Music Monday: Chad Valley


CVtour Chad Valley

Local artist to: Oxford UK

RIYL: Beat Connection, Teen Daze, Jonquil, chillwave, lo-fi, synthpop

Chad Valley – the alias of Hugo Manuel – is part of the same Oxford collective Jonquil, Blessing Force, that Fixers belong to, and there is a similar feeling of 60s music being given a shimmery modern electronic makeover. But maybe because there’s just one of him he is able to give the project greater focus; there is no dilution, or sense of boxes being ticked, with Chad Valley – it’s just one idea, gloriously stretched out over four tracks on his sublime self-titled debut EP; one long wave of luxuriant sound after another. source
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CVrose

CValbum


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Music Monday: Skeleton$

Music Monday: Balthazar

Best Live Shows of 2012

The music discoveries, live shows and music festivals of 2012 were absolutely incredible! I met so many friendly fellow music loving people at shows and festivals this year so it’s easy to say this was the best year yet for live music and making friends at the same time. I am at my most happiest, most at peace and feel most at home while being in the audience of a live show. It doesn’t matter if I’m laying low in the back with a beer and a friend, dancing in the middle or pushing my way up front eager to get some good photos.

In 2012, I saw more than 210 live bands (since I know for a fact that several were left off the list). Out of these, I chose the top 20 performances. I tried to cut it down to just 10 as in years past, but just couldn’t.

all photos by Wackdelly

20 :: Housse de Racket @ Coachella – Indio CA

This crazy-white-clothes-loving-jumping duo surprised me for I prefer their live performance to the album.

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19 :: Jake Shimabukuro @ Skinny’s Ballroom (SXSW) – Austin TX

I finally got to see Jake live!! I was one of the few that got into this official showcase with cash since all those stuffy badge holders got in first. pff

18 :: Alesso @ Coachella – Indio CA

The Sahara tent was one of my favorites. The DJs were great, my top fave being Alesso.

17 :: Of Monsters and Men @ Hotel Vegas (SXSW) – Austin TX

I had to pull myself out of bed early for this early day show since Of Monsters and Men played right at noon. This set was worth it and was my first time to see them. Just lovely!

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16 :: GIVERS @ Coachella – Indio CA

Probably the most fun band at Coachella! Up Up Up!

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15 :: Bryan John Appleby @ Bumbershoot – Seattle WA

This dude has talent. No wonder the people from Head and the Heart love him so much.

14 :: Fly Moon Royalty @ Chop Suey – Seattle WA

Miss Adra Boo and DJ Action Jackson make up this rad Seattle duo. There is a tasty cover at the end of their sets that gets the crowd going. Yeah, you know what it is!

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13 :: Tallest Man on Earth @ The Moore Theater – Seattle WA

Kristian Matsson packs a strong voice that could fill up two Moore Theaters. I like how he was messing with the photographer up front. Hilarious!

12 :: Parlovr @ Spill Bar (SXSW) – Austin TX

I listened to all of the showcasing artists before the actual festival. Parlovr was one of my top must-see picks and their live show did not disappoint!

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11 :: First Aid Kit @ Coachella – Indio CA

Absolutely lovely. Period.

10 :: Tumbledown @ Manette Saloon – Bremerton WA

MxPx’s Mike Herrera has put together a fun alt-country band with members of the Rocky Point All Stars. I’ve seen them a few times in 2012 and they bring it every time.

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9 :: The Drums @ Flamingo Cantina (SXSW) – Austin TX

I saw The Drums three times in 2012, the first performance being my favorite. I may or may not have a crush on Jonathan Pierce. That arm sway thing gets me every time.

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8 :: Jeff Mangum @ Coachella – Indio CA

Jeff Mangum. At sunset. Heaven.

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7 :: mewithoutYou @ Nuemos – Seattle WA

This show was one of the most insanely brilliant sets I’ve seen in a long time. Also the first time for seeing them despite listening for years and years.

6 :: Geographer @ Chop Suey – Seattle WA

Such an incredible set, they were the opener for this one. Geographer is swinging through Seattle the second week of January and will be headlining. Yay!

5 :: Matt & Kim @ The Neptune – Seattle WA

I’ve been wanting to see Matt & Kim live for years and finally have! This duo is by far one of the most fun bands to photograph. They don’t stop moving. Ever. I was in complete awww when Kim was dancing on top of the crowd and couldn’t stop snapping.

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4 :: Icky Blossoms @ Nuemos – Seattle WA

I just love going to shows where one of the openers blows me away more than the headliner. This was the case with Icky Blossoms opening for Tilly and the Wall. Derek Pressnall, a member of both bands, has put together a fantastic electropop band that creates a sexy, creepy and poppy sound. I haven’t been able to put this album away for months.

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3 :: Sufjan Stevens @ The Neptune – Seattle WA

It is no surprise that Sufjan has made my best of list again. His sound live is absolute perfection and the visuals and costume changes highlight that. I was in complete awe listening to To Be Alone With You. My year has been made. Thanks Sufy!

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2 :: Balthazar @ TenOak (SXSW) – Austin TX

I did A LOT of my listening homework before SXSW and my top to-see pick was Balthazar. They were everything I’d hoped for and more. I’m hoping this amazing band from Belgium makes it back to the states and soon!

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1 :: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs @ Barboza – Seattle WA

I attended this show and had no idea what I was about to experience. I was completely blown away! And I arrived to the show in a complete funk that night too but Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs pulled me out of it.

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2012 band list

…musicvideo?, Air Review, Alesso, Allen Stone Andrew Anderson, Andrew Bird, AraabMuzik, Arctic Monkeys, At The Drive-In, AVICII, Awolnation (x2), Balthazar, Barcelona, Beat Connection, Beats Antique, Beck, Beirut (x2), Ben Kweller, Blind Pilot, Bon Iver (x2), Breakbot, Bryan John Appleby, Buried Beds, Campfire Ok, Childish Gambino, City and Colour, Civil Twilight, Coeur De Pirate, Cold Specks, Com Truise, Cosmetics, Crafts Spells (x3), Damien Jurado, Dani Elliott, Datsik, David Reynolds, Destroyer, Dinosaur Wars, Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg, Eighteen Individual Eyes, Electric Guest, Explosions in the Sky (x3), Fanfarlo (x2), Feed Me, Feels Like Yesterday (x6), First Aid Kit, Fitz and the Tantrums, Fly Moon Royalty (x2), Flying Lotus, Freelance Whales, Geographer, Girl Talk, GIRLS, GIVERS, Glen Hansard, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Gold Leaves, Gotye, Gregg Graham, Grouplove, Half Moon Run, He’s My Brother She’s My Sister (x2), Head and the Heart, Heartless Bastards, Helio Sequence, Hello Seahorse!, Hey Marseilles, HoneyHoney, Hooray for Earth, Hospitality (x2), Housse de Racket, Icky Blossoms, Idiot Glee, Irukandji Physics of Fusion, Jake Shimabukuro, James Murphy, Jan van Lier, Jason Lytle, Jeff Mangum, Justin Timbreline, Kasabian, Kevin Devine, King Khan & the Shrines, Korallreven, Lana Del Rey, Lefthead (x2), Lemolo, Lights, Little People, Loch Lomond, Low, LP, M Ward (x2), Madeon, Madness, Manchester Orchestra, Matt & Kim, Metric, mewithoutYou, Miike Snow, Mt St Helens Vietnam Band, No Rey, Oberhofer (x2), Of Monsters and Men (x2), Old Mexico, Other Lives, Parlovr, Pretty Lights, Pulp, Radiohead, Real Estate, Reggie Watts, Rocky Point All Stars, Said The Whale, Santigold (x2), SBTRKT, Sea of Bees, Sea Star, SebastiAn, Sebastian Ingrosso, Sera Cahoone, Shakey Graves, Sharon Van Etten, Shoot the Hostage, Squeeze, St Vincent, Strand of Oaks, Strfkr (x2), Sufjan Stevens, Tallest Man on Earth, Tenacious D, Tennis (x2), The Barr Brothers, The Big Pink, The Black Angels (x2), The Black Keys, The Civil Wars, The Dear Hunter, The Drums (x3), The Growlers, The Head and the Heart, The Horde and the Harem, The Islands, The Jezabels, The Love Language, The New Law, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Paramedic, The Persevering Promise, The Promise Ring, The Roots, The Seedy Seeds, The Shins (x3), The Spring Standards, The Torn ACLs, The Vaselines, The Wedding Present, The Young Evils, TheeSatisfaction, This Will Destroy You, Thus: Owls, Tilly and the Wall, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Trampled by Turtles, Tumbledown (x2), Ty Segall, Tycho, Ume, Why?, Wild Belle, Wild Flag, Wolfgang Gartner, WU LYF, Ximena Sarinara, Yann Tiersen, Yelawolf, Yellow Ostrich, Yuck, Yve Evans, Zammuto, Zedd

With Arms Outstretched

Not sure if I am just loving this song lately or it is the current theme. Perhaps both.

Music Monday: Song Sparrow Research


Song Sparrow Research

Local artist to: Seattle, WA

RIYL: Beirut, Travis, Chamber pop

Song Sparrow Research incorporates elements of rock, jazz, classical, folk, and experimental with guitar, cello, upright bass, electric bass, glockenspiel, drums, synth, percussion and assorted instrumentation. source
Song Sparrow Research will be playing shows in Seattle in October and November.

listen & like & love

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Music Monday: High Highs

Music Monday: Balthazar

I love Seattle: Reykjavik Calling

Reykjavik Calling is having the third go around tonight and of course I will be in attendance. The first two years were fun and incredibly unique at the Crocodile. The new venue is Nuemos, also one of my faves in Seattle. My fellow music-festival-junkie-husband and I have been wanting to go to Iceland Airwaves for the last few years but family holiday commitments seem to take precedence with this late-in-the-year fest but 2013 will be the year! Over the years we have learned about and loved many overseas acts from Iceland and are happy they are sharing the love to its music-loving sister city of Seattle.

Iceland bands to check out: Péter Ben :: Sin Fang :: Borko :: Björk :: Múm :: Sóley :: Seabear :: Retro Stefson :: Lay Low :: Gus Gus :: FM Belfast

Gus Gus :: Ladyshave (my first intro to Icelandic music in the 90′s)

Gus Gus :: Over (geez he’s like a fine wine, gets better with age…I want to seem him live dammit!!)

FM Belfast :: Underwear (I’ll give you $1 if this song does not repeat in your head all day after hearing it… btw, good luck proving it.. and yes, the video is supposed to look like that.. )

I would gladly move to Iceland, Italy, or Sweden. I love the songs about mundane crap in other countries, but that’s just me.

Pojke :: She Moves Through The Air

I can not stop listening to this new track from Pojke, a new project by Sindri Már Sigfússon. The sound has a way more pop elements than what I’m use to hearing from his band, Seabear, and solo work as Sin Fang. I like this. A lot.

My absolute favorite artist of 2010 keeps on delivering the goods ♥

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Sin Fang :: Clangour and Flutes (video)

Music Monday: Shakey Graves

Shakey Graves

Local artist to: Austin Texas

RIYL: Joe Pug, King Jim, Middle Brother

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A multifaceted artist, Alejandro Rose-Garcia wrote, recorded, and   produced every element of his debut release “Roll The Bones” which has received rave reviews worldwide. With its jaunty high soaring choral arrangements and twangy finger picked guitar, his recordings have a unique, psychotic, forlorn appeal that has quickly made Shakey Graves a household name from coast to coast.  source

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Music Monday: Einar Stray


Einar Stray

Local artist to: Sandvika Norway

RIYL:  Balmorhea, MúmEfterklang, Sufjan Stevens, Tunng

The 21 year old started out in year 2006 and has been compared to great musicians like Sufjan Stevens, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Sigur Rós. Live, Einar always has musician friends with him on stage. They make delicate sometimes grandiose sounds with both strings, blows and percussions. source

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Music Monday: Superlijm

Music Monday: He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister

Music Monday: Skeleton$

Music Monday: Strand of Oaks


Strand of Oaks

Local artist to: Philadelphia, PA

RIYL: J Tillman, Damien Jurado, Phosphorescent, folk rock

Strand of Oaks is currently on tour with The Tallest Man on Earth and we were lucky to see both bands last night at the Moore Theater. I was a bit blown away by Strand of Oaks. The touring drummer was quite impressive and added a layer of awe to the already brilliant lyrics based on hard times and real events by Timothy Showalter. The albums are quite different from the actual live show, but both are equally great.

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Music Monday: High Highs

Music Monday (SXSW edition): Parlovr

Music Monday: Cataldo

Currently…

Watching :: Here’s Lucy reruns on Hulu, The Newsroom, Breaking Bad and eagerly awaiting the return of Sons of Anarchy in September!

Drooling over :: Michael and I are ready to make this delicious zucchini pasta tomorrow! Recipe here!

The latest Kidrobot Dunny Series 2012 has been out for a bit and I have been on the hunt for the Junko Mizuno dunny (clear with wavy ‘hair’ and pretty designs). While searching the interwebs, I noticed a few characters from a Kidrobot mini series that existed in 2009. I’ll peruse ebay and see if I can score some on the cheap. Mizuno is one of my favorite Kidrobot artists along with Tara McPherson, Koralie, SupaKitch, Frank Kozik and a slew of others.

Excited about :: Taco Tuesday at The Tin Hat is today. $0.69 tacos and cheap draft beer is a good way to spend a Tuesday night! But shhhh, don’t tell anyone…it gets crowded.

My new ’78 Flying Dutchman moped! Her name is Lucy. She makes me smile so I appropriately named her after Lucille Ball. Anyone who knows me would not be surprised by this.

Visiting Texas next week. Specifically seeing family and old friends and checking out the old stomping grounds. If time permits (since I am there for work) I’d like to hit up some old favorites; Meddlesome Moth and Good Records in Dallas, Rahr Brewery and maybe more ink by Justin in Fort Worth and perhaps some late night shenanigans at Rubber Gloves or Hailey’s in Denton.

Worried about :: Visiting Texas…because of the crazy heat. I’ve grown accustomed to living in a city that doesn’t exceed 80 degrees. Bands are smart not to tour in Texas in late August which is why there seems to be nothing going on music-wise in the area.

Listening to :: (tonight anyways…) Gusgus, Erlend Oye, Why?, Of Monsters and Men, First Aid Kit and KEXP streaming.

Drinking :: Unsweetened Arnold Palmers and Session Lager. All this time I thought Session and Red Stripe were the same. Doh!

I love Seattle: Bicycling to Redhook Brewery

Bicycling to Redhook Brewery in Woodinville from Seattle is one of those rites of passages to becoming a Seattleite. The trip is anywhere from 20-30 miles round trip, depending where you start and end on the Burke Gilman Trail. It is an enjoyable ride with people watching and pretty landscapes along the way. We have gone the last two summers and had a good day riding, eating, taking part in the $2 brewery tour, and riding back home. This is a must do in the summertime so grab a bicycle and go! Here are some photos from our last two trips.

  

 

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Check out a few other reasons why  I love Seattle:

Trips to Leavenworth

Mount Rainier

Scarecrow Video

Music Monday: Toe

Toe

Local artist to: Tokyo, Japan

RIYL: Math Rock, This Town Needs Guns, Shy Trafficker, This Will Destroy You, The Album Leaf

 The vast majority of the music is instrumental in nature and is also known for its melodic, clean guitar settings. Additionally, the compositions have repetition from typical rock motifs, but use very subtle changes in beat and rhythm to form a unique sound. The band has changed their sound over their musical tenure by incorporating acoustic guitars, rhodes piano, and vibraphones in their most recent releases. source

listen & like & love

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Music Monday: The Shy Trafficker

Music Monday: Errors

Dance to Another Tune

Hiatus: n. pl. /hi·a·tus/hīˈātəs/ A pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process.

Currently…

Drooling over: The cinder block planter bar and dining room transformation at Design*Sponge are swoon-worthy! I am gathering design ideas by the minute and these are total keepers!

Elsie’s delicious ways to mix up an Arnold Palmer over at A Beautiful Mess are brilliant! I love all kinds of tea, especially black tea.

Watching: Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Poker After Dark. We don’t watch shows live so we are catching up on our queue. This can be challenging with soooo many spoiler posts on the twits and fb.

Excited about: Our new rental house! We will be leaving the Greenlake/Ravenna area and moving 10 mins away to the Ballard/Phinney Ridge area of Seattle. While we will miss our favorite places like Atlantic Crossing, Pies & Pints, Cafe Racer and Latona Pub, we are stoked to try out some new bars and eateries within walking distance of the new house.

Also, my little sister is currently in Italy for a six week art program. I am super excited that she is able to have this experience with her friends. Traveling overseas does change a person a little bit, in a good way of course. I love that she’s the only one in the photo not sketching and just taking it all in.

Eating & Drinking: We have been eating our greens, as we normally do but they are from Michael’s garden! So far we have lettuce and spinach! It’s crazy how something that comes from your own backyard can taste way better than store bought produce.

I have been drinking lots of green tea lately. Even though it’s June, the weather in Seattle is a bit chilly (it was warmer in April!). Once the outside temp warms up, I will get on the iced tea bandwagon.

Mr Rogers Remixed

Thanks Sundey for sharing this on fb today!

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