According to my bud, Noah, Light in the Attic Records is hosting a record show, The Big Dig, on Saturday, September 19th.   Twenty of the nation’s best record collectors hawking their rare and out-of-print records (in all genres of music).  Also, talented DJs will spin to their hearts content whilst shoppers peruse.  It’s sort of like record geek heaven.

It’s all happening Saturday, September 19th at Lofi - beginning at 3pm until 8pm - entry $3 and 10 Bucks early entry at 2pm~

Since LITA is sponsoring it, they’re also giving a 25% discount on all things Light In The Attic, and giving away an exclusive 45 with the purchase of $40 or more.  Such a deal.

http://www.bigdigseattle.com/

The Big Dig Record Show

September 19th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: JanKeira . Comments: No Comments

 Benjamin Doerr said, “It wasn’t until partway through my sixth grade year that I happened upon my grandmother’s old guitar.  I remember picking it up and wishing more than anything that I could make it sound good.”  Lucky for us he did.

His passion for life and music comes through loud and clear in both his records - the first “Sketches of a Real Life” are exactly that - bits and pieces of a life reproduced through story songs.  In 2009, his sophomore record “One Door Open” is wider and deeper on an emotional and musical level if that can be possible.  Doerr captures the human condition with all its warts but doesn’t make us seem ugly, just human.  For such a young man, his depth of emotion and connection with others is amazing.  Each song on this new album has something to say from the opening cut You Can See to the final cut Still Remain are a winding path of delicious melodies and lyrics that are treasures.

I heard Doerr perform a number of these songs live a few times.  Watching him perform live you can see how much of his soul he pours into his work.  My favorites on his new album are Choice for the hooks and pointed lyrics (and being the reason for the title of the album) and One Regret, the sexiest song on the entire record.   

Check him out at http://www.benjamindoerr.com/ and on MySpace, Facebook and the usual places.  His album can be purchased online, at record stores or at his shows.  If you get a chance to see him perform, I would highly recommend it.  Enjoyable as all get out.

September 7th, 2009
Categories: Music . Author: JanKeira . Comments: No Comments

Let zombies wash your car! Help make an amazing film come to life.

Check this out:  http://www.happyhourofthedead.com/

If you live nearby, please, please show up at Mokas in Seattle next Saturday, September 5th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm - bring cash & a dirty car.  Zombies will clean, ahem, attempt to clean your car while making dough for the indie film.

http://www.mokascafe.com/

August 29th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: JanKeira . Comments: No Comments

Here are a few pix of the Little Duffer, Jack…I never thought I’d love being a grandmother but I DO!  Now back in Seattle, I’m far, far away from him but he’s always in my thoughts (as are my children, too).  Sorry creative/music world - you are so in the backseat right now.

September, however, will bring about my re-entry phase and so, I will be back.  Just like the Governator.

August 22nd, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: JanKeira . Comments: No Comments

Jack James Bronson, my first grandchild, arrived in Gilbert, AZ, on July 30, 2009.  He is awesome, wonderful and as cute as can be.  I currently only have one photo to post, but will have more in a few days.  So, I am on hiatus for the near future because I’m doing something that is infinitely more important than covering the music scene right now.

August 7th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: JanKeira . Comments: No Comments

The Campaign to Save Paste

Paste Needs You!
The global recession has taken its toll on Paste as advertisers have slashed their spending. We are turning to our readers to help bridge the gap. Even a small contribution can make a big difference.
CLICK ON or COPY & PASTE THE LINK BELOW INTO YOUR BROWSER TO HELP OUT:

http://www.pastemagazine.com/paste/the-campaign-to-save-paste.html

June 26th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: JanKeira . Comments: No Comments

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.

May 31st, 2009
Categories: Music . Author: JanKeira . Comments: No Comments

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/94758685/1695285f/01_Melody.html

Check out the album.  It is so different from what you’d expect.  Definitely a fabulous backdrop to an intensely private occasion.

March 25th, 2009
Categories: Music . Author: JanKeira . Comments: No Comments

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.

March 16th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: JanKeira . Comments: No Comments

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/

March 12th, 2009
Categories: Movies . Author: JanKeira . Comments: No Comments