The year is 2010 and it’s very different. Now artists make us aware of new music by way of Twitter alerts and in some cases blogs with links to download MP3s.  I find myself bombarded with new music every day. One artist in particular, Kanye West, has a blog and a twitter account. Every week he posts links to new music on his blog. In order to keep up with it I have to constantly monitor his site and his tweets to know when there is a new song for download.

I think Twitter as a social network has had the most effect on the industry. It’s not just we the audience but other artists themselves being affected. For instance one artist may have other artists as “followers”. I use Kanye West again as an example because he makes the most use of Social media. Justin Beiber and WuTang Clan artist Raekwon just happened to be “following” Kanye on a Sunday morning. Kanye made a comment about a Beiber song and a WuTang song in different tweets with both artists replying and a suggestion of a collaboration happened with fan response all in a matter of minutes. A few weeks later a song was born. This type of cross networking didn’t exist before. Never have artists from such very different musical styles interacted without going through managers and labels just to communicate.

When instances like this happen it can become very addicting to constantly check on all of your different portals of access to information.  You can miss out on not just new music but tour dates, appearances, album release dates, etcetera. We are at the mercy of the internet and our mobile devices.

Now excuse me while I check on the 102 alerts I just received…

So, you’re going to Day Two of Bumbershoot. I’m assuming you are going all three days, because you love your city that much and you love this 40-yr-old tradition (aren’t you sweet.) So when are you going to show up? In other words, what time can you make it out of bed today?

I say you can make it there by 1:15 to catch either Sweet Water or Horse Feathers. The former is a little louder, so if your head can take it I’d go there. The latter is nice and calm, and they are playing at the Starbucks Stage which will be flanked by that nectar of the gods, coffee. You might want to save your senses for later, so a folk start to the day may be in order.

At 2:00, Washington’s own The Lonely H will be titillating the audience at the EMP Skychurch with their Nosouthern rock (yes, northern and southern combined; see James, you’re not the only one at SMB who can make up words.) This is going to be a great show, and you probably already know that, cause you’ve probably already seen them live, cause they’ve played just about everywhere  in Seattle. But, to be sure, it will be a great show; and you can even meet the guys right after their set at the f.y.i. booth.

I would take a little bit of time now to grab some food. Essential nutrients are needed as the rest of the day is packed with acts you want to see. After you’re done waiting in line for food (it will be 4:00 by this time,) eat as you walk to the Broad Street Stage and catch the euphoric pop style of David Bazan. He’s somewhat of a folk songwriter, but his band, drum synth and other electric sounds give his music an expansive feel. He will make your lunch taste better.

Next up at the EMP Skychurch is Slender Means at 4:45! More Seattle indie music; more, more, more! This is great stuff to dance to; inviting chord progressions with captivating guitar riffs, very cool music. I haven’t seen these guys live, but they’ve been around for a few years (7, actually) so I’m sure they know what they are doing by now…

Now we have a tough choice: You can stay at Slender Means, or head to Ra Ra Riot or Jay Electronica? So, what are you in the mood for; hangin’ out or street savvy hip-hop or indie pop? For me, I could go either way. I say just wait till you have this choice to make and decide what you are in the mood for then.

Do you have time to see Fences? Yes you do…  Good show and the ladies eat it up. You will also have plenty of time to see Delorean on the Broad Street Stage at 7:30 and dance your face off. Yes, Seattle you are able to dance, even though you don’t like to admit it.

By the way, I heard some celebrity’s widow is playing the main stage, but really who cares anymore?

Seattle hip-hop-heads, make your way to the EMP Skychurch at 8:15. The Physics will be rippin’ tracks and spittin’ facts.

Vienna Teng Trio is also playing at the Northwest Court Stage at 8:30. Maybe not the hippest thing for a city filled with hipsters, but definitely a very talented group.

Day Two is almost at an end. You now have four acts that are all worth seeing to choose from. LMFAO: kinda sound like an indie Kayne West; The Dandy Warhols: hipsterism to the core; Fatal Lucciauno: throws more street cred into Seattle hip-hop than Seattle has streets; or Weezer: corporate-indie rock, have also managed multiple chart topping tracks that incidentally are the same song. I gotta go Weezer. My inner eighth grader is kicking me for never seeing these guys live. I’ve got a notch to put in my old bunk bed…

See you Monday!

Saturday is the kickoff of Bumbershoot, and it looks like it will be in a simple word, amazing. If anything, get ready for a sensory overload or a breakdown because there’s just too much happening.

If you can wake up early enough, head to the Broad Street Stage at 12:30 for The Submarines, a fun-songwriting duo from LA. After that make it to the State Farm stage for The Constellations at 2:00 for some good rock with heavy grooves in it.
So here comes the first real choice of the day: heading to the Starbucks Stage at 3 for some epic country bluegrass music by The Maldives, or heading over to Center Square to get dancing with Health? It’s a tough choice, but I think Health is where the show will really be happening. They’re another band from LA that puts a hip twist on rock with lots or reverb and synth, and I don’t think their live show will disappoint.

After that are some calm but promising sets. Bradford Cox from Deerhunter will be performing his solo set as Atlas Sounds, which looks like it will be a treat. Then I’d be heading over to catch an interesting set by Feral Children, who’s ambient, airy pop music will be a nice calming break before the night begins.

After that there’s a nice rest to walk around and perhaps catch one of the many comedy or circus acts performing around 6:00. But the next act is going to be a choice, and man is it a tough choice to make: Balkan Beat Box or Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros? I really don’t think I could pass up Edward Sharpe for anything. This band released one of the most amazing albums I’ve heard in a while and I’ve heard their live show is just as good. They could just play 40 Day Dream and I’d be okay with that. They’ll be at the Broad Street Stage at 7:30.

After that is a slew of closing acts all playing about the same time, So you’ll need to make your choice between pop-punk, hip-hop, or musical legend. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing a music legend. Bob Dylan is playing at the Bumbershoot Mainstage, and I don’t think anyone would want to miss that.

So it’ll be before 11 and the day’s done. Luckily it’s just the beginning. Head home and get some rest for tomorrow, it’s gonna be a doozy.

B.I.G., meet James Murphy, have fun boys.

Notorious L.C.D. – Hypnotize Yrself Clean

Photo by: Anne Carmack

My day started and escalated with a serious of ‘bad luck’ events; missed work, fell down a few steps in a stairwell, gave myself a black eye, and nearly missed the Emily Wells show.  By the time I sat down and waited for the show to begin I was exhausted and drained from the day’s events. But when the lights dimmed and the spotlight buzzed as it turned on all of my negative emotions disappeared. The simple strum of the violin, the gentle beat of the drum mixer, or the cry of her angelic voice; Emily’s performance not only made my night, but erased the bad events of my day.

To start off, Anomie Belle was the perfect touch to Emily’s show. In jeans and a red sweater, Anomie took charge and made a lasting impression on the audience.  Performing new songs from her upcoming album, she brought a ray of bundling sounds and a fantastic sight of performance; cellos, saxophones, drums, and violins all complimented set.

Then Emily walked on stage in a white button up shirt; it was evident that her style was relaxed and comfortable. Accompanied by Sam on the drums, Emily took stance behind her board, which displayed her instruments for later use, and began to serenade the audience.

There’s always one song that truly defines a musician for you; one performance that reminds you why you came to see them in the first place. For me, it was “The Fire Song”. The stage was a black background with a single spotlight that resembled a full moon, she was raw and unraveling. It was a moment that I could see Emily stripped from the excess beats and rhythms that she is known for, and instead, alone with her talent. Her voice rang in the openness of The Triple Door, she stilled everyone watching. She was simply amazing.

Photo By: Kirt Reynolds

When it comes to annual events, such as Bumbershoot, that bring together people from all over Washington to one place, it’s nice to have familiar faces on stage. Mark Fredson, Eric Whitman, Ben Eyestone, and Johnny Whitman have come a long way from playing local shows on school nights to touring across the country. And this year The Lonely H will be rockin’ Bumbershoot!

The Lonely H play good ol’ classic rock & roll, but they play a flavor of it all their own. They have also given a reminder to a new generation as to what rock & roll music should embody.  Their hard work and mastery of their craft are clearly evident in their journey, as well as, proven in their music. Their three albums, Kick Upstairs, Hair and Concrete all embody what these guys do best; make kick ass music.

Sunday, September 5^th at the EMP Skychurch, on the second day of Bumbershoot, the guys are preparing a massive connection with the fans. Not only will you be able to watch and listen to their live set (with favorites such as; “Just Don’t Know” and “For Barbara”) but you can also have a little meet and greet at the F.Y.E store adjacent to the venue. If you have never heard The Lonely H before, I can assure you that you will want to see them. To start off pick up one of their critically acclaimed albums, and fall madly in love with their music.

With Bumbershoot being a busy and overwhelming music orgy, The Lonely H will fit right in.

Warning: The temptation is unbearable.

Hip-hop has been evolving quickly over the years. The beats, the icons, the matter at hand; it’s all been changing right before our eyes in such subtle ways it can get hard to notice until you step back and look at the grand scheme of it all. And where are the People Under The Stairs in all of this? Right at their roots where they want to be.

It’s been a long road for Thes One and Double K, releasing 7 albums together in the past 13 years. They’ve managed to hold down a fairly successful and respected career, but still keep out of the spotlight; making themselves a largely prominent figure in the underground hip-hop scene.  As many artists went on to embrace new techniques of production as new software and programs have emerged, People Under The Stairs have stuck to their roots, hunting down hundreds of samples through record stores and DJing in traditional form, creating danceable beats with an original sound in a way that many hip hop artists have moved away from. And they’ve done it all with a certain sense of pride and energy that comes through in their playful and well-paced rhymes.

The show will be a good comparison, being clashed against Seattle’s own Helladope; who sound something like jazz, hip-hop and space funk, with very tight production. The show is +21 on September 12 at Neumos, and the two groups will also be joined by Gran Rapids and Dev From Above. Tickets are $15 in advance.

How tall is the Tallest Man on Earth?

5’7”, so just about my height.

Kristian Matsson, is leaving Sweden to take on the American road again in support of his second album, The Wild Hunt, under the moniker The Tallest Man on Earth. His album came out with much critical acclaim and has been garnering him much popularity (as well as his touring with acts such as Bon Iver.) This time around, Kristian is bringing along S.Carey, percussionist for Bon Iver who is now supporting his solo debut album which is to be released later this year in the fall.

Matsson’s music has a sense of purity and intimacy. It brings you into his world and allows you to see a man at his core; sitting, singing and pouring his heart out into the audience and the air. His music manages to combine simplicity with complexity. His fast, almost frantic, finger-picking is layered beneath his vocals as he sings lighthearted melodies that scream somewhere between pain and love.

The Tallest Man on Earth will be performing with S. Carey at Neumos on September 9th. It’s a 21+ show, and tickets are $15 in advance.

“I’m interested in old or odd instruments, samplers and synthesizers, mallets, and analogue reverb. I collect toy pianos, though I only have three. I’m interested in songs, and word play, and sonatas. I’m curious…. Most of all, I’m grateful for every day I get to make music.” - Emily Wells

It’s a rare find when you come across a musician that can attract a variety of people with different tastes in music.  Whether it’s Beethoven, Bob Dylan, Outkast, or Nirvana you love, all can find adulation for Emily Wells. Emily’s approach to music is to put it all out there, to experiment with everything, mix different rhythms and styles, and see what comes of it. Whether it just works or becomes the next hit, Emily reaches out and around the status qou by creating her own genre.

Emily has been exposing the world to her take on music for the last ten years.  Her music is composed of a list of acoustic and electric instruments; violin, organs, samples, drum machines, glockenspiels, guitars, sounds you’ve never heard of, all of which she plays herself.  She does have accompaniment as well from Sam Halterman, who plays drums, and Joey Reina, who plays upright and electric bass, as well as, Jessica Catron and Count Bass D who have appeared on selected Symphonies (1-9).

If you’re unfamiliar with Emily Wells, her style or her musical talent, be sure to check out “Sleepyhead,” “The Symphonies,” and “Dirty.” Better yet, check out Emily as she plays at The Triple Door August 25^th at 7:30pm with guest Anomie Belle.  Tickets start at $12 with the show an all age’s event it brings an open door for all Emily fans and curious readers to give it a go.