The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper: Emily Nokes

Greetings From (S)asquatch!

Emily Nokes — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:55:40 -0700

The wind blew the 'S' down! More photos from sunny/windy/rainy/sunny again Sasquatch 2013 right here!

The Windy Grounds of (S)asquatch

Emily Nokes — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:46:23 -0700

Alright! We are HERE! Your "Sasquatch Team of Excellence Oh Thirteen" will be yours truly, Derek Erdman, Anna Minard, Kelly O, Josh Bis, and Bree McKenna, with an assists from Jon Essinger (he brought a whole keg!).

So far, it's really windy with a little rain/sun combo, and everyone we have encountered is insanely wasted! And colorful! But mostly wasted.

Kelly O stepped outside the press hut for three minutes and already found these wonderful revelers:

Kelly o
Rainbow! Anatomy! Belly-button rings!

Kelly o
'Squatch sprite!

kelly o
Time-travel safari boys

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The Road to Sasquatch!

Emily Nokes — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:08:05 -0700

It wouldn't be the road to Sasquatch without a stop at Bob's Summit Deli* at the pass. And wouldn't you know they have the best book selection! Do I get both? They also had one called Northwest Disasters, but I can't imagine anything more boring than reading about forest fires and fully-clothed firemen.

Bob's Summit Deli Lit

*100% gas station, 0% deli.

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Why Washington Needs the Dance Tax

Emily Nokes — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:10 -0700

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What’s Going on at Northwest Folklife Festival?: Your Tiny Guide to Music, Art, Dance, and Avoiding Drum Circles

Emily Nokes — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:38:19 -0700

Lures: Playing the Fin Records Showcase on Friday at 6 pm on the Fountain Lawn Stage

Perhaps Sasquatch! isn't your thing—you'd rather let your freak flag wave a little closer to home, in an all-ages, sage-scented, sockless environment, and for free! The 42nd annual Northwest Folklife Festival has got you covered if banjos are now or have ever been your passion, you've been waiting for an excuse to learn hammer dulcimer within view of the Space Needle, or you're just folk-curious, and marijuana recently became sort of legal (there will be deep-fried PB&Js for sale, just saying). Here's a tiny sampling of Folklife highlights that I either selected after careful consideration or chose practically at random because there's so much to do!

Bollywood Show (Fri, 7 pm, International Dance Stage) Yes, yes, YES.

Sleeping in Seattle: A Bed-Making Contest! (Sat, 2 pm, Olympic Room) A bed-making demonstration (?!), where experts show you how to wrangle bedsheets into beautiful origami. If you're like my grandmother, and already know how to make a bed so tight you can't actually sleep in it, then show 'em what you've got for the chance to win prizes!

Fin Records Showcase (Fri, 6 pm, Fountain Lawn Stage) Ballard label Fin Records brings you an indie-roots showcase, with performances by Lures, Davidson Hart Kingsbery, Red Jacket Mine, and Low Hums.

The Soul of Seattle (Sat, 6:30 pm, Mural Amphitheater) Saturday's festivities close with a dance party soul get-down hosted by Eldridge Gravy and the Court Supreme with Soul Senate, Kissing Potion (best band name!), the Braxmatics, and Little Big Band.

The Northwest Folklife Festival starts today and goes through Monday at the Seattle Center. It's free and all ages. A full schedule is at nwfolklife.org.

And a Sasquatch! in a Pear Tree

Emily Nokes — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:59:00 -0700

(Gorge Amphitheater) On the first day of Sasquatch!, two thousand and thirteen: Nacho Picasso, Telekinesis, Father John Misty, seven tiny tube tops, Vampire Weekend, and the "Thrift Shop" makers themselves. On the second day of Sasquatch!, are we still camping here? Devendra Banhart, Rose Windows, the xx, RA Scion, Michael Kiwanuka, and are lady bands even allowed at the Gorge? On the third day of Sasquatch!, dude, is your friend okay? Twenty screaming preteens, Elvis Costello, Grimes, OCnotes, Torche, Fang Island, and seriously, though, there should be more women. On the fourth day of Sasquatch!, we should have stayed in George, Toro Y Moi, Ariel Pink, Dippin' Dots for breakfast, Death Grips, Twin Shadow, and Azealia had better play "212."

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Rainy Dawg Radio's Birthday Celebration is Tomorrow

Emily Nokes — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:18:19 -0700

Tomorrow is the Rainy Dawg Birthday Festival! Rainy Dawg Radio, a non-profit radio station run by students at the University of Washington, will be celebrating it's 10th year with a local-band showcase featuring Natasha Kmeto, Keyboard Kid, Futurewife, Key Nyata, Jarv Dee, Naomi Punk, and Pony Time!

The fest will also feature record labels, clothing brands, vendors, and artists. And I've been hearing rumors of a birthday cake.

Sylvan Grove Theater on the UW campus // 5-10pm // Check the invite for more details!

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All Aboard the Matchbox Twenty Cruise!

Emily Nokes — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:57:07 -0700

Line Out: Your Only Source for '90s Cruise News You Can Use!

Matchbox Twenty doesn't give a care if they weren't invited to Mark McGrath's '90s cruise (that included Sugar Ray, the Gin Blossoms, the Verve Pipe, Marcy Playground, and other relics, but was cancelled [despite it's excellent logo] due to cruises being disgusting)—they're having their own damn cruise, featuring no other bands, because MB20 DON'T NEED NO OTHER BANDS.

Here's what you get:

- Accommodations onboard the Carnival Imagination (3-nights)
- Matchbox Twenty concerts
- Q&A with Matchbox Twenty
- Photo session for all guests with Matchbox Twenty
- Evening deck parties
- All Meals, coffee, tea, iced tea & juices
- 24-Hour complimentary room service & pizzeria
- Full use of ship facilities: Two pools, whirlpools, fitness center, casino, library, duty-free shopping & all Carnival events
- One-hour open-bar cocktail party
- And much more

I think I'll sit this one out. I can't even remember what their hits were, and at least half the band seems creepy...

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What’s Going on at Northwest Folklife Festival?

Emily Nokes — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 -0700

What’s Going on at Northwest Folklife Festival? by Emily Nokes

Bollywood Show (Fri, 7 pm, International Dance Stage) Yes, yes, YES.

The Soul of Seattle (Sat, 6:30 pm, Mural Amphitheater) Saturday's festivities close with a dance party soul get-down hosted by Eldridge Gravy and the Court Supreme with Soul Senate, Kissing Potion (best band name!), the Braxmatics, and Little Big Band.

Northwest Fiddle Traditions (Sun, 11:40 am, Fisher Green Stage) First catch Sarah Comer, then be sure to stick around for Vivian and Phil Williams. Besides teaching and playing fiddle and other "old-timey" music for more than 50 years, Vivian and Phil helped found Folklife!

Gaelic Crankie Show (Sun, 3 pm, Center Theater) An Appalachian tradition, the excellently named crankie is a backlit piece of cut-paper illustrated cloth that's animated by hand-cranking a "reel" and presented with Gaelic music accompaniment.

Vamos!: A Latin Dance Party (Sun, 6:45 pm, Mural Amphitheater) Drink a 5-Hour Energy shot and wear your finest dancewear! VamoLá! Brazilian Drum & Dance Ensemble, Cambalache, the Cumbieros, and SuperSones will make you move. Bring a date—it's going to get caliente.

You Can't Fake Fresh—NW Live-Band Hip Hop (Sun, 7 pm, EMP Sky Church) Hiphop at Folklife? Neat! This showcase is brand-new this year and features Global Heat, the Sharp Five, Eastern Sunz, and Irukandji Physics of Fusion.

Everett Norwegian Male Chorus (Mon, 1 pm, Center Theater) Founded in 1902, the Everett Norwegian Male Chorus upholds Nordic culture through traditional songs. Sounds interesting, jah?

Open Dance and Drum (Fri and Sun, 6 pm, Rhythm Tent) I'm pointing these out just in case you want to ~~avoid them at all costs~~ check them out.

For more: nwfolklife.org/festival.

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Letters to the Postal Service

Dave Segal — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Letters to the Postal Service by Dave Segal

The Postal Service celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their album Give Up by rereleasing it. They’ll be playing Sasquatch! on Monday.

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Letters to the Postal Service

Dave Segal — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 -0700

Letters to the Postal Service by Dave Segal

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The Lo-est of Lo-Fi: The Beets

Emily Nokes — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:09:00 -0700

(Barboza) New York–based the Beets make laid-back, lo-lo-lo-fi rock music for hanging out. I've been listening to their 2011 album, Let the Poison Out, quite a bit lately—the guitars and drums meander along, not too slowly, just not beat-your-brains-out hotshot rock. Lead Beet, Uruguay-born Juan Wauters, sings relaxed (and really funny) lyrics over stumbling melodies, and even complicated subject matter, like giving in to the daily grind of adulthood or, y'know, dying, feels as heavy as a Bart Simpson balloon floating over a pizza picnic.

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Regarding the Singles House

Emily Nokes — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:37:49 -0700

Do you see what I see?

Click here, it's really important >>

Regarding the Singles House

Emily Nokes — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:20:55 -0700

Do you see what I see, in the doorway of the apartment building that was the Singles house from the 1992 classic film, Singles?

LOOK CLOSER.

Seattle is the best.

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NighTraiN Video Premiere at Chop Suey!

Emily Nokes — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:03:16 -0700

Sorry it's already 5pm and I'm just telling you this, but you have a few hours to take a sponge bath and buy Nicole "Ja Ja Juicy" of NighTraiN a birthday gift and get to Chop Suey! The lovely locomotive-punks will be premiering their brand-new video for single "Huntress" tonight, plus Portland band band band And And And and Sun Angle (also from PDX) will be playing.

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Go See The Punk Singer

Emily Nokes — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:52:30 -0700

Sophie Howarth
Kathleen Hanna in Australia, 1996

I highly recommend that you make it out to see the SIFF showing(s) of The Punk Singer—the Kathleen Hanna/Riot Grrrl movement documentary. The footage of live Bikini Kill and spoken word performances, plus interviews with everyone from Tavi Gevinson and JD Samson to Kim Gordon and Joan Jett are downright goosebumps-inducing.

While watching the screener last night, somewhere in between the reading of the Riot Grrrl manifesto that hasn't aged a day in it's importance, and the laughable/horrifying "Is Feminism Dead" Time Magazine cover from 1998 (featuring Ally McBeal), I started getting... weepy?

I got misty not because I was totally sad or bummed out by the bullshit these women were struggling with, but because I am so proud of them. Because it's 2013, and women are still struggling. My female friends, family members, and coworkers are still struggling. My "girl" band is still struggling. Every lady, girl, and person who prefers not to even fuck with gender pronouns, is STILL STRUGGLING. We might have won a few battles since then, but the lady-war rages on.

The Punk Singer shows at the Harvard Exit on May 24, 9:30pm and May 26, 1:30pm

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Nightmare Fortress, Tempers, Black Diva in the Beautiful Narwhal Basement

Emily Nokes — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:16:58 -0700

The Narwhal is the Unicorn's even more elaborate basement area that houses a stage and arcade games. What the Narwhal lacks in windows, it more than makes up for in gold and teal and red; practically every inch has been decorated to resemble an olden-timey French circus. Anyway, they're having shows down there now, which is fantastic news! Dance your Wednesday away with the sinister-pop/techno-raveyard darkness of Nightmare Fortress, whose live shows, I was informed, have "really awesome lights and smoke." Also playing are the Tempers, a spooky glam trio (of siblings) whose live performances will enchant your ears and your eyes.

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Scrapper After-Party, Featuring Rose Windows, Kithkin, and Ephrata

Emily Nokes — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:51:01 -0700

If you've been searching for a Tuesday-night date idea for that radical whoever in your life, I've made a pretty good plan here.

Next Tuesday, as part of the SIFF-tivities, the film Scrapper will be world-premiering at SIFF Cinema Uptown in Lower Queen Anne. Director Brady Hall describes Scrapper as being: "...about a metal scrapper dude who meets this teenage runaway and they do NOT fall in love but instead are bummed out together and there's also this unhinged neighbor guy (Littlefinger from Game Of Thrones!) who gums up the situation."

Dave Segal also wrote a blurb about it in our 2013 SIFF Notes right here. Did we mention that our giant 2013 SIFF Notes guide includes words on every single dang film showing at SIFF? HERE IS THAT LINK AGAIN, READ IT ALL.

SO, see the film at 6pm, THEN (since the running time is 87 minutes), you have approximately an hour and a half to get to the Crocodile for the after-party. Stop for a taco! Get a martini!

And then seriously get over to the Crocodile for the totally-open-to-the-public of an after-party where Rose Windows, Kithkin, and Ephrata will be playing. The stars of the film (one of which is a porn star), and a bunch of other neat people will be in attendance.

If you're date is not dazzled by your fine taste, then they are not worth it, my friend.

Crocodile / Tues, May 21 / 8:30pm / $12, 21+

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Colleen Green, Blooper at Heartland

Emily Nokes — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:32:57 -0700

Heartland Gallery was hoppin' for a Monday night, which was not surprising, considering the touring act: Colleen Green, bringing with her a brand new album titled Sock it to Me.

Trevor Crump
Blooper did not mess up.

After a somewhat stressful, but ultimately WORTH-IT first-time Car2Go experience (I am so done with parking tickets! You hear me Municipal Court?? Confidential to Municipal Court: I did move after two hours! What is your problem? I'm going to start spelling it Munici Court, because there is NO PAL THERE.), I walked in as Blooper was setting up, and I was glad to finally get a chance to see them. Fronted by Adriano Santi, who wrote a pile of songs by himself before putting together a live band, Blooper reminds me of the first gulp of catchy rock n' roll someone's way cool older brother played when summers were suddenly about complicated social interactions and discovering what makes the opposite-sex tick. Mix together scraggly garage jams with bright, sugar-pop and the hook from the Beatles' "I'm Happy Just to Dance with You." And red-flavored Kool-Aid. And sunscreen.

Trevor Crump
Sorry, White Fang!

I missed Portland's White Fang due to some neighborhood shenanigans, but I did make it back for Colleen's set. While Colleen seems to play solo more often than not, I was excited to see that she had brought along her sometimes-backing-musician Marisa of Mannequin Pussy—my first and favorite CG show had Marisa and Colleen side by side, dark sunglasses and hair, guitar and bass. That must have been over two years ago at the Sunset? DANG. Anyway, Marisa is the perfect addition to Colleen's live set of simple, extra fuzzed and melodic heartache tunes. Her trusty drum machine was balanced better than it was the last time I saw her in Austin (a leetle tooo loud), and though the dancing was minimal, the tightly packed crowd still seemed to be enjoying themselves in a stoned, captivated way.

Trevor Crump
Colleen Green did not cover "Sunglasses at Night."

Colleen's new songs sounded great—"You're So Cool" and "Darkest Eyes" were especially satisfying, since I've been listening to the recordings regularly since Sock it to Me came out a few months ago.

I heart Heartland, the end.

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Ask a Grown Woman: Beth Ditto

Emily Nokes — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:13:21 -0700

Another gem from the Rookie Magazine—an amazing online publication for (and often by) teenage girls—"Ask a Grown Person" series. Beth Ditto from Gossip responds to questions with kick-ass advice.

"Your opinion of yourself is what matters the most." I so wish something this rad existed when I was growing up!

H/T Alithea O'Dell

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Sunset Tavern Seeks Booking Intern

Emily Nokes — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:49:33 -0700

Ever wondered what it's like to organize a bitchin' show? Interested in talking to band members about their schedules when all of them share a single band email address? Want to know what it's like to try and track down a musician's latest album, when their website is just a bunch of glamor photos? But most importantly, do you like music? Of course you do! This is the opportunity of a lifetime, I'm not even joking.

Sunset Tavern booker (and extremely nice person) Nathan Chambers is looking for an intern who can go to two local shows per week, is highly organized, and can be on time. That's easy! Easy and fun!

Tasks include: Data entry, band research (see I told you), and website/social media updates.

Email Nathan your resume or just an enthusiastic explanation of why you'd rule at this to: booking@sunsettavern.com.

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Colleen Green's Fuzzy Pop Goodness

Emily Nokes — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:03:00 -0700

Milo Goes to Compton by Colleen Green

(Heartland) Solo bedroom-pop-maker and sunglasses-wearer Colleen Green captured our hearts with her first few extremely lo-fi releases—Cujo, Green One, and Milo Goes to Compton—all of which were made from the same extra-simple-drum-machine/stoned-sweet-vocals recipe and are extremely likeable. Green's newest full-length, Sock It to Me, has even more to like, and it keeps her laid-back themes of fuzzy heartache/love floating around unpolished while stepping up her pop game up to a new level of blown-out, '80s-synth-assisted melodies. With upbeat garage-poppers Blooper, and the noisy, scruffy, slightly uncomfortable/fully enjoyable So Pitted. Bring your bestie! See also Underage.

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Of Montreal Managed to Fit into the Vera Project Last Night

Emily Nokes — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:26:44 -0700

The talented Molly Bauer went to the Of Montreal last night and took some sweet photos for the Stranger! Below are her photos and a few observations from the night.

Molly Bauer

Of Montreal's show at Vera last night was excellent: infinitely more energetic and entertaining than opener Wild Moccasins. I thoroughly enjoyed their set list, even though I own none of their recent albums, and didn't actually recognize any of the songs. (I am now convinced I need to purchase everything I don't have).

Molly Bauer

Of Montreal had a nice flow between upbeat, funky dance songs to more relaxed, melodic pieces that sound as though they could be contemporaries of David Bowie's early work (I'm thinking of Hunky Dory era Bowie) Having never seen them live before, their psychedelic theatrics reminded me of a Flaming Lips concert (which I am using as a huge compliment). At one point Barnes road into the crowd atop a man-powered Cerberus—one of the most captivating parts of the show.

More photos after the jump!

Molly Bauer

Molly Bauer

Molly Bauer

Molly Bauer

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Hey Marseilles "Heart Beats" Music Video Viewing Party

Emily Nokes — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:55:07 -0700

Hayley Young Photography
Hey Marseilles and all kinds of other people.

Seattle's elegant folk pop lads Hey Marseilles are having a video-release party tonight over at Moe Bar for "Heart Beats," a song off their new album Lines We Trace. I'm obligated to tell you that I am one of the people in this video, but don't let that stop you—there will be drink specials and give-aways! And it's free! And the band will be there! You could have them sign your neck, or whatever you had Ron Jeremy sign.

6pm - 8pm // 21+ // Here's the Facebook invite!

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Cat Demands: Hush, Lego Dad

Emily Nokes — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:27:04 -0700

I'm SORRY, I have to show you this wonderful video (thank you Mary Traverse!). I'm sure we can figure out a way to relate this to music or nightlife... right?

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Listen to Music in the Name of Sports

Emily Nokes — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:15:54 -0700

Most people like music! Some people like sports! Everybody likes a free party! So what are you doing on Monday?

Neumos, Sonicsgate, and Alive and Well are hosting a Bring Our Sonics Back party. Performances by hiphop all-stars Nacho Picasso, Geo of Blue Scholars, Grynch, Dyme Def, Jarv Dee, Tilson, Sam Lachow & Raz Simone, Neema, DJ Nphared and more.

The shindig will be hosted by the legendary Shawn Kemp, and it's free. Free, free, free!

The purpose of this community focused event is to allow Sonics fans to come out and show their support in basketball returning back to Seattle one last time before the NBA makes a final decision on May 15th. Represent that green and gold by hanging out with the best in local hip hop plus NBA greats from the past and present.

Neumos / 6:00pm / 21+

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Mark McGrath Will Appear on The Office Tonight for Some Reason

Emily Nokes — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:05:20 -0700

LOL WUT. Thanks to hot tipper Travis Ritter for bringing this to my attention. I haven't watched The Office in a minute, but maybe a guest appearance from the soul-patch king himself will change all that!*

"Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath guest stars on the NBC Emmy award winning hit series, The Office this Thursday, May 9th, 2013 at 9/8c. McGrath appears on the second-to-last episode. The series’ finale airs on May 16th.”

Derek Erdman's Spaghetti Factory™

UGH whatever, I'm still so mad that he canceled ~~my birthday cruise~~ the Mark McGrath & Friends Cruise from the '90s.

*No, it won't.

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Don't Talk to the Cops: Breakfast Contest!

Emily Nokes — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:56:04 -0700

In honor of their upcoming album Champions of Breakfast, our friends, the non-stop hiphop, snap crackle pop punks Don't Talk to the Cops are challenging anyone with an Instagram (everybody's getting those, you know) account to a BREAKFAST CONTEST! All you have to do is post a photo of your best, most creative breakfast with @donttalktothecops #ChampionsOfBreakfast.

The winner gets a copy of the new record, DtttC cereal, a T-shirt, and a button pack! Also, have you seen this poster?

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Apologies to You, WaMü

Emily Nokes — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:25:53 -0700

Aw geez, we made a boo boo in the Up & Coming section this week by leaving out glorious racket-makers WaMü from this blurb for tonight's show at Black Lodge.

WaMü booked the show and then weren't listed in the blurb's header. Please accept this picture of my cat, Doctor O, as an apology.

Now listen to their music and go to this show if you know what's good for you!

Viafuckt by WaMü

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Os Mutantes

Emily Nokes — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:00:00 -0700

Wonderfully psychedelic music that'll alter your mind, man. by Emily Nokes

Formed in 1965 by Beatles-influenced teenage brothers Arnaldo and Sergio Dias Baptista and Rita Lee, Brazil’s wonderfully psychedelic Os Mutantes made mind-altering rock music in the avant-garde Tropicália arts movement, before fading away the following decade (heartbreak! Drugs! Politics!). By the 1990s, everyone from Kurt Cobain to David Byrne was hypnotized by the surreal beauty of their music, made even more intriguing with bizarre costumes and homemade instruments. A version of the band reunited in 2006, and the players have revolved since, but for now, Sergio Dias remains the freaky backbone of the ever-witchy South American tropicalistas. (Triple Door, 216 Union St, tripledoor.net, 7:30 pm, $28–$35, all ages)

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