Check out the latest and greatest from Seattle hip-hop’s Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. “Wings” was one of my favorite songs to see live because they brought in the choir to sing live and it was incredibly beautiful and powerful. This video is awesome, so keep doing what you are doing, me likey!
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – “Wings”
If you are just as impressed by this video as I am, check out the website to watch behind the scenes footage and learn more about how they filmed this video.
Another weekend jammed pack with good music is quickly approaching in Seattle. Capitol Hill Block Party kicks off this Friday, July 22nd, and is going to be a non-stop good time until Sunday, it even looks like we won’t get rained on!
If this schedule doesn’t entice you, be sure to check out what will be happening on Saturday and Sunday. I’m pretty confident there is going to be something for everyone.
Tickets can be purchased on the official Capitol Hill Block Party website. Who are you excited to see this weekend?
Radar Hair and Records is definitely one of the most unique record stores you will ever visit, and lucky for us, it happens to be in Seattle. By combining two good things (hair and music) Johnny and Betsy were able to start something great: Radar Hair and Records. I had the chance to ask them some questions about their business and why they are passionate about having a record store. Check it out:
TVD: What is the story behind Radar Hair and Records?
RHR: My wife, (Betsy) has been dreaming this up for about 15 years now. She wanted a place where she could do what she loves, (hairdressing) and mix it with her love of music and collecting other peoples junk. She has been stockpiling vintage clothing since the 90’s just for this purpose. She told me I would be able to have a record store of my own, but in exchange , I would have to start out as the receptionist for the salon as well. It is actually a pretty sweet deal! We have both been in the music scene for many years and wanted a place to have shows, not as a venue but as a fun place where everyone feels at home. After some fenagiling of money, we made it a reality! We support a lot of small independent labels, we only sell vinyl and tapes.
TVD: What is the best part about having Radar Hair and Records?
RHR: We can have our favorite interests and work at what we love at the same time in one place, and we can have our dogs with us all day!
Shabazz Palaces will be celebrating the new album, Black Up, at Neumos today and tomorrow, Friday, July 1st. The new album, released by Sup Pop, was released a couple of days ago and I can dig it. Definitely check out the album and the shows this week at Neumos where OC Notes will be joining Shabazz Palaces both nights.
Shabazz Palaces | Swerve…
For more information on Shabazz Palaces, check out Sub Pop.
Well, she made it happen! Britney Spears made my glitter dream come true and I should have never expected any less from her. All in all the concert definitely fulfilled the experience that we were looking for and it was good to see her back at it. The last time she was in Seattle she didn’t use her microphone once (due to some unfortunate city shout out mix-ups earlier on the tour), and she actually spoke to us a bit last night. We even saw her bust a few free style dance moves and smile a couple times, you go girl! Nicki Minaj opened and put on a great space-themed show that was only a few songs shorter than Ms. Spears’ set.
Well Britney…things may have changed (a lot), but you will always be the Britney Spears we used to make synchronized dances to and for that you will always have a place in my heart.
Britney Spears is coming to town tonight on her Femme Fatale Tour and I thought I would give her some love considering I feel like we go way back. I must preface this short history with the fact that I have attended a large variety of concerts, including the painfully pop ones that are more like seeing a magic or circus show. I grew up with an older sister who used to shed tears at Nsync concerts if that helps explain anything.
My first concert I ever attended was Britney Spears at the Gorge, which in retrospect is interesting in itself because she seems a bit out of place at an outdoor amphitheater in eastern Washington. Anyway, mostly I remember the drive being really long.
Time passed and every time she came to Seattle I felt like I was at different milestones in my life: “I can’t believe we can actually drive ourselves to the concert,” and “I can’t believe I’m allowed to drink beer at a Britney Spears concert.” Now it has been more than ten years since that first concert, and I just can’t believe she’s still going!
Britney Spears – “Hold It Against Me”
Please don’t “Hold It Against Me,” but tonight I’ll be at the Tacoma Dome with my partner in pop crime, my older sister, where we will see the princess herself once again. I imagine we will be singing more than she will be, and that the show will be just as bizarre as the video above (I’m secretly hoping there will be glitter involved). Wish me luck!
If you are wondering what show you should catch this weekend my suggestion would be Canadian Celtic rock/bluegrass band, The Clumsy Lovers who will be playing with The Good Hurt tomorrow at Tractor Tavern in Ballard. Heading south from Vancouver, BC, The Clumsy Lovers will be bringing Seattle a great night of music as they continue on their summer tour. It’s going to be a fun night!
For more information on The Clumsy Lovers and their upcoming tour dates check out their website. Also check out The Good Hurt’s website for their album naming contest as well as information on their album that is due this August! Happy weekend (almost).
Last weekend I got to see David Ryan Harris for the first time at the Triple Door and was so impressed. His voice is smoother than butter and he definitely has the guitar playing to back it up. In addition to being John Mayer’s guitarist, he has played alongside a long list of other musicians and bands, and has also been playing as a solo act for over ten years. Talk about being accomplished! Harris has one of those voices where I’m not sure he could mess up if he tried and makes it look way too easy.
Not only did David Ryan Harris put on an incredible show, but I can’t think of a better venue to have seen him at. The Triple Door has an amazing ability to enhance musical experiences and give them a very magical feel. Although he was playing solo, the simplicity of his act made me appreciate him as a musician even more and made it easy to focus on his performance. His stage presence was excellent and he had a great sense of humor that was mainly directed towards his incredibly sensitive nature. Funny and talented, David Ryan Harris definitely put on a great show.
David Ryan Harris – “Turn Around”
I strongly suggest that you give David Ryan Harris a listen if you haven’t already. Check out his website to check out his music and for upcoming tour dates.
Seattle hip hop duo, Blue Scholars is giving their city something major to look forward to this weekend. Blue Scholars will be celebrating the release of their new album both Friday AND Saturday at Neumos. Both nights are sold out so I hope you got ahold of some tickets before it was too late. Blue Scholars have been such a powerful and influential force in the Seattle music scene and I know they will be getting a lot of love from their city this weekend!
Their new album, Cinémetropolis, is available to download or order online, be sure to give it a listen. The album is very impressive and apparently the time they took away from the scene has only given them more momentum. If you can’t get your hands on some tickets, you can check out the listening party and t-shirt release/signing they are having today from 5-7 at the Stüssy Seattle store (1108 Pike St., Seattle, WA).
Blue Scholars – “Fou Lee”
Check out Blue Scholars‘ website to learn more about Blue Scholars and what they have been working on.
If you haven’t already given The Postelles a listen, now is the time! Their Seattle show was cancelled, so i advise you to become a fan ASAP so you can make it to their San Francisco show next week if possible. They will be playing Popscene at Rickshaw Stop next Thursday, June 23rd. Love this song and music video and hope you do too!
Visit The Postelles’ website for more music and information about the band.
This Friday’s jam is doing a perfect job of making this overcast day a little more cheery. If you haven’t given Foster The People a listen, now’s the time. TVD San Francisco featured them earlier this week and this song gets stuck in my head all of the time. They are coming to Seattle on October 9th to play Showbox at the Market. I know it seems like a long time from now but I’d buy tickets ASAP. The show will likely sell out as the band will be busy touring the US and embarking on a world tour between now and then. Enjoy!
Foster The People – “Pumped Up Kicks”
For more information on Foster The People be sure to check out their website.
I will always have a special place in my heart for Easy Street Records as I grew up using it as a landmark to how close we were getting to my grandma’s house. My more recent appreciation for the store is mainly because it never fails to provide specials and live performances from my favorite bands. Also who wouldn’t love seeing a live performance at an awesome record store. Shopping for new music WHILE listening to live music, I’m all about multitasking these days. Check out what Easy Street has in store for June. 
Brett Dennen & Taylor From Dawes will be at the Queen Anne Store on Tuesday, June 14th at 6pm.
Viva Voce will be at the Queen Anne Store on Wednesday, June 22nd at 6:30pm. This is your only chance to catch the band playing live in Seattle to support the release of The Future Will Destroy You.
Shabazz Palaces will be at the Queen Anne Store on Tuesday, June 28th at 7pm.
For more information on these shows and Easy Street Records, check out their website.
Attention California! Sarathan Records‘ My Goodness has set sail and is currently on their maiden voyage down the west coast. The powerful duet played Portland last night and for all you TVD Los Angeles followers, you are in luck. You can catch them at The Echo tomorrow, Thursday, June 9th for FREE!
The band’s next stop will be San Francisco for an early show on Friday, June 10th at Amnesia. Hope everyone who can make these shows gives them a nice and warm welcome, just don’t be too nice or they might stay in sunny California forever. If you can’t make their California shows, next best thing would be giving their album a listen and cranking up the heat a bit.
For the Seattleites wondering when they will be playing here, worry not, they will be playing in July and will also be playing Bumbershoot in September.
Happy touring My Goodness, rock on!
A few years ago I started noticing that a band called Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head was receiving more and more attention around the Seattle area. I was a big fan of their band name and it definitely stood out on any bill. While the band ended up changing its name to Brite Futures, they continue to make some great tunes that are worth checking out. I came across this video of them sharing an intense moment with Natalie Portman a while ago and it still has me cracking up.
I’m personally a big fan and they put on a ridiculously fun live show that will definitely have you dancing. I left their set at Sasquatch a few years ago with a pretty sever toe injury due to some wild fellow dancers. You can catch them this Sunday, June 12th at Chop Suey along with Fresh Espresso, The Redwood Plan and Lisa Dank. Just make sure to put on your dancing shoes!
Brite Futures – “Me + Yr Daughter” (Live on KEXP)
Next Friday, June 10th don’t miss a solid lineup at Chop Suey featuring Tea Cozies, Fox and the Law, Hounds of the Wild Hunt and Basemint. In preparation for this glorious grunge/surf rock show check out my interview with Tea Cozies where I was able to ask them some questions about their history with music and of course whether or not they really use tea cozies.
TVD: Did you make it to Sasquatch this year and if so what was your favorite Sasquatch 2011 memory?
TC (Jessi): Yeah, it was my first time at the Gorge… it was nice being out in the middle of nowhere. The Flaming Lips were my favorite.
TVD: What is your favorite Seattle record store?
TC: Bop Street, Everyday, Easy Street!
TVD: What was the first album you ever purchased?
TC (Brady): It was Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. We tried out the new car stereo with it, but when she said “fuck” my dad pulled the disc out and said “EXCUSE ME.”
TC (Jeff): I forget which version it was, but one of the first albums I bought was MTV Party To Go. I used to practice the Humpty Dance in my garage.
TC (Jessi): My first CD was Janet by Janet Jackson but my first tape was Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em, which I later traded with my cousin for Bon Jovi’s New Jersey. It was a bad trade.
TC (Garrett): Ain’t Too Proud to Beg by TLC. I think I got it from the BMG Music Club.
TVD: Who has been the biggest musical inspiration for Tea Cozies?
TC: Alanis Morissette, Janet Jackson, MC Hammer, TLC and Digital Underground.
Lovely Hearts Club presents: Tea Cozies – Dead Man’s Sister by Paper Garden Records
TVD: If the band had to agree on wearing matching outfits for a show, what would you pick?
TC: Business casual.
TVD: What Seattle bands are you listening to now? Who would you love to tour with?
TC: We’ve been recently grooving on The Nightgowns and Basemint who are from Tacoma. TheeSatisfaction, Glassy Globe, Exploding High Fives, MK Speed Dial, The Lights (RIP), and Kinski. We would tour with anyone.
TVD: Does your band really use tea cozies?
TC: No.
In addition to Tea Cozies, we can look forward to seeing Hounds of the Wild Hunt (formerly The Whore Moans) along with Fox and the Law, and of course you can’t miss one of the Tea Cozies’ favorite, Basemint.
Comment on this post for your shot to win tickets to this show at Chop Suey next Friday, June 10th. You don’t want to miss it!
