photo by Christopher Nelson There seems to be a new grassroots movement lately toward, well... bluegrass/newgrass rock music. Now I'm sure you're thinking, as were we, that bluegrass is for your dad or grandpa. Honestly about six months ago we would have agreed with you wholeheartedly. No matter how many records people would play for us, we simply weren't convinced. It just wasn't relateable... at the time. Flash forward to the present and we find ourselves in love with talented bluegrass-style groups like the Maldives, Moondoggies, Cave Singers, Trampled by Turtles, Blitzen Trapper, and even arguably The Builders and the Butchers and Decemberists.
Cave Singers photo by Morgen Schuler The quick heavy beats of boots stomping on floorboards and background instruments like maracas or tambourine is infectious to the nth degree. Listening to it at work always has the desk shaking and chair swinging back and forth. Who cares if people laugh! You'll get a double dose of that foot-stomping tonight at the Showbox. The Moondoggies are an amazing Seattle group that are quickly becoming the next band to watch for. With the #1 selling local album in Seattle this week after being released less than a month ago, there's no doubt they'll be around for a while. Foot-stomping may not exactly describe their music. It's a bit more laid-back than their headliners, the Cave Singers, tend to be. You will still find yourself singing along to every song as you walk down the street on a chilly winter day or a warm spring evening. They leave you feeling good and possibly even serene whether the lyrics are sad or sweet in nature. We can't talk this band up enough, but most of all we think you should see them for yourselves. You can't really appreciate their music until you've heard it live with all the feeling behind it flowing from Kevin Murphy's enchanting voice.
Cave Singers photo by Morgen Schuler As for the Cave Singers, excitement can't even describe it. They know how to get a crowd worked up and spread the stomping, clapping, and shouts till everyone is involved in the music. It's a feeling that spreads. They recently performed at the No Depression Festival in Redmond at Marymoor park. An unexpected highlight, we found ourselves clapping and singing along to the old-timey music. We call it old-timey because of the simple feeling the music tends to exude. A good example shines through in their video for "Dancing on Our Graves" (see below). It must have been on repeat at least 20 times before it became even the slightest bit old. Even now it's tempting to play it and desk dance.
To say the least, this show is going to take full advantage of the bouncy floor of the Showbox. If you get seasick you may want to hang out in the bar area, cause it's gonna get rowdy!
Showbox Market // Doors 8pm Show 9pm // 21+ // tix $18 dos
