by Rachel LeBlanc
Escaping the burgeoning garage-rock scene of Detroit, the four guys of Panther Attack headed west, their expansive, jazz tinged instrumental music packed in their suitcases. Although their arrival to Seattle didn’t equal instant success, with their first year spent starting anew in basements, they had left a mark back in Michigan. “We were [...]
Posted in Audioasis, KEXP |
review by Rachel LeBlanc
Being a Northwest CD reviewer, at least for me, is a bit like going on a blind date — I’m set up with relatively unheard of bands whose CDs I give a listen to before I even research them. This way, first impressions based on their music are key rather than diving [...]
review be Rachel LeBlanc
I imagine opening track “Panicgrass and Feverfew” of The Animals at Night’s debut release, Rain Falls on Asphalt, heard in the background while the leading character of an action movie slyly enters a nightclub scene. TV’s Dr. McNamara and Dr. Troy would slip the album into their stereo before a surgery on [...]
by Rachel LeBlanc
if there is one thing the Northwest is not in short of supply of, it’s acoustic-based low-key songwriters. In the sea of all the music fit for sitting down and self-reflecting, having the right key elements will lead you to be noticed. Add to the acoustic roster new-comer Fences, aka Chris Mansfield. Already [...]
Grand Hallway’s We Flew Ephemera could be summed up in one word: beautiful. Although all the songs come across as love songs, their beauty is of the heartbreaking type. The half hour long EP starts out slowly, as do each of the six songs. In opener “Pearrygin,” each piano key, guitar strum and lyric delivery [...]
photo by Gregory A. Perez
interview by Rachel LeBlanc
Let’s continue the spotlights featuring artists whose medium is not only the music but also the community. Switching gears this week, I’m bringing a bit of hip-hop to the table by featuring Common Market’s MC Ryan Abeo, popularly known as RA Scion. The duo’s work is awash with [...]
review by Rachel LeBlanc
Perhaps it’s because I had house shows on my mind lately, but when I first listened to Bellingham’s The Russians on their debut self-titled release, I instantly thought of how great they would sound, smashed up in a crowded basement. Energy oozing out of every song, they entice you to move around, [...]
photo by Chona Kasinger
interview by Rachel LeBlanc
Each year, Experience Music Project hosts the city’s largest underage competition for aspiring musicians, Sound Off! Many great bands have sprung from the launch this exposure brings, bands like Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, Dyme Def, Mon Frere, Idiot Pilot, and so many others. Word is quickly spreading around the [...]
Karl Blau, Tin Angel, Philadelphiaphoto by GAC
interview by Rachel LeBlanc
Last week, I interviewed a band (Kickball) who focus on community and prefers playing smaller shows, not sacrificing the close-knit feel of a house. My second subject is a musician who strives to build community as well, filling in many roles throughout the scene and drawing [...]
Posted in Audioasis, KEXP |
by Rachel L.
Humility is one of the strongest characteristics I admire when a band proves they have it. Sometimes it seems a really and truly humble musician is hard to come by. Meet Kickball. This trio from Olympia/Portland keep it as modest as possible, sticking with friends instead of record execs, living rooms instead of [...]
Posted in Audioasis, KEXP |
