Sunday the 1st:
Elba/The Quit/Another Perfect Crime at The Sunset Tavern
Tuesday the 3rd:
Lushy/The Bug Nasties at Nectar
Wednesday the 4th:
The Color Bars/Mouseheart Factor at High Dive
Andy Werth/The Capillaries at The Sunset
Thursday the 5th:
Friday Mile/Two Sheds/The Dimes at Nectar
Friday the 6th:
The Submarines/Bad Dream Good Breakfast/The Color Bars at Chop Suey
Half Light/The Purrs/Jones Family Fortune/Delusions at The Comet
Thee Sgt Major/Head/Coconut Coolouts at Funhouse
Saturday the 7th:
Brent Amaker & The Radio/Mass Sugar/The Riffbrokers at Skylark
The Sinister Six/The Small Change/DJ Chrispo/DJ Gort/DJ Vodka Twist/Tangerine Tonic at Lo-Fi Gallery
Showing posts with label Friday Mile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friday Mile. Show all posts
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Monday, January 07, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
This week's post on KEXP blog
The latest post in my weekly column on the KEXP blog (Rock and Roll Pest Control) is now up. This week is focused on a show that is happening tomorrow night at the Tractor Tavern, featuring Brides of Obscurity, Friday Mile and Central Services. You can read it here and read all posts by clicking the link over there --->
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Curtains For You and Friday Mile photos
I headed down to the High Dive last night to take in the Curtains For You/Friday Mile/Andy Werth show. It was a packed house (congrats!) and about a million degrees in the room. Overall a great line up with three bands that I like very much.
On first was Curtains For You, a band I only recently found. They are a really solid outfit that use interesting sounds and rely on a constant shuffle beat to churn out mid-tempo tunes that sound a little bit like Jellyfish if they had listened to a lot of Stephen Foster and New Orleans dirges. Go listen to their song "The Big One" on myspace if you don't believe me. I know it sounds like an odd mix. But, it's quite cool.
Here's a shot of Matthew (I think that's his name):
Matthew - Curtains For You
You can find more Curtains For You photos on this flickr page.
On second was Friday Mile. Normally I dig these guys to the high heavens, but I wasn't feeling it on this night. I think it was because by the time they started their set, I was surrounded by people who were unfamiliar with the concept of personal space. Now, it was a well-attended rock show. So, it's not like I need a 4-foot no fly zone. I only ask that people not continually elbow me, or at least if they're going to elbow me that they occasionally make eye contact to acknowledge that they're hitting me. Maybe flash that "sucks that it's hot and crowded" kind of knowing smile?
But, instead, I was made grumpy by the heat and the crowd and the elbows and my own inability to take any decent photos. So, when Friday Mile started having technical difficulties midway their their set -- which appeared to actually be a problem with the High Dive's system, not Friday Mile's -- I took the opportunity to head home.
Thus, I need to apologize to Andy Werth and his gang. Y'all know I love what you do. But, I didn't get to stick around for it on this night.
I guess there's nowhere to go from here in this blog post. So, here's a shot of Jace from Friday Mile during the first half of their set.
Jace - Friday Mile
On first was Curtains For You, a band I only recently found. They are a really solid outfit that use interesting sounds and rely on a constant shuffle beat to churn out mid-tempo tunes that sound a little bit like Jellyfish if they had listened to a lot of Stephen Foster and New Orleans dirges. Go listen to their song "The Big One" on myspace if you don't believe me. I know it sounds like an odd mix. But, it's quite cool.
Here's a shot of Matthew (I think that's his name):
Matthew - Curtains For You
You can find more Curtains For You photos on this flickr page.
On second was Friday Mile. Normally I dig these guys to the high heavens, but I wasn't feeling it on this night. I think it was because by the time they started their set, I was surrounded by people who were unfamiliar with the concept of personal space. Now, it was a well-attended rock show. So, it's not like I need a 4-foot no fly zone. I only ask that people not continually elbow me, or at least if they're going to elbow me that they occasionally make eye contact to acknowledge that they're hitting me. Maybe flash that "sucks that it's hot and crowded" kind of knowing smile?
But, instead, I was made grumpy by the heat and the crowd and the elbows and my own inability to take any decent photos. So, when Friday Mile started having technical difficulties midway their their set -- which appeared to actually be a problem with the High Dive's system, not Friday Mile's -- I took the opportunity to head home.
Thus, I need to apologize to Andy Werth and his gang. Y'all know I love what you do. But, I didn't get to stick around for it on this night.
I guess there's nowhere to go from here in this blog post. So, here's a shot of Jace from Friday Mile during the first half of their set.
Jace - Friday Mile
Thursday, July 12, 2007
If You're Only Doing One Thing...
I totally forgot that I was going to start doing a weekly recommendation. So, if you're only doing one thing this week, I recommend you make it the Curtains For You, Friday Mile, and Andy Werth at the High Dive.
It's an interesting line up because all three are poppy as could be, but none of the three are particularly guitar heavy in their approach. But, at the same time, none of them are particularly twee or "indiepop" either. One trait they all share, however, is that I'm a fan. So, I'll be there.
In their poster for the show they seem to be cutting off the heads of a variety of people, not all of which I can recognize. I find this someone ironic, since they all seem like pretty nice folks who make music that doesn't insight violence (unless you've got a problem with toe-tapping pop melodies).
.
It's an interesting line up because all three are poppy as could be, but none of the three are particularly guitar heavy in their approach. But, at the same time, none of them are particularly twee or "indiepop" either. One trait they all share, however, is that I'm a fan. So, I'll be there.
In their poster for the show they seem to be cutting off the heads of a variety of people, not all of which I can recognize. I find this someone ironic, since they all seem like pretty nice folks who make music that doesn't insight violence (unless you've got a problem with toe-tapping pop melodies).
.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Friday Mile does "High School Musical"
I don't know if I should be twee and think this is adorable, or be jaded and shrug it off. I think I'll go with being twee and think it's adorable. In case you've been in a cave, High School Musical won an Emmy and produced the highest selling album of 2006. Don't believe me? Ask Wikipedia.
Here's the news straight from Friday Mile.
Here's the news straight from Friday Mile.
We've been quiet the past few weeks, and I wanted to let everyone know why.
We've been learning a ton of songs from High School Musical so we can help out a local children's theatre, Broadway Bound. They are putting on a production of HMS at The Moore and asked us to be a part of it. High School Musical is a Romeo & Juliet sort of tale, and has been overwhelmingly successful among younger audiences.
We are very excited about this opportunity for a number of reasons. We'll be helping an organization that's getting young people involved in the arts, we'll get to play music for many new people, and grace the stage at The Moore.
We will even be able to play a few of our own tunes during intermission and after the show, so it's a win-win situation for everyone. But the real winners, of course, are the kids. Shows start May 31 and run through June 17.
For ticket info, check out The Moore's site
Monday, March 19, 2007
Monday Morning mp3
I usually do the "monday morning mp3" each week simply by scanning the sites of great bands in the area. Well, I think I'm officially running out. Not because I've depleted the supply of great bands, but rather because most of them don't have downloadable mp3s linked from their pages. So, I might move to getting bands' permission to rip things from discs for the weekly posting.
But, in the meantime, I think I'm down to what may be the last Seattle pop mp3 on the web. :) But, at least it's a doozy.
Enjoy Friday Mile's "Curtain Call." Great song.
But, in the meantime, I think I'm down to what may be the last Seattle pop mp3 on the web. :) But, at least it's a doozy.
Enjoy Friday Mile's "Curtain Call." Great song.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Friday Mile: Love & Gasoline review
Friday Mile has a new recording coming out soon (Feb 20 to be exact) titled Love & Gasoline. If they were on top of things, they'd arrange a tour with The Doll Test, who named their 2006 ep Gasoline & Banks. :) But, I digress.
Jace was kind enough to send me a copy of the new release, which checks in with six new tracks. I've listened to it probably a half-dozen times since receiving it late last week, and I've got to say there isn't a clunker in the bunch. In fact, I can already see this being on a number of Top EPs of 2007 lists 10 months from now. It displays their mastery of melody while bringing to light a series of influences ranging from Americana sounds to 1970s AM radio pop.
Here's a song-by-song run down as I listen to the disc.
Track 1 - Distance Is Danger
This track is unique among the songs on the disc for a few reasons. First, it's the most uptempo of the bunch, and that's not particularly difficult since most of them are slower numbers. Second, it's also the only tune on the e.p. with a minor-chord progression that sounds vaguely "menacing" rather than aching or longing. This couples nicely with the lyrical content, in which the main character says "we should have it out right now" with "little miss laceration" who is "cutting up my words."
Track 2 - Curtain Call
Jace and Hannah trade lead vocals on this slow churning, heart-wrenching tune. This song features the "aching and longing" mentioned in the previous song in both the lyrical content and the melody. "I love you, but you've already made up your mind. So, sorry but I've wasted enough of your time." they sing in a sweet harmony. This song reminds me of the group Mysteries of Life, which features Freda from The Blake Babies and Jake from Antenna (although you can't hear the similarities on their myspace page). I never quite got why Friday Mile tends to say they have R&B influences, but I hear it in Hannah's voice here.
Track 3 - Islands Abound
Within 10 seconds of this song being on, I thought of REM. It was only after my second listen that I realized the opening phrase of the main melody of this tune is nearly identical to part of the "South Central Rain" melody. In fact, there are REM touchstones throughout this song, and that's not a bad thing. In fact, that's not to say that the song is even derivative. We'll just say that it "harkens" in that direction.
Track 4 - Battlescars
Track four opens with a waltz beat, and I initially thought it was going to sound like Elliot Smith, who used the waltz beat so effectively. But, that comparison washes away as soon as the song kicks in. This song emphasizes the rootsy side of Friday Mile and sounds familiar in the same way that all great pop songs do. It's like they grabbed a sheet of paper, made a list of all the important pieces of our collective musical memory, balled that piece of paper up and tossed it into our laps on the way out the door.
Track 5 - Three Years
This one finds Friday Mile in full ballad mode. Imagine the credits rolling on a romantic movie. The screen is black, the text is white, and this song is playing in the background. But, I don't mean that in a cheesy way. The song is earnest and heart-felt and all together pleasant to the ears. This song is the soundtrack to the best heart ache of your life, be it good or bad.
Track 6 - Westward Bound (The Whitest Blankets)
Another one that taps into their rootsy side. Brushes on the drums, long strums on the guitar, lyrics that reference Independence Day and vocals that have just a touch of twang in their delivery. A bit of haunting melancholy covers the song. So new, yet so familiar. There's an element of Southern Gothic to this tune, and as someone who grew up in the South, the whole thing feels like home to me.
As you can tell, I love the whole album. None of it would technically fall under the "powerpop" genre. But, powerpoppers understand and appreciate good songs, and that's what you've got with this release -- six solid tunes that should be required companions on cold weekends, lonely weeknights and perhaps should be issued each October to every person who moved to Seattle during the sunny summer months to prepare them for the dark gray that is to follow.
Jace was kind enough to send me a copy of the new release, which checks in with six new tracks. I've listened to it probably a half-dozen times since receiving it late last week, and I've got to say there isn't a clunker in the bunch. In fact, I can already see this being on a number of Top EPs of 2007 lists 10 months from now. It displays their mastery of melody while bringing to light a series of influences ranging from Americana sounds to 1970s AM radio pop.
Here's a song-by-song run down as I listen to the disc.
Track 1 - Distance Is Danger
This track is unique among the songs on the disc for a few reasons. First, it's the most uptempo of the bunch, and that's not particularly difficult since most of them are slower numbers. Second, it's also the only tune on the e.p. with a minor-chord progression that sounds vaguely "menacing" rather than aching or longing. This couples nicely with the lyrical content, in which the main character says "we should have it out right now" with "little miss laceration" who is "cutting up my words."
Track 2 - Curtain Call
Jace and Hannah trade lead vocals on this slow churning, heart-wrenching tune. This song features the "aching and longing" mentioned in the previous song in both the lyrical content and the melody. "I love you, but you've already made up your mind. So, sorry but I've wasted enough of your time." they sing in a sweet harmony. This song reminds me of the group Mysteries of Life, which features Freda from The Blake Babies and Jake from Antenna (although you can't hear the similarities on their myspace page). I never quite got why Friday Mile tends to say they have R&B influences, but I hear it in Hannah's voice here.
Track 3 - Islands Abound
Within 10 seconds of this song being on, I thought of REM. It was only after my second listen that I realized the opening phrase of the main melody of this tune is nearly identical to part of the "South Central Rain" melody. In fact, there are REM touchstones throughout this song, and that's not a bad thing. In fact, that's not to say that the song is even derivative. We'll just say that it "harkens" in that direction.
Track 4 - Battlescars
Track four opens with a waltz beat, and I initially thought it was going to sound like Elliot Smith, who used the waltz beat so effectively. But, that comparison washes away as soon as the song kicks in. This song emphasizes the rootsy side of Friday Mile and sounds familiar in the same way that all great pop songs do. It's like they grabbed a sheet of paper, made a list of all the important pieces of our collective musical memory, balled that piece of paper up and tossed it into our laps on the way out the door.
Track 5 - Three Years
This one finds Friday Mile in full ballad mode. Imagine the credits rolling on a romantic movie. The screen is black, the text is white, and this song is playing in the background. But, I don't mean that in a cheesy way. The song is earnest and heart-felt and all together pleasant to the ears. This song is the soundtrack to the best heart ache of your life, be it good or bad.
Track 6 - Westward Bound (The Whitest Blankets)
Another one that taps into their rootsy side. Brushes on the drums, long strums on the guitar, lyrics that reference Independence Day and vocals that have just a touch of twang in their delivery. A bit of haunting melancholy covers the song. So new, yet so familiar. There's an element of Southern Gothic to this tune, and as someone who grew up in the South, the whole thing feels like home to me.
As you can tell, I love the whole album. None of it would technically fall under the "powerpop" genre. But, powerpoppers understand and appreciate good songs, and that's what you've got with this release -- six solid tunes that should be required companions on cold weekends, lonely weeknights and perhaps should be issued each October to every person who moved to Seattle during the sunny summer months to prepare them for the dark gray that is to follow.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
SPB show photos
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Cafe Venus and Mars Bar last night for the first SPB powerpop night. It was a great night of music with a great turnout (I counted about 75 in the room at 10pm). I look forward to the next one (probably January, and I've already go the line up set. It's going to rock!!).
Here are some photos and comments:
Friday Mile (okay, technically just Jace and Hannah) started out the night strong with gorgeous songs and lush harmonies.
Friday Mile
Shake Some Action played next. I'm in this band, so I'll keep the comments to a minimum. But, I think things went quite well, given how little prep we had before the show. I'm a fan of James' songs and tickled to be part of the new band.
Shake Some Action
Shake Some Action (that's me)
Closing out the night was Central Services. I really like their indiepop/powerpop tightrope act. It's catchy and melodic, sometimes rocking, sometimes sensitive and introspective, always interesting. I was happy to have them headline the first SPB night.
Central Services
Central Services
Here are some photos and comments:
Friday Mile (okay, technically just Jace and Hannah) started out the night strong with gorgeous songs and lush harmonies.
Friday Mile
Shake Some Action played next. I'm in this band, so I'll keep the comments to a minimum. But, I think things went quite well, given how little prep we had before the show. I'm a fan of James' songs and tickled to be part of the new band.
Shake Some Action
Shake Some Action (that's me)
Closing out the night was Central Services. I really like their indiepop/powerpop tightrope act. It's catchy and melodic, sometimes rocking, sometimes sensitive and introspective, always interesting. I was happy to have them headline the first SPB night.
Central Services
Central Services
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