glammed up for a night out, twelve-year-olds wearing "I Heart Jason" attire, and a several hippies tossed in for good measure. Jason, too, had a little Beatles influence showing; a couple of his songs were reminicent of "Across the Universe" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." His reggae/surfer influence came through as well, with a chill surfer vibe settling over the audience and his happy rendition of "Three Little Birds" invited the crowd to sing along. The theme of the evening was being grateful for the people that surrounded us, friends and strangers alike. We high-fived our neighbors, hugged strangers, and reestablished bonds with our friends. At one point, Bushwalla asked, "What are you grateful for?" and introduced to us to The Gratitude Cafe, an environmentally friendly cafe that teaches its patrons( and now, through Mraz, the world)how to be grateful for the things in our lives. I certainly know the answer to that question; Great friends, great music, and great memories. Thank you Bushwalla, G. Love and Special Sauce, Jason Mraz, and everyone else who contributed to such a fantasic evening. And farewell, sweet summer. See you next year!

Read. Think. Type. Rock.

-Katie

Congratulations

I promise I will never do this again, but I feel that this is a special case. I will write about a celebrity couple. But, wait! Don't click away! It's not an average, off-again, on-again, we're-only-together-for-publicity couple; It's a so-cool-and-adorable-your-heart-may-melt couple. I am, of course, speaking of Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel. Ben's music has had a big influence on my life and Zooey's films and music have also influenced me. I couldn't be happier that they (drumroll!) were married on Saturday, September 19th. Congratulations, Ben and Zooey. Best of luck!

One Love

In a world that is growing smaller by the second, I love hearing about projects and events that bring people from all walks of life together to create something unique and interesting. One such project is the "Playing for Change: Songs Around the World" project. Started in 2005, Playing for Change aims to bring peace through music. For more about the project and to see past episodes, visit www.PlayingForChange.com.
As a strong believer in the philosophy that music transcends hate and differences, this project strikes a chord with me. Finding strength, advice, hope, and ideas through music is a passion of mine, and hopefully I can share that passion through further blog posts. Until next time!

Read.Think.Type.Rock.

Katie