McKinley Dixon - Neumos - 3.19.23

If McKinley Dixon isn't on your radar yet, let these words you're reading clue you in: he may be the best musician you've yet to hear. There's a reason The Guardian included him in their list of 2023's most promising musical newcomers, and it's because he really is flat out phenomenal. 

McKinley opened for Tank and the Bangas to a sold-out Neumos audience in Seattle on a night where the winter attempted to stick around for a few more days in the PNW. Often with opening acts, the crowd mills about, orders drinks, and generally doesn't pay much mind to what's happening on stage. Not here. McKinley had everyone in the house glued to the stage, and for good reason. His set what energetic, tight, and sounded fantastic. By the end, the crowd was eager to sing along with the chorus as instructed.

He's based out of Chicago, and to be clear, it's tough to classify his sound into one genre. Maybe that's to be expected from a guy who rocked the set in an ICP t-shirt, calls Toni Morrison the greatest rapper of all time, and writes truly transformative lyrics that tackle topics like violence, religion, and finding new ways of physical and mental communication, as evidenced by his stunning last project For My Mama And Anyone Who Look Like Her. Is he a rapper? Yes, and a great one. A singer? Also fantastic. His backing band is also heavily jazz influenced. Does his music need to be classified? Maybe not. What it is is great, beautiful, honest music. 

Keep up with McKinley here, and catch him on the remainder of the tour with Tank and the Bangas. You'll be glad you did.

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Words + Photos by Bodi of Sattva Photo

Cafuné - Paramount Theatre - 9.30.22

There aren't a whole lot of artists or bands who can say their first time performing in Seattle was to a sold out audience in the historic Paramount Theatre, but New York's Cafuné can. Opening up for Chvrches on their Screen Violence tour, Cafuné left their mark on the audience with a rollicking set, making the most of their 40 minute slot and undoubtedly priming themselves to come back to Seattle on a sold out headlining tour of their own in the near future. 

If you have TikTok, You may know Cafuné from their viral hit "Tek It" from their debut album, Running. Shortly after blowing up on socials, Elektra Records signed Cafuné. Smart move on their part, because Sedona Schat and Noah Yoo's musical chops and showmanship ensures they're set up for a lengthy touring career, regardless of having another song go viral on TikTok.

With a musical through-line of alt-pop and indie rock, Cafuné would nest nicely in your playlist alongside Phoebe Bridgers, the aforementioned Chvrches, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in equal measure. Their next tour will undoubtedly be as a headliner, and when they come to your town, you'd be well served hitting up their show and moving those dancing feet to their effortlessly catchy sound.

Catch Cafuné on tour now, and hopefully again soon.

Photos + Words by Bodi of Sattva Photo

Fitz & The Tantrums - Chateau Ste. Michelle - 8/21/22

Completely selling out the legendary Chateau Ste. Michelle on the outskirts of Seattle on a Sunday night is no small feat, but that's exactly what LA-based Fitz & The Tantrums (with fantastic support from fellow LA-native Andy Grammer) managed to do. As we all continue our gradual emergence from covid, it's hard to overstate the power that comes with being in community, even if that community for the night is a sea of strangers, while energetic and upbeat music fills the air. Make no mistake: Fitz and the Tantrums provide the perfect soundtrack to dance the night away and feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and just optimistic about what comes next. 

As they put the finshing touches on their 5th studio album, Fitz and the Tantrums somehow found time to tour the country, serving up music that's inspiring without being saccharine, positive without being preachy. With killer vocals from Noelle Scaggs and Michael (Fitz) Fitzpatrick and a backing band that could slot right in filling a stadium at the Super Bowl Halftime Show or on the streets of New Orleans, they just sound good. Their music is a balm for the soul, something which we could all use in these increasingly divided and disparate times. 

See them on tour. Dance the night away. Make friends and memories. You'll be happy you did.

 

The Suffers - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA

I was first introduced to The Suffers in 2016, when they were the opening act for Lake Street Dive at the Neptune here in Seattle. Now, three years on, they've been criss-crossing the US and globe on a headlining tour, and it's easy to see how and why they've achieved such acclaim in a relatively short amount of time: they put on a killer show.

Hailing from Houston, the 8 member band - fronted by the extraordinary lead singer Kam Franklin - creates a dynamically fresh Soul sound. Imbued with brutally honest lyrics that at turns confront grief, the pressure to conform, and accepting one's flaws, the tracks can't help but make the listener want to dance, as they're always buoyed with uplifting arrangements. Give a listen to "Make Some Room" and "You Only Call" for a nice introduction, and then give their newest album "Everything Here" a spin from front to back. You'll be glad you did.

Tractor Tavern was a wonderful place to see the show, as the intimacy afforded by the 200ish capacity venue heightens the profundity of the songs. And, to be clear, The Suffers won't be playing venues of this size for long: they are destined for arenas in no time at all.

It's worth highlighting, too, Seattle local Whitney Mongé who opened the show. Whitney has a phenomenal stage presence and sound that fits well in the family of Tracy Chapman meets Macy Gray and Kimya Dawson. Listen.

Catch The Suffers on tour here

Photos // Words by Alexander Hallett of Sattva Photo

Capitol Hill Block Party 2017: A Fresh Take

Sometimes when you go to a festival year after year you get a bit jaded; you know the pace and exactly where to go for who you want to see (which is not a bad thing...) But, there is something about the feeling of not knowing what to expect; taking the time to figure things out and enjoying the initial moment when you walk through the gates that resonates with us all. I think we all chase that feeling of novelty at one point or another. So we decided to send fresh eyes to cover the festival to get a vantage point from a young and less experienced photo journalist who had never been to the Capitol Hill Block Party. We all envy this person…

Being a Capitol Hill Block Party virgin, as I entered the festival I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I had heard rumors of its wild and reckless nature, but it wasn’t until I walked through the gates that I realized the glory that is Block Party. Music and of course the "faint" smell of weed and sweat filled the air. Immediately, I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore!

This siren of a three-day festival erects in the heart of Seattle and it's the best kind of pandemonium. Seattleites from all walks of life congregate in the streets of Capitol Hill, forget all their worries, and let loose to the rhythm of fantastic live music.

From the start, the mainstage was an absolute party. Performances from Danny Brown, Snakehips, and Angel Olsen kept the crowd roaring. Onlookers enjoyed the show from their third story apartment windows and seemed like angels when they tossed popsicles at overheated festival attendees below.

Even security was getting in on the fun, nodding along to the music and keeping the crowd cool between sets. My camera did take an unexpected shower - but hey, that buff hose-wielding security guy was just doing his job.

The Vera Stage kept things fresh, with appearances from the likes of Knowmads, Torres, and Perfume Genius. My favorite performance came from the fabulous Mykki Blanco. Her far from conventional 45 minute set kept the crowd bumping. Things got real when she tore off her wig, jumped offstage, and pranced around the crowd spitting rhymes and grinding on fans. As one does...

As the day progressed and the sun fell, tensions and expectations were higher than ever for the festival's headliner: a little DJ by the name of Diplo. The moment he took the stage, everyone’s inner party animal came out. The crowd turned into an absolute mosh pit. It was impossible not to join in on the party. I’d like to thank the kind fellow who helped me change lenses in the midst of the flailing bodies, I’d be lost without you man.

All in all, Capitol Hill Block party was pure fun, though I am thankful to have made it out in one piece. ‘Till next year!

 Words // Photo by Peter Sullivan

Visible Voice Session with Lucius at the Neptune Theater

Anything that I could write here pales in comparison to the intense and chill inducing vocals of these two gals. Lucius graciously met up with us in the green room at the Neptune theater in Seattle for a session. Make sure you watch this video of "Dusty Trails" and catch them on their tour this summer!

Lucius - "Dusty Trails"

Video By Adam Richert

Photos by Alexander Hallett

Shakey Graves: Live at the Neptune Theater in Seattle, WA ***Newport Folk Festival Preview***

Those who experienced Alejandro Rose-Garcia first as Julie Taylor’s disappointing love interest on Friday Night Lights (Coach: not a big fan) were screaming “THE SWEEEDE” at Shakey Graves’ sold-out show last Thursday at The Neptune. Niche notoriety as an actor seems to have carried seamlessly to Rose-Garcia’s nu-folk stardom—there was a palpable feeling of adoration as he took the stage with just a guitar and makeshift kick drum converted from a worn Samsonite suitcase. Americana is embodied in every way—a Texas flag draped over a synth iconizes the band, jokingly named after an Indian ghost story.

The band is touring their second full-length album, And The War Came, joined by folk quartet The Barr Brothers.

There’s something immediately disarming about Shakey Graves. A lack of pretense, an easy presence, an intimacy with audience that feels both entirely earnest and derivative of a career in acting. I think fans experience an emotional resonance (or purely uplifted) with his sense of sheer joy—through changing sonic poles, he’s visibly, fervently transported. Dude’s here to have fun.

Shakey takes a mathematical approach to songwriting and a live set. The entrancement felt at his shows is intentional; Graves calculates a balance between very loud and very quiet, fast and slow tempos, so that the body and mind engage, leaning into the change. He knows when/how much the audience can accept a sad, slow song. The theater taught him how to read a crowd.

The effect is very much real: high-energy radio hits and soft ballads command almost equal attention. Shakey organically engages the audience. In “Chinatown,” he calls for a collective trumpet solo (see forgiving, endearing gestures of encouragement):

Drummer Chris ‘Boo’ Boosahda and guitarist Patrick O’Conner join Rose-Garcia mid-set, rounding out the one-man band.

Words//Video//Photo by Cassandra Croft

Photos By Adam Richert

Strand of Oaks w/ Christopher Denny - Tractor Tavern - Seattle

Back in 2012 we reviewed the recording of Strand of Oaks "Spacestations" from the Dark Shores album which is the foreplay to to his latest explosive album "Heal." The Album "Heal" has a "radio friendly" quality to it due to its catchy and addictive nature. Make sure to grab this album, it is salty and sweet; you can rock out and dance all at the same time.

Seeing Timothy Showalter aka Strand of Oaks headlining for his first time in Seattle to a sold out crowd was a night that is hard to forget. Every band uses the stage as an outlet, a personal therapy session, and punching bag but this show was an exhalation of relief and contentment. Catch Strand of Oaks near you!

 

Theres nothing like going to a show to see one band and discovering a new artist. We had the pleasure of seeing Christopher Denny open up for Strand of Oaks! The unique vibrato in his voice and and oldschool charm take you to a different time when things were simple. Although he didnt have a backing band his voice filled the room and held the crowd. Check out Christopher Denny on tour with Strand of Oaks until September 20th.

An Evening With Pete Yorn - The Crocodile in Seattle WA

It's remarkable how a song can be powerful enough to put you through a complete time warp. Pete Yorn’s catalog was the soundtrack to a significant chunk of time in my life (for good and for bad). His songs evoke emotions that directly associate themselves with memories that I cherish or try to forget. Regardless, with Pete Yorn’s music there is no denying that they are all "jams" that will always create new memories and feelings as you hear them.

Wednesday’s show at the Crocodile was a Pete Yorn “super fan” night. No set list, no backing band, just a singer/songwriter taking requests from a room of people who knew every word to every song.

As of late, Pete Yorn has been on a bit of a hiatus from his solo career. He was admittedly a little rusty although it was hard to tell. The mini tour he is on, “An Evening with Pete Yorn”  allows him to get down to his fighting weight and prepare himself for a full tour, hopefully in the near future…to promote a new album? Either way, Wednesday night in Seattle fulfilled that desire to go back to see an artist while they were playing “shows” vs. “concerts.”

Bandstand in the Sky

New York City Serenade -Cover (song by Bruce Springsteen)