Havana Social Club: Part Deux

Being that I had so much fun with the DJ's on "Make it Rain" Thursdays at Havana, I was really excited to get to see how slamming it would get on Saturday night. I am no way a club snob but when word on the street is that you are one of the 'hottest clubs' on Capitol Hill you better not disappoint. How the hell are you going to start off the night playing "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks and follow-up with "Hot Child in the City" by Nick Gilder?!? I couldn't believe my ears when the DJ was actually playing this music against hip-hop beats... it just didn't match up. I didn't know whether to dance or kick kick jab cause the DJ was playing the same mix I hear at 24 hour when I'm getting my Tae Bo cardio on; I was in leggings too so it wouldn't of been a stretch. The crowd was really into the music and the place definitely filled out but for this hood girl, it just didn't even make the cut. I think that this is a perfect place to meet up with friends to start the night, meet a date, or end up at last call when your on the verge of blackout and just want to dance to anything. I personally wouldn't suggest making it your spot on Saturdays but if you're into the Jock Jam mix 2010 then you do you. For the realness, just go to the "Make it Rain" nights and get your swag on.

Havana Social Club "Make it Rain" night

If you can find the entrance to Havana, which took me about 20 minutes, then you are obviously cool enough to step into this hipster club. With a name like "Make it Rain" night, I knew that there was going to be hot beats and booty shakin'. To my surprise holding it down on the one's and two's was my new pale-skinned brotha William from D.C. (sorry didn't get his official DJ name). Both William and DJ Carly, who was just lovely, were making booties shake with unconventional hits like N.E.R.D "Spaz" all the way to new Missy Elliott "On and On". Being that it was a Thursday there weren't too many people on the dance floor but that works out just fine for people who are over the newly spastic 21 year olds and overcrowded venues. The drinks are reasonable, the mood was low-key, the jams were bangin, and the bouncer Biggie was a sweetheart... it was a good start to my first night out on Capitol Hill.

Not to be overshadowed, Havana did offer Surrealized which I could only guess to be electronic/indie/folk/funk with amazing vocals. I have to admit that I was a little out of my element on this one but the crowd response was amazing. The vocalist Kimo Mauraki had the voice of a god and his beats man Rob Anonymous kept people out of their seats. A quick word to the wise: try not to stand too close to the stage because they get a little crazy with the smoke machine and my curls went from Diana Ross to a jerry curl after two songs so maybe enjoy best from the back of the room.
Here's a sample from their sonicbids website:
Fall Apart
Unexpectedness of Naked Life

For more information about Havana Social Club Events:
havanasocial.com/events

For more information about Surrealized:
surrealized.net

Balam Acab: See Birds - Soundtrack for a Fuck

I'd heard this song before. I was in a windowless bedroom with a boy who scours the net for the bootlegs probably more than I do. Several weeks later I find it on The Fader which gives me two thoughts: 1) I should be super unimpressed with their scouring and praise my boy, and 2) I should have been on top of this. 

I'm not a big dub step kind of gal but the track See Birds really gets my sensual side in gear. It immediately pumps out this deep, bass laden beat, with flighty whilrwind sounds that fade in and out between an incomprehensible female voice. The vibe is sexy and sultry. Who doesn't love that?

Check out the 'space if you're into dub step

Here's the track i'm lovin: See Birds

Out of Ravenna Woods Emerges the Folk Revival

If you've been anywhere near the Northwest in the last three years, you're likely aware of the occuring indie folk ressurection. This revival in a woodsy, mist covered mountains reminisence has been made most prominent by The Fleet Foxes who originate from Kirkland, Washington (just out side of Seattle for a y'all not familiar). After their first album and self title release broke through the proverbial industry hymen, other Northwest artists gained the confidence to do the same. We've seen indie folk bands follow in Fox footsteps such as The Builders and the Butchers, Blitzen Trapper, Ramona Falls, etc.


Ravenna Woods emerges from the folk revival scene; a little more Spoonman, a little less fireside hearth. Their tunes are uptempo and strummy with some waterfall finger picking. Percussion is pretty subtle but adds a nice layer to what's happening on the melodic front and gives you something to stomp your feet or clap your hands to. Would love to hear some cymbals or bells of sorts for a little polishing but hey, their music, not mine. Who am I? Singer Brantly Duke ( I think; can't tell if he also does the backing vocals based on the video) has a nice grasp on what it means to sing delicately but with vocal depth and layers the vocal tracks so they're dreamy and easy to listen to. Rock on, indie folk futurists, you've made my day.


Ravenna Woods Music Video - "In the World" 4k from Blaine Ludy on Vimeo.

 Devil's Coming
In the World
Demons and Lakes

 Catch 'em:
Mar 20 2010 9:00P
@ Molly Maguires FREEEE!!!!(2 sets!!!!) Seattle, Washington


Mar 24 2010 8:00P
THE CROCODILE W/HORDE AND THE HAREM, LET’S GET LOST TOGETHER, PILLOW ARMY Seattle


Apr 24 2010 8:00P
KEXP LIVE IN STUDIO 8PM!!!!! Seattle, Washington


May 28 2010
Northwest Folklife Festival
Seattle, WA.

BLAAAAAHHHGGG!!! UN-Stressing out with new music

I've decided to completely fuck-around at work do some research and find music I hadn't heard before. Specifically from bands playing in the 2010 Sascrotch Festival. From the monday setlist, checkout the songs I discovered that motivate to me put ads allover this blog and pimp out my unborn children.

Phantogram: Heard of them before, but never really searched for their tunes. Very glad to find them on hype machine

Mouthful_of_diamonds

When Im Small

Hudson Mohawke: completely new to me. I also haven't taken a shower in 2 days. Hudson Mohawke is funky & refreshing

fuse

Freek

Overnight

The Temper Trap - These guys have a style I can diggg. Obvi some techno/trance influence, and they rock pretty hard. (they aren't spending much time in USA this year. portland is the next closest you can get)
Sweet Disposition
Resurrection





Dr. Dog - Pretty freaking awesome. group harmony+electric guitars =catchy enough to buy
Shadow People
Heart It Races





Neon Indian - Way too legit to quit. This month i've told more people about NI than any other group.
Terminally Chill

If you're looking for the entire lineups, they're here: alphabetically and here: LineUp-By-Day.

Dinosaur Feathers: Your tropical, indie pop, electric, vibers

I'm super into this surfy, 1950's beach, tropical pop lately (see The Drums). I think there's been this resurgence thanks to Vampire Weekend. I've been hearing Dinosaur Feathers played on KEXP (woot) quite a bit this week (it's only Tuesday!), and I dig it. Dinosaur Feathers uses these catchy clicks and pops that would make you think the tides rolled in like a move on a video game; recordings that sound like they were created in the State run beach bathroom. It's a sweet, Grizzly Bear sound that's a little less acid trip and a little more fun than anything; reminds me of sitting on ocean cliffs watching the sunset with my sweetie. In addition to radio play and, if you're an East coaster a small tour circuit, I anticipate we'll be hearing their music in the moveis, maybe by the likes of folks by Wes Anderson. Loving the tune, Family Waves, it'll probably will go on my "Summer Jamz 2010" mix.

Family Waves

Teenage Whore

Cold Arabella

Don't Fear the Vagabonds

Parallel July

Early Morning Risers


Download their EP Early Morning Risers on their website. Thanks! We love that.

Young Playwrights Get Their Time in the Spotlight

When I was 14 years old I was taking out my teen aggression with Rage Against the Machine and trying to find a way to get impregnated by DMX… I was not being showcased at a main venue where a mix of accomplished thespians, friends, and family would gather to see my work.

ACT Theatre is proud to announce their Young Playwrights Festival is coming back strong for its eighth year. Beginning on March 11-13, ACT will produce eight new plays from student writers ages 14-18. The plays will be held in the Allen Theater and the word on the street is that the tickets only cost $10 so go purchase them quick before all the playwrights moms swoop them up.

I have the privilege of working on one of the plays as a stage manager for the young playwright Marianna White. As one of the younger writers, I was personally shocked by her advance writing skills, development of a full storyline, and complex characters. A youngin' at 14, Marianna gets to showcase her play “Forgetting Sarah” which dabbles in letting go of the past, psychosis, and that inner voice that says everything you really want to. There will be no spoilers here people, just get out there and find out for yourself what the creative youth of Seattle have to offer.

For more information about the other playwrights and the ticket office go to:

The Act Theatre Website!

Congratulations L Pod

Dear Seattleites,

You'll be pleased to know that the beloved Orca family, specifically L Pod has produced another offspring. Welcome L112, and congrats Seattleites & Orcas alike. Read the snippet on the West Seattle Blog, complete with links.

Also, Kenneth Balcomb, if you want us to take this photo down, totes doable. Great photo.

Another new baby for Puget Sound’s resident orcas

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Summer Jamz - In February...

If you've been in Seattle at all during the last week, you'll know it's been insanely beautiful. This weekend I sat outside on my deck and got so hot I took off my sweatshirt and sat in a tank top and leggings. Saturday felt like so much like summer I indulged, heavily I might add, in a hefty dose of day drinking. In thinking about my love of summer, it lead me to pop in some of my "Summer Jamz" mixes to set the mood for a sunny summer day; Cascade range to the East, Olympics to the West and sunlight that glistens off Lake Union while the sailboats dodge kayakers and the tourist laden "Ducks."

I've found my new summer jam in February; I couldn't be happier. Check out the video for HDZ's "Summer Jamz 2010 Mix", probably track one, "Lets go Surfing" by New York's, The Drums.



Download their EP from our awesome friends at rcrdlbl.com

Lazy Sunday with Fresh Espresso

Fresh Espresso is the new Glam-Rap group in town. I found out late, because their songs are already being remixed fucked up by DJ's everywhere. We've stopped rapping about slangin craaack/shooting people, thankfully.  Making room to talk about diamond encrusted pistols, and sharing their feelings about love. Pretty interesting... Listen to the good version of "diamond pistols" below, and two other good songs of theirs.

Diamond Pistols     
Something New
The Lazerbeams 

Sound OFF! at the EMP. Artist highlight: Pan Pan

Tomorrow, Saturday February 20th features the second semi-final round of the EMP Sound Off! This battle of the bands features three rounds of competition between bands whose members all must be 21 years old or younger. I'm stoked about tomorrow's lineup featuring, Hooves and Beak, The Cat from Hue, A Cozy Kitchen, and Pan Pan.

I like all of the bands, but i'm most excited to see Pan Pan perform. Pan Pan is Sarah Jerns. She's a primarily solo act who pounds the piano and blows out the trumpet while doing some electronic experimenting. She's like a high school jazz/cabaret band with way more electricity and holiday twinkle lights. Her demo is full of calculated, errie piano compositions and gives off a nights in Spain type vibe.

Looks like Pan Pan's had a good year:

In 2009 Pan Pan made a big impact in the local scene, releasing two limited run
albums “Live At The Underground Coffeehouse in April on Avocado Family Records
and “New Arms” in October (self released locally, Ditto/Sound Patrol Records
Digitally). They also played an eclectic mix of shows including support slots
for Canadian Folk-Rock band Rock Plaza Central and the electro-acoustic duo The
Books as well as headlining stages at both the Bellingham Electronic Arts
Festival (B.E.A.F 09) and Ladyfest Bellingham 2009.

This bio taken from her label's website

Pan Pan - Sarah resides up north in the Bellingham, WA. area and will be performing live with a band at the EMP as one of the four contestants battling for Sound Off! winner who'll recieve at slot on the Bumbershoot 2010 lineup. Definitely someone to watch.

Check it out:

understatement

calvin frank jones

water buffalo run

walked in on my elephant

My City Apparel - Shout out to our local homies making a difference and makin' that money

Thanks to my homies at My City Apparel for a bad ass logo on The Perspective blog. My City Apparel are our local textile traders owned and operated right here in Seattle. My City sells clothing that reps your city; they used to feature other cities like Boston and Chicago, but lets be real, the 206 is where it's at. You can buy t-shirts featuring the Seattle skyline (see our header image) in two different colors, or purchase a plain charcoal grey My City t shirt and have 10% of the proceeds benefiting one of their partner organizations:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound
Childhaven
Northwest Folklife
Northwest Harvest
Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest
Real Change News
Save our Wild Salmon
Seattle Humane Society
Snow Leopard Trust
Solid Ground
Treehouse

Good work, My City. Way to keep it real.

See? Everybody's Doing It.

But who's not smokin' a lil ganj these days? These are recession times, baby. Gotta keep them spirits up.
Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Joe Hyer arrested on suspicion of selling pot - Breaking News Highlight Story - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington

In Honor of the US Women's Olympic Snowboard Team

This one's for you. Step it up ladies. It was one after the other tonight. I know you took silver and bronze, but Australia beat us for gold? Do they even have snow in Australia?

Sasquatch 2010 by Day

For you lazy mutha trucka's, each link goes to a google search for the band in a new window. Thank me later.
*This is subject to me being completely fucking wrong about the order*
Also/Or Alphabetically

Saturday, May 29th	Sunday, May 30th	Monday, May 31st
My Morning Jacket	Massive Attack	Ween
Vampire Weekend	Pavement	MGMT
The National	LCD Soundsystem	Band of Horses
Deadmau5	Tegan and Sara	She & Him
Broken Social Scene	Kid Cudi	Passion Pit
OK Go	Nada Surf	The New Pornographers
Wale	Dirty Projectors	Drive By Truckers
Public Enemy	The xx	Boys Noize
The Hold Steady	The Long Winters	Camera Obscura
Miike Snow	Simian Mobile Disco	The Temper Trap
Z-Trip	Midlake	Dr. Dog
Brother Ali	Girls	Neon Indian
Minus The Bear	Vetiver	No Age
WHY?	The Tallest Man On Earth	The Mountain Goats
The Very Best	YACHT	Phantogram
Portugal. The Man	Booka Shade	Quasi
Mumford & Sons	Caribou	Japandroids
The Lonely Forest	Avi Buffalo	Mayer Hawthorne & The County
Nurses	City and Colour	The Low Anthem
The Middle East	Cymbals Eat Guitars	Fresh Espresso
Patrick Watson	A-Trak	Hudson Mohawke
Laura Marling	Fruit Bats	Telekinesis
Morning Teleportation	tUnE-yArDs	Past Lives
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros	Local Natives	Yes Giantess
Fool's Gold	Freelance Whales	Craig Robinson
Garfunkel & Oates	Jets Overhead
Dam-Funk	Rob Riggle
	Luke Burbank

Concert Review: Nosaj Thing and Daedelus

Recently I attended a show at Neumos sponsored by the Decibel Festival, Daedelus and Nosaj Thing. I haven't been to an electronic music show in the while. The crowd was a mix of young people hip ladies and gents, and a lot of black wide leg jean and faded sweatshirt wearin' dudes who likely eat a ton of Cheetos, play lots of COD, and frequent redtube to fill the sexual void. I was in it to appease my friend, and ultimately watch Nosaj's set which didn't start until after ten which, I suppose, isn't out of the question when it comes to seeing live music acts. I was probably four $4 tallboys deep at this point and ready to dance.

Nosaj comes on after Jogger who played an enjoyable, although unmemorable set. He starts if off with a some real nice ambient, but danceable beats. I really enjoyed hearing my fave and more popular songs start out with an obscure beat and slowly take shape into the more recognizable melodies with a bit more bass and body. I was feeling the chill energy that vibed like a party but not like a rave. The set was short and before I knew it the lights came on and he was clearing out the gear for Daedelus.


Between the set, my buddy Jesse comes up to me with a large gentleman wearing a shirt that says, "Masturbate" (see description of this type of person in paragraph one) and says, "Holly, dawg. This is my homie JaYson! He was on HOARDERS!" I knew he was on Hoarders, I'd spotted him earlier. He was on the season premier (which he also told me) featuring he and his sister attempting to help clean out their mother's house where they found two dead cats crushed under garbage. Pretty gross. But, he likes electronic music so, way to rock it Jason.


Daedelus came on and most people were stoked; me being rather ambivalent towards the whole performance. Gave it my best shot but it just sounded like the same two samples over and over again. I tried to dance but found myself mellowing out because the beats were obscure or boring. Perhaps needless to say, the Daedelus show was anticlimactic and I wouldn't pay to see him again. Keep watching Nosaj Thing to see what he's got up his sleeve.

Devin the Dude: My dude.

Remember the days back in junior high, when Devin the Dude was your soundtrack for the adult life you wished you were living? Well, now we're older and lucky for us, Devin the Dude releases his 10th CD, Suite #420 on, well 4-20. Still has that classic sound that we all love with a little pop vibe, a few less panties, and a little more of that sticky icky. Good times.

Devin the Dude, “What I Be On” MP3

Download: (via DGB)

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Sasquatch 2010 LineUp - Alphabetically

The Sasquatch Music Festival 2010 Lineup has been released. See it below Alphabetically



A-Trak
Avi Buffalo
Band of Horses
Booka Shade
Boys Noize
Broken Social Scen
Brother Ali
Camera Obscura
Caribou
City and Colour
Craig Robinson
Cymbals Eat Guitars
Dam-Funk
Deadmau5
Dirty Projectors
DJ Z-Trip
Dr. Dog
Drive-By Truckers
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Fool’s Gold
Freelance Whales
Fresh Espresso
Fruit Bats
Garfunkel & Oates
Girls
Hudson Mohawke
Japandroids
Jets Overhead
Kid Cudi
Laura Marling
LCD Soundsystem
Local Natives
Luke Burbank
Massive Attack
Mayer Hawthorne
MGMT
Midlake
Miike Snow
Minus the Bear
Morning Teleportation
Mumford & Sons
My Morning Jacket
Nada Surf
Neon Indian
No Age
Nurses
OK Go
Passion Pit
Past Lives
Patrick Watson
Pavement
Phantogram
Portugal. The Man
Public Enemy
Quasi
Rob Riggle
Shabazz Palaces
She & Him
Simian Mobile Disco
Tegan & Sara
Telekinesis
The Hold Steady
The Lonely Forest
the long winters
The Low Anthem
The Middle East
The Mountain Goats
The National
The New Pornographers
The Tallest Man On Earth
The Temper Trap
The Very Best
The xx
tUnE-YaRdS
Vampire Weekend
Veviter
Wale
Ween
Why?
YACHT
Yes Giantess

John Mayer is Still My Friend

This has nothing to do with Seattle :) but,

John Mayer is to White People, as Kanye is to Black people. FAIR??? To me, still completely genius and cool. His word choice was not classy, but I don't think it was degrading by any means. The interview has 77 questions and it took me 20 minutes to read(dummy). Probably only 5 seconds of the interview mention Jessica Simpson. He's growing up and realizes he doesn't care about mainstream media and opponents that say John Mayer is a douche bag. I think stupid people quickly degrade celebrities that have intelligence and disregard social norms because they can. Here is his twitter.

Here is the link to the playboy interview. 

And below is his apology. The only thing i don't like is that he quickly retreated against everything he said in the interview.

Nosaj Thing

Check out Nosaj Thing tomorrow at Neumo's. Nosaj (Jason backwards) describes himself as hip hop, electronic, experimenta; I'd throw him into the ambient electronic category. His beats are pretty chill, doing remixes of popular artists like The XX, Drake, Radiohead and more. Nosaj Thing is touring with Daedeles. $15 day of. Peep it. I'll be there.

Massive Attack on the Brain

Massive Attack. They're like the Gorillaz with Portishead beats and vocals that remind me of the surrealist movie that I haven't yet made where the main character is running through dark sewer systems;the only light is from the radioactive waste seeping through the cracks. Anyhow, I never could appreciate Massive Attack until recently when stumbling accross them on independent radio and reading about them in other blogs due to the recent release of Heliogland. All the hipsters who've recently jumped on the electropop bandwagon should be able to appreciate them as well.

Look at their website for their formal info
Look at their myspace to hear their music

More Music to Live With - Yuni In Seattle

As February keeps me tangled with the sensation of blah, this recommended music did the opposite. Its fresh, and I can't think of a genre it would fit in, other than alternative. But not like 311 alternative....  Its like reborn-alternative. I see the lead singer really expressing himself with this music without reservation. Its honest, and i'm an asshole. the band's name is yuni in taxco. you can find them at myspace also.

Is there a Genre for this yeasayer/yuni/unique-rock/very-vocal music? I'd like to know...

I Heart Art

Lately i've been feeling the need for a creative outlet. Badly. I'm not sure what will fulfill it. Probably doing some art. Here's the thing. I've never been a creative person in the traditional sense. My art is big picture, it's large scale, it's production, it's event, it experience. Creating lasting experiences is an artform. Not sure where i'm going with this, other than to say that I feel the need for a creative outlet. Here's one of my favorite artists,(I love land art. I think it's because i'm such an outdoor person) Andy Goldsworthy. I'm going to the Museum. It's free night.

What's romantic about space pods?

Lady Gaga. Slowly developing a taste for her creative ability. While I'm not her biggest fan, I've gotta hand it to Stef; the girl's got got some pipes, and it takes some (often tasteless) balls to dress like she does in the most inappropriate of times. The video for Bad Romance is the strangest Michael Jackson/2001 A Space Odyssey/True Blood thing I've ever seen. The song is pretty awesome and objectification of women that I believe possesses most women's most secret desires is bold but gets corny and eventually looses your attention. She (or her team/director) is; however, creative as hell with the costuming. Like a nightmare turned vinyl. Next we'll see her slitting throats to reveal a thick glittery blood. That's my idea, watch for it.

Who's Dream?

I've recently heard discussion about the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act) resurface. I've got to admit that while I consider myself a social democrat, I have mixed feelings about it. Here's a little background,

"The purpose of the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, also called the DREAM Act, is to help those individuals who meet certain requirements, have an opportunity to enlist in the military or go to college and have a path to citizenship which they otherwise would not have without this legislation. Supporters of the DREAM Act believe it is vital not only to the people who would benefit from it, but also the United States as a whole. It would give an opportunity to undocumented immigrant students who have been living in the U.S. since they were young, a chance to contribute back to the country that has given so much to them and a chance to utilize their hard earned education and talents."

I'm not entirely convinced that giving the offspring of illegal immigrants the opportunity to achieve citizenship in the way outlined is reasonable. I support immigration, but not illegal immigration. Now, I realize by saying that you'll likely put me into the American "Purist" pool, but I assure you that I fully understand the loaded role of illegal immigrants in this country (See, A Day Without a Mexican, obviously not my only self defense but in example), and also sympathize with the government's mind-blowingly complex task of managing immigration.

I think the only reasonable part of this Act is the military option. Citizenship gifting happened in WWII and the Civil War although, circumstances during the Civil War were fucked and the WWII circumstances were totally asinine and I do believe an attempt at reparations was made although I'm sure not nearly enough considering the suffering many families of soldiers were put through. Why not give this option to the children of illegal immigrants? Commit to serving our country, THEN you can go to school with loans or military tuition assistance (I know this exists as incentive for soldiers but I'm uninformed of it's actual educational aid), just like the rest of us.

I know kids don't have a choice in immigrating legally or illegally, but the "American Dream," I believe isn't something that should be bastardized by "criminals", and I use that term loosely to differentiate between legal and illegal residency status, to then be fully realized by their children by default.

Decide for yourself: Dream Act