Seattlest: Is the Seattle Music Scene Dead?

Skiff

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:48:54 -0800

I've been a professional musician in this city for over 8 years and I can agree with alot with what you are saying but there is a huge disconnect here because I don't know any musicians or artists who can afford a condo!!! We share houses for rent and rent appartments. The real problem is that this city is being taken over by these yuppies who move into condos right DOWNTOWN next to a NIGHTCLUB who complain about noise! What's even worse is that these city politicians like Greg Nickels have their pockets greased by these developers who want to pander to these cultureless, boring, white, young professionals by giving them a "quiet" place that is "safe" from everyone different than them. Fuck Portland. I hate Portland. It's exactly what Walla(Death Cab guitarist) said it was: a city full of a bunch of adult kids...hippies.

Shilo Urban

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:59:29 -0800

Hmmm, I wonder how often these people who declare the Seattle music scene dead (and use too many cliches) actually go out onto the streets of Seattle? I do, every night, and if the Seattle scene is dead then I must be writing this from the grave. Are those worms on my keyboard? Where did all this dirt come from? Seattle is on fire, people! Check it out here: http://blog.culturemob.com/seattle-is-on-fire-burn-baby-burn

Blitz

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:18:10 -0800

I don't feel like "dying" is quite the appropriate word, but I am baffled by how anti-live music the powers that be act in this city. Club owners are terrified of huge fines because of minor infractions and new legislation that seem to have the goal of making it impossible to run a successful live music venue. I've spent a little to a lot of time in quite a few cities across the country, and the difference between here and somewhere like Austin (or even Portland) is striking. Makes you wonder what we miss out on because our mayor obviously hates rock clubs.

Kim Ruehl

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:51:52 -0800

woops....i got a little dyslexic in the code on that "killer hip-hop groups" link. should work now (or in a few seconds after the lag time). yeah, dyme def!!

Katelyn

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:48:11 -0800

In lieu of a working "killer hiphop groups" link, I will supply some names: Dyme Def, Cancer Rising, Grynch, J Pinder, The Physics. Just to start. Also, I agree: music's not dead just because some clubs have closed. Clubs come and go. Music abides, and that doesn't change just because some guy in Portland said Seattle couldn't foster his creativity well enough. Finally: day jobs are good for character.

Charles Redell

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:00:31 -0800

Right the Fuck on Kim! I couldn't agree more. I miss some of the great clubs that have closed during my almost-13 years here, but I don't think the loss of a club means the death of a scene. As someone said when the Croc closed (a club I do NOT miss), clubs are supposed to close or else they stop being relevant. Or something like that. I'm paraphrasing, but for someone who grew up in NYC and walked past CBGB time and again because it was more tourist attraction that relevant venue, the point is completely valid. I think you're spot on here.