Artists & Performers
DJ Leopold Bloom
DJ Leopold Bloom’s turntablism—somehow funky, sultry, and cleaver at once—charms the people to inexorable dancing. Hip-hop meets bhangra, funk sidles up to indie, latin beats, dubstep, electronic dance grooves, and soul records flirt with each other across the decks…the buttery smooth transitions and fluid scratches keep the jaws dropping and the energy kinetic. DJ Leopold Bloom’s collaborations include Seattle bands Marmelade, Role One and Thrivalike. He has performed with many acts including Cut Chemist, Blue Scholars, Youth Speaks, Canary Sing, Graves, PWRFL Power, Specs One, and Elemental Zazen. In a sea of digital media, he remains stubbornly all vinyl, all the time.
DJ Shapeshifter
Known for hip-hop and nu skool breaks, down tempo and D&B, Shapey’s distinct style of DJing is a must see. Striving to utilize the turntable as an instrument, Shapeshifter represented as a strong member of the ten-piece funk/improv band, MARMALADE (DIG Records), with a residency at Tost Lounge in Fremont for over three years. With mad skills of turntable artistry and event production under his slipmat, Shapey has helped create the magic of Fremont’s Mardi Gras Masqurade Ball 2005 & 2006, Critical Mass-Seattle’s Burningman Recompression 2004 & 2006, Phoenix Fest 2005, and produces the 6-year running Gathering of the Ram.
DJ Million
DJ Million is a DJ/DRUMMER/PRODUCER who is in search of the perfect beat. As a drummer he has played countless stages with many groups & artist’s such as ANNA HE, SHAWN SMITH, THADDILAC, 206 RIBSHAK, GEOFFERY CASTLE, ADRIAN XAVIER, DUB LOUNGE INT and currently playing drums with CLINTON FEARON & THE BOOGIE BROWN BAND. As a DJ he’s 3j’ed at many festivals & shows including MARTY DREAD, YAMI BOLO, and alongside many dj’s including DJ LEOPOLD AND DJ SHAPESHIFTER at their residency every Thursday with MARMALADE and with DJ ELEMENT at his residency night JAMJAM at the Baltic room as well as having his own internet weekly show MILLION BPMz every friday night on GLOBALVORTEXRADIO.COM.
Cordaviva
Originally the brainchild of Seattle singer Ben Harris and guitarist Don Keller, the band has expanded to include members from the Senegalese Afro-Pop group Safal and the Brazilian group Os Malandros. Cordaviva’s influences stem from musical legends such as Nigeria’s Fela Kuti, Guinea’s Bembeya Jazz, as well as Joseph Kabasele and Franco Luambo Makiadi from Congo. United by a common love for the golden age of West and Central African music, they began writing original tunes in 2010. Sung in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, these songs reflect the disparate rhythms and styles of the African Diaspora.
Doxology
In an era saturated with formulaic songs and gimmicks, Doxology prefers to let the music speak for itself. Doxology, formed by brothers Luke (vox) and Gabriel McPherson (keys), Daniel Torres (drums), Michael Hemming (guitar), and Derek Brown (bass), came together with the purpose of creating distinct and meaningful music. The result is an uncompromising and energetic blend of Top 40 Pop hooks, Classic Rock orchestration, Rootsy beats and soulfully aggressive vocals. Their full-length album, The Revolution, scheduled for world wide release in January 2011 with a 52-city tour following soon after, artfully showcases this unique sound that the band has become known for. Touching on subjects ranging from love and heartbreak to family and politics, the album offers a lyrically deeper insight into the world around us.
McTuff Trio
Hammond organist, Joe Doria brings together some of the areas finest with “McTuff“! Joe Doria, Andy Coe, and D’Vonne Lewis, a few of the best from Seattle’s incredible music scene, come together to create a powerful and jaw-dropping take on a soul jazz trio like you’ve never heard. What began as an ode to some of the organ greats in soul jazz, such as delivering their own take on the works of Jimmy Smith and Captain Jack McDuff, soon turned into something more. A movement towards being a band that can appeal to almost any audience, room, and vibe. Melody, dynamics, and groove…from the soft and surreal to deep funk. From swinging soul…all the way to the thumping metal grind…no musical stone gets unturned. McTUFF is about letting it all go and having fun, a moment of time to remember the groove laid down by the soul masters as well as introduce original works of their own.
Picoso
Since its establishment in 2004, Picoso has evolved from a trio playing on the streets of Seattle into a smoking seven piece band that regularly lights up venues around the northwest and beyond. Grounded in the Afro- Latino sounds of the Caribbean, Picoso’s 100% original music spans a dynamic spectrum from traditional Cuban son and cha cha to dubbed out cumbia and reggaeton, and of course their mainstay, salsa. Integrating a fully capable horn section with hard hitting rhythms, the dance floor is blazing from the first note. The lyrical delivery, led by Puerto Rican cantante (singer) Alfonso Gonzalez and backed up by 7-part harmonies is both passionate and playful, drawing in audiences like a warm hearth in winter. Time and again Picoso proves their ability to control the stage with facility and to send their audience home full of joy and asking for more.
Yogoman Burning Band
Yogoman Burning Band has landed, and heralded coast to coast as a fresh, minimal, sonically rich ska/soul/brass group. With Jordan Rain/Yogoman’s natural conducting and lead vocal range from the drum set, Norah McLaughlin’s rock solid Bass lines and vocals, Thomas Deakin’s shriek-punch saxophone acrobatics, and Mars Lindgren’s home-planet trombone, YBB serves up effervescent lyrics and rhythmic bubbles. YBB is known to inspire the dance floor, bringing a soul liberating show experience from start to finish. From all-ages venues, festivals, clubs, weddings, private parties, to your local record store, Yogoman Burning Band’s vitality is in their ability to engage, unify, and dissolve borders with a wide variety of Earth people from all ages, styles and backgrounds.
Altered States of Funk
The baddest, the funkiest, the stankiest- prepare for the mothership to land… Altered States of Funk.
Panda Conspiracy
Panda Conspiracy (Pandacon for short) is a Seattle based band, with roots in Bothell, Wa. Since 2004 they have continually built on their national presence and international appeal. Riff Rock meets Big Band Dub, Pandacon has been called a “popular high energy party band”. Maybe it’s their reputation for performing with characters like the grinder girls, handlebar boy and inflatable girlfriend. Perhaps it’s their self-produced events like Medicine Wheel Music Fest and Zombie Prom or is it simply the themed house parties? Whatever it is, Pandacon has had the liberty of shaping their own destiny with a DIY flavor. With a dedicated and ever-growing fanbase, this band is building a lot of momentum.
Snug Harbor
Snug Harbor is a funk-soul-fusion ensemble, tucked away in the corner of the Northwest, in the city of Bellingham, WA.
Their ages range from 21-36, and their passion for music is exercised and recognized during every live performance. This eclectic array of musicians have joined forces in Western Washington, however they are rooted in various places around the world including: Japan, New York, Maine, South Dakota and Washington.
Fans of Snug Harbor can expect to witness high energy soul music with jazz infusions. This is raw music and each live show contains elements of improvisation on heavy funk grooves.
Drawing on jazz standards and contemporary local music, the initial members of Snug Harbor released a demo recorded by Joel Ricci, and Mars Lindgren (Lucky Brown, Yogoman Burning Band) in their home studios in the York neighborhood under the moniker Apothecary House Band. Ricci has served as a mentor for the entire group at times, sharing his wisdom, outlook and understanding of the sacred music we play. Trumpeter and vocalist Will Glazier recalls his move to Bellingham, “Joel was my biggest inspiration. You saw him playing everywhere. His music was so powerful you could hear it echo throughout your core. I remember the first day I met him, he brought me inside his home, cooked me dinner, poured me some wine, and taught me an instrument I had never even played before. Then we recorded it.”
With another year under their belt, Snug Harbor thought of a way to preserve the raw sound of their live energy. Recorded live in-studio, “Sounds From the York”, their debut EP, was released on September 22, 2009, engineered by Chris Vita at Fairhaven Studio at Western Washington University. Very little post-production was spent on this album, with the intent on releasing a loose, organic sound.
The follow up to “Sounds from the York”, is the brand new, self-titled album that was recorded Jan 7-9, 2011 at Fastback Studio in Seattle. “Snug Harbor” is a studio album that includes variations on funk and soul based grooves. Filled with almost all original music and lyrics, this album captures our reciprocal love of our community arts and music. Caine from Coldnote guest appears on vocals along with Jun Nakamura as a featured soloist. Because of Snug Harbor’s deep respect for Chris Vita, he was chosen to be the engineer again and also mixed the recording. Vita’s skills, patience and, vision and direction were essential to this album’s success. ‘Snug Harbor’ was recorded using almost all vintage mics, instruments and outboard equipment. The album was release on May 5, 2011 to a sold-out crowd in Bellingham, WA. The album’s post production was produced 100% locally from the design, paper, ink and replication. Thank you to Bison Bookbinding and Letter Press, Andy Pritikin and Blank Studio, Gus Elg at Sky Onion Studio, Jason at Fastback Studio, Russ Fish from Fairhaven Studio, Vita Mastering, Wild Buffalo and everyone else involved with this project!
‘Snug Harbor’ and ‘Sounds From the York’ can be found on iTunes, CDbaby, Bandcamp, Amazon and many other media outlets.
Marmalade
Every Thursday night for over 9 years, Marmalade has brought live improvised danceable grooves to a club called Tost. Influenced by soul, funk, hip-hop, reggae, and jazz, the Marmalade vibe is the defining factor that sets this group apart in Seattle’s flourishing Groove scene. Positive, energetic, and free, the group encourages one to be oneself; that the only way to be cool is to be you. More than a band, this collective of musicians is made up of members of Phat Sidy Smokehouse, nuSoltribe, StingShark, Super Sonic Soul Pimps, Jambalaya, TRWST, Diano Garcia, Cascadia ‘10, Role One, Funkscribe, Altered States of Funk, Diamond Hand, 17th Chapter, Blu Surkit, Karl Densen’s Tiny Universe, Dub Championz, Clinton Fearon and the Boogie Brown Band, Reverse, and so many more from the region. Marmalade nightly invents new music to move your body and soul. The musicians are: Ernest Pumphrey, Jr (Voice/Flavor), Fysah Thomas (Vocals), Davee C (Drum kit), Tyrone Bob Lovelace (Bass, MC), Chad Redlight (Keyboards/Voice/Drums), Buddhaful Mike (Keyboards), Funkscribe (Keyboards), Brian StingShark Ray (Guitar/Voice), Kimo Muraki (Voice/Guitar), Chris CD Littlefield (Trumpet), Adrian Witherspoon (Trombone), and BigTalk Jon Ryser (Alto and Baritone Saxophones). In addition to the live music, DJ Leopold Bloom and Dj Shapey provide beats, cuts and scratches throughout the night for ones sonic groovification.
Womanipura Fire Troupe
Womanipura derived their name from combining the words “woman” and “manipura.” Manipura is the Sanskrit name for the Solar Plexus Chakra located above the navel and just below the sternum where one’s self-will and inner fire are located. Manipura represents energy and vitality and translates to “lustrous gem.” Manipura resonates to the color yellow and is associated with the element of Fire. Powers gained through awakening of one’s Manipura includes knowledge of one’s own body through movement and no fear of fire. The life lesson that can be gained through acknowledgment of Manipura is the courage to take risks. Manipura is about the power to be a unique individual while celebrating one’s continuing connection with all of humanity. Using elements of dance, acrobalance, yoga and improv, each member is able to contribute their own style to the troupe, creating an awe-inspiring show of friendship and flames.
Quinn
After almost a decade playing in various bands and musical incarnations in and around the greater Seattle area, guitar player/singer songwriter Jeremy Quinn MacRae has finally stepped out on his own. Respected by listeners and musicians alike, Jeremy’s soothing voice, natural stage presence, and firey yet melodic guitar style rarely go unnoticed. What has however, is the arsenal of songs, life reflections, ballads of love and loss, aspects of the human experience lying dormant, waiting to emerge…until now. Enter QUINN. Quinn is a group of Seattle musicians led by front man Jeremy Quinn MacRae, created to make you dance, think, feel, and love…
Hot Bodies in Motion
Hot Bodies in Motion is an alternative rock band with strong blues and soul influences. From Seattle, HBIM formed in late 2009 and includes Ben Carson (vocals, guitar), Scott Johnson (lead guitar, backup vocals), Zach Fleury (bass, backup vocals) and Tim LoPresto (drums). Quickly gaining recognition throughout the Northwest, Hot Bodies In Motion continues to win fans at every show by challenging Seattle’s stand-and-stare concert culture. The music of Hot Bodies In Motion delivers exactly what the name suggests: hot bodies in motion.
Eternal Fair
Formed in 2009 by Alaska-born vocalist and guitarist Andrew Vait, Eternal Fair has gained a solid and expanding fan base throughout the Pacific Northwest and are quickly establishing themselves as a mainstay on the Seattle rock scene. Their massive psychedelic sound pays homage to 70′s-era rockers such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin while their tight harmonies and mature musicality are reminiscent of Crosby, Still & Nash and The Beach Boys. Informed by the greats of the past, Eternal Fair puts a crisp, modern touch on the classic rock band sound, drawing influence from current acts like My Morning Jacket, Grizzly Bear and Band of Horses.
Cody Beebe & the Crooks
Cody Beebe & The Crooks are a 7-piece band from Seattle, WA. Referred to as Roots Rock or Progressive Americana, the group combines Beebe’s aggressively percussive acoustic guitar style with the diverse musical experience of a strikingly creative and cultured band. Cody Beebe & The Crooks blend rock, blues, and country with an artistic integrity that is intriguing and unforgettable (think Steve Earle meets Pink Floyd). Cody Beebe & The Crooks will be touring nationally throughout 2011 in support of their single “Waiting on You.”
Carrie Clark & the Lonesome Lovers
Seattle artist, Carrie Clark, has been wooing crowds with her superb voice and playful rhythms for over a decade. Charming audiences with songs about one night stands, femme fatales and cowboy lullabies, Carrie draws upon classic country, folk, and old time vaudeville charms creating a collision of styles, effects, and textures that can only be described as her very own. Carrie Clark and the Lonesome Lovers, perform an Americana set, twisting country and folk with a dollop of cabaret charming audiences with songs about one night stands, love lust divas and dark lullabies. With her fourth album due out this fall, Carrie is continuing to express her artistry with her infectious energy, captivating rhythms and genre bending meld of country folk melodies and old time vaudeville charms.
Luc & the Lovingtons
Luc & the Lovingtons was created as social project in 2007. Luc, the leader of the band, had already travelled to New Orleans to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. While doing relief work there, he met a group of displaced kids with whom he collaborated to create the international anthem, “The Freedom Song”.
In the year 2009 they released their first album called “Feel the Warmth”. More than twenty musicians from different parts of the world collaborated in the making of this album. Musicians from France, Senegal, Chile, Chicago, New Orleans, New York and Seattle combined their efforts and talents to create an album full of musical and cultural diversity. The lyrics are a call to cultivate brother and sisterhood among all people and to respect our planet as a place of peace and harmony.
For the New Year of 2010, the Lovingtons toured to Chile, South America. They played five concerts in different cities and were recieved warmly with enthusiastic new fans who connected with the dynamic of cross-cultural messages and welcomed the Chilean flavor in the band’s sound. The band has been asked back for a return tour for 2011 for an expanded tour and they hope to make it an annual event, including social and community building projects along their travels.
Unite-One
Unite-One began in Seattle in 2009… amid a special nexus of events involving destinies, dreams, farmers markets, road-blocks, and courage. Soul sounds from a comradre of irie bredrin.
Thrivealike
Thrivealike is the lovechild of producer/remix artist Rob Anonymous and vocalist/songwriter Nichole Halleen. As fans of each others’ projects through the years, the two joined forces in the summer of 2010 to perform at the infamous Photosynthesis Festival. In less than a week of writing, arranging, and rehearsal, an 8-song set of soulful hip hop/electronic dance songs was born that made heads bob and crowds shake. Soon after, they molded the new sound into a band by recruiting drummer Jay Wilson (Gunstreet Glory, Surrealized) and turntable master DJ Leoplod Bloom (Marmalade, Role One). The group has set out to blaze a path of positive party vibes to the masses. Together, Thrivealike has a funky, electro, bass-heavy vibe, with intelligent rhymes and melodic female vocals, funky live drums, and wicked turntablism guaranteed to make the people dance.
Dub Lounge International
Dub Lounge International pays homage to the traditional forms of roots reggae, rocksteady, and dub as it was originally played and heard. While many American reggae bands have pop and rock elements, DLI’s blend of organic roots fulfills fans of all many traditional Jamaican music genres. Their 2008 debut album, “Dub Lounge One”, includes guest vocalists Winston Jarrett and Ezra Tosh (cousin of Peter Tosh). Their 2nd release, “Over the Cliffs” (Aug, 2010) is a remixed single produced by Scientist. Their self-produced most recent release, “Behold”, is their most solid and shows how far they’ve come since inception.
Project Lionheart
PROJECT LIONHEART is a Live Hip Hop band based out of Seattle Washington. Frontman/MC Caleb Cunningham, who is grounded in Hip Hop music, has recruited a small group of players with backgrounds varying from Punk Rock to West African percussion, in order to create a truly unique form of Hip Hop both in the studio and on stage.
Fly Moon Royalty
The combination that makes up Electro-Soul duo Fly Moon Royalty is Vocalist/ Fast Talker Adra Boo and DJ/Producer/Emcee Action Jackson. Their style is soulful, but at the same time experiments with electronic textures, which makes up the backbone of their sound. Your ear is immediately keen to their influences drawn from the golden era of Hip Hop as well as a deep feel of 60’s influenced jazz and soul sounds, all of these are key elements that create the rebel dance music that is Fly Moon Royalty. Their sound touches upon familiarity, but it’s not approached in any traditional manner. Fly Moon Royalty has been compared to the Gossip, Janalle Monae and Gnarls Barkly.
Haiku-Chi
Formed in 2007, HAIKU-CHI is the brainchild of Andrew Nunez, (owner of the SeaMonster Lounge live music venue in Seattle, WA), who has a special talent for singing, songwriting and performing. Together with the super funky Woogie D playing drums, singing, and rapping, Mark Mattrey thumpin’ away on the bass, and Matt Alston’s keys and greasy guitar licks, these cats don’t mess around once they hit the stage. Jabrille Williams is an old school soul showstopper on guitar, and with Melissa Montalto on vocals/electric violin, and the newly-added horn section of Bill Jones (formerly of Clinton Fearon’s Boogie Band) and Jason Kressley (of Tubaluba), HAIKU-CHI has what it takes to move any crowd. Truly an all-star cast of musicians from different ethnic backgrounds from across the USA, brought together by their love for music to bring you one of the best live shows out of the Northwest.
Acorn Project
Deep electro-funk grooves and sonic instrumental exploration interlaced with a provocative indie-rock song writing ability have become the signatures of Bellingham, Washington’s Acorn Project. As a long time staple on the touring circuit of the Pacific Northwest, the sextet has spent the past three years expanding their region and is a recognizable touring machine on the West Coast, British Columbia, and out through Colorado and the Southwestern United States. Formed in 2002 from basement jam-session beginnings, original members Andy Pritiken (guitar/lead vocals), Sam Lax (Saxophone/Percussion/Vocals), Todd Benedict (Drums), and former member Kale McGuinness (Bass) came together in the most incubescent way. Not one member had played in any organized musical group. For this reason they chose the name Acorn Project in 2004 symbolizing their collective effort to grow as a musical entity with focus and dedication for their passion for live music.
Polyrhythmics
The Polyryhthmics are an all original 8-piece Funk and Afro-beat Orchestra comprised of some of Seattle’s finest rhythmic and melodic musicians. The music is a fusion of music from all over the world, featuring unique, forward thinking arrangements, stellar improvisation, heavy grooves, and dynamic interplay. Together for just under a year, Polyrhythmics have quickly gained notoriety playing to packed clubs, and festival crowds all over the Northwest. Their self-titled EP has also been charting on radio play-lists up and down the west coast, allowing the band to access the hearts and minds of critics, dancers and music listeners of all ages. The music that this creative and unbelievably talented group creates truly does offer something for everyone, from the most discerning listener, to the eager-to dance socialites in the club. Make no mistake, if the Polyrhythmics are on the stage, the place will be jumping, and the only questions at the end of the night will be: when the band is playing next?
Thaddillac
Often compared to the diverse guitar stylings of Jimi Hendrix, Prince and Peter Frampton, Thaddillac’s trademark guitar playing is the pillar of the West Coast music scene. Combining the beauty of traditional soul with the power of rock, mixed with his talk-box stylings, he has gained a loyal national following. As lead guitarist for the Seattle Heavy Soul band Maktub, Thaddillac has received glowing praise from Rolling Stone Magazine, to NPR and the Seattle Times. He has shared the stage with such notables as Stone Gossard from Pearl Jam, members of Digable Planets, as well as with Dave Matthews and India.Arie. His versatility as a guitar player has gained him national recognition for his unique sound and passionate playing. Born in Seattle to a musical family, Thaddillac got his start at the age of 3 on the keyboards, but quickly parlayed that into a passion for the strings He grew up playing in church with his family, and also was an avid dancer performing for crowds at the tender age of 13. Thadd’s music genes run deep. Thaddillac just finished touring Europe and Asia with African sensation Chiwoniso. He’s now back in the US promoting his debut album Fleetfoot Broham.
Cascadia ‘10
Cascadia ‘10 is the echo of Afrobeat in the Pacific Northwest. A sound resonating from Nigeria to the Emerald City. A small army of 11 experienced musicians bringing hypnoticly funky music to hips and feet. The members of C’10 also perform in other groups such as Marmalade, Soul Senate, TubaLuba, Kissing Potion, & Fascination Nation; and have performed in groups such as Swamp Mama Johnson, Altered States of Funk, and Sly Lothario. Our music consists mostly of original pieces, but it inherits from the rich legacy of Fela Kuti, Femi & Seun Kuti, Tony Allen, and the wellspring of music from Nigeria and throughout western Africa. But first, we are Cascadians.
Joseph Cheek
Joseph Brett Cheek is a singer-songwriter, resident of Seattle, hailing from Austin, Texas. Writing melodies and poetry has been his passion and obsession for twenty years. His heroes include Dylan, Neil Young, and the Beatles, yet his style is ecclectic ranging from gypsy to reggae and pure folk. Joseph is currently involved in benefit concerts that promote mental illness awareness. He believes songs can change the world, and embodies this belief on stage. “Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.”- Kahlil Gibran
Bucket of Honey
This Neoacoustifunk HipHop duo is made up of one part Nate Bogopolsky AKA Nate B, one part Annie Jantzer. Beginning his musical career as a singer, Nate B writes most of his tunes with a simple guitar strumming accompaniment, thus spawned the easy to swallow sound and feel of much of Bucket of Honey’s music. He has been involved in the music scene in Seattle for many years playing in groups such as Seattle Opera Company, The Dickens Carolers, The Peeon Yabutts, and Kickshaw. The other half of Bucket of Honey, flute and vocals, is a brain damaged cocky farm girl who get’s bucked off the horse and gets right back on none the wiser. That same gusto and lack of shame led Annie Jantzer to pursue a career in theatre. With a BA in theatre arts, she moved to Seattle and randomly joined forces with Nate. The rest, as they say, is history.
Ali Marcus
A Seattle resident for most of the last decade, Ali Marcus now hails from Anacortes, WA, bringing her guitar and suitcase of harmonicas all around America. Over the past seven years and seven albums, Ali has found many exciting musical adventures, such as singing with folk-legend Tom Paxton, hearing her music on NPR, and performing in CMJ. In the last year alone, she has opened for Dar Williams, performed at Seattle’s Triple Door, and had a topical song featured in the New York Times on Election Day. Her newest album, “The Great Migration,” received a 4-star review from Seattle Sound and rumor has it a new record is on the way towards the end of the year. Catch Ali’s unique take on Americana music, filled with nostalgic 60’s folk influences, crystal-clear melodies bursting with stories to tell, and a Neil Young-meets-Nashville take on the harmonicas. Her performance will play out like a tour of the United States, from the dust bowl to the horse farms in Virginia and back out to the Pacific Ocean. With a voice like an old fashioned folksinger – loud, frank, vernacular – Ali might just make you stop and think a little bit more about the world we live in and the world we would like it to become.
Danny Godinez
Danny Godinez is a household name around Seattle. Musicians love playing with him, because he has an innate feel for his instrument – the beloved guitar – and can do almost anything with it. The amazing thing is, the Korean/Mexican-American musician is completely self-taught, yet can’t read a note. But who cares? You can’t teach feel. You’re either born with it or you’re screwed. Godinez was born with it. -Examiner
Adrian Xavier
As a child Adrian Xavier experienced a diverse spectrum of cultures and ways of life. Now a known Seattle-based reggae artist, who has been playing and headlining events for over a decade, with a special blend of dynamic and original reggae tunes. Adrian is committed to being a voice for the voiceless, performing extensively for events that benefit the environment, indigenous peoples, youth organizations and more. His music crosses social and cultural barriers, providing deeper understanding of our global community, helping find tools to create solutions. Performing extensively at colleges and schools, Xavier has been able to reach a broad range of ages and backgrounds. Doing events for nonprofit groups like “Power of Hope” has played a part in establishing understanding of how to provide something special to events of all kinds. Xavier continues to win over new fans internationally with his high-energy positive music. The music he delivers with the band or solo acoustic taps into a positive space that invites all people to expand their vision, ideas and thoughts on living the solution.
Josh Clauson
In his first solo acoustic effort Josh Clauson, frontman and lead vocals for Seattle-based FLOWMOTION, releases a mellow, deep cut album with material not typically heard in the many live performances of his band FLOWMOTION. …. This project was inspired by close music friends Freedom, tenzin Vilagi and spearheaded by producer Robert Drew who produced most of Flowmotions works. “I had always dreamed of bringing some of my favorite artists together to record a different style album, more acoustic based,” Clauson says. …. This album started November 2006 with a few days of rough recording, just vocals and guitar for 12 tracks. Getting distracted and swept back into FLOWMOTION/life the project sat idle for 3 years. In the wake of a divorce Clauson took a few months off from his band and began writing, reigniting his solo album. “Robert Drew has been amazing, capturing a very unique sound and ambience that allows the listener to almost be inside the guitar and hear every nuance, breathe and lyric.” …. “Bringing in the talents of several close friends, fellow musicians, and local artists, the project seems to have created itself. A very effortless project in comparison to other albums I’ve put out.” In three months’ time an album that had sat idle for three years is finished. Retouched with brand new songs written in the studio, a few older tunes revamped and even a tune revitalized from Clauson’s teenage years. …. The album is meant to mellow you out, reflect and remind the listener of how we all share in the ebb and flow of emotion. Often the best remedy is to just “lay back and continue to breath”(smoke signals).
Kimo Muraki
Kimo Muraki is a journeyman Seattle musician who has made a name for himself as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist to a score of bands and projects around Seattle and the West, as well as nationally and internationally. Kimo has performed and recorded with a number of Seattle acts including Fences, Surrealized, Hallways, Marmalade, Michael Vermillion, Lonesome Rhodes & The Good Company, 17th Chapter, Go Engine Now, and Super Sonic Soul Pimps, as well as making solo appearances in the interim. Off stage Kimo works as a music mentor and studio musician having recorded for scores of artists from genres across the board.
Megan McConnel
Megan McConnel is a singer-pianist-songwriter-and aspiring producer hailing from Chicago. Just two years ago, Megan was only a vocalist, but she’s not just any vocalist. She left home at the age of 15 to study at Interlochen Academy of the Fine Arts, which boasts alumni such as Josh Groban, Norah Jones, and Jewel. She was trained classically, and immersed in a pool of some of the worlds most talented musicians. Although she loves the technique she learned through classical singing, Megan was always attracted to the gritty and powerful vocal stylings of Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, and Etta James. She moved to Chicago to sing the blues. Megan quickly earned the respect of the Chicago blues scene and was referred to as ‘Baby Blues’ for her ability to harness and express raw emotion at the tender age of 18. She performed around the city at such places as the Chicago Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago, Navy Pier, and Buddy Guys Legends. If you can imagine Tom Waits and Beyonce having a torrid love affair,than you can imagine Megan McConnel. This singer, songwriter, and producer blends R&B, rock, and pop into a sound that The Stranger describes as, “astounding and catchy as hell
Norman Baker
Norman Baker is one of Seattle’s busiest and brightest up and coming musicians/producers. He’s a long-time collaborator versed in many genres who’s been heard and seen on many stages with many bands throughout Washington, the Western US, and Nigeria. Aside from being a prolific singer-songwriter in the alt-folk/americana vain, Baker is a creative artist and arranger of an even rarer sort; a genre defying chameleon with a ear for doing what’s necessary to make the song a song without showing off. Though he’s equally as proficient on guitar, Baker is primarily a bassist/session musician/arranger, and is currently promoting his new group Norman Baker & The Backroads, and his debut solo album entitled “The Art of Not Knowing”. He’s been heard playing bass and backing vocals in reggae bands such as Dub Lounge International, Winston “Flames” Jarrett, Wadi Gad, Dub Championz, and Covenant; where he’s comfortable admitting his harmony vocal duties are usually the “high falsetto female parts”. On a completely separate stylistic endeavor – he’s a member of alternative-pop-rockers Man Rockwell, folk-rock singer/songwriter Ian McFeron Band, alt-blues singer/songwriter Jonathan Kimball, as well as a new project spearheaded by Panda Consirator Chris Poage. He’s toured the Western US with a number of these projects, has played with Ben Smith (of Heart), Matt Jorgensen (Origin Records), Jovino Santos Neto, Robin Eubanks, and jumps seamlessly from Funk to Folk, Afro-Beat to Americana, Rocksteady to Rock’n'Roll when needed.
Camille Bloom
Gibson endorsed International Act, Camille Bloom has played the most premier venues in 8 different countries including Canada, The U.S., Germany, The Netherlands, UK, Denmark, Belgium and Ireland. Combining percussive guitar and a voice that can “purr and wail” (Victory Review), “Camille’s music can make even the rain dance.” (Mike Galaxy Indie Music) Known for her incredibly dynamic voice and edgy acoustic rock, Camille has toured the U.S. playing the most premier venues on both coasts – from New York City’s Bitter End, Boston’s Club Passim, Seattle’s Triple Door, Tractor, and Crocodile, Los Angeles’ The Mint and over 150 other rooms spanning the nation. Touring full time for the past six years, Camille has gained an avid and adoring fanbase with her high energy and intensely personal show.
Tubaluba
Smells like crawfish, tastes like bread pudding, and feels like you’ve been shakin’ your tail for at least a good hour! Tubaluba is a New Orleans brass band party in a box, with red beans on the side and hot sauce in your ear. This funky (FUNK- EY) 2nd line goodness comes complete with a tuba, lots of brass and potatoes, some reeds for spice, an organ for collard green soul, drums to shuck your oyster, and some sweet praline vocals to tell you all about it. Yeah, we livin’ in Seattle. But that’s just because the need to shake it is so high in the Northwest…
Shakey Blankets
http://www.myspace.com/shakeyblankets
Andrew Vait
Amongst the artistic wealth of singer-songwriters in the Pacific Northwest, Alaskan-born multi-instrumentalist Andrew Vait has been making his mark with heartfelt, far-reaching compositions that can’t help but stand high above the norm. With a voice containing a unique blend of Cat Stevens-esque realism and modern indie-folk energy, Andrew is a talented songwriter and performer who has perfected his craft, yet is constantly evolving in the way that all great artists do. He has recently finished up in the studio recording his debut full-length album called “Closer To The Setting Sun” with Grammy award-winning producer Pete Stewart.
Gregory Paul
Gregory Paul spent most of his life as a musician in Upstate, NY before moving to Seattle in May, 2009. He has been touring and releasing solo albums sporadically since 1996 consisting of haunted, mesmerizing music with folk, traditional / old time, rock, and experimental influences. He currently can be found performing throughout the week at the Pike Place Market in Seattle where he sings and plays very old clawhammer banjo songs.
GP is also known for providing accompaniment for folks like Lindsay Fuller, Sera Cahoone, Shannon Stephens, Shasta Bree, Annie Ford, Sadie Ava, Gibson Cima and more. He is sometimes joined by the very gifted Holly Merrill on vocals and Annie Ford on violin and vocals.
The Local Strangers
The Local Strangers is a Seattle acoustic duo featuring Midwestern transplants Aubrey Zoli and Matt Hart. With soulful vocals and intricate harmonies, their poignant, honest, and relatable songwriting has distinguished them in the Americana/alt-country scene. They thrive on stage in an energetic display of passion for their music and create an unmistakable connection with every audience.
After departing from long term musical projects, Aubrey and Matt met in September 2010 and quickly realized that they shared a common musical vision. Just a month after meeting, they entered the studio to begin work on their debut EP – the day after their first show. The collaborative recording process brought together sensational talent and laid the foundation for The Local Strangers’ full-band sound.
The Local Strangers’ self-titled EP will be available at their CD release party on June 10th at Seattle’s historic Columbia City Theater. In July they will embark on their first west coast tour, making stops in cities such as Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Bergman Broom
Bergman Broom’s sprawling topical catalog of original songs have been called “….by turns satirical, funny and acerbic, then somber and evocative… but ultimately all very universal.”
He performs on a soft or crisp electric guitar and piano and sometimes baritone ukulele. Vignettes cover beard growth, lotto addiction, Ponce De Leon’s midlife crisis, and of course, William Howard Taft. Other paintings are love letters found in a desk drawer, candy-bar theft, insect homicide and even a studious, overeating prehistoric beast: colorful, wit-drenched lyrics that travel all over the literary map.
Mr. Broom has opened and performed in shows with Graham Nash, Rick Danko (The Band), Suzanne Vega, Gilberto Gil, Baby Gramps and The Roches. He also made regular appearances as a mere nubile at the legendary Speakeasy in New York City’s West Village during its salad days.
Seattle Ladies Choir
The Seattle Ladies Choir brings together 25 altos and sopranos to sing unique versions of contemporary music in 2, 3, and 4 part harmony. Our choir members come from around the Puget Sound area, from varying backgrounds, careers and ages, united by a love for modern music. The Seattle Ladies’ Choir repertoire includes songs by Ingrid Michaelson, Florence and the Machine, The Beatles and more! Don’t miss The Seattle Ladies’ Choir’s FIRST EVER concert on Friday, June 24th at 7:30PM at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center in Seattle! Tickets: $3
The Sea Collective
http://www.theseacollective.com/
Gloria Darlings
http://www.myspace.com/gloriadarlings
Hannalee
Hannalee is a Seattle-based folk trio built on warm three-part harmony, sparse acoustic instrumentation and lyrical threads riding a line between the whimsical and the humorous.
Lonely Kazoo
“The Lonely Kazoo: A Synthetic Journey to Heaven” is the rock- operatic coming-of-age story of a young kazoo searching for a new home as a post-consumer product. After a raucous party in which his valu-pak family is torn apart by a group of joyful humans, our kazoo hero is discarded in the city streets. Now dirty, no human will play him, yet still he exists. He is plastic and will be on earth for at least 10,000 years, but never again as an instrument. The Lonely Kazoo takes us on a wonderful, but perhaps not unusual, journey through city gutters and down great American rivers. We visit abandoned rust belt factories and terrifying forests. We make it to the sea and just float where the current takes us … the plastic garbage patch in the Pacific.
Kris Orlowski
Seattle singer-songwriter Kris Orlowski’s new-folk rock sound draws comparisons to Paul Westerberg and Elliot Smith with his melodic and upbeat, soulful sounds.
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