Ravenna Woods - Kitchen Sessions / Visible Voice Exclusive

Walking into Ravenna Woods’ Seattle house/practice space/recording studio was pretty surreal. We quickly realized that this was not a house at all, it was a creative dungeon. It was a place to eat, sleep, drink, and produce music.

The band welcomed us to catch a glimpse into their jam session. We first started to roll the cameras in a bedroom on the top floor where they had never played before. Although the band sounded great we decided to relocate to their basement (practice/recording space). The basement was draped in rugs, posters, and various trinkets that made it feel less “cold”, it was clearly the beating heart of the house.  While the band is fairly laid back, lead singer and guitar player Chris Cunningham is a driving force of intensity that bears his dark side throughout his lyrics.

Their much anticipated album The Jackal is available November 12! It is a true representation of the band’s balanced sensibility. The Jackal is perfectly produced to exemplify the purity of their sound, which is refreshing in a time when music is being ransacked by computers and producers who want to leave their “mark.”  

Ravenna Woods has their album release show on Saturday November 16th at Neumos in Seattle.

Video // Kitchen Sessions & Visible Voice 

Charli XCX - Neumo's - Seattle, WA

Until Charli XCX started crooning and shimmying at Neumo’s, I had no idea what a cult following she has here in Seattle.  The moment she cracked open her show with “What I Like,” the men surrounding me in the front row burst out dancing and singing every lyric.  Standing in the middle of her band of female instrumentalists, she owned everyone’s attention with her raspy British accent and fervid headbanging.  At just twenty-one years old, the English singer-songwriter is not only an international star, but also a fashion icon thanks to her goth-tinged wardrobe and huge, dread-laced hair.

Murmurs flew through the crowd when, at the end of her fourth song, “Lock You Up,” Charli broke down into tears.  As the tune was followed by an extra-emotional “Stay Away,” everyone assumed a former lover was on her mind.  She explained afterwards, though, that she actually had a sore throat, and had been on the verge of calling off the show, but “didn’t want to do that” to us.  The audience erupted into cheers of gratitude and affirmation that she still sounded amazing.  Without her confession and the fact she was drinking tea onstage, I’d have never guessed her voice was anything but at its best.  Though concertgoers were disappointed when she didn’t emerge for an encore at the end, we could hardly blame her, especially given that she’d still performed an impressive thirteen songs.  With catchy anthems like “You (Ha Ha Ha)” and “I Love It” (a song she wrote for the band Icona Pop) entering the mainstream, she’s sure to keep winning over hearts and growing her adoring fan base.

Words//Photos By:AJ Dent - Twitter // Web Site

Deer Tick - Neumos - Seattle, WA

Deer Tick has built a name for themselves by not only pumping out killer tunes, but by pulling out the stops. Just two years removed from the rollicking Divine Providence, the band returns with a clear-eyed, emotionally-charged record, Negativity.

As on Divine Providence, the band benefits from letting Ian O’Neil take a turn behind the mic. His “The Dream’s in the Ditch” is the album’s catchiest tune. Drummer Dennis Michael Ryan’s “Thyme” also acquits itself well.

But ultimately, this is lead singer John McCauley’s show. He addresses his dissolved engagement on album opener “The Rock”, and his father’s prison sentence for tax evasion (“Mr. Sticks”). The result is some of the band’s most autobiographical and affecting tunes to date. His sandpaper croak is still rough, but it’s more pointed than ever; his bloodshot eyes are wide here with a keen clarity, thanks in no small part to shirking at least some of the substances.

McCauley has always had a voice that sounds like he’s seen some hard times. Now he’s got some hard times to sing about.

Words // Brian Hodge

Photos // Adam Richert 

Check out this throw back of Deer Tick circa 2010 (kitchen Sessions)

The Avett Brothers - Key Arena - Seattle, WA

The Pacific Northwest was lucky enough to get a second helping of The Avett Brothers this year, which included a high-energy show at Seattle's Key Arena on October 18. On the heels of the October 15 release date of their new album Magpie and the Dandelion, the band gave fans a few new gems - including Vanity, Bring Your Love to Me, and the album's first single Another is Waiting. Foot stomping commenced during crowd pleasers such as Laundry Room and The Fall. And die- hard fans would list Salvation Song and Backwards with Time as the highlights of the night.

Recently the Bros & Co teamed up with Seattle's own Chris Cornell to treat television viewers to a special performance of Vanity on adoring fan Jimmy Fallon's late night talk show. On October 30, the North Carolinians will rock the stage for a Live on Letterman webcast, and will do a regular show performance after. With Magpie and the Dandelion debuting at #5 on the Billboard Top 200, and #3 on iTunes top albums, it seems we will be seeing a lot more of the genre-defying brothers in the future. 

Words // Ashley Couey: Web Site and facebook

Photos // Adam Richert

David Bazan - Living Room Sessions - Bakersfield, CA

Last Thursday I walked down my street to a neighborhood house, knocked on the door of a person I had never met, and was invited in to listen to David Bazan. 

A bar height chair was set in the corner of the living room, between the fireplace filled with votive candles and a warm glow of a lamp on the other side. The host had the vibe just right. Bazan walks in as if he were a friend invited over to play. He begins to tune as the crowd who was once standing awkwardly around the living area of this quaint house, now starts to take their seats. Just watching everyone arrange themselves in such a considerate manor is a testament to the living room session. Absolute respect for the home, the musician, and each other. The kind of respect that can only be derived from understanding and appreciation for what everyone is about to experience. 

Bazan begins to play and then answers some questions. This is when the fans, who have been listening with intent silence, show their excitement. This is also when Bazan, becomes more than a musican and reveals all those genuine and sincere parts of his character that are perceived through his music, in the flesh. After answering a questions about religion and raising his children, Bazan asks if anyone else has any questions, then jokes "It doesn't have to be as personal, or it can be." While Bazan is in the living room he is an open book. 

Bazan closes with the favorite "Bands With Managers", thanks everyone, and as the crowd shuffles around the living room, he casually exits. I suspected this was more out of respect for the host (as not to create lingering fans inside their living room), because as we walked out, we noticed he hadn't left. Bazan was standing in the front yard. We were able to thank him personally, shook his hand, and as we walked back home I looked back and noticed he was chatting and taking photographs with the little crowd that gathered that night just for him. 

Words//Photos// By: Jennifer Williams // Visit her Web Site and facebook for more fantastic photography!

Video// By Brad Cordova // Vimeo

Pepper Proud & Friends-The Blackberry Bushes-Weatherside Whiskey Band-Coral Creek String Band at The Nectar Lounge in Seattle

Walking into the Nectar Lounge Thursday night, one sound rose above the buzz of patrons like an echo crossing a glass-still lake.  It was flutey, flighty, and filled with misty air.  It was the voice of Pepper Proud. Originally from West Virginia and now residing in Washington, Pepper seemed right at home on that Seattle stage.  Her humble, sprite-like mannerisms only complemented her surprisingly powerful voice, and everyone watching clearly revered the entire set.  Thanks to a Kickstarter fund backing her upcoming sophomore album, “The Water Chapter,” you should catch her live as soon as possible -- she won’t be a Pacific Northwest secret for long.

Just after that act, a mutual friend introduced me to Paisley and Todd Gray, two of the musicians who’d performed with Pepper. While the Grays primarily make up half of the unbeatably catchy Pickled Okra, their abundant talent runs over into a handful of local collaborations.  As if their finger-snapping tunes weren’t catchy enough, this couple has big ol’ genuine grins and cornfields worth of jokes.  Catching them playing in any of their ensembles is a treat.

Next up on the night’s bill were the Blackberry Bushes Stringband.  Call their toe-tapping twist on bluegrass whatever you want; they’re simply fun as hell.  Lead singer Jes Raymond explained to the audience, “There are two things a folk band always writes about:  freight trains and the highway.”  About to take off on tour through the Midwest, she promised they’d try to not let all their new songs be about the road -- but couldn’t promise they’d be successful. Each one of their jovial jams soaked the room with sugary violin hums and beats that got couples in the crowd swaying.

Following the Blackberry Bushes’ sweetness, the Weatherside Whiskey Band promptly erupted the room with flying feet and dosey-does.  They were not without a few slower, soul-stirring numbers either, showing the spectrum of talent within this five-person set.  You just knew that, deep down in his gut, Jacob Yackshaw truly believed in his Czechoslovakian double bass playing.  And when Amy Meyer sang, she had all the energy and precision of a hummingbird.  It was pure joy to watch them help the crowd unwind together.

Headlining this hoot-n-holler type of night was the Coral Creek String Band, a Colorado ensemble with some serious touring chops.  Their strings unleashed jams that spun like tight tornadoes and earned plenty of whoops along the way. Following three folky, fun acts couldn’t be an easy feat, but they proved themselves the perfect culmination to the evening.

Thanks to the Nectar Lounge’s larger dance floor and patio donning heat lamps, I found it to be a fantastic spot for the audience’s size and temperament -- and I know you’d be hard-pressed to find a single person present who’d say it was anything but a damn good time.

---

Words//Photos by AJ Dent: Twitter www.digitalaj.org

Pepper Proud & Friends

The Blackberry Bushes

Weatherside Whiskey Band

Coral Creek String Band

The Head and the Heart - "Let's Be Still" Album Review

Sophomore albums can be fraught with peril as artists strive to thread the needle between replicating past successes and redundancy. For the Head and the Heart, following a whirlwind unknown-to-indie-darlings debut, their next step would be examined especially closely.

Recorded in their hometown Seattle, Let’s Be Still accomplishes the rare feat of recapturing what made their self-titled debut memorable, while still moving the band forward in interesting directions.

Let’s Be Still opens strongly with “Homecoming Heroes” and “Another Story” capably striking the sweet spot between folksy and familiar. The band sounds full, polished and ready to take their folk-pop sound to huge stages.

The bright, flowery “Springtime” smartly transitions into the lovelorn “Summertime” before the live-show staple “Josh McBride” kicks things up again. The album’s back-half is a bit slower, with the title track and somewhat-psychedelic “10,000 Weight in Gold” leaving enough space for both sweet harmonies and wistful reflection. The record closes with “Gone”, a resolute (and knowing) number that leaves the listener confident in the band’s next step - whatever that may sound like, wherever that may be.

Overall, the record is perfectly pleasant upon initial listening, but its when you let the sounds sink in, the storytelling and nuance fully come to life and you are left with another great record. Let’s be still and enjoy.

Let's Be still is on itunes and in stores everywhere!

Please enjoy our exclusive photos taken in the recording studio during the making of "Let's Be Still"

Words // Brian Hodge

Photos // Adam Richert

BUMBERSHOOT 2013 - SEATTLE WA

In it's 43rd year, Bumbershoot is a Seattle institution! Every year Seattleites and beyond come out for diverse live music, comedy shows, and pretty much every other form of entertainment that you may desire. 

Bumbershoot was full of highlights but a personal favorite is Charles Bradley aka "The Screaming Eagle of Soul". Mr. Bradley has an inspiring story featured in a documentary called "Soul of America" proving that your never too old for a record deal and a second chance in life.

Bumbershoot is a festival where you cannot set up camp at any one stage or you might just miss out on an epic performance! Ultimately, you must go to the festival with the mentality that "you can sleep when your dead!"

Make sure to check out featured artists below!

CHK CHK CHK - !!!

Charles Bradley

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside

David Bazan

Mates of State

Patton Oswalt, Marc Maron, Morgan Murphy (Stand-up Comedy)

BELLAMAINE

Superchunk

Justin Townes Earle

Trampled By Turtles

Willie Nelson - Marymoor Park - Redmond WA

What is there to say about Willie Nelson that has not been said...

Willie is an iconic singer/songwriter that is relevant in all age groups and music genres. At the age of 80 he does not seem to slow down at his concerts. Willie puts on a full energy performance and does not miss a beat on his old (beautiful) roughed up guitar. When he opened with "Whiskey River" I was so captivated that I almost forgot I was there to take pictures! Willie ended with a rousing version of "I Saw the Light." I cannot help but see the significance in his song content from his opening songs alluding to alcohol and drug abuse to his closing of gospel tributes.