Seismic-Sound Commentary: Kithkin, Tomten and Danny The Street (Kind of) at Sunset Tavern (2-1-12)
So, I was SUPPOSED to check out Danny The Street but my ass is forever late for everything that ever was, so I went ahead and missed about 80% of their set. Hey, I thought they were the headliners! I suck. Tonight’s show is rounded out by Tomten and Kithkin. (FYI- Tomten and Kithkin are both named after mythical creatures! Nerds!)
Music! Danny The Street are psychedelic rock, although nothing new, they just happen to be good psychedelic rock. But I have to say, I have a few singers whose voices do not appeal to me, Eddie Vedder is one of them. Shit is like nails on a chalkboard. For me, the singer for Danny The Street has one of those voices. Great lyrics, just isn’t my jam. I’m going to quote my bartender friend Joe, “Their music was good enough for me not to rip on them”.
Tomten. Oh, Tomten. You are the band I would have had a crush on in high school, before I had heard much music and I used to get lady boners for really skinny hippie dudes. The lead singer looks like the love child of Ray Davies and Shaggy from Scooby-Doo and dresses like every dude I fell in love with in middle school. On to the music…dreamy, Brit-poppy. Lena and Brian vocal harmonies are a groovy mesh. They really, really want to be The Kinks, which is fully understandable…The Kinks fucking rule. But The Kinks are over. (UPDATE: I got real fucking high, listened to Tomten on their Bandcamp page and I really fucking dug the jams. Real hard. Thanks, weed!)
Here comes Kithkin. Holy sweet shit. Kithkin was like the fucking Jolt Cola of the night. First off, they have a bazillion drums. Aside from the pretty extensive kit of the drummer/vocalist, each member of the band had their own drum and the keyboardist has some goddamn maracas and a tambourine. This shit is PER-FUCKING-CUSSIVE. Which is exactly how I like it. I could feel everything Kithkin played with my whole body. You want to know how to instantly endear yourself to an audience of 20-somethings? Play Phil Fucking Collins. They opened with a cover of “In The Air Tonight” that would have made Phil himself hella jelly. And everyone immediately fell in love with Kithkin.
Their set felt like church, (or what I’d imagine church would feel like. I’m a godless heathen.) a lot of energy, the drums and call/response in their songs. Among my favorites of their set was a song called “Treefell”, it’s “oh-we-oh-we-oh-we-oh-we-oh-we-oooh” chorus is catchy as fuck. Other favorites: “Move Slow”, which is the musical equivalent of a slithering snake, in the hottest way possible, and “Ampersand”, which was like getting punched in the face with music, in the nicest way possible. Their drummer/singer looks like a Greek god and a baby angel combined. I would have wanted to run away with him to a tropical island, live together forever and make baby angel/Greek god children but then he would never be able to share his beautiful music with the world. I was also taken by their keyboardist, who was wearing a Parliament t-shirt under a Hawaiian shirt. He was the cutest cheeseburger in paradise I’ve seen in a while. Major lady boners all around. I will be keeping my ear on these guys, they deserve to be big-time famous. As my bartender buddy Joe said, “They are the best band to play The Sunset in weeks.” Weeks. Thanks for the lady boners, boys. Keep being super fucking amazing.
~Chelsea Robinson
Seismic-Sound Introduces New Writer: Sara Johnson
Sara Johnson is a 28-year-old who loves to drink PBR, wear red lipstick, talk dirty, loves dogs and most importantly … is a fucking Seattleite. This city is the reason she wakes up in the morning and explores its food, music, dive bars, and vintage shops, and people are the reason she goes to bed so late at night. Her love of music comes from her lust for a good drink and a great time. When not overindulging, she can be found traveling, doing yoga or going down on a good book. Sara currently lives in the hell-hole known as Belltown with sweet little “Chica” her 9-year-old chihuahua.
SOLD OUT!! Yes a sold out night at the Comet Tavern with Side Pony and Hoot and Howl. Fly MoonRoyalty is on the rise … so ya better look out!
The West headlined our Seismic-Sound.com show, and they fucking killed it! This bill was stellar, check out this performance!
The Ambulance blew the audience away with their new-wave/beach rock sound.
“Imagine I’m Yelling this at You” By Herbert West: Part One
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For the last year and a half, I’ve worked at a semi-popular venue here in Seattle. During this time, I’ve certainly seen my fair share of outstanding shows: Pickwick, Hey Marseilles, Head and the Heart, The Maldives, Grand Hallway, Campfire OK, Kelli Schaefer, and Bryan John Appleby…the list goes on and on. But there’s a flipside to every coin. I’ve also been subjected to clowns who spend more time getting funny haircuts and finding jeans so tight that they’ll be sterile before their 25th birthday, than worrying about what’s really important: getting people to show up and watch them. Being in a band is a job. At least it should be considered one when you’re headlining a venue that holds hundreds of people. Alas, time and time again, I’ve stood with 12 other people watching a band meander through a set of terrible songs, half- assing a performance because they feel they’re too good to play to no one. Well guess what? It’s your fucking fault that no one is there. Let me tell you a tale. A couple months ago, we had a show booked and at a week out I realized that the entire bill was doing nothing to promote it. There was no poster. There wasn’t even a Facebook event page, something even the laziest idiot in the world can set up. Not a goddamn thing was out there to let anyone know the show was happening. So we pushed it back to the end of the month in the hopes that the bands would actually show some initiative and promote themselves. They didn’t. A four-band bill drew four people paid. I’m sure you can all do simple math, but just to drive my point home, that’s one person paid per band. *One person paid per fucking band.* Absolutely pathetic. If each band had done the slightest amount of work, they could have drawn at least 20 people Per band. Simple math again, that’s 80 people. Suddenly there’s a crowd. You’re not wasting your time playing to no one and I’m not wasting my time working at a show that’s losing my place of employment a shitload of money. The fact is, promoting your band in the year 2012 is so easy that a lobotomized imbecile could do it. The internet has made it so you don’t even have to flyer anymore (although it’s still a really good idea). Facebook, Bandcamp, Vimeo/Youtube, blogs, your own website, there are countless ways to put yourself out there and get people interested. There was a time in history when you had to send out press kits to venues (which most likely included your demo on *cassette*) then follow up with phone call after phone call to get booked. Then you had to go to shows where bands similar to yours were playing and hand out flyers. You had to interact with people, in person.*Have actual face to face conversations with other human beings.* Could you imagine if today’s lazy ass bands had to do that? Capitol Hill would be a ghost town. There are a lot of bands in Seattle. Way too many. Everyone with a pulse in this city plays some stupid instrument with a gaggle of other fruitcakes, making what someone, somewhere, might consider music. What separates the men from the boys (and the women from the girls) is whether or not you’re actually putting any effort into the aspects of playing in a band that aren’t making music. If you’re not going to promote yourself, stay in your fucking garage. |
Seismic-Sound’s New Monthly Writer:*Beware* Herbert West
 The year was 1992. Two high school outcasts were digging a pool in their backyard, in the hopes of throwing the greatest post-prom party of all-time. Then an earthquake struck, raising a huge block of ice from the ground. The ice contained a man, frozen for millions of years.I was that man.The boys clothed me in the latest fashions, taught me to dance and enrolled me in high school. I immediately became the school’s most popular student, much to the chagrin of one of my newfound friends. He tried to cast me away, but in the end learned that friendship is more important than popularity.Wait! that’s the plot of *Encino Man*.I’m just some guy who’s angry all the time.
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Seismic-Sound Preview: The Family Crest at The Tractor January 31st.
San Francisco based band The Family Crest will be setting up shop in Ballard tonight but they are bringing a sound that is quite a bit different from the Tractors standard fare. Being a self-proclaimed Orchestral Indie group, they are a far cry from the twang and distortion we have all come to expect and love at the Tractor, but there is no doubt they will feel right at home on that stage. Their six piece line up is composed of bass, cello, violin, guitar, flute, percussion and vocals, including some spine chilling operatic backing vocals that will catch you off guard and then make you smile in revelry.
Their songs can vary quite widely from symphonic, to cabaret, to a flat-out rock and roll ruckus. It is hard to say which place they fall into most often, and given the instrumentation it’s easy to think it might be a little too down tempo, but have no doubt when the last note is played it is clear that above all else they are a rock band at heart. Their song “North” is a pretty good snapshot of their sound as a whole. With it’s alternating arrangements building dynamically back and forth throughout the song until they crescendo into an epic orgy of satin strings and soft voices that will leave you needing a smoke.
So don’t deny yourself the smoke or the experience, get down to the Tractor Tavern tonight and check them out. They are headlining along with Valley Fair and Brite Lines. Get there early and stay for the long haul, it will be worth it. For a sneak peek, here is a clip of them playing “North” live at the Rickshaw in San Francisco. BM
Seismic-Sound Album Reviews: Elliot Brood,Brokaw, and Lost Lander.
Elliot Brood– Days Into Years
Release Date- Out now
“Death country”? Yes please.
This Toronto band is laying down some stomp down alt country, calling up gospel truth that made bands like The Jayhawks so great.
For a band mostly known for blowing the doors off, EB is letting the hushed moments and Mark Sasso’s raspy howl speak for them. From the radio-ready love letter ‘Lindsay’ to the haunting preciousness of ‘West End Sky’, Days Into Years will draw you in.
@ The Crocodile- Feb 28th
9.0
CB
Brokaw– Interiors (Good To Die Records)
Release Date- Out Now
Good To Die Records has birthed another beast with Brokaw’s debut, Interiors.
Made up of Seattle music vets, Brokaw breakneck through 27minutes of rock of the ballsiest order, a concoction of noise and groove with a faint aroma of metal.
Blood, sweat and buds aside, Interiors somehow falls short, relying a bit to much on the crushing wall of sound while letting the vocals hang on the roadside. Head up, eyes out, Brokaw kills live.
@ The Sunset- Feb 3rd
6.8
CB
Lost Lander– DRRT
Release Date-Out Now
These PDX natives create a grand piece of work that expands, morphing upon every listen.
On the debut DRRT, Matt Sheehy vocals are confident and otherwordly, complemented by Ex-Menomena Bert Knopf production. Textures and sounds (beats, harmonies, handclaps, strings, is that a ukelele?) are layered effortlessly, creating an all encompassing sound that pays tribute while holding court all it’s own, stepping out of the PNW folk box.
7.8
CB
Seismic Rad-Libs With: Brian Fisher of Us On Roofs
Band Us on Roofs is kicking things off at our Seismic-Sound.com show tomorrow night at The Comet Tavern, and word on the street is…. “Its a fucking rad bill!” So get there early, cause no shit these guys bring it, and they’re the perfect way to get the show started. We asked Brian if he would do a Rad-Lib and he happily obliged, so enjoy it below.
Success means: a Segway for me and all my friends.
I get nostalgic when: I play Mario Cart or Golden Eye on N64. They are still
the only games I will bother playing.
I love to over indulge in: strange family movies from the 80’s (The Dark
Crystal, Willow, etc…)
I hate it when: you write something you are really proud of only to find out
you unintentionally titled it with a sexual innuendo (musicians: when in
doubt Urbandictionary your song titles).
Biggest turn on would be: a nice, sassy drumbeat and some 7th chords.
A perfect night is: falling asleep on the couch while watching an old Western.
My biggest disappointment: was arriving at a venue in Medford, Oregon on our
tour last summer and not being able to play because some of us were
underage. All those miles and we had to sit on the curb and listen from
outside.
Us on Roofs is: not supposed to be spelled Us on Rooves or U.S. on Roofs or
Us on the Roofs or The Sun Roofs or Us on Rufus (glad I’ve only heard that
one once).
The creative process can’t: function efficiently without an ample supply of
coffee and Mountain Dew.
Seattle will never: not feel like home.
The Soft Hills have always been a band I’ve marveled at ( or at least for the last 2 years). I’ve marveled at the incredible talent that lies behind the band, I’ve also marveled at how such an incredible band has been overlooked ( in a certain sense) by their own people? Was it because they weren’t running in the same circle as “the others?” Nevertheless, the band has been snatched up by Tapete Records out of Hamburg, Germany and has released an absolutely beautiful album titled “The Bird is Coming Down To Earth”. Its been over a year since last seeing them, so seeing them play for their CD release was met with great anticipation for me, and to say the least they delivered. It was highlight of the night …there is no doubt a band like this shouldn’t be playing the likes of the Showbox Market and quite frankly The Paramount Theater. I hope we don’t treat them as we did with Carissa’s Wierd, and come to realize after the fact just how incredible this fucking band is. I hope we start to take notice in 2012. I shot some video of their CD Release show, and I hope you enjoy it (you can watch in HD).
The Soft Hills
Seismic Rad-Libs With: Sam Peterson of Ambulance
So stoked to have the band Ambulance playing Seismic-Sound.com Presents show with Us On Roofs and The West on January 25th at The Comet Tavern. This show should not be missed, and KEXP agrees as they have also named it a “recommended show” of the week.
We asked Sam to partake in our Rad-Libs in which he kindly obliged, so lets take a read. Check them out by clicking on the band name above. Enjoy!
People assume: that I don’t work at JcPenney’s.
Dont ask me: to stop.
To get away from it all: I typically run into the woods until I am out of breath. Then I sit down for a smoke.
I never planned: on growing up.
I wish people would: stop hitting the snooze button and wake up, rub their eyes, and get out of bed.
Seattle is: all of my favorite things in a bathtub.
My worst habit is: sneaking candy. At work, during practice, in bed, before dinner..
My dream gig would be: opening for Conor Oberst. On Valentine’s Day.
I can’t imagine: a world without cats.
Seismic-Sound’s Album Reviews: Torn ACLs, Genital Hospital, The Soft Hills, Dinosaur! Attack!
So going along the lines of “Seismic” we are going with rating our albums on a richter scale ( clever I know). If it’s in the1.1-3’s, then CB or the album reviewer isn’t all that impressed really, and I don’ think that I need to describe the rest …. its pretty self explanatory. I hope you enjoy the reviews. Now go out and buy some music……
The Soft Hills- The Bird Is Coming Down To Earth (tapete records)
Release Date:Jan 17th 2012
Sonic storytelling where innocence is lost, grace is achieved and the fall is mindblowing. “The Bird Is Coming Down To Earth” satisfies that art- rock fix without any of that boilerplate after taste. The Soft Hills exist in a world where folk harmonies like ‘Days When We Were Young and Free’ and ‘Tidal Waves’ psych-rock drone share a crash pad.
Tune in, turn it up.Richter Scale Rating- 8.0
CB
The Torn ACLs- Make A Break, Make A Move (Self Released)
Out Now!
If your idea of fun is TP’ing the math teacher’s house or serenading your girl with Peter Gabriel blasting out a boombox, the Torn ACLs are
the soundtrack to your house party. On “Make A Break, Make A Move” this sweet like candy pop 4-piece bring a “who do they sound like?” familiarity to the table, while still sounding fresh and fun.You’re right guys, I can’t say no to Friday. Richter Scale Rating- 5.0
CB–
Dinosaur! Attack!- Atlas EP (Self Released)
Out Now!
Pleasantly surprised with a healthy dose of spaz-emo-prog fuck-all from this UK group. Sending haymakers into the mouth of different musical genres,the “Atlas” EP rises above the blather of popcorn angst. On standout ‘Ephie’s Epic Algorithum’, lead singer Wildi lyrics dance somewhere between a whisper and a scream, with the band expertly following suit. Richter Scale Rating- 6.7
CB
Genital Hospital- Ball My Children EP (Self Released)
Out Now!
“It’s like butt sex. A hot, sweaty, disheveled mess.”
Life is a punk slop orgy to these guys…and you are cordially invited. Genital Hospital aka Gays Of Our Lives bring the noise (and the lube) with a sonically fuzzy sense of humor on the” Ball My Children” EP. With distorted, jagged guitar and sweat lodge inspired vocals, GH will make you believe. Richter Scale Rating-7.0
CB
If you’ve yet to see Gold Leaves live, well then you need to hit The Tractor on January 14th to see them perform. While at the Reverb Festival this year, I was floored by their live performance. Sure I thought the album was top notch, but Grant Olsen and company are some of the best musicians this city has to offer (and thats sayin a lot).
But let’s not stop there..two more of “our” favorite bands … Cumulus (who have played a Seismic-Sound show. click here for video), and Fort Union (un-seen live footage of Fort Union here)will be kicking things off early. No reason to get there late cause all these bands are well worth the going ticket price and then some.
We want to thank Grant for doing our “Song Dissection”, and putting the creative effort into the lyrics of “Cruel/Kind”(writing the lyrics on a album sleeve, just a little something extra looks great). Check out the video at the end of the “dissection” for some live Gold Leaves footage I shot at Reverb Fest 2011. Read below:
Dear Reader,
I think “Cruel/Kind” was the oldest song that made it onto the record. When I eventually put all the songs together, it was positioned as sort of an axis between “The Silver Lining” (track 1) and “Futures” (the last track), with all three tracks getting progressively denser in structure and imagery. I think, lyrically, all three songs probably look for some sort of comfort in the synthesis of seemingly contrary ideas (or forms) and certainly take a lot of stock in the notion of useful contradictions. I think the “cruel and kind” line is just as much (or more) of an acceptance of that contrast as it is a struggle with those opposing sides. That might all just be lazy-taoism now that I’m thinking about it, but there are some other themes trying to be explored here as well (however shabbily).
These three songs try to touch on the idea of “resemblance” (or mimesis?) and maybe the best example of this idea came a couple of years after I wrote “Cruel/Kind” when I got hip to the Nick Lowe song, “Cruel to Be Kind” and some cruel/kind wordplay in a Midlake song I heard on the radio a few days later. I was completely (or at least unconsciously) unaware of these songs while writing my own version, and I was probably feeling pretty sharp about it until those discoveries. Although this mostly demonstrated the failures of my imagination, I think it pointed to what I was trying to get at in this song … the idea that there’s no way, at least for me, to write (or be) something that isn’t tied to something else that existed before it and will come after it. It all probably lives in the same universe (even if the parameters are slowly expanding). And I think if that’s the case, the idea of ownership (to ideas or *anything* really) completely falls out the window, because nothing can ever be entirely yours with this in mind. Just as the prideful sense of feeling “kind” (in this song) or “just” isn’t warranted because those exist within the same parameters that hold the unkind and unjust notions. I think, in terms of writing music at least, the (attempted) loss of autonomy and the bow to participationism has been more productive for me in the last couple years. But that’s not saying that there’s not a constant struggle to get much better at participating and to try to find the weird corners and sub-corners of the parameters that people have (amazingly) created outside of the main-stream. long way to go.
Your friend,
Grant
Gold Leaves, Cumulus, Fort Union at Tractor Tavern on January 14th at 9pm. Click here for tickets!
Seismic-Sound’s New Senior Editor, Writer and Producer ….. and About Everything Else: Dan Thornton
Not only have I been able to watch Dan’s work ethic while he and both CB shot as well as organized all the film and crew for the upcoming Doe Bay Documentary, but have gotten some insight to him as a person … and I couldn’t be more honored that he wants to work with Seismic-Sound and bring some amazing elements to the site. He will be a very pivotal point of reference for the upcoming growth which will be announced in the very near future …but is already lending a hand in the ideas and music projects we are currently working on. So happy to have this “rock” on board. Read his bio below:
Dan Thornton is a filmmaker, journalist and educator. After spending most of his early years on the East Coast, Dan relocated to the Pacific Northwest. He teaches film and communications courses at various Seattle area colleges and makes narrative, industrial and documentary films. His latest film “Welcome to Doe Bay” is currently in post-production and will be screening in the first half of 2012.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to have CB’s talent and credability breathing life into Seismic-Sound. His film work is fantastic, his writing seems effortless and his mouth is filthy … so when he approached me about being apart of S.S., it really was a no brainer. He’s going to bring a whole bunch of know how to the table, as well as a fine music pedigree in the industry. Read his “short” bio below:
Born in the Big Easy, I call Seattle my second home. Former DJ, scribbler for the now defunked Tablet Magazine and one-time music
venue owner.
I am currently a freelance filmmaker and music junkie. Feed me.
Seismic-Sound’s New Writer: Chelsea Robinson – Writer Extraordinaire and Queen Biatch!
A few weeks ago I was pulled aside and asked what I envisioned for Seismic-Sound, and I oh so delicately told him what I saw. In the confines of that conversation the name Chelsea Robinson came up and it immediately rang a bell. I knew who she was, because she had “friended” me on Facebook aways back. She obviously was a mover and a shaker and was utilizing Facebook for one of the many great things its known for …it’s an amazing networking tool. Rumor was she was a great writer .. and quite simply she is. I’m not putting rules per say on any writers that write for the site, I want their personalities to shine through in their writing, so if they have a “crass or vulgar” way of wording things then so be it. So I am excited to say that this mover and shaker, and not to mention scene-maker is now ours, and will be contributing on show reviews/previews and lord only knows what else, but I am stoked to have her aboard. Read her bio below:
Chelsea Robinson comes from rock n’ roll stock (not to brag, but her uncle was the original drummer for The Modern Lovers and then the drummer for The Cars! Squee!) and is consistently dismayed at her lack of actual music skills. This lack has made her a keen observer of others’ musical talents instead and a deep appreciator of those who can move people with music. She considers it a blessing she moved here from a shithole small town in Massachusetts so she could have her mind completely fucking blown by all the amazing music this area has produced and continues to produce. Her favorite shit is the riot grrrl bands of the 90s, the girl groups of the 60s, and the embarassingly terrible pop music of pretty much every era. She lives in Ballard with a roommate and a chubby cat named Lord Early Gravy Writher the Tenderheart.
Seismic-Sound.com Video Vault With Performances By: Ships/ Devil Whale/ Ninja/ Dan Mangan/ Ravenna Woods
We have quite a bit of unseen footage, so we are going to do our best to get it out there. This is all unseen footage from shows in 2011. As beautiful as all these are. The Residents was music on a whole other level of art which you will see ..its essentially theater, but this band is one of my absolute favorites. Enjoy and share….
Devil Whale
Seismic-Sound.com’s Featured Artist: The West
The West is a five-piece Seattle band formed in late 2010 by songwriter Anthony Darnell and Bob Husak (drummer of The Blakes). They were later joined by keyboardist Adrienne Clark, producer/guitarist Reed Griffin, and songwriter/electronic producer Arthur Ross. Their sound is a combination of melodic vocals over high-energy bass with a bit of catchy synth and guitar leads thrown in. It’s a world of dirty
Dance-rock straight from the garage, but it always remains hopeful. In November 2011, they released their debut “Don’t Make a Sound” EP. Members: Adrienne Clark a keys, vocals; Anthony Darnell a guitar, keys, vocals; Reed Griffin a guitar; Bob Husak a drums; Arthur Ross a bass, vocals. (Take a listen below)
The West-It Was Disco and it’s Over
Seismic-Sound.com: 2011’s Top 10 Seattle Bands To Watch.
Around this time of year everyone wants to throw in their two cents, and we are no different. After doing last years list, and finding some fair success in it. We thought we would throw another one in. We will avoid the obvious selections like Pickwick and Allen Stone and focus a bit more on the “obscure” if you will. So please enjoy and either check them out live or purchase their music..it’s some good shizzy! (In random order)
Don’t Talk To The Cops– With sounds that would borderline “unconventional” in the world of hip-hop or rap, these self-assured musicians (a whole lot of musical experience in this crew) don’t care what it takes …with absolutely no rules, they tackle each song with charisma, lyrical flow and sometimes humor (Big Ass Head), but it doesn’t stop there …to catch them live is a fucking dance party like no other, so make sure you track down one of their live shows (click on link above) … Look for their new album to drop on Valentines Day 2012.
Sandrider– This industrial strength metal trio has what it takes to be the next Red Fang and then some. With two-thirds of the band being the fellas from the almost legendary Akimbo and the other from The Ruby Doe …..I mean what more do you need? Well throw in getting signed to new label Good To Die Records, which was founded by one of the most passionate metal-heads I know in Seattle, Nik Christofferson … and I think good things can only start to happen. So I dare you to pick up their self-titled LP, and tell me that’s not some of the best good ole balls to the walls metal hardcore shit you’ve ever heard. Fuck the gimmicks, these boys lets their instruments steal the show …. ok…well they’re fun to watch too.
Lakefight– Hands down one of the brightest and most brilliant bands I have ever seen in Seattle …. and these “kids” have lots of time to grow even (kinda scary). David Gladfelter has some of the most unconventional chord changes, progressions and vocal howls ever, but they work, and I mean they work beautifully. I expect some VERY interesting and incredible things from this band and David himself. He strikes me as the type who needs to be creating all the time. If you get the chance to see this band live ..it comes across just as intricate live as it is recorded, which was refreshing (Read a bit more about them here).
Pony Time- My jaw hit the floor when I first heard this two-piece play and I have been smitten ever since. With Luke’s incredibly original sounding vocals and Stacy’s amazing confidence on the skins (look out Faustine), they make some of the most beautiful fuzzed out, punk inspired garage rock on the scene today and I am hoping this band gets some national if not international recognition this year, cause god damn! They deserve it! Make sure and catch them soon, cause these mofos gig a lot!
Sick Secrets- No doubt ..I have a thing for punk, but it seems hard to come by overall in this great city of Seattle ..yeah yeah you all may or may not know I love The Spits and of course they rule the roost, but I feel like I could be missing out on a variety of hard charging punk. Then I stumbled upon Sick Secrets and my thirst for new punk was quenched . They just have that ability to make you move …doesn’t matter how, you just want to move … o.k. and possibly launch a beer! Check this band out! They play the Comet this Saturday night (Dec 17th openers)! I’ll be there getting my fix!
Cristina Bautista- Bottom line is you’re going to be hearing a lot from this woman in the very near and upcoming future and I am going to very well make sure of that. Frankly, I think its rare to find one of the best pop-rock singer/songwriters in your very own backyard. Typically they have all converged on L.A. trying to preach their gospel to the masses or writing for labels, but here we have the opposite. Cristina came to Seattle from L.A. and quickly jumped into the scene with Visqueen as bassist before they bid farewell. And now she has her sights set on doing her “thang” here, and I am stoked. I recently saw her play and was completely mesmerized by her pint size energy and incredible ease and authority in which she handled her bass, (which looked as tall as her) as well as her strong vocal skills. This woman could be played on 107.7 The End this week, and I guarantee the youth would be smitten … but luckily she’s ours for now and she is currently working on her LP which I am hoping we see this spring if not sooner. Stay Tuned!
Alice In The River- Not gonna lie, this is a bit of a shot in the dark because I have only watched one live video performance of this band; but I will tell you I was bowled over by the voice of Alice Sandahl(Pica Beats) instantly as well as hooked by the beautiful yet catchy piano arrangements this fantastic duo (Joel Harmon-Sleepy Eyes of Death) arranged. They are currently working on new material and I can’t wait to get my hands on it, but until then try to catch them play Columbia City Theater on January 1st 2012. I couldn’t think of a better way to start a new year, than with an amazing “new” band.
Slow Dance- Give me some heavy synth, alongside some techno beats, amazing samples, and a front man who can spit effortlessly …and I’m a girl who drank a 2 liter of wine cooler in the car before she went into the underage dance club .. it will be impossible to stop my body from moving on the dance floor. Upon hearing Slow Dance, that was the case. Cans on my ears and I couldn’t stop moving at my desk …I was fucking addicted, and still am. No lie hip-hop is on fire (via Macklemore & Ryan Lewis/Budo& Grieves/Shabazz Palace/Champagne Champagne/Mad Rad), but it’s still not getting the coverage it deserves. Thats all about to change on seismic-sound in 2012!
Elk & Boar- One night at Doe Bay Fest this year, I separated myself from friends to see who else I could find meandering the grounds of this spectacular resort. I think I may have walked 50 yards before I found a campfire and people surrounding it. In the true fashion of this festival it didn’t take much time before you would see a familiar face or chat it up with another music lover… but after everyone left (about 60 ppl), there were 5, and not knowing better … 3 of these people were taking turns singing with their guitar in hand (Sean Flinn was one of the three). Two of these were Elk & Boar ( Travis and Kirsten) and I was blown away…I had no idea. I just sat outside listening to these amazing artists in front of this campfire (for about 3 hours) thinking … “this is my idea of heaven” the most beautiful voices accompanied by a guitar and the crackling of a fire, surrounded by some of the most beautiful wilderness in the country or world for that matter. As the sun started to peek out from under the fog, that’s when we introduced ourselves; they said they had the band called Elk & Boar from Tacoma, and I have been smitten ever since. Check them out, they play Neumos on December 21st. Trust me .. this band is magic live.
The West– Upon very first listen of opening track “It Was Disco and It’s Over”, I was a bit dumb-founded by how good it was already. Thirty-seconds in I was bopping along to the catchy hook and the full polished dreamy sound of what I thought could easily be a sure-fire hit on a mainstream radio station. It just had that kind of mass appeal … like everyone’s favorite dessert. The rest of the EP was just as strong. Hints of new wave, meet bits of beach rock and lord knows what else, but the combo works and I mean in spades. I am excited to say they will be playing our first Seismic-sound.com show of the new year on January 25th at Comet Tavern, with Ambulance and Us On Roofs. Make sure to pick up their EP “Don’t Make A Sound”on bandcamp, its well worth the $4 dollars.
Honrable Mentions: Fly Moon Royalty, Strong Like Woman, Sharkies, Prom Queen, Legendary Oaks, The Golden Blondes, Cumulus, Le Wrens, Dirty Sidewalks and Fox and The Law.
Seismic-Sound.com Video Review: The Local Strangers,Shenandoah Davis and Big Sur At Columbia City Theater
Another fantastic night of music was on display at the Columbia City Theater with Hannalee (who I unfortunately didn’t get any footage of, due to socializing), but I did get some good stuff with the three others, and its some pretty stellar footage at that so please enjoy.
Seismic-Sound 
Seismic-Sound.com Commentary: The Pica Beats, The Soft Hills and Cumulus. Comet Tavern (2-3-12)
Friday night’s opener at the Comet was the singular singer/songwriter known as Cumulus. Cumulus was so good that people were actually screaming and shouting for an encore FROM THE OPENERS! The lead singer, sweet little Alexandra Niedzialkowski , with her beautiful child-esque voice and poetic lyrics just blew me away! Kicking off her set with a spirited “Do You Remember”,which is my favorite track off of their six-song self-titled EP ; connection, beauty and applause increased with each song. Cumulus will be playing at “The Round” in Fremont on February 14th which means that we all actually have something worthwhile to do on Valentine’s Day this year. Hallelujah. We need to love, support and enjoy Alex as much as possible now because it won’t be long before seven bills ain’t gonna’ get us within spittin’ distance of one of her shows.
The Soft Hills took the stage after Cumulus and if I needed to describe this set in one word, it would be: “Fuckingdrums.” The first song they played, “Tidal Waves”, is from their new album “The Bird is Coming Down to Earth” which is being released this Valentines Day. Starting out with this song got me so stoked for their entire set! About 30 seconds into the first song the drums kick in and I could feel the beat tickling my feet through the floor, beating my heart through my chest and blowing my hair back. Their style of psychedelic-folk rock paired with some trippy projection playing behind them should have a special place in everyone’s life right next to that 6 month old bag of mushrooms that you have been waiting for the perfect time to shove down your pie-hole. They appropriately have the drummer placed center stage for maximum viewing from the crowd, and thank someones fucking God because you do not want to miss a bit of his entire being all beaded in Native American jewelry, bracelets on both wrists, rings on multiple fingers (no wedding ring, ladies and gents), a hippy stone necklace, western shirt, a hat that one would wear on an arctic excursion and to top it all off, the signature Seattle beard, all while he is beating the guts out of his sparkly gold drum set. The way he wails on the drums makes me wanna know how he wails in bed. Someone sleep with him and get back to me on this one? Please? Thank you.
Finally the Pica Beats took their turn in front of the giant red ‘C’ on stage and they are soooo fucking interesting. That may sound like a boring statement but from this jaded reviewer that is the greatest compliment I can come up with! They are interesting … very, very interesting. I want to know what they do in their free time besides stand on stage and look cool while playing awesome music. I loved everything they played, especially their last song, “Holding Out”. The passion was there, they were dancing on stage, it was a great show. You could not help but move your ass to these folks. The women of the band visually steal the stage: The drummer has long dark hair and classes it up in her signature blazer. Vocalist and “miscellaneous percussionist”Alice Sandahl, brings a stunning and unexpected presence to the stage with her beautiful face and incredible jaw line. This foursome played so well together that I would go as far as to say that their timing was perfect. After seeing them twice, I was surprised to find out that they are actually a solo-project of the lead singer which just adds to all the mystery. Pica Beats. Go. Now. Hells good. ~ Sara Johnson
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