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Well, folks - I just got back from Austin, Texas. When I landed at the airport, I thought for sure I’d see Cowboy Central but I only saw three cowboys in total (one of which was my boyfriend - ha!). What I did see were sleeve tattoos, dreads, counterculture clothing and hair. I was impressed that Seattle seemed to follow me there.
For being a Lefty City in a Red State, Austin did me proud. It was a little bit of everything diverse rolled into the Capitol of the largest state in the contiguous United States. It takes more than 12 hours to drive across the state from Texarkana to El Paso! Large and in charge. Or so they think.
And now to the music. Austin’s music scene is right up there with Seattle in diversity as well as talent. They have acts from jazz to hip hop, pop to rock, metal to country. Simply stated, they have it all - all genres, all the time. The area is about five city blocks sort of squared. I tried to compare the area to Ballard Ave. but it could not be done. This is because Austin has put regular businesses and shops (many of them) in between each venue. The area is set up as a brick non-sequitur. No Snuggie Pub Crawl here - it is more like a Snuggie Pub Drive which is dangerous if you ask me. But I digress, it was fun walking around and seeing the entire area as much of it as can be seen in a couple of afternoons/evenings. The part I liked? My bar tab at the Jackalope was $7.50. $7.50! And did I mention my bar tab was $7.50? Unbelievable! That would have been one drink in Seattle. So Austin is definitely the place to be to get “faced” on the cheap.
It was hot though. Hot and breathing-through-a-wet-sock-humid. There’s that. And though I got bit by a Copperhead last year when I was there (in BFE, Texas), this time I only got bit by mosquitoes. I seem to be OK so no malaria or other diseases to report, thankfully.
Back to the music. SXSW was a huge success this Spring and some of our own locals were on the bill. The Blakes had van trouble and did not make it. Sad. Austin City Limits (”ACL”) is continuing to bring it - with more interesting acts and surprising content as time goes by. Willie Nelson is 75 this year and toured for 75 days (began Feb. 11) all across America. The Red Headed Stranger (that’s Willie in case you didn’t know) is an Austin native and has a great influence on not just country music. As you may have guessed, I’m not such a big fan of country music, but I can respect and appreciate where it began and how it’s developed over time and how it influences rock and vice versa. Think Buddy Holly.
Got to see Austin and parts in between there and Caldwell, where my family had a reunion. Tons of fun! I will definitely go back - though I’m not from Texas and never lived there more than three weeks, it calls to me often by way of Aunt Jean singing a Willie Nelson tune.
It really is all about the music, family and love.
Today, for the first time in the US, French icon Serge Gainsbourg’s incomparable legendary 1971 album, Histoire de Melody Nelson, is being released on Seattle’s own Light in the Attic. The clever spoken French over orchestral movements woven together with that endearing early 7o’s sound, made this album Gold back in the day and in this day and age it will be Golden. This album is essentially the story of Serge and his lover, English actress Jane Birkin, whom for the record’s sake he calls Melody Nelson…
Europeans and especially the French consider this deeply sensual and overtly sexually charged album comparable to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band stylistically in accomplishment and popularity. Even the cover art was something back in the day - Jane is topless cuddling a doll with two buttons of her jeans undone. Absolutely scandalous for the time but kind of sweet now.
Interestingly, the April issue of Vogue magazine arrived in my mailbox today as well. Vogue ran a story on the half sisters, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon, aptly entitled, Skinny Genes. Charlotte is the daughter of Serge & Jane, and Lou is the daughter of Jane and Jacques Doillon, the French film director Jane left Serge for in 1980. Serge & Jane were all about the sexual revolution, weren’t they?
Back to the details. As a bonus along with the album, LITA is giving us a sweet little booklet with a rare interview with the artist, Serge Gainsbourg, himself. It also includes historical essays, lyrics (in English) and cool artwork by Drew Christie.
Here’s a link to the opening track, “Melody,” to give you a little feel for Serge Gainsbourg:
http://www.4shared.com/file/
Check out the album. It is so different from what you’d expect. Definitely a fabulous backdrop to an intensely private occasion.
On March 9, The Blakes announced they officially released the full-length debut album, No One Knows, through their new side project, BEADS. I stole their bit from Facebook because it was so damn funny: “This collection of songs could be thought of as an introspective look at the innerworkings of The Blakes personal lives. It could also be enjoyed early in the morning whilst sipping on a morning cup of china green tips or possibly indulge yourself by rolling up a spliff of your own making and listen while the music oozes out of every pore……. BEADS…….INDULGING EXPLORATION. Seriously!!! this a new record from SNOW and GARNET. pick it up anywhere in Seattle or buy it on ITUNES and be the first on your block to enjoy something entirely different.”
And stolen directly from Light in the Attic’s, Noah Sanders: “His debut album No One Knows is a far cry from the boozy rock and roll of The Blakes, instead focusing on harnessing some of the more shambolic aspects of their classic Brit-pop influences in to a varied slew of poignant portraits of loss and heartbreak. The album was recorded in the basement of Keim’s long time friend and producer Bryan Brown and features the raspy vocals of Snow’s brother Garnet. No One Knows is at once a beautiful album of emotional wrought rock and roll and a peek in to the hellish year Snow Keim has lived through….The album dropped on March 10th and can be purchased here: http://www.beadsmusic.com.
What I personally have to say about this debut is that it truly is a more popped up, somewhat acoustic version of the brothers’ work. The harmonies and verse are still edgy but in a less rockin-in-your-face way. You can feel the pain wash over them as they play and the album channels The Beatles psychedelic period.
Although Evil is a bit vitriolic, most of the tunes are a “psychedelic peek in to the darker side of the Keim brothers’ psyche.” It appears that all that was ailing them was aired on this album perhaps as a way to push past all that pain. Ending with the softer, sweeter anthem, Oh Lord, asking “Oh, Lord, ain’t it time for good things to shine down from Heaven above?” I hope the Good Lord does shine down some happiness on these fellas that have given their all for their art. It’s all they know and all they do. God bless them.
Speaking of that, The Blakes are playing SXSW in Austin this coming week. I hope folks finally “get” them and that they finally get a label and the recognition they so totally deserve.
Wednesday, March 11th I was walking by The Triple Door in Seattle and saw the marquee. Asylum Street Spankers, a so-called neo-traditional folk group (which Rampant Arts calls a “post-modern jug band”) is actually a band that defies classification in my opinion, had two shows. I walked up to the window & bought a ticket right then & there.
I went to the early show, which I don’t normally do. Earlier shows are generally more casual show than a later show. True story, they were very laid back (not that they aren’t always fairly laid back), but with them talking Pig Latin to each other about the next song and giggling onstage, coming & going, it was clear they were having as much fun as we were. It was so relaxed and natural, I truly appreciated them for the “regular guys” that they are. No doubt very musically talented guys, but regular guys nonetheless. Who else can appreciate PBR??!
I did not get a list of the players at the show and since the lineup changes often, I believe they were: Wammo, Nevada Newman, Charlie King, Morgan Patrick Thompson, Mark Henne and Scott Marcus. Famous Jake Breitbach and one other fella whose name I didn’t catch (could it have been the beer?) made an appearance singing a song about getting back into the band…hmmm. Christina Marrs was absent due to maternity leave and Stanley Smith had a death in the family. I apologize if I missed someone or included someone I shouldn’t have…that’s what I get for last minute decisions to attend shows without any time to do research.
I had a great time and The Triple Door is always a great venue - fabulous stage and great sound system for the acoustic players. The energetic and generally smart ass acoustic set of what’s been termed neo-traditional folk which is really comprised of folk, country, blues, jazz, Tin Pan Alley, swing and alt-country, was awesome and fun and made me want to buy one of their many CDs or T-shirt to remember the event. They do cover material but do mostly original compositions about subjects such as drinking, drugs, cars, politics, conspiracy theories, you know, the gamut of all things controversial. They had been on a “regular” label but created their own Spanks-a-Lot Records for creative control and so they could produce more music whenever they wanted to. Good move.
Anytime you have a chance to witness the antics of this band, do it. You will thank yourself later just like I did after many “PBRs” and an aching side from the guy next to me elbowing me at the beginnning of each song. (Yeah. He did that.)
For more info check out their website: http://www.asylumstreetspankers.com/
So much, too soon. I have written many pieces for this blog in these last few months. I admit I have not managed my time well and have been busy with a particular family issue lately, but in my defense, for whatever reason many pieces have simply vanished off my hard drive. Incredibly frustrating not to mention just plain ridiculous! So, this weekend my plan is to attempt to recreate (or rewrite I guess) so I have something to post so you have something to read and see.
I imagine it seems more like I’ve been on hiatus which I assure you I have not. As soon as I am able, whatever I can get posted will get plastered on here together with some great shots. Ahem.
Now then. We should all feel better. Now that you know what’s up and I told you all about it. Clearing the air is so good sometimes.
Thank you dear, faithful readers and fellow music lovers.
More soon.
Love,
JanKeira
So sad is the passing of righteous guitar player, Ron Asheton, of The Stooges fame. He helped create their fabulous and unique sound. He will be sorely missed in the music community and in the world.
Rest in peace, man - Rock on eternally.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009, a benefit fundraiser to help give a little girl the gift of sight is beginning at 6:00 p.m. at The Last Supper Club (124 S Washington Street, Seattle, WA - www.lastsupperclub.com) in Pioneer Square. Suggested donation is $20 but given the set up - it’s a sweet, sweet deal.
A silent auction will take place between 6 - 8 p.m. Music featured — Blind Child with special guests Benjamin Doerr, Golden Robot Army and Stephen Franklin Fogg and John Fawcett of The Special Purpose. Continuous beats will be provided by DJ Braden and MC Nicky B.
Why is this special and why should you attend?? Holly Lynn Connor was born 11/22/04 with septo optic dysplasia (SOD), a condition in which the optic nerve fails to develop before birth. This causes a wide range of visual impairments from near-sightedness to blindness. Holly has little to no vision.
There are five hospitals in Asia performing stem cell treatments on kids with this condition; the stem cells themselves are taken from donated umbilical cords. Proven effective for SOD, each child gains vision at differing rates and degrees. Children below the age of five have seen the greatest improvements, hence Holly’s family’s desire for her to have the treatment in early 2009. Miracles don’t come cheap so Holly’s family is seeking to raise $75,000 for her treatment.
You can learn about Holly, SOD, her family, how to donate at: hollytochina.blogspot.com
You can also donate via: PO Box 1104, 400 NW Gilman Blvd., Issaquah, WA 98027. Please make checks payable to “Holly Connor UTMA”.
Thanks for your thoughtful consideration. What could be better than drinking, listening to music, having fun AND helping a little girl at the same time?? C’mon, be generous and drink, too. I’ll be there.
The end of this year is near jsut a few hours from now. In the music world, 2008 gave us a surplus of the new and exciting and kept bringing back the oldies in new and twisted ways. Acts came and went. Bands broke up. New bands formed. MySpace launched a few pop divas. Local theater is alive and even thriving. Acts that come through our Emerald City are world renown.
Other aspects of the year weren’t so hot. As a matter of fact, 2008 pretty much sucked and I don’t have to list out the many ways in which it swirled down the toilet. One of the only redeeming qualities of 2008 was that we got some change in the political arena and we are still above ground - well most of us are anyway.
Seattle was and has been on the cutting edge of music for a few years since it resurrected post “quiet period” back when grunge died. I believe it will continue to be an amazing place for music, musicians and listeners. Subpop had its 20th anniversary this year - seeing the flag on top of the Space Needle said it all.
Stay tuned for my non-list of must have albums (they are in no particular order).
Much love,
JanKeira
It is difficult to believe this year is fading away and a new one is just around the corner. At least we have had an election which once again brings hope to America. And, Thanksgiving brought me, personally, five extra pounds. Then there’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and a host of other holy days depending on your particular religion or belief system. Right after that, New Year’s Eve, which will have tons of great acts all across the greater Seattle area. I hope to post a list of them by this weekend for your viewing pleasure. 2009 is slated to be an exceptionally cool year based upon reports I hear from the music gods. We’ll see.