Author Archives: Annie

SXSW 2014 Recap

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This post is dedicated to those lives lost: DeAndre Tatum, Sandy Le, Jamie West, Steven Craenmehr. I didn’t know you, but consider you kindred SXSW spirits. May your souls rest in peace.

IMG_3258Another South by Southwest has come and gone and as always, it was different from years past. The streets of Austin were definitely more chill this year and especially after the sad incident that occurred on Red River. It only felt right to back off the twitters, take less photos, hug the ones you love and enjoy life. This year Michael joined me for his first SXSW, and the first year I’ve attended non-solo. Together we teamed up and listened to all of the showcasing artists in hopes of uncovering some hidden gems. In years past, I’ve tried to tackle the massive list myself but it’s tough so it was nice to make and share discoveries with a fellow music junkie. I will be featuring some of our selections in the coming weeks on the returning Music Monday posts.

Over the course of 5 days, we saw a total of 43 bands live. My favorite performances of the week were Team Me, Mutual Benefit, Black Violin, Public Service Broadcasting, Jungle, Mire Kay, Sun Club, Cleanup, Boyfrndz.

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THE GOOD :: Spotify House :: The Wild Honey Pie Showcases ::  :: Tyson’s Tacos :: Bill Miller BBQ :: Enjoying a drink and chat with Julien Maury, French horror film Director & Writer :: my secret venue to chill and regroup on 6th was not crowded

THE BAD :: A tad bit chilly, so no skirts for me :: Seeing less bands due to the horrendous lines this year :: SXSW has gotten too corporate :: Debating if I will attend SXSW in the future (it’s been a good 6 years, but geezus with the large acts) :: missing our other 100+ top selections, but hopefully will see them at a Seattle venue soon!

THE MEH :: Torchy’s Tacos :: Waylayers played one rad song then quit because they weren’t pleased with the sound :: Brooklyn Vegan Showcases (I blame the venue choice)

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All photos by Annie Cuce

except my family took a few… pi in the sky by Davey and the red roses at Mohawk by Jannette (she also made the pretty flower arrangement)

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SXSW 2013

SXSW 2012

SXSW 2011

SXSW 2010

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2014 SXSW Music Tips

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Each year, I learn more about SXSW…what you can get away with, secret spots, best venues, parties to avoid, etc. The main goal being to be exposed to as much new music as possible while having a damn fine time. So far, I’m to be on the right track. Each year gets better than the last, which is difficult to believe since the previous was a fucking blast. The key is to be prepared. I spend months planning for my absolute favorite week of the year. I am giddy and the best feeling is walking down 6th Street on the first day with the warm sun on my skin and feeling the energy in the air. And I hate the sun, so this says a lot. Also, Mr Wackdelly will be joining me for his first SXSW so we have both been listening, planning together, scheduling and I’ve been filling his head with tips and tricks.

Check out my 2011 tips too, but you’ll notice that some tips are outdated (RIP Leslie).

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1 :: Do not see the big acts (also on the 2011 list). Seriously, you spend all your time standing in line for hours to see a popular band that tours in your city multiple times a year, when you could be experiencing what SXSW is really about… fresh new music. The undiscovered gems are where it’s at! Over the years some of my favorite SXSW discoveries before they blew up were Baths, Cloud Nothings, Beirut, Warpaint, Of Monsters and Men and Grouplove.

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2 :: Check out the free shows at night. My friend at Blue Sky + Hard Rock (along with Music Saves Lives) put on a fantastic showcase last year with free music all day AND night (including free delicious sushi). Be on the lookout for unofficial night parties for they do exist. I believe there will be even more free night stuff this year. (photo: Seryn at Firehouse Lounge & Hostel, 2013)

3 :: There is a new addition to the wrist bands you will be collecting during the week, the Guest Pass wristband. It is a free credential and allows you to get in certain venues/areas (that use to not require any credentials). More info here.

4 :: Be sure to check out Waterloo Records’ free shows from 3/12-3/15, but plan to get there hella early if you want to get in the door. Also, it’s a hike from the main 6th Street music festivities so plan for that and no RSVP necessary! Lineup here and more info here.

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5 :: While the beers of the Pacific Northwest are pretty boss, I do miss old Texas favorites like Firemans #4 from Real Ale Brewing and the always refreshing Lone Star. I’m getting thirsty just thinking about it. Also, be sure to tip those great people slinging drinks behind the bar. They are working hard so you can enjoy yourself.

6 :: If you can find a rad band playing a tiny venue off the beaten path, pay the cab fare to check em out. The best shows are the smallest. This is easier said than done. I have skipped seeing some top picks due to location and later found out what I missed out on and that just plain sucks.

7 :: Don’t invest all your time and planning into one showcase or party… the venue will be at capacity, there was a schedule change, the distance is too far, gotta follow the friends, etc. Just have lots of backup music options. I usually plan 10-15 backup options, and that’s just for the day parties.

8 :: Twitter is one of the best on-the-go tools. Ask questions about line status, tweet a band to confirm times, or just see what’s blowing up at the moment in Austin (Prince, Bill Murray sighting, etc). Be sure to use the proper #sxsw or #sxsw2014 hashtags and someone is bound to respond to your inquiries. Secondary tools that work well are the SXSW app and a spreadsheet via the Google Drive app. I’m at @wackdelly if you have any questions.

9 :: Earplugs are a necessity. I wish someone (anyone) would have told me the importance of earplugs at a younger age. Anyhoo, I took 3 pairs of earplugs last year and managed to lose them all. My backpacked savior, Bruce, came to the rescue with a whole bag of earplugs. I might pay it forward and stock-up, then proceed to shove them in the ear holes of all the clueless youth.

10 :: Don’t be a stuck up asshole. Talk to people. If they are friendly and you are friendly, then keep talking. Buy them a Lone Star and chat about your favorites of the fest or suggest bands to check out. I was chatting and giving some suggestions to a lady and it turned out to be Ann Powers of NPR. I’ve met some really great people over the years at SXSW that I still keep in touch with.

All photos by Annie Cuce

Wackdelly’s 13 Favorite Live Shows of 2013

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While the posts in 2013 were far and few in-between, the music attendance didn’t miss a beat. It actually increased by a large chunk over 2012 (and I still know I am off by 10-ish bands somehow). It was a bizarre year with so many ups and downs, but I wouldn’t change a single thing. While being in a different mindset will change ones opinions of the music, I just look at it as being more open towards music you wouldn’t have listened to otherwise. Anyhoo, I added more “analytics” this year, as I am a spreadsheet junkie (if you see me at a music festival, you will understand). I tend to be a money-tracker of sorts so knowing what is spent on live music in 2013 was eye-opening and I have no idea why it’s never been tracked before. I saw a plethora of free shows this year due to generous connections and music writing friends with a +1, music start-ups, secret shows, beach shows, and rad anniversary shows on the streets of south Seattle. It’s been a crazy year and I love it all and the people involved. Thank you.

2013 Breakdown :: at least 267 live bands :: est total cost of $951 (avg $18.28/wk) :: 7 cities :: 6 music festivals :: March was loudest month (71) :: Dec was most quiet month (4)


Anamanaguchi @ Chop Suey – Seattle WA 6/6/13

This show blew away their SXSW performance with the blasting sound, bright background and those cubes! Seriously, the cubes made me feel like I was gonna 1-UP with every song. Rad all around.

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Balmorhea @ Columbia City Theater – Seattle WA 8/9/13

This band from Austin Texas is one of my absolute top favorite bands to see live. The music truly puts me in another place. Here’s footage from a different show:

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Black Violin @ Scoot Inn for SXSW – Austin TX  3/14/13

Listening to all of the SXSW bands is a tough job, but when a gem like Black Violin stands out, you fork out the $25 to see a single evening showcase. This show the only money I actually paid to see a band at SXSW (since partaking in the day showcases mostly). Totally worth it! They are also playing SXSW 2014 (YES!).

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Blind Pilot + Oregon Symphony @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall – Portland Oregon 4/27/13

3 Rounds and a Sound. With a Symphony. Enough Said.   Photo :: Daily Blender

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Byrta @ Þjóðleikhúskjallarinn for Iceland Airwaves – Reykjavík Iceland 11/2/13

Byrta is incredibly unique with angelic robes and complete with backup singers. Definite stand-outs of the entire festival!

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Dresses @ Tractor Tavern – Seattle WA 10/15/13

I fell in love with Dresses immediately. This adorable Portland duo has remained in heavy rotation ever since this show.

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For A Minor Reflection @ 12 Tónar – Reykjavík Iceland  10/30/13

The best live shows are in tiny music stores with capacities of 30. The sound in this video does not give these post-rockers justice.

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Geographer @ Wild Buffalo – Bellingham WA 1/14/13

They made my top live band list of 2012 also. Yup, that good!

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Grouplove @ The Crocodile – Seattle WA 9/9/13

Ah, one of my favorite music discoveries… Every live show is better than the last which is mind-blowing since the first Grouplove show I attended was stellar!

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Hermigervill + Vox Mod @ Neumo’s – Seattle WA 10/12/13

These two go together like peanut butter and jelly. Kudos KEXP for this fantastic Reykjavík/Seattle match-up!

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The High Highs @ Brew Exchange for SXSW – Austin TX 3/14/13

This band has been on my radar for quite some time. I was stoked to finally see them and then a month later back in Seattle.

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Jagwar Ma @ Reykjavík Art Museum for Iceland Airwaves – Reykjavík Iceland  10/31/13

So, I’m really confused as to why this band is not HUGE! The live shows are fantastic with intense visuals and really great sound.

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Retro Stefson @ Harpa Norðurljós for Iceland Airwaves – Reykjavík Iceland  10/31/13

This was such a super sharp and energetic show! Retro Stefson was one of our most anticipated Reykjavík acts of the fest and totally delivered.

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all photos by Annie unless otherwise noted

 

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2013 band list

A Trak, Aaron and the Sea, Aby Wolf, Air Review, Alex Bleeker and the Freaks, All My Friends, Allah-Las, ALT-J, Aluna George, Anamanaguchi (x2), And So I Watch You From Afar, Andel King, Apparat Organ Quartet, Árstíðir, Ásgeir, Astronautalis, Avians, Alight, Balmorha, Baptist Generals, Bastille, Baths, BattleMe (x2), Bear Mountain (x2), Bellstop, Benny Crespo’s Gang, Benoît Pioulard, Billy Woods, Black and White Years, Black Violin, Blackbird Blackbird, Bleached, Blind Pilot, Bloodgroup, Blue Boy, Borko, Braids, Brushy One, Built To Spill, Butch Walker, Byrta, Caged Animals, Cake, Carmen Villain, Cashmere Cat, Cayucas, Chad Valley, Chrome Sparks, Chvrches, Clipping., Cody ChestnuTT, Constant Lovers, Conveyor, Daniel Hart (x2), Darwin Deez, David Bazan, Death Cab for Cutie, Delorean, Dessa (x2), DIIV, Dillion Francis, Doe Paoro, Dolly Parton Tribute Bands, Doranna bjornsdotter/Trouble, Dream Tiger, Dresses, Dude York, Duologue, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Electric Children, Elín Ey, Empress Of, Erik Blood, Explosions in the Sky, Family of the Year, Father John Misty, Fly Moon Royalty, FM Belfast, Fol Chen, For A Minor Reflection, Four Color Zack, Fox, Frightened Rabbit, Gemini Club, Geographer (x3), Ghost Beach, Girls in Hawaii, Gold Fields, Grand Hallway, Grant Olsen (from Gold Leaves), Greg Dulli, Grimes (x2), Grouplove, Hausu, Hello Wheels, Hermigervill, Hey Marseilles (x2), Hibou, Hjaltalín, How To Dress Well, Humans, Hymnalaya, Icky Blossoms, Islands, J Thoven, Jagwar Ma, Jan Mayen, Japandroids, Kajak, Katie Kate, Kaylee Cole, Kid Smpl, King Tuff, Kisses, Kithkin, Kiven, Lay Low, Le1f, Leagues, Limousines, Lord Huron, Love and Fog, Low Roar, Lucy Rose (x2), Lusine, M-Band, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Majical Cloudz, Mammút, Man Without Country, Maserati, METZ, Michael Kiwanuka, Midlake, Mikey and Matty, Mitzi (x2), MØ (x2), Mudhoney, Múm DJ Set, Mumford & Sons, Mylets, Myrra Rós, Nacho Picasso, Natasha Kmeto, Nine Inch Nails, Nissim, Nolo, Not in the Face, Odesza, Ojba Rasta, On An On (x3), Onuinu, Oregon Symphony, Oyama, Papa, Pascal Pinon, Petit Noir, Phox (x2), Pinback, Polyphonic Spree, Preservation, Pure Bathing Culture, Ra Ra Riot (x2), Radiation City, Radical Face (x2), Red Fang, Reignwolf, Retro Stefson, Robert DeLong, Rökkurró, S (Jenn Ghetto) (x2), San Fermin, Saytan, Sea Wolf, Sean Nicholas Savage, Seattle Rock Orchestra (performing Beatles), Sera Cahoone, Seryn, Shabazz Palaces, Shovels & Rope, Shugo Tokumaru, Sign, Sigur Ros, Silent Diane, Sin Fang (x2), Ski Lodge, Skurken, Slow Magic, Smoke & Feathers, Sophia Duccini, Star & Micey, Stealing Sheep, STRFKR (x2), Suburban Living, Sun Glitters, Super Water Sympathy, Sykur, T Bird and the Brakes, Tall Ships, Tape, Telekinesis, The 1975, The Comettes, The Eastern Sea, The Eels, The Grey Area, The Grizzled Mighty (x2), The Horde and Harem, The High Highs (x2), The Lumineers, The Neighbourhood, The Pharmacy, The Postal Service, The Rubens, The Tallest Man on Earth, This Town Needs Guns (TTNG)(x2), Tomo Nakayama (from Grand Hallway), Tony Lewis Trio, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Trails and Ways (x2), Trust the Lies, Úlfur Úlfur, Ultra Mega Technobandið Stefán, Útidúr, Vigri (x2), Villagers, Vök , Vox Mod (x3), Waxahachie, Why?, Wild Cub (x2), Wildcat! Wildcat!, X Suns, Y Niwl, Ylja, You Won’t, Young Dreams, Young Dreams, Youngblood Hawke

Music Monday: Chalk

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188230_511564095553908_1172101863_nChalk

Local artist to: Brighton UK

RIYL: Elliott Smith, Owen, Twothirtyeight, violins, acoustic

Currently there is very little information online about Steven Stride’s project, Chalk. His self-titled debut is expected out in September. This album will definitely be talked about this fall, for sure!


listen & like & love

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Music Monday: Einar Stray

Music Monday: Song Sparrow Research

Music Monday: Chad Valley

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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

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Music Monday: Skeleton$

Music Monday: Balthazar

Best Live Shows of 2012

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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

Music Monday: Song Sparrow Research

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Einar Stray

Local artist to: Sandvika Norway

RIYL:  Balmorhea, Múm, Efterklang, 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

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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.

listen & like & love

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Music Monday: High Highs

Music Monday (SXSW edition): Parlovr

Music Monday: Cataldo

Currently…

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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!