Author Archives: Dev

This past weekend I had the chance to sit down with Pullman based band Yarn Owl after their KEXP in-studio to ask them a few questions. Over the past few months the group has started to get some attention in the Seattle music scene, landing them a spot on the Capitol Hill Block Party line up. When asked how the Seattle crowd reception has been, the band said that all the shows have gone well. The crowds have been very appreciative and out of the handful of shows not one has been a flop. Capitol Hill Block Party is the most well promoted show the group has played and they are really excited to be a part of such a popular event.

Being from Pullman created a few barriers for Yarn Owl to overcome, considering that the town’s population is primarily college kids. They are looking to get signed to a label to assist them along the way, which is resulting in some of the members possibly moving to Seattle in the near future. Doing everything on their own has been a fun but difficult process, and the fact of the matter is that Yarn Owl has begun to outgrow Pullman, and the band is ready to take things to the next level in Seattle.

One of the things I was curious about going into this interview was where the name Yarn Owl came from. Javier had a collection of yarn art covering the walls of his room; turtles, castles, and of course an owl. The underappreciated art and ideal behind it fit the group, hence their name, Yarn Owl, not Barn Owl. Their debut album, Montaña y Caballo, has a unique title as well. This translates to “Mountain and Horse” in Spanish, which came from the small amount of Spanish vocabulary Tim could remember from school. It also helps that Javier is fluent in Spanish.

The song writing process for Yarn Owl consists of Javier or Tyler bringing an idea to the group, followed by them jamming on it for awhile until they fit all the pieces together. Sometimes Javier will have more or less of an idea of what he wants, and in that case the group helps turn that idea into the song that was envisioned. The recording process brings in Chris Early who worked with Tim before Yarn Owl in other groups, which was perfect for the group because there isn’t an abundance of people to work with musically in the Pullman area.

When asked who some influences were Ted told me Javier likes the Beatles, and then there was silence. That silence spoke for itself. The Beatles are a large influence. Along with the Fab Four the group is into a lot of music people may not expect such as, jazz, instrumental music, and on the ride from Pullman, a lot of 80’s music.

Before Yarn Owl had recorded their full length album they played a show in Spokane at Terrain. Over four thousand people attended, James Pants DJ’d, and it was an all around great experience with good energy for the band. The response they got from the crowd was a huge boost of confidence and brought them to the realization that they should record a full length album.

The most entertaining part about interviewing a band is hearing some of their quirky stories, and luckily I was able to get a gem from Yarn Owl. Upon asking them who they’ve been listening to lately I was told Fleet Foxes, Beach Fossils, and The Lonely Island. The Lonely Island isn’t exactly something they intentionally listen to, but on their weekly musical bowling excursion in Pullman, the Lonely Island gets played a lot. Yarn Owl and fellow Pullman band Buffalo Death Beam are a part of the Dead Beat Degenerate Bowling League, where before each match they hold their drinks up in respect to Dick Berger, the finest bowler in Pullman history. Dick Berger where ever you may be, know your legacy continues in the D.B.D.B.L.

Wrapping up I asked the guys who they have been listening to in terms of local music. Aside from Fleet Foxes, they have been listening to Craft Spells, Buffalo Death Beam, and Portland band Yeah Great Fine. All of which I would also recommend to anyone looking for some cool new Pacific Northwest music.

Yarn Owl will be performing with Chapter and The Young Lions this Friday, May 27th, at the Columbia City Theater celebrating their CD release. Tickets are $6 and the doors will be at 9PM/21+.

For your chance to win a free CD and ticket to Yarn Owls show this Friday, please be 21 years of age and email your name to seattle@thevinyldistrict.com

In celebration of the new album finally being released, Fleet Foxes and Sub Pop are doing a limited pressing of the Helplessness Blues 12inch in white vinyl. The pressing is so limited that all participating Seattle record stores will only receive one copy. Yes, you read that correctly…one copy. There are only 200 being made, and it will feature new album art that is unique to this release.

If you want to try to be one of the lucky ones that gets their hands on this gem you can head down to Easy Street Records, Sonic Boom Records or the Seattle Silver Platters for the midnight listening party that will be happening tonight. Other giveaways will include silk-screened posters, the sold out Record Store Day 12inch, along with other Sub Pop swag.

Not from Seattle? Want more details? Head over to Sub Pop’s official posting of this event on their website. This is definitely the most excited our city has been about an album in a very long time, don’t miss out on the experience! Meet some fellow fans, listen to Helplessness Blues in its entirety, and try to walk away with some sweet Fleet Foxes goodies!

This last Friday I had the very rare opportunity to attend the new Nirvana exhibit at the Seattle Experience Music Project before it was open to the general public. I wasn’t really too sure what to expect, seeing that I’ve never been to a VIP event like this, but the experience I walked away with was something I’ll not soon forget. I was a mortal in the midst of rock gods, surrounded by the people that created the Seattle Sound 20 years ago. Members from Nirvana, Soundgarden, Screaming Trees, The Fastbacks, and Young Fresh Fellows were in attendance, along with co-founder of Sub Pop, Bruce Pavitt.

I was elated to find the attendees all viewing this exhibit in a positive light. It would be easy for this exhibit to bring back a lot of difficult memories and grief to those who knew Kurt on a personal level. Rather everyone saw it as was a way to celebrate one of Seattle’s most respected bands. The exhibit itself is a lot smaller than I was expecting, but still was very impressive. Hand written notes by Kurt, different articles of clothing worn by members, instruments, rare personal photos, and different artwork from the band.

Right before leaving I went into the Sky Church where a slide show of different Nirvana photos was playing, along with DJ’s spinning different songs from the era. There were easily 300 people all standing watching this slide show, all in awe, still fascinated by what was Nirvana, and what they meant to Seattle. Twenty years later, we still love Nirvana, and that will never change. I’ve never experienced anything this moving in the music world, and I don’t expect that I will have the opportunity to again anytime soon. Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses is open for viewing now through April 22, 2013 at the EMP, and is a must for any Seattle music fan.

Pullman, Washington is place known for many things. Music however, is not one of them. Nevertheless the wheat fields of Pullman have produced one of my new favorite bands from the Evergreen State, Yarn Owl. After meeting through WSU’s radio station KZUU 90.7 FM, the four members that compose Yarn Owl went to work recording.

This band fits in with many other bands that have come out of the Northwest as of recently, Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, The Head and The Heart, etc. Some of this influence may come from Tim Meinig, a former Band of Horses member, but what Yarn Owl does musically is a little less country and a lot more 60’s/70’s influenced. Javier Suarez’s, also of Craft Spells, vocals work perfectly with the groups’ musical arrangements, giving the band exactly what it needs for that perfect mixture, creating a noteworthy band.

If you don’t believe me, possibly the blessing from KEXP will change your mind. The group is set to do an in-studio with the ever so popular radio station on May 21^st and has already been added to Seattle’s annual Capitol Hill Block Party this summer.

Yarn Owl – “The Wind”

In a time where rap and hip-hop are in the midsts of an identity crisis, artists have become a lot more willing to experiment with their music. Shabazz Palaces is a prime example of this, creating some of the most unique hip-hop beats I’ve ever heard come out of Seattle.

Palaceer Lazaro, or Ishamel “Butterfly” Butler of Digable Planets, has taken the typical hip-hop sound and turned it on its head. Some call it avant-garde, and others look at it as a throwback to late 80’s early 90’s hip hop; telling a rough story, rather that one of riches. Take it as you may, because Lazaro doesn’t really do interviews, preferring fans to interpret the music themselves.

It’s without doubt that Shabazz Palaces is one of the fastest emerging musical acts coming out of Seattle, making the LA Times “2011 Faces to Watch”, winning the Stranger Genius Award for music, along with being signed to Sub Pop. They have been able to show versatility between the two EP’s that they have released, and soon a full length LP will be available to the masses. You can catch Shabazz Palaces at Neumo’s on Thursday February 17th along with THEESatisfaction. $15/21+