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

The David Wax Museum - Visible Voice Session

 We have been following the progression of The David Wax Museum for many years now. Their success lies deeply in their genuine, whole hearted dedication to their fans and highly energetic talent. I have a true respect for hard working artists who put everything into their craft; I've never met a harder working set of artists than David Wax and Suz Slezak.
The band’s latest single “Guesthouse” from their new album also called “Guesthouse” is based on their experiences touring and staying with friends and family in cities across the country. They have stayed with us in the past and they couldn't be more gracious of guests.
We were able to catch up with The David Wax Museum right before their show at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle. They played a little session for us in the small and dark green room. Please enjoy!

Willie Watson - Seattle -Tractor Tavern

Old Crow Medicine Show who? 

Willie Watson knows exactly what the people want when it comes to good ol' folk music. Watson played nearly every tune from his solo album The Folk Singer at the Tractor Tavern last Sunday. He also threw in a couple of gospel numbers for the Sabbath's sake. The album is an entertaining blend of old folk songs that still hold up today. Songs about women, workin'... and a poor cat.

Watson is one of the few who really "sings"! He had everyone in the place begging for more songs, more banjo, and more of that very recognizable hat. (He was spotted strolling Ballard before the show from a mile away). No one seems to get tired of Willie Watson and we for one cannot wait for him to come back.

See Willie on tour!

 http://www.williewatson.com/

Photo//Video by Adam Richert

Words by Vanessa Roberts Richert

Joe Fletcher - Tractor Tavern -Seattle, WA

Joe Fletcher is ordinary. By that I mean, he’s an everyman, a troubador that blends into the background (at least until he’s called up to stage - at that point, he usually steals the show). His Instagram feed is essentially a travelogue that highlights the human condition, reflecting an essence of Americana that cannot help but bleed into his music.

 We caught Joe before his show at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle. He treated us to the Townes Van Zandt song, “Blaze’s Blues”, a song written about his close friend Blaze Foley. Fletcher faithfully replicates Van Zandt’s urgency, with the added effect of his own earthy affectations.

 There’s a line in there that says “I ain’t headed down this highway all alone.” Thankfully with Fletcher, we’re all along for the ride.

Quiet Life - Housebroken Man

Housebroken Man, the new EP from Quiet Life, doesn’t wait long to introduce itself. A plinking piano and a chugging rhythm guitar practically kick the bar room doors open, letting the lilting voices of Sean Spellman and Cary Ann Hearst (Shovels and Rope) do-si-do on top. The titular housebroken man is “laying off the bourbon and the weed” but there’s enough winking knowingness here to give the listener doubt about its sticking power. It makes for a rousing opener.

“Shaky Hand” is another cautionary tale, this form in a Brucean ballad, about the dangers of booze. The next track, “Messin’ Around”, covers what goes wrong when those cautions go unheeded. “If I don’t die before I get old, I’m going to quit messing around,” Spellman sings.

Clearly, Quiet Life are leading anything but a tranquil existence. Growing success as an up-and-coming act can do that to a group. The EP seems to grapple with how to be the best versions of themselves amid increasing expectations and temptations.

“These songs were written when a lot of things were in flux,” Spellman told Esquire. “Lyrically, they came together at weird or rough times in certain relationships I was having. Housebroken Man is about trying to be a good boyfriend/husband/whatever and imagining and idealizing the perfect life.”

The EP concludes with a cover of Townes van Zandt’s “Waiting Around to Die”  - complete with an assist from Jim James - signifying that despite the ratcheting worries, Quiet Life is capable of turning gut checks to gold.

Quiet Life - Housebroken Man from Kitchen Sessions on Vimeo.

 

Quiet Life -Shaky Hand from Kitchen Sessions on Vimeo.

Words by Brian Hodge

Photo//Video 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.

Black Prairie with Tiburones - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA

 Black Prairie

We were introduced to Black Prairie in 2013 at the Newport folk festival in Newport, RI. Almost a year later we were able to catch them at the beginning of their tour promoting their latest album Fortune. Black Prairie was kind enough to play some songs from Fortune for us behind the venue.

Please be sure to check them out on tour and by streaming their music.

Fortune proves the band has outgrown its roots as a casual side-project of indie folk band The Decemberists, solidifying into a primary, creative focus for its members—a band with its own internal momentum, genuine character and style.  “Making this record was the most collaborative and magical thing,” says founder Chris Funk.  “I’m excited to play these songs live.”

Black Prairie may look like a bluegrass or folk band, but their tastes and repertoire are much more expansive. There is a fierce emphasis on musicianship, Powell says, but otherwise: “They’re genre-less. They’re not afraid of anything. 

The band’s story started in 2007, when Chris Funk gathered local musicians he admired for a chance to write music and play instruments he wasn’t utilizing in his role as guitarist in The Decemberists.  He pulled in fellow Decemberists Nate Query and Jenny Conlee, on bass and accordion, Annalissa Tornfelt on fiddle and vocals and Jon Neufeld (Jackstraw, Doloreon) on guitar, followed later by Decemberists’ John Moen on drums.  Their only ambition was to have fun, but ideas started sparking immediately—they were pushing their own musicianship.

Tiburones was a hidden gem for us! After our session with Black Prairie Chris Funk said “ You’ve got to get this band Tiburones out here and do one of these.” When Chris Funk tells you a band is awesome then you don’t second guess it! Tiburones (Shark) is one of those bands that you hear and you immediately know they have something that most bands don’t. They have a sweet and soulful sound with a charming Latin element to the vocal stylings of Luz Elena Mendoza. Tiburones is on my list of the top bands to look out for in the very near future. 

Vikesh Kapoor - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA

After a long and lonely tour Vikesh Kapoor made his way back to the West Coast and the Tractor Tavern. Vikesh Kapoor is an incredible talent who carries shock value in his back pocket.  Normally performing without a backing band Vikesh's bright and empowering vocals command the attention of the crowd in a completely unexpected way. Vikesh maintains a lyrical honesty without fluff or filler but rather instills in his words a level of depth and meaning that lacks in most music these days. 

Tour Dates

Feb 23 Sweetwater Music Hall w/ Eleni Mandell Mill Valley, CA Tickets RSVP 

Feb 27 Noise Pop Festival w/ Mark Mulcahy San Francisco, CA Tickets RSVP 

Feb 28 McCabe's Guitar Shop w/ Eleni Mandell Santa Monica, CA Tickets RSVP 

Mar 03 Bootleg Theatre w/ Moses Sumney Los Angeles, CA Tickets RSVP 

Mar 20 Treefort Music Festival w/ The Joy Formidable, Boise, ID Tickets RSVP