Sarathan Records: Nice Music by Nice People
Tuesday night at Neumos, local label Sarathan Records had a label showcase and record release party for the new Purrs album. This isn't to say that we've found other labels to be filled with assholes or anything, but Sarathan Records might have the nicest artist roster around. Everyone that took the stage seemed like the type that would help you fix a flat tire even if they were late for an appointment. We're not sure how that niceness factors into their music, but we're happy to be able to tell you that the music was entertaining as well.
The evening opened with the one man, one guitar stylings of Christopher Blue. Despite some of the most awkward stage banter we've ever seen, Blue's songs and guitar playing were enough to make you forget the missed jokes and capture your attention. We felt very reminded of Jeff Buckley at moments, which is meant as a compliment, not to say that Christopher Blue doesn't have a voice of his own. Shane Bartell continued with the same simple formula, although he had a full band in tow and a more Coldplay-esque sound.
Two Loons for Tea live and die by the voice of lead singer Sarah Scott. To her credit, she's got the pipes to do whatever she wants vocally, but we found that at times so much attention was focused on her voice that the rest of the song was completely ignored. The rest of the band seemed more than willing to not remove focus from the lead singer, but we think a fuller sound could take the band to a new level.
The evening closed with The Purrs, who were obviously ecstatic over their new release after years on the local music circuit. They harbored absolutely no rock pretension, and played each song with enthusiasm, just happy to be there. It was hard to not pick up on that excitement even at the rear of the room. There are plenty of influences that can be picked up easily in the Purrs music, with elements of shoegaze, Britpop, and psychedelic rock easily discernible, but the songs stand on their own as hook-filled pop. Seattlest would recommend picking up their new CD to get a better idea of what we're talking about. While you're at it, might as well check out the rest of the Sarathan roster as well. Here in Seattlest HQ, we're all for supporting nice people, if only to balance out our own heart breakin', line cuttin', joint bogartin' ways.
