Damien Jurado - Jon Russell - Tomo Nakayama at Neumos -Seattle

This was an amazing singer/songwriter's night at Neumos!

Tomo Nakayama (of Grand Hallway) kicked off the night  with his unique sound and powerful blasts of energy! Usually people will skip the first artist and come for the headliners…what a huge mistake that would be when Tomo is playing! Some may have come for Damien Jurado and Jon Russell but quickly fell in love. Tomo will also be in an up and coming movie with Ellen Page called Touchy Feely.

Damien Jurado doesn't speak to the crowd very often during performances, nor does he need to. He is the kind of musician that you would rather him keep playing so he can fit as many songs in to his set as possible. Damien was joined with a group of women who sang in choir form to complement his new songs. It was a beautiful performance and a treat to watch him. 

Jon Russell (of The Head and the Heart) is as consistent as "consistent" gets! He is a true singer/song writer and performer. He does not put on a show that makes you look forward to a specific "favorite song" since every song fulfills on all marks! A few members from The Head and the Heart (including Josiah Johnson, Charity Rose, and Chris Zasche) joined Jon on stage for a few songs which was very well received by the crowd.

Tomo Nakayama (of Grand Hallway)

Jon Russell (of The Head and the Heart)

Damien Jurado

Willy Mason -Kitchen Sessions - Boston, MA

Willy Mason is a musician's musician. He has toured with everyone form Mumford and sons to Radiohead and now he has scaled up to playing Kitchen Sessions. He has a sound that takes you back to a simpler time, his songs are deep yet whimsical which I believe fulfills a void in current music. Enjoy this video of Willy Mason playing a song his father wrote called "Tic Tac Toe" and visit www.kitchensessions.net for more great performances!

Willy Mason - Tic Tac Toe from Kitchen Sessions on Vimeo.

Alabama Shakes - Paramount Theater - Seattle, WA

The Alabama Shakes are everything they are cracked up to be. If you are not on board yet…Get there! Lead singer and guitar player Brittany Howard has an incredible way of commanding her space. The shakes pour everything they have into their performances and make sure every person gets their money's worth. The Paramount Theater in Seattle was undoubtedly the place to be!

by Adam Richert

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals Rocked the 14th Annual "Big" Night

On Saturday, February 9th the House of Blues Boston offered refuge from snow storm "Nemo" to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay and their supporters. 

The event’s goal was to raise funds and awareness for the organization. They have put the call out for male volunteers to become Big Brothers to 1,000 boys in Mass Bay who are currently on the waiting list for a Big.  In the end, the event raised $1.4M for the organization and over 500 people attended. 

Sharon Jones' band The Dap-Kings could not make it due to the snow conditions but it did not inhibit her ability to entertain and captivate with Grace Potter & the Nocturnals jumping in to "lend a band!" Grace Potter & the Nocturnals brought the soulful "rock-out" experience to the audience which made this BIG night worth every penny that was donated!

Grace Potter's acoustic set:

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals:

Sharon Jones  

Sharon Jones (Left) and Grace Potter (Right) in all of their glory!

Big Brothers Big Sister Photos by David Fox Photography

Sasquatch Music Festival Launch Party 2013 - Neptune Theater- Seattle, WA

The Sasquatch Music Festival launch party was a sensory overload of diverse talent that represents the festival well. Kicking the show off with style, Cody ChesnuTT showed his love to everyone in his own charming way and ended by shaking every person's hand in the crowd that he could reach. 

After all the speculation and anticipation we finally found out who the secret guest was going to be. No one was disappointed  to find out that it was Macklemore and Ryan Lewis! Puting on one of the most energetic and crowd pleasing experiences I have ever seen. Playing in his home town, Seattle was second nature to Macklemore. Most musicians and artists "crowd surf", his followers turned their hands into clouds for him to walk on!

Built to Spill is a well oiled machine! That remains to be an institution to all that is music. They are a band that everyone knows and loves yet never phones in a performance. Thanks Built to spill for ending the launch on the right note and setting the standard for the Sasquatch music festival!

Photo and Video by Adam Richert

Cody ChesnuTT

 Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

macklemore and ryan lewis from Kitchen Sessions on Vimeo.

Built to Spill

Built to Spill from Kitchen Sessions on Vimeo.

The David Wax Museum - Sunset Tavern - Seattle, WA

The David Wax Museum is one of the hardest working bands on the road these days. They do not seem to slow down yet they could not be more consistent in their performances or their general level of charm. This band will not stop until they have shared their unique personable style with everyone.

by Adam Richert 

 

Will You Be Sleeping from Kitchen Sessions on Vimeo.

Ben Gibbard- Show Box Market - Seattle

Ben Gibbard is a staple on most people's play lists, his many projects are equally thoughtfull and emotionally driven. Ben's performance at the Show Box Market was one of nestalgia and an undisputed exhibition that he still has "it" and he is unwilling to give "it" up. This show was the homecoming any musician would hope for.

by Adam Richert (please excuse video quality)

 

large from Kitchen Sessions on Vimeo.

 

Jon Russell - The Head and the Heart

By Adam Richert

Head and the Heart’s Jon Russell at the All Pilgrims Church in Seattle left the audience fulfilled in the soul with his understated enthusiasm. Everyone that was sitting in a pew felt as if there was a secret being told and only we could hear it. Jon admitted during the show that this was the first time in a long time that he was actually nervous to perform even though it was normally second nature for him.

During the performance he sat down at his baby grand piano to play a song that he had not quite honed. With a piece of ripped paper set in front of him with the lyrics written in marker he began to sing…then began to sing again…and again until it was right. After the show I asked him the name of the song that he had played on the piano and he said that he had not thought about what he was going to call it yet. But after some time of thinking about it he decided to call it “Texas Swing.” I’ve decided to leave in the beginning of the video where he is trying the song out a couple of times because I think it shows a little bit of vulnerability and thoughtfulness that you rarely see from a musician of his caliber.

Kevin Murphy (Moondoggies) City Arts Music Festival - Seattle WA

By Adam Richert

 Kevin Murphy (Lead singer of the Moondoggies) captivated the diverse congregation at the All Pilgrims Church in the Capital Hill neighborhood of Seattle through his raw and heartfelt songs. The Moondoggies front man played a casual set which felt as if you were watching a friend in a jam session at your house. This warm and inviting show allowed fans to experience his music on a more personable level.

 

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