Music
•
Tomo Nakayama With his three month-long residency at Town Hall a wrap and a new recording completed, singer-songwriter Tomo Nakayama wanted to do something different to celebrate the release of his album, Fog on the Lens.
The 34-year-old solo artist, collaborator, and recent actor-who can be seen alongside Ellen Page in Lynn Shelton’s 2013 Touchy Feely-came up with an idea for a marathon-an album release marathon. The one-day event will comprise 14 mini-shows at non-traditional venues from a yoga studio to a grocery co-op to a hair salon. If all goes according to plan, that is. “I have the drives all figured out,” he says. “We’re trying to travel light and still make it a show.”
He’ll attempt the feat-which sometimes in the span of 30 minutes will involve setting up, playing the show, packing up, and moving to the next spot-with a small crew including Yuuki Matthews of the Shins, who helped produce the new record. Despite the logistical challenges of navigating Seattle traffic these days, Nakayama is excited about what the unconventional format might bring about. “I think it’s interesting to people,” he explains. While some of his fans and friends can head out for a late night show, he says, others have to work in the morning, or are moms with young children. “I wanted to do something a little more smaller and more intimate, at places that weren’t normally [venues] you’d hear music in the background and random live music during the day.” Though he took to Facebook and his website to announce his plans, he wants to establish a personal connection with the listeners that come out, beyond the web. “We’re really kind of living in a totally different reality, stuck on social media,” he says. “I know [artists] with hundreds of followers who never go out and play shows and meet people.” Playing to the smaller crowd and getting to know his fans, Nakayama says, is “more gratifying to me.” What’s more, the unexpected surprise of a live music at, say, Lifelong Thrift Store, where he’s slated to gig at 2:30 p.m., will hopefully inspire his accidental listeners to seek out more live music in Seattle.
“We’re a close-knit community of people working together to do something unique and different,” he says, adding, “And personal, which I think is the most important.” Porchlight Coffee & Records, 1318 E. Pike St.
Seattle, WA 98122 No Cover Tuesday, November 4, 2014, 9am
Deltron 3030 Event 2 Tour The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $29.50 adv./$35 DOS Wednesday, November 5, 2014, 9pm
Tony Bennett With Antonia Bennett The Paramount, 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 $50-$150 Thursday, November 6, 2014, 8pm
Android Amaker With Fresh Espresso, the Fame Riot Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122 $10 adv. Friday, November 7, 2014, 8pm
Over the Rhine Meet Me At the Edge of the World Tour The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle, WA 98101 $35-$45 Friday, November 7, 2014, 8pm
Gram Parsons Tribute Night With Country Dave & the New Fallen Angels, Hart Kingsbery, Gaye Winsor, Caitlin Sherman, Aaron Harmonson, Jesse Harmonson, Bob Knetzger, John Olufs, Hamilton Boyce, Kim Field, Jon Hyde, Fredd Luongo, Trevor Pendras, David Russell Conor Byrne, 5140 Ballard Ave. N.W., Seattle, WA 98107 $10 Friday, November 7, 2014, 9pm
Blonde Redhead with Hungry Ghost Given the full-on alt-rock nature of its previous release, Penny Sparkle, the minimalistic Barragan came as a surprise to many Blonde Redhead fans. Singer/guitarist Kazu Makino’s trancelike voice is as present as ever, as is singer/guitarist Amadeo Pace’s accompaniment and drummer Simone Pace’s steady beat. But for Barragan, the band’s ninth full-length, the trio turned the rock & roll energy down a few notches, doing away with everything it deemed unnecessary. The result is something more abstract: part alt-rock, part art-rock, part dream-pop, part shoegaze. There’s a shimmering quality to the album that adds another facet to Blonde Redhead’s ever-evolving sound. With Hungry Ghost.
21 and over. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122 $20 adv. Saturday, November 8, 2014, 8pm
Over the Rhine Meet Me At the Edge of the World Tour The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle, WA 98101 $35-$45 Saturday, November 8, 2014, 8pm
All Them Witches with Something Kurly, Weeed, and The Well Stoner rock and world music collide on Feng Shui Capital of the World, the latest from Bainbridge Island’s WEEED. The trio-bassist/vocalist Gabriel Seaver, drummer John Goodhue, and guitarist Mitch Fosnaugh-combine Middle Eastern guitar riffs with ones that are just plain heavy. And Seaver alternates between distorted singing and a mix of wailing and chanting, adding an even worldlier feel to the album. Feng Shui’s running time contradicts the fact that there are only six songs on the album. Multiple jams, including the one that ends the 14-minute epic of a closing track, “Falling Into The Earth,” give the band plenty of room to roam. With All Them Witches, Something Kurly, the Well.
21 and over. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave., Seattle WA $8 Saturday, November 8, 2014, 9pm
Julia Massey and The Five Finger Discount There’s a delightfully childlike quality to the music of Julia Massey & the Five Finger Discount. Front woman/keyboardist Massey, bassist Geoff B. Gibbs, and drummer Dominic Cortese (The Jesus Rehab) mix piano-driven tunes with more mature lyrics to create music that carefully walks the line between youth and wisdom. “Nuclear Disarmament,” which will appear on A.L.I.T.E., the band’s upcoming fourth full-length, and was recently included on Ball of Wax 38, for instance, is a protest song built on a marimba-like riff. At this release show, fans will get a first listen of that song and the rest of A.L.I.T.E. With Roaming Herds of Buffalo, Honey Noble.
21 and over. Conor Byrne, 5140 Ballard Ave. N.W., Seattle, WA 98107 $8 Saturday, November 8, 2014, 9 – 11:55pm
GRAYSKUL with Thaddeus David, and Bad Tenants There’s a sci-fi feel to the beats Grayskul, the local hip-hop trio of JFK, Onry Ozzborn, and Rob Castro, rap over that sets it apart from other artists at first listen. But the group’s lyrics are more grounded in everyday topics. On it’s latest, Zenith, the trio tackles everything from recovering from addiction (the title track) to club culture (“Clubs”) to school shootings, making a nod to Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” in “There Is No Edge.” Featuring the likes of Raekwon, Reva DeVito, Katie Kate, and Aesop Rock, Zenith is massive in both length (17 songs) and breadth. But a variety of lyrical content and futuristic beats keep things interesting. With Thaddeus David, Bad Tennants, DJ Graves 33.
21 and over. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., Seattle, WA 98103 $8 adv/$10 DOS Saturday, November 8, 2014, 9:30pm
Adrian Belew Power Trio with Saul Zonana The bio on Adrian Belew’s website reads like an aspiring musician’s dream career. He was discovered by, and toured with, Frank Zappa before playing with the likes of David Bowie, Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, and King Crimson and released two solo albums, all by the age of 35. The rest of his career has been just as illustrious. More recently, Belew recorded with Nine Inch Nails and, with the Adrian Belew Power Trio (Belew, bassist Julie Slick, and drummer Tobias Ralph), the prog-rock singer/guitarist released e, an instrumental piece divided into five parts. At this show, the Belew Power Trio will celebrate Belew’s accomplishments by playing songs from his past and present discography. With Saul Zonana.
All ages. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle, WA 98101 $35 adv./$40 DOS Sunday, November 9, 2014, 7:30pm
Tegan and Sara with special guests: Waters, The Courtneys On their latest, Heartthrob, Tegan and Sara traded indie-rock riffs for a synth-heavy pop sound. This more polished sound surely shocked some fans, but listening to the lyrics, Heartthrob is very obviously a product of the Quin sisters. The Canadian duo explores the joy and heartache different stages of a relationship can bring. On lead single “Closer,” the twins sing about wanting someone they’re sweet on to move in closer. And on “How Come You Don’t Want Me,” the pair asks an ex why they weren’t willing to try harder to save the relationship. Heartthrob is sugary sweet, but it doesn’t lack any of the Tegan and Sara substance. With Waters, the Courtneys. The Paramount Theatre.
All ages. The Paramount, 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 $31.25 + Tuesday, November 11, 2014, 7:30pm
Shovels & Rope, with special guest Willie Watson Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, the married couple that makes up country-rock duo Shovels & Rope, live on an island in South Carolina. It makes sense then that the duo’s latest, Swimmin’ Time, has an aquatic theme. On “Fish Assassin,” the pair sings about a fisherman hoping his catch will woo his lady after the two had an argument. And on “Stono River Blues,” Trent and Hearst namedrop a handful of rivers and creeks that run through the state and, with a fantastic twang, wax poetic on life down by the river: “You don’t need much to be happy/The boat cost money, but the shrimp is free.” With Willie Watson.
All ages. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., Seattle, WA 98105 $22 adv./$25 DOS Tuesday, November 11, 2014, 8pm
Hard Working Americans w/The Congress Hard Working Americans is the supergroup to end all supergroups. The band features Dave Schools of Widespread Panic on bass, singer/guitarist Neal Casal of Cardinals and the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, keyboardist Chad Staehly of Great American Taxi, and Duane Trucks (brother of Derek) of King Lincoln on drums. Vocalist and songwriter Todd Snider and singer/guitarist Jesse Aycock round out the Americana group. HWA’s talent is showcased on its self-titled debut, a collection of 11 cover songs. From Hayes Carll’s “Stomp and Holler” and Drivin’ ‘N’ Cryin’s “Straight to Hell” to David Rawlings and Gillian Welch’s ‘Wrecking Ball,” the band’s combined mastery of country, blues, and Americana shows its blue collar anthems run true to its name. With the Congress.
21 and over. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle, WA 98101 $25 adv./$28.21 DOS Tuesday, November 11, 2014, 8:30pm
Dave Peck Trio Special guest and MC Jim Wilke. Tula’s, 2214 2nd Avenue Seattle, WA 98121 $15 Friday, November 14, 2014, 7:30pm
Dave Peck Trio Special guest and MC Jim Wilke. Tula’s, 2214 2nd Avenue Seattle, WA 98121 $15 Saturday, November 15, 2014, 7:30pm
•
Shaprece CD REVIEW: Shaprece, Molting EP (out now, self-released via Noisetrade, shaprece.com) One listen to this album makes it clear that Shaprece is one of the most innovative artists in Seattle. Negotiating the boundaries between trip hop and chamber pop, each of its six tracks (five new songs, one remix by Blue Sky Black Death) is a world unto itself, with atmospheric electronics, orchestral strings, deep bass, and layers of vocals. Amid it all, Shaprece’s voice-restrained and intimate, with a quiet power-weaves a tale of unrequited love and loss. “Her Song” stands out for its straightforward storytelling, lush orchestration, and beautifully harmonized chorus: “Stop sabotaging her song for you/Why won’t you let it play?/Such a beautiful melody interrupted by the rain.” MFB McCaw Hall (Seattle Center), 321 Mercer St., Seattle, WA 98109 Varies, see ticket link Saturday, November 22, 2014, 9am
