June 15-21, 2005
Wednesday, June 15
Dirty Projectors + the Dead Science
The Getty Address (Western Vinyl), 23-year-old New Haven resident Dave Longstreth's third release under the Dirty Projectors aegis, probably turned out better for all the delays that plagued it. Even with the aid of a wind septet, cello octet, and women's choir, a cut-up opera about Hernan Cortes, the conquest of the Aztec Nation, imperialism, environmental devastation, and Don Henley is not the sort of thing one builds in a week. Gallery 1412, 8 p.m. $5–$15
Feist
If you missed songstress Leslie Feist when she breezed through town with Kings of Convenience, don't forgo the second chance to catch her sultry, jazz-influenced songwriting live. Rilo Kiley and New Zealand group the Brunettes share the stage. Showbox, 8 p.m. $14 adv./$16
Juana Molina
The much-hyped comedian-turned-songstress from Argentina's been shoring up her cult with an admirable work ethic; she's played lots of shows, but not one here in a while. Tim Seely opens. Tractor Tavern, 8:30 p.m. $12
Militant Rhythm Section ft. Johnny Horn + Lynval Goulding
Dubmeister Horn's new incarnation, the Militant Rhythm Section, has just issued the first of a five-album series, titled Mexican Weed Dub (PureFire). Goulding is an ex-Special, which makes him skanking royalty. ToST, 9 p.m. $5
Nu:tone
A word to the wise: drum and bass is not all scraping steel and claustrophobic doom. A fixture on London's Hospital Records with High Contrast, Logistics and other purveyors of the jazzy, liquid sound, this is Nu:tone's first Seattle appearance. For that we can thank supporters Zacharia, Kid Hops, Ill Cease, and Doc Schmikyl, whose excellent taste brightens the local scene. Last Supper Club, 9 p.m. $5
Oxford Collapse
Yes, they're from Brooklyn, and no, they don't sound like that (whatever that happens to be in your mind's ear). They play jagged indie rock, and they're very good at it. The Arid Sea headline; the Narrator play first. Funhouse, 9:30 p.m. $5
Wall of Sound Anniversary
Celebrating 15 years of selling and supporting diverse music at Wall of Sound are 15 very diverse DJs. Join Alan Bishop of the Sun City Girls, DJ Riz from KEXP, Andy Sells from FCS North, and 12 others in saying happy birthday to one of the best record stores around. Re-bar, 9 p.m. FREE
Thursday, June 16
Built to Spill
Last Bumbershoot, Doug Martsch was still playing guitar like Captain Marvel, and the good number of new songs (the rest seemed to all be from '99's Keep It Like a Secret, no complaints there) all sounded great. Here's betting they still do—and hoping there's even more of them. Ape Shape and Car Scars open. Showbox, 8 p.m. $17 adv./$20 Also Friday, June 17
Embrace
Despite The New York Times' claims, they're not "post-Coldplay"—these Englishmen formed their band before or around the same time as Chris Martin & Co. But they're new enough to nonrabid Anglophile Americans, who may find balm in Embrace's chesty uplift. The rest of us will just have to find inspiration on our own (sigh). Long-view and Augustana open. Crocodile Cafe, 8:30 p.m. $12 adv./$13
The Futureheads
They sound so much like early XTC you may wonder why you should hear them instead of Go 2 or Black Sea again. The answer: songs. Really, really good songs. Plus they're a lot of fun live, as Crocodile showgoers from earlier in the year will recall. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $13 adv./$15 Also at Easy Street Records Queen Anne, 20 W. Mercer St., 206-691-3279, at 7 p.m. Free
Mose Allison
A copy of Mose Allison's Creek Bank from 1958 is about as good an inanimate companion as you can get, regardless of season, mood, or time. How about the real thing, in the flesh, more than 45 years later? You could do a whole lot worse. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. $21.50–$23.50 Also Friday, June 17–Sunday, June 19
Friday, June 17
Blue Scholars
Their self-issued, self-titled debut is now being reintroduced with bonus material galore: four new songs, "Freewheelin'" music video, lyric booklet, and completely new packaging. Since you bought it the first time, help them celebrate. One.Be.Lo, Massive Monkees, Denizen Kane, Byrdie, and DJs Soul One and Kitman open. Chop Suey, 5 p.m. 21-plus at 10 p.m. $8 Also at Easy Street Records Queen Anne, 20 W. Mercer St., 206-691-3279, at 7 p.m. Tues., June 21. Free
Eels
Following the funny, fuzzy masterpiece that was 2001's Souljacker, Eels put out a straight-ahead rock record, Shootenanny! In April, frontman E threw fans another curve: the 33-track double album Blinking Lights and Other Revelations, rumored to be rootsy as all get-out. Need even more enticement? The band is touring with strings, which should add grandeur to songs old and new. Moore Theatre, 8 p.m. $20 adv./$22
Enon
Lost Marbles and Exploded Evidence, a collection of previously unattainable singles, is the newest from these high society art-rockers, who appear with Thunderbirds Are Now and Sparrow. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $10
Hacienda Brothers
Chris Gaffney (the Cold Hard Facts, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men) and Dave Gonzales (the Paladins) are veteran musicians equally in love with classic country, early soul and the southwest, which the Tuscon-based duo roll into a studied and satisfying blend. They laugh in the face of genre-trapping tonight with Weary Boys and Marshall Scott Warner. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $10
Jessica Williams
A major composer and piano stylist, this jazz veteran has been at it for 30 years and garners major respect from her peers—and regular listeners, of course. Triple Door, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $22 Also Sat., June 18
Lusine + Codebase
Two terrific local electro-funk/techno guys team up for fun, profit, and a nice alternative to the bigger Friday-night shows. Also: DJ Recess. Nectar, 10 p.m. $6
Paul Van Dyk
Consistently ranked second in various "World's Top DJ" lists, the man has made beautiful music, particularly on albums 45 R.P.M. and Out There and Back. Here's hoping some world-class selections (and a peek into the upcoming Politics of Dancing 2?) will keep people focused on his sophisticated trance and not the new holes in their pockets. Element, 9 p.m. $30–$40
The Swains
Proving that country is country wherever you're from, members of the Swains have their backgrounds in Washington, Kansas, Arizona, and Alabama, yet their straightforward, lyrically-driven country-rock sound is unified and solid. Little Red Hen, 9 p.m. $3
Saturday, June 18
Damien Jurado + Suffering and the Hideous Thieves + Chris Staples + History Invades
A fine bill for what the Paradox Web site refers to as "a benefit for a friend suffering from cancer." No more questions needed. Paradox Theatre, 8 p.m. $7. All ages
Gene Farris
Chicago-bred, Farris is one of the smartest and most graceful of house DJs; he's also a terrific producer, so hope he plays some of his own tonight. Trinity, 10 p.m. $15
Lhasa
Her Triple Door show at the beginning of '05 was one of the most intense, intoxicating shows in recent memory—all drama all the time, except when she introduced the songs, when things seemed almost normal. Seeing her in a potentially sweatier and less table-set environment ought to be something. Neumo's, 6:30 p.m. $15 adv./$17
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
Odd pairing, considering that Martha Wainwright doesn't beat around the bush or use cute vintage T-shirt slogans. Wouldn't her brother have been a better opening act for Malkmus? Not that we're really complaining; Martha's every bit the songwriter that her brother is, and her voice is twice as wonderfully raw. SEE CD REVIEW, P. TK (Malkmus). Neumo's, 9:30 p.m. $15
Tom Jones + Tower of Power
Sure Jones is kitsch, but he's really good kitsch, and anyway, you still can't get his version of Prince's "Kiss" out of your head, either, can you? Tower of Power aren't kitschy, exactly—just old-school, which for the younger attendees might amount to the same thing. Paramount Theatre, 8 p.m. $67.50/$75
Sunday, June 19
Amos Lee
This mush-mouthed San Franciscan didn't embarrass himself opening for Bob Dylan and Merle Haggard—fit right into the proceedings, in fact. But his music is still pretty wet. Missy Higgins and Mutlu open. Crocodile Cafe, 7 p.m. $15
Longwave
Sort of odd for a band that rocks in the manner Longwave does to be playing a big, sit-down venue like this one, but sometimes you don't feel like standing while you move along. The in-store should satisfy those needs, though. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. $12 adv./$14 Also at Easy Street Records Queen Anne, 20 W. Mercer St., 206-691-3279, at 5 p.m. Free
Monday, June 20
Apostle of Hustle
Members of Broken Social Scene (known for a killer live show) are involved in this group, whose Folkloric Feel is slightly less rocking but just as dynamic. Quasi-instrumental Wesafari accompany with spaced-out soundscapes. Also Slender Means. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $10
Vic Chesnutt
The Georgian singer-songwriter had his earlier works reissued last year and his new Ghetto Bells (New West) sees him keeping his singular style going in, you guessed it, singular style. Sunmay opens. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $10 adv./$12
Tuesday, June 21
Boom Bap Project + I-Self Divine + Jake One
SEE TALK TALK, P. 58. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $12 adv. All ages
Heartless Bastards
The Fat Possum trio rides on the shoulders of Erika Wennerstrom's huge voice on their new album, Stairs and Elevators. Los Peligrosos open. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $5
Japanther + Jetomi + I Hate You When You're Pregnant
I Hate You When You're Pregnant is an unskinny white dude packed into little panties singing along with a drum machine, sometimes with silly hats, sometimes not. Think Har Mar Superstar, Peaches, and a bunch of Jeff Foxworthy jokes. SS Marie Antoinette, 1235 Westlake Ave. N., 8 p.m. $5
