The Tractor Tavern in Ballard was the perfect setting to spend a Thursday evening: nothing fancy, just good beer and good music. There were just enough people there to have fun on the dance floor without feeling crowded.
Local musician Shane Tutmarc (now solo after old band Doulor) made for a great opening act. He had a strong stage presence with just an acoustic guitar. His eccentric style came through in both his style of clothing and his genre-bending song writing. Traces of folk, blues, and country all came through on his guitar and through his expressive voice.
The next band, Ivan and Alyosha, were the highlight of my evening. Although they are new to Seattle, they have already solidified their own “Brit Rock” style. Instrumentally, the sound was lovely and full, but my favorite moments were when it got a bit more experimental. The band members were enjoying themselves on stage and playfully joked with the audience. They saved their ever-poppy but irresistible hit “Easy to Love” for last.
Josh Ottum, another local based sing-songwriter, took the stage next. His set list played like a self-described “growing wave”, starting with more stripped-down, intimate songs, progressively adding in more and more instrumentation. Due to of my love for Josh’s (perhaps overly) honest lyrics, I enjoyed the beginning of the set. However, the jam-band sound that came towards the end was very pleasing for the late night bar audience.
It was unfortunate that The Republic’s set was so late in the night. They were very enjoyable, with a nice vocally driven pop-rock sound that could easily fit in on commercial radio. But that’s okay, I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more from them.
These four indie Seattle acts, ranging from rockabilly to brit-rock, came together for a great evening of singing, dancing, and spending time with their local friends and family. They are all names to keep your eyes on!
DOWNLOAD: Ivan and Alyosha - Easy to Love (MP3) or Follow us for more Ivan and Alyosha MP3s (Twitter)
Justin Townes Earle + Joe Pug - 2/14
Doug Fir Lounge
The Magnetic Fields - 2/21
Aladdin Theatre
The Magnetic Fields - 2/22
Aladdin Theatre
The Magnetic Fields - 2/23
Aladdin Theatre
The Magnetic Fields - 2/24
Aladdin Theatre
El Perro Del Mar - 2/28
Doug Fir Lounge
Basia Bulat - 3/8
Mississippi Studios
Avey Tare was in attendance, along with Angel from Dirty Projectors.
by David on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 08.35 pm from the entry: Atlas Sound + Neon Indian - E&L Auditorium (New York, NY; Feb. 4, 2010)
Good catch, oh masked marvel.
by Ari Sommer on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 02.42 pm from the entry: St Vincent + Wildbirds and Peacedrums - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR; Feb. 6, 2010)
St. Sincent...ha.
by anonymous on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 02.04 pm from the entry: St Vincent + Wildbirds and Peacedrums - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR; Feb. 6, 2010)
Aan was amazing.
by jarrod on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.02 pm from the entry: Blue Horns + Morning Teleportation + Aan - Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR Jan. 30, 2010)
I’d like to clarify that for this show they cut off the back half of Neumo’s floor with a curtain and had the upstairs bar closed. It made Neumo’s obviously seem much smaller than it is. Unfortunately, now having seen Neumo’s fully open at another show I can say that this show was very empty. Still White Denim and Brazos rocked.
by Chris on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.57 am from the entry: White Denim + Brazos - Neumos (Seattle, WA; Jan. 24, 2010)
I agree, it’s very good. Way to deflate their balloon.
by colin on Mon Feb 8, 2010 at 01.03 am from the entry: Third Annual Portland Music Awards - Crystal Ballroom (Portland, OR; Jan. 28, 2010)
Love the photos. And that “Walkabout” song is the drugs.
by Beth Doreian on Sun Feb 7, 2010 at 01.14 pm from the entry: Atlas Sound + Neon Indian - E&L Auditorium (New York, NY; Feb. 4, 2010)
