Spokane7: P.A. System podcast

Special Edition: The Monsters of Accordion Show

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:40 -0800

An accordion bonanza for your senses. First Karli Fairbanks debuted her four piece German-pop band, Power Und Beauty, accompanying her accordion and vocals with vocal harmonies and percussive beats on salad spoons and trash-can lids; Then Amy Denio brought the authentic gypsy flavor; Duckmando played oddball 60s rock covers that disturbed the grandmas in the audience; Spokane's Sammy Thomas proved why he's the three-time winner of the U.S. accordion championships who took fourth place in the World Championship accordion competition; Mark Growden played bicycle handlebars like a flute and sang big, big love songs that trailed back to his tiny hometown; and finally Jason Webley whipped the audience into a frenzy with his masterful crowd control and charismatic live performance.

Episode 75: Derek Thompson

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:49 -0800

Derek Thompson rocked open mic at the Empyrean last week. Tonight he played an amazing set with pop-blues riffs and dynamic lyrics. He had the crowd in awe, laughing with him through the set. Derek Thompson: "melting hearts and melting faces.

Vodcast: Picture Radio

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Fri, 8 Aug 2008 14:18 -0800

Picture Radio is Kim Wescott, Rajah Bose and Jacob Butcher. The audio in the Download link is an interview with Jacob Butcher (the one in the hat) paired with an excerpt of their roughly 2 1/2 hour live set at Caterina Winery on Aug 8 2008.

Vodcast: Motion City Soundtrack

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Wed, 6 Aug 2008 17:37 -0800

Spokane7 music writer Isamu (Som) Jordan interviews Matt Taylor, bassist in Motion City Soundtrack. Contains live show footage from Thursday, July 17, 2008. MCS had the kids singing and dancing in a nearly-full Knitting Factory Concert House. The indie-pop-punk party rockers played a mix of older and new tunes and the crowd was eating out of lead singer Justin Pierres hands, even when he forgot the words. The "Listen In Your Browser" streaming audio is an excerpt of the live set.

Vodcast: The Kings Royal

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:02 -0800

The Kings Royal is a new indie band that features members of Candle Box and former members of Pearl Jam. There is a serious vibe from The Doors going on here, especially on Royals first full-length self-release, "Beginning," which is available exclusively on iTunes. Currently on the road with Candle Box, The Kings Royal broke in a new keyboardist at this Knitting Factory with no rehearsal and the set went off without a hitch. The Kings Royal skipped the spacey synth work and psychedelic meanders from the album and stuck with the rockers in the live show, promising to show the bands true colors next time out on the road. --Isamu Jordan

Special Edition: Andy Combs and the Moth

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 17:48 -0800

Andy Combs and The Moth is a six-piece side project of Point Juncture, WA. Multi-instrumentalist Andy Combs, and features members of PJWA (Amanda and Victor Paul), among others. The instrumentation is out of control, there is accordion, marimba, guitar, trumpet, drums, a bunch of other stuff. The sound is something I like to call graveyard-carnival music from outer space. This interview is a little ridiculous; we were partying in the van, so bear with us, as there is some vital information contained here. Oh, and Combs' live show is top rank, as is his studio recording. For more crossover sweetness, check out the IOA podcast.

Special Edition: IOA

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 17:41 -0800

IOA is the side project of Amanda from Portland indie-rock mind-blower Point Juncture, WA. Usually playing drums and bass in PJWA, in her IOA form she rocks the baritone ukulele like no other. She borrowed players from her PJWA bandmate Andy Combs for this tour, and it adds an intriguing lounge element from a collective of musicians who span dub, rock, downtempo, orchestral pop, and other odd genres of sound. Amanda also plays bass in Andy Combs and the Moth. For more crossover sweetness, check out the Andy Combs podcast.

Sasquatch Edition: Delta Spirit

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Tue, 3 Jun 2008 17:03 -0800

San Diego roots-rock and soul band Delta Spirit played an impressive and warmly-received set to open the final day of Sasquatch Music Festival. They've got a dexterous sound evidence by three of the band's members sharing the duties of lead vocals, each adding his own distinct dynamic to the mix. At one point during the set, one of the band's three singers beat the brains out of a tambourine attached to trash can - Hadn't seen that before. Delta Spirit is one of the newest members of the venerable roster on respected major-mini indie-label Rounder Records.

Episode 74: Danny Weber

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Tue, 3 Jun 2008 14:22 -0800

After spending the better part of the year playing with his full band, Requiem, local acoustic stand out Danny Weber is back to playing solo shows (the band is still going as well). This set finds D.Web on the patio at Caterina busting out some new jams, old covers and favorites - including the Balls Deep remix of Fallen.

Special Edition: Kid Theodore

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Mon, 2 Jun 2008 16:02 -0800

Kid Theodore worked a miracle to make it up from Salt Lake City for this show. The miracle being putting something like $32,000 on a credit card to fix a clutch in a newly-acquired bus that began releasing a weird smell. Kid T. returned with a new lineup that finds them as a four-piece, reincarnating its jazz-infused 50s rock sound. The new songs show Kid T.s continued penchant for priceless pop.

Sasquatch Edition: The Blakes

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:38 -0800

At last year's Sasquatch Music Festival, Seattle's The Blakes were publicized as the only unsigned band playing the festival. But by the time they took the stage they had a deal with Seattown label Light In The Attic Records. Since last year the rock trio has been touring pretty relentlessly, including a couple of runs in Europe, but the guys were glad to be home playing in the Northwest. This episode catches The Blakes a year later, back on the Yeti Stage at Sasquatch.

Sasquatch Edition: The Cops

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:36 -0800

Seattle's The Cops are getting rave reviews for its latest punk-rock assault, "Free Electricity." It's an appropriate title for a band that is scorching with intensity, from the urgency of the lyrics, to the fiery live show. The Cops were one of the slept-on highlights on the Yeti Stage on Sasquatch Sunday. The stage banter between sets was full of political commentary to back up lead singer Michael Jaworski's blatant Obama shirt.

Special Edition: Del Tha Funkee Homosapien

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:12 -0800

Del The Funkee Homosapien came to play a solid, hour-long, high energy set on Tuesday at The Blvd. Whatever youve heard about his previous visits, Del was on his A game, with backup from Souls of Mischief founder A Plus.

Special Edition: The Globes

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:25 -0800

One of Spokane's favorite exports, The Globes came back home to play to a full house of friends and family at Caterina. The guys are playing as a four-piece, but the sound is still dense with atmospherics. Theyve got a new EP in the final stages, which should be ready in time for their return in July. The band formerly known as For Years Blue never fails to impress, and this set is more proof.

Episode 73: The Midnight Society

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:35 -0800

The Midnight Society is one of the more popular metal bands in the scene right now, playing a blistering mix of hardcore music. This show was taken the all-ages show at The Blvd. with Animosity. When you see TMS on a bill, its usually a good sign.

Episode 72: Bridget Vogel

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Thu, 8 May 2008 15:14 -0800

Bridget Vogel is back in the local scene after ducking out a bit, finishing up a faith-best program. This episode finds Vogel still standing out as part of the all-female lineup at the Broads Blues and G Strings show: herself, Annie O'Neill, Kristen Marlo, Melody Moore and newcomer Kate Angeles. Vogel was definitely holding down the blues part of the show. Head over to The Hangover to hear Marlo's part of the live set.

Special Edition: Musee Mecanique

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Thu, 1 May 2008 15:01 -0800

One keyboardist plays three synths, lap steel, glockenspiel, sings and whistles; another plays three synths, guitar, and sings; the guitarist sings and plays synths and the saw; the bassist plays synth and drums; and the drummer plays synths, glock and quadricep (he mics the leg for lap-pat percussion).

Episode 71: Karli Fairbanks

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:50 -0800

Karli Fairbanks returned from a two week tour: She headlined this show with backup from her brother Zac, tour buddy Breanna Paletta, and local cohorts lap steel assassin Dan Ellis and singer Caroline. Fairbanks and Paletta recorded a special tour EP, which is available for download on Fairbanks Myspace (The Fairbanks sibs also backed up Paletta during her set, which you can listen to over at The Hangover).

Special Edition: Velella Velella

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:13 -0800

Velella Velella kicked off its tour in Spokane, first with a show and then at the podcast showcase of regional hometowners. The band recently released their "Flight Cub" EP and have a full-length album in the works, both released on Hush Records. The funky foursome plays another infectious, freaky deaky dance party. And the new music is blazing. Head over to the Soundwave to see video clip of the show.

Episode 70: Paul Adams

isamuj@spokane7.com (Spokane7) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:09 -0800

Paul Adams is relatively new to the local singer-songwriter scene. Similar to other local artists, he moved back here from Seattle a couple of years ago. Adams stopped playing music during a stint in the military but picked up writing music again. His acoustic work reflects his alt-country/Americana influences but he also performs in an indie-spacerock band called Onhappy. In this set, Adams played all of his songs on a resonator guitar.