Posts by Artist Home
Lydia Ramsey on Love, Hope, and Telling Stories in Song
When Seattle Americana singer Lydia Ramsey released her debut record, Bandita, two years ago, I was floored by the craftsmanship, the attention to lyric detail and the overall joy for music emanating from the album. Indeed, I thought it was one of the best releases in the city that year. Now, Ramsey has written and…
Read MoreArtist Home Premiere: Kilcid Band, “The Working Man”
Port Townsend-based, five-piece rock group Kilcid Band is comprised of drummer Christian Powers, bassist Kyle Hove, multi-instrumentalist Conor Sisk, guitarist Joel Mars and front man Tristan Marcum. Together, they form a single unit with firework vocals, piñata explosions of guitar licks, and glinting lyrics about 9-to-5’ers and roadside dogs. We premiered the band’s single, “The…
Read MoreLeft at London on Being Yourself, No Matter What
Seattle’s Nat Puff – aka Left At London, aka l@l – makes beautiful, often spare pop music. And while the songwriter is open about very personal things in her life, like depression, mental illnesses and her identity as a trans woman, Puff’s music is more than the sum of even these vast and nuanced parts.…
Read MoreThe Best Songs I Heard in May 2019
Goodness gracious are you in for it, dear reader. Prepare your day for 11 songs that will change the way your soul thinks about the world. In these following internet words, you will learn about music from rock to deathsparkle (more later). I believe so much in these songs, I won’t waste your time dancing…
Read MoreArtist Home Premiere: “Sing-A-Long” by Tilson XOXO
When Seattle-based hip-hop artist Tilson XOXO answered the phone, he immediately asked me a question: “What’s your favorite word to say?” I’d never thought about this before. But since I make a living asking other people personal and at times jarring questions, I responded. “Spaghetti.” Tilson laughed and said, “Okay, okay! I got you. Good.…
Read MoreThe Best Songs I Heard in April 2019
Buckle up, dear ones. We’ve got 11 tracks for your ears that will put 11 separate smiles on your face. Songs that will summon up 11 different thoughtful ideas and 11 new ways to see the world. In an age when playlists are made everyday, this one is worth your listening hour. And if you…
Read MoreArtist Home Premiere: “No Celestial Hope,” by Dryland
The places we find as catalysts for our inspiration are endless. For some, it’s likely unreliable reconstruction of our past, and the transition from protagonist to unreliable narrator. Maybe for you it’s a darkened tabernacle that’s inadequately illuminated by pinball machine high scores and the everyday troubles of spilled spirits and slips of the tongue.…
Read MoreThe Best Songs I Heard in March 2019
With love, dear reader, I present to you five songs I hadn’t heard until this month and one I heard months ago but really want to bring to your attention now. The tracks range from sharp-tongued hip-hop to fuzzy rock to gentle lullaby to stoner Christmas song. I dig them all dearly and I hope…
Read MoreArtist Home Premiere: Black Ends’ “Sellout” EP
Seattle’s Nicolle Swims, front person for the grungy rock band Black Ends, has produced a brand new EP, Sellout, which may take over the city. The four-song masterpiece feels experimental, but that’s just the sign of a genius at work. It’s as honed, precise and exquisite as anything produced in the Emerald City this year…
Read MoreCurtain Falls, Spirit Rises: Tekla Waterfield, Interviewed
Seattle’s Tekla Waterfield is a thoughtful, introspective songwriter who seeks evolution and to touch new creative ground with each project she involves herself with. Her latest effort is a 10-song album, The Curtain Falls, an inspiring and uplifting album with songs born from personal experiences that range from joy to sorrow, completion to confusion. But…
Read MoreThe Best Songs I Heard in February 2019
It’s music time, ladies and germs! I’ve got 12 songs for you that will change the way you think about (local) songwriting. From blues artists to rappers to rock ‘n’ roll that will blow your ears back, these are the twelve best songs I laid my own on all month. They’re a collection of the…
Read MoreThe Best Songs I Heard in January 2019
One of the true joys writing about music offers is the chance to meet new musicians and bear witness to their creative evolutions. Over the years, I’ve seen café coworkers go on to sign record deals and tour the world. I’ve watched friends open for Hall of Fame rock musicians. And I’ve heard demos turn…
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