Author Archives: SLR

I am one of those people who is guilty of frequently putting songs on repeat. This is the current song that I just can’t seem to get enough of! Not sure how I feel about the music video…

James Lanman and the Good Hurt is on the road, driving around the country in a van that I’m sure is feeling smaller by the hour. The Seattle show that kicked off their March of Ides Tour was phenomenal and I knew it would be the start of something beautiful. I had the chance to catch up with them while en route to their next stop, Sante Fe. They just finished up in Austin, playing two different showcases at SXSW and are now New Mexico bound. I had some questions for them about what it’s like touring with JLGH and here’s what they had to say:

Who in the band is the best and worst driver?

JLGH: I think everyone thinks they are the best. Jesse thinks Max is the worst, Max thinks Aaron, Aaron thinks James and James thinks Jesse.

If you guys could only stop at one place for food where would it be?

JLGH: Jesse says Subway, but this restaurant in Austin called Kerby Lane has “queso” chip dip that we could live on.

What is each band member’s favorite music to drive to?

JLGH: Max’s favorite is Radiohead, Jesse’s is XM Radio XL Backspins, Aaron’s is XM Radio 86 The Joint, and James’ is Royksopp.

What has been the best memory of the tour so far?

JLGH: Friday night in Austin destroying the showcase and playing for 300+ people, it was one of our best and most energetic shows to date and it couldn’t have happened at a better time.

If you had to describe each other as an animal what animal would each of you be?

JLGH: James is a polar bear, Jesse is a house cat, Aaron is a dolphin and Max is a tazmanian devil.

At their Seattle show they announced the release of their lastest and greatest – The March of Ides EP. I wish I could buy this for anyone who isn’t willing to give up their daily dose of caffeine to buy this digital album for themselves. Seriously so good. Sante Fe better be ready for a good time.

I wish the band safe travels, a kick-ass show and I’ll have another update from JLGH later this week!

For more information on the March of Ides Tour and James Lanman and the Good Hurt check out their Facebook.

Nicole Atkins, Craig Wedren, Only Son, Babeshadow, Hanni El Khatib, Saadi and Sean Rowe…Oh my!

If you are headed to Austin for SXSW 2011 come and party with TVD! Join The Vinyl District, Sneak Attack Media and Luv Luv Luv Records for lots of music, food and fun at Clive Bar from noon to 6pm on Friday, March 18th.

For more information on TVD’S SXSW party check out the Facebook event and TVD Austin.

The only thing missing from that equation is you! If you are headed to SXSW be sure to check out the party thats bringing the perfect Seattle sampler to Austin.

Sponsored by Sarathan Records and Sarathan Online Services, the SxSeattle Party will be held on Friday, March 18th at Copa Bar & Grill, music starting at noon. This is the fourth year this party has been held and will feature 16 musical representatives of the talent brewing here in Seattle. Some other things that will be brewing at the party – free coffee and drinks! Sounds like a Seattle style party to me.

Check out their Facebook page and RSVP on SxSeattle’s web page.

Last night I attended show number two of the three Macklemore and Ryan Lewis will play at the Showbox in just a week’s time. This was the first time I’d seen Macklemore perform live and I was very impressed to say the least!

The crowd’s enthusiasm was very intense (especially for a Sunday) and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ genuine energy was impossible to ignore. From start to finish the performance was very entertaining and featured multiple guest artists including Champagne Champagne and Geo from Blue Scholars. The show even included new music, crowd surfing, dancers and an alter ego (involving a costume and wig) that came out during “And We Danced,” which was by far the peak of the high-energy, party vibe of the show.

Macklemore also announced that they might be performing “My Oh My” in Safeco Field at the Seattle Mariners Opening Day and sounded very proud and excited to have the opportunity to represent Seattle hip-hop in front of such a massive audience. Without a doubt all Mariners fans will appreciate the performance which will remember someone who is a part of Seattle’s history that is especially close to our hearts, David Niehaus.

Macklemore really went above and beyond and I think I’m officially hooked. He did a great job of representing the power of all the great musical things going on in our city. My favorite shows are the ones where the artist’s passion is contagious and I was definitely feeling it. Thanks Macklemore and Ryan Lewis for such a great end to the week and making my Monday a sleepy one!

If you are wondering what to do tonight, I have the answer!

Tonight at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard James Germain and The Grey Gray Days will be playing along with A Leaf and Lizzie Huffman. If anyone had a bad Valentines Day, this will be the perfect way to recover! Definitely a show worth checking out, we hope to see you there.

I hope everyone has some exciting plans for the weekend. I will be celebrating good ol’ Saint Valentine watching Social Distortion at the Showbox with the coolest guy I know (my dad). Social D’s first show is tonight and hopefully Mike Ness will save some energy for Sunday’s show. I cannot wait to see punk rock at its finest!

Ness is even tattooed for the occasion (I will leave out the fact that “pain” is tattooed on his other hand). Hope everyone got their tickets before they sold out. Happy weekend!

The new Fleet Foxes album, Helplessness Blues, is coming May 3rd and already getting a ton of buzz.

After all of the attention Fleet Foxes has received over the past few years, it is hard to believe they are only on their second album. They released their debut self-titled album in 2008 and people quickly fell for their beautiful folk music. I can’t stop listening to the title-track they released, “Helplessness Blues,” and it makes May 3rd seem like a very long to wait to hear the rest of the album.

Lucky for us, the day of the album release will also be the day they grace their hometown (Seattle!) with a show at the Moore Theatre. Sounds like May 3rd is going to be a good day. According to their website, they will have limited pre-sale for any show on their North American tour this morning (www.fleetfoxes.com).

Check out Subpop.com to download the single, pre-order the album and check out the rest of their 2011 tour dates.

Like watching good live music, helping people, and multitasking? Me too. There is a perfect opportunity to do all of the above at the JAM2Lavaman Variety Show Benefit tomorrow at Chop Suey.

A night of music and entertainment for only $8 that goes towards a great cause , The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, definitely sounds like a productive way to spend a Wednesday night.

Check it out:
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetaildispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3409145&REFERRAL_ID=TW_ADD_EDP&sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d22caf83a25923e%2C0

Though it didn’t come as much of a surprise, I was very excited to hear Sub Pop officially announce signing The Head and the Heart earlier this month.

The Head and the Heart demonstrates a perfect combination of musical talent that produces an interesting blend of folk/indie/pop/rock. I love everything about their album, especially the awesome lamb mask featured on the cover (hope I didn’t just shatter the illusion). Be sure to check them out if you haven’t already.

Here’s a live performance of “Lost In My Mind,” my favorite track off their self titled album thats release will be amongst many things we have to look forward to on April 16^th, Record Store Day.

For more information on The Head and the Heart including upcoming tour dates check out Subpop.com

I know a lot of people are more than ready to move on from Seattle’s infamous reputation for grunge music. I, however, have a particular fondness for this music, especially one band in particular. 2011 is Pearl Jam’s 20^th Anniversary year and I want to show them some love.

I wish could say my first memories of Pearl Jam were watching them play sometime in the early 90’s at one of the classic Seattle venues that no longer exists, but that would be far from the truth. In reality, my first memories consist of listening and singing to Pearl Jam on the car rides home from kindergarten. Naturally this provided me with somewhat of a unique musical taste during my playground days.

The rest is history. I never thought my favorite band would be producing new material and consistently playing shows for the next twenty years of my life. I think it goes without saying, the band has a very special place in my heart. So here’s to you, Pearl Jam, a big thank you for sticking around long enough so I could actually understand what you are singing about (although I must admit I still make up my own words to “Yellow Ledbetter”).

As part of their 20th Anniversary year celebration they have released Live on Ten Legs (available both on CD and vinyl). The record features 18 of their best live tracks from the past decade. In addition to this release, there will be lots of surprises headed our way including the already announced film, book, soundtrack and merch (to name a few). What else could we possibly ask for?

Live on Ten Legs hit the shelves this week so be sure to grab this precious nugget of Seattle history. Considering their well known appreciation of their fans (thanks Ten Club!), I have a feeling it is going to be a good year!

For more information be sure to check out pearljam.com.

Welcome to The Vinyl District Seattle! We are very excited to be sharing all of the great things happening here in the Seattle music scene. Luckily we live in a city that gives us plenty to write about.

After debating the best way for Seattle to make our grand TVD entrance, I finally decided on a music video that not only gives a perfect visual representation of our beautiful city, but also spotlights a Seattle hip-hop artist that has been getting plenty of well-deserved attention. Macklemore’s “The Town,” featured on The Unplanned Mixtape, was released in 2009 and does a great job celebrating both the city and it’s people.

After recently selling out two nights at the Showbox (in less than 48 hours), Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have added a third show on February 27^th. I definitely wouldn’t be surprised if the third show sells out quickly, so be sure to grab your tickets if you haven’t already. Two (probably three) sold out nights at the Showbox is something to be very excited about and after seeing this video, I think it’s safe to say that they are! Be sure to check out this video for upcoming tour dates.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis also just released the music video for “Irish Celebration,” featured on the Vs. Redux EP released in October 2010, and it is just as great as I had hoped it would be. I’m headed to the closest pub, who’s with me?

If there is something happening in Seattle that you would like The Vinyl District to cover, please don’t hesitate to email us at seattle (at) thevinyldistrict (dot) com.