Music
Willie Jones III This highly appreciated jazz drummer is known for his speed and control. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 98121 See website for details. Tuesday, April 7 – Wednesday, April 8, 2015
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Disappears Chicago’s Disappears sounds sort of like Liars would if they spent a lot of time in cold German warehouses wearing black turtlenecks, listening to kraut, and thinking about the austerity of modern architecture-which is another way of saying they sound really cool. The band’s sinister minimalism on its latest record Irreal will make an interesting pairing with this show’s strong local opening acts-Ephrata’s lush, poppy, shoegaze-worship and SSDD’s glam-punk debauchery (featuring Seattle’s most deranged front man, Kennedy Carda, who almost swallowed his microphone whole the last time I saw him perform). 21 and over. KELTON SEARS Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave., Seattle WA $13 Wednesday, April 8, 2015, 8pm
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Gardens & Villa Sunny California and dreary Midwest winters collide on Santa Barbara quintet Gardens & Villa’s sophomore album, Dunes, which finds the synth-rock band giving up beaches for beanies and relocating to Michigan’s Key Club studio. Depeche Mode jams like “Colony Glen” and “Thunder Glove,” the funky “Bullet Train,” and the equally danceable “Echosassy” are reminiscent of the group’s home state, but ominous synths from Adam Rasmussen and singer Chris Lynch’s lyrics, which seem to center on feelings of anxiety and isolation, keep things chilly. The influence of the studio’s surroundings is most evident in songs like “Avalanche,” as Lynch sings “Lay me down in the ground/Bury me/Let me disappear/Chill you with the frozen leaves.” With Shana Cleveland and the Sandcastles, BellaMaine, Vox Mod. All ages. AZARIA C. PODPLESKY The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., Seattle WA 98121 $3 with RSVP, $10 without. Wednesday, April 8, 2015, 8pm
Goapele Goapele just released Strong as Glass. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 98121 See website for details. Thursday, April 9 – Sunday, April 12, 2015
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The Replacements It’s been quite awhile since The Replacements toured the U.S. How long? Well, a baby born the year the punk group disbanded (1991) most likely has a college degree and can legally drink booze now. But founding singer/guitarist Paul Westerberg and bassist Tommy Stinson shook off the dust by releasing an EP in 2012 called Songs for Slim, which benefitted former bandmate Slim Dunlap. Then the group played a handful of successful gigs at Riot Fest, Coachella, and Bumbershoot the following years (with drummer Josh Freese and guitarist David Minehan). Suddenly it just made sense for Minneapolis’ favorite sons to come fully out of retirement for the “Back by Unpopular Demand” tour. So to all those boozed-up, college-degreed 1991 babies-now is your chance. All ages. ACP The Paramount, 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 $46.25 Thursday, April 9, 2015, 8pm
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The Witches Titties I can’t think of a better band to usher in the rebirth of The Funhouse than The Witches Titties, a group of anarchistic no-wavin’ witches whose punk magick transforms any venue it touches into an unholy rock-’n’-roll ritual site. In addition to its six musical members, the coven includes two “hype witches,” a branch of spellcasting I didn’t even know existed. Also of note: Tonight, Funhouse booker Brian Foss will make good on his post-Funhouse demolition promise to shave his giant beard onstage at the new Funhouse as soon as he found a home for it. It’s going to get hairy up in there. With the Fabulous Downey Brothers, the Dumps, Wølfhammer 3. 21 and up. KS Funhouse, 109 Eastlake Ave. E. $7 Thursday, April 9, 2015, 8pm
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Airport Bassist Jayson Kochan of local hypno-groove outfit Midday Veil is also coming up under the name Airport, his disco/electro solo project. You know you’re doing something really right (or really wrong?) when local media has referred to you as “THE disco revivalist.” Airport is what Ross’ “wordless sound poems” from Friends would sound like if he’d dutifully pursued a music career: a cacophony of futuristic sounds paired with some fabulous outfits (instead of Ross’ cable-knit sweaters, Kochan rocks a luminescent body suit during performances). Airport’s heat-inducing 12” single, “Sweat/Pleasure,” is out now on Motor. With Sean Pierce, Patternmaster, DJ Slow. 21 and over. DIANA M. LE Kremwerk, 1809 Minor Ave # 10, Seattle, Washington 98101 $5 Thursday, April 9, 2015, 9pm
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Airport Bassist Jayson Kochan of local hypno-groove outfit Midday Veil is also coming up under the name Airport, his disco/electro solo project. You know you’re doing something really right (or really wrong?) when local media has referred to you as “THE disco revivalist.” Airport is what Ross’ “wordless sound poems” from Friends would sound like if he’d dutifully pursued a music career: a cacophony of futuristic sounds paired with some fabulous outfits (instead of Ross’ cable-knit sweaters, Kochan rocks a luminescent body suit during performances). Airport’s heat-inducing 12” single, “Sweat/Pleasure,” is out now on Motor. With Sean Pierce, Patternmaster, DJ Slow. Kremwerk, 1809 Minor Ave., 682-2935, kremwerk.com. 9 p.m. $5. 21 and over. DIANA M. LE Kremwerk, 1809 Minor Ave # 10, Seattle, Washington 98101 $5 Thursday, April 9, 2015, 9pm
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Led to Sea Alex Guy, the woman behind Led to Sea, is a seasoned violinist who approaches pop music delicately, with great respect for the craft. Her vocals are soft and playfully charming, similar to those of Mirah, whom she has toured with. She is sometimes accompanied by Paul Kikuchi (percussion) and Jherek Bischoff (bass), two incredibly talented staples of the local scene. For this special CD release party for her third full-length, she’s joined by even more of Seattle’s most hXc musicians. Tonight is going to be a total master class for all you amateurs out there, so bring notepads. With Tomo Nakayama, Lori Goldston. 21 and over. DML Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118 $10 adv./$12 DOS Friday, April 10, 2015, 8pm
Chris Tomlin This Grammy Award-winning Christian artist reliably fills arenas. KeyArena (Seattle Center), 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109 See website for details. Saturday, April 11, 2015
Keith Sweat The R&B and soul singer left his day job on the New York Stock Exchange and found success in music. Emerald Queen Casino, 2024 E 29th St, Tacoma, WA 98404 See website for details. Saturday, April 11, 2015
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His Name Is Alive Warren Defever started His Name Is Alive in the late ‘80s in his basement recording on a 4-track. He remains the only constant member of the project, now celebrating its 25th anniversary. In that time, the band has produced a massive output of EPs, live records, compilations, remixes, and full-length albums. Released last year, Tecuciztecatl is the band’s 14th studio album; it features some solo-heavy fever-dream pop with hazy vocals over layers and layers of noise. Under the “Artists We Like” section of its Facebook page is a single link to a video of “Every Thin Lizzy Guitar Solo 1971-1983.” 21 and over. DML Barboza, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122 $15 Saturday, April 11, 2015, 7pm
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Industrial Revelation At last month’s Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Awards, avant-jazz quartet Industrial Revelation won Alternative Jazz Group of the Year and bassist Evan Flory-Barnes was honored as the N.W. Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year. Seeing as the nominees and winners are decided by local jazz fans, it’s safe to say Seattle has a pretty big sweet spot for the band-Flory-Barnes, drummer D’Vonne Lewis, Ahamefule Oluo on trumpet, and Josh Rawlings on Fender Rhodes/piano-a group that has entertained crowds with a mix of classic and modern-jazz elements since 2006. Industrial Revelation is currently hard at work in Robert Lang’s storied studio on a follow-up to its latest, Oak Head. With Whitney Monge. 21 and over. ACP Blue Moon Tavern, 712 NE 45th Street, Seattle $10 Saturday, April 11, 2015, 9pm
Jazzy Bluesy Sunday Brunch Enjoy brunch and live music with a different featured musical act each month. Artists include Eugenie Jones, Kareem Kandi Band, Ann Reynolds, Charles Mack, and more. See website for complete details. Maxim’s, 5608 Rainier Ave SSeattle, WA 98118 $15 Sunday, April 12, 2015, 1pm
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Dust Moth Dust Moth is what happens when local musicians decide to use their combined superpowers for good, not evil. The band, which came together in 2012, features former and present members of Undertow, These Arms Are Snakes, Minus the Bear, and XVIII Eyes, and falls somewhere between heavy rock and shoegaze, as heard on its debut album, Dragon Mouth. It opens with an ambient instrumental track called “Pounding” before moving into songs like “Months,” which is heavy through and through and features Irene Barber’s extensive wail. P.S.: This is one of Chop Suey’s weekly Kill the Keg! shows, which means drafts on select kegs are only $1 “until they blow!” With Charms, Art Fad, Leatherdaddy. 21 and over. ACP Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98122 $5 Sunday, April 12, 2015, 4pm
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Questlove Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the legendary drummer himself, is so insanely CrazySexyCool that he will never have to fight for relevancy in pop culture. Along with his bandleader duties in the Roots (the house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon) and his day job as a NYU music professor, he still produces (Common, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, John Legend, etc.) during his free time, which he says lies between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. This DJ set will be his only Northwest appearance. With dj100proof, DJ Roy. 21 and over. DML Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122 $20 adv. Sunday, April 12, 2015, 8pm
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Allen Stone The self-described “hippie with soul,” Allen Stone got it spot on. His crunchy-granola look, accented by thick oversized frames, is totally reminiscent of Janis Joplin, “The Queen of Psychedelic Soul” herself. His voice is like a perfect chocolate candy bar-rich, milky, packed with sensual caramel gooeyness and surprising nougaty patches. *HEAVY BREATHING* Though I wouldn’t be surprised if this hippie with soul refuses to eat anything with a soul. With Maiah Manser. All ages. DML The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle, WA 98101 Sold out. Monday, April 13, 2015, 6pm
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Ariana Grande Ever since Ariana Grande traded dyed red hair (the trademark of the character she played on Nickelodeon’s Victorious and Sam & Cat) for a high ponytail and a microphone, Mariah Carey comparisons have been rampant. True, both singers have some serious multioctave pipes, but with every move, Grande is setting herself apart from the elusive chanteuse. Grande’s second album, My Everything, as well as her features on songs like Jessie J’s “Bang Bang” and show opener Cashmere Cat’s “Adore,” move away from the throwback R&B that marked her debut, Yours Truly, and into EDM and electro-pop territory. Her chameleon-like ability to fit into each genre will make her one to watch for years to come. Also with Rixton. All ages. ACP KeyArena (Seattle Center), 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109 $25.50 and up. Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 7:30pm
Eric Church The country-music sensation performs with special guest Brothers Osborne. KeyArena (Seattle Center), 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109 See website for details. Wednesday, April 15, 2015
World Rhythm Festival Free workshops and performances for drum enthusiasts of all skill levels. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109 Free Friday, April 17, 2015, 7 – 10pm
Simple Measures Classical meets jazz with the Turtle Island String Quartet. simplemeasures.org Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $15 and up Friday, April 17, 2015, 7:30pm
World Rhythm Festival Free workshops and performances for drum enthusiasts of all skill levels. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109 Free Saturday, April 18 – Sunday, April 19, 2015
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra With guest trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. srjo.org Benaroya Recital Hall, 200 University St., Seattle, WA 98101 $47 Saturday, April 18, 2015, 7:30pm
Jazzy Bluesy Sunday Brunch Enjoy brunch and live music with a different featured musical act each month. Artists include Eugenie Jones, Kareem Kandi Band, Ann Reynolds, Charles Mack, and more. See website for complete details. Maxim’s, 5608 Rainier Ave SSeattle, WA 98118 $15 Sunday, April 19, 2015, 1pm
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra With guest trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. srjo.org Benaroya Recital Hall, 200 University St., Seattle, WA 98101 $47 Sunday, April 19, 2015, 2pm
Simple Measures Classical meets jazz with the Turtle Island String Quartet. simplemeasures.org Mt. Baker Community Club, 2811 Mt. Rainier Dr. S. $15 and up Sunday, April 19, 2015, 2pm
Kaiser Chiefs Kaiser Chiefs has overcome the departure of drummer and founding member Nick Hodgson, yet is still going strong. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $18.50 adv./$20 DOS Wednesday, April 22, 2015, 9pm
Mac DeMarco The cult singer, beloved by chain-smoking hipsters for his dreamy guitar riffs, bizarre persona, and VHS-style music videos. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., Seattle, WA 98105 $21.50 adv./$25 DOS Thursday, April 23, 2015, 8pm
Jazzy Bluesy Sunday Brunch Enjoy brunch and live music with a different featured musical act each month. Artists include Eugenie Jones, Kareem Kandi Band, Ann Reynolds, Charles Mack, and more. See website for complete details. Maxim’s, 5608 Rainier Ave SSeattle, WA 98118 $15 Sunday, April 26, 2015, 1pm
