Results tagged “folksingers”

Way back in February, we went down to Memphis for our other job to commune with all the other folk music nuts at the International Folk Alliance Conference. While there, we stumbled into a late night songwriters-in-the-round showcase that was taking place in someone's hotel room around about midnight, or one of the hours between it and sunrise. It was all a big blur, to be honest. But one of the artists that struck our fancy was one Natalia Zukerman of New York City. Zukerman will be joining forces with Adrianne (of Atlanta, Georgia) this Wednesday to bring some of that swell East Coast action to our little Pacific outpost. They'll set up shop at the High Dive at 9 p.m., and play until someone shuts them down. We recommend you go, and we bet Zukerman would recommend the same. We didn't ask her that when we got her on the phone last week, but we did ask her other things. Read on...

In all fairness, we've been crushing on Shenandoah Davis for a while, so we're ashamed that we keep missing her live performances. She'll be at the Sunset tonight, and we'll be at the Triple Door watching Jolie Holland. Dammit.

We first became privy to Willy Porter years ago when he opened for Tori Amos at the University of Central Florida, and we still dig his impressive guitar skills and rootsy acousti-pop songwriting. He'll be rolling into town tomorrow night to play an early show at the Tractor with the amazing ladies of Raining Jane. We got him on the phone this week for a little insight into what he's been up to lately. Enjoy!

WHO WILL SAVE YOUR SOUL?: Wow, Seattlest really loved that song when Jewel first came out back in '96. When we went to Lilith Fair, Jewel's set was the one we thought we'd skip and go have dinner during. Then she started, and she was an absolutely captivating performer. We're not totally sure what she's been up to all these years since then, but we can vouch for the truth of the matter that Jewel puts on a great show. If you're looking for some good live music tonight, she may just be the best thing going on.

If you're unfamiliar, allow us to introduce you to Laura Gibson—one of the best singer-songwriters coming out of the ever-vibrant Portland singer-songwriter scene. Granted, "vibrant" is not a word we'd use to describe Gibson's work. In fact, we suggest you nap a bit on Sunday afternoon before you head out to the Tractor, because she could sing you into the happiest of bar naps if you're not careful.

We first heard of Nellie McKay as a folkie singer-songwriter/piano player, but her latest effort sees her doing some more ambitious big band work. It makes us think of James Bond film scores or maybe musical theater from the '70s. It's fun, that's what matters. It's also thoughtful and lyrically driven stuff that occasionally breaks into raps and chants, kind of spoken word stuff that's equal parts ranty and politically sound. Just check it for yourself, and then make plans to hit Neumo's tomorrow night for her show with Fences.

If you've still yet to hear about the Everybodyfields, the only thing you should worry about at this point is getting a ticket to see them at the Tractor on Thursday. We love them for their tight knit harmonies and their nanananas, but also for everything else, really. They're part of that Ramseur Records Carolina/Tennessee new folk scene going on (think of label mates the Avett Brothers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, and Bombadil). They'll be appearing with Sean Hayes, who is not the guy from Will & Grace, but is almost just about as fabulous.

WHAT A WICKED GAME YOU PLAY: There's some pretty good national names hitting town tonight. But, since Emmylou Harris is sold out at the Zoo, perhaps you'll enjoy the warbling sounds of Chris Isaak at the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery. Tickets for that are still on sale.

HIPPIES UNITE: Innovative guitarist/singer/songwriter Keller Williams is a mainstay on the jamfolk scene and, much like Yonder Mountain Stringband (also on the bill tonight), is responsible for inspiring throngs of hippies to bounce and twirl. We've never caught him live, but we understand he puts on quite the show. He'll be at Marymoor tonight, blowing some minds.

NOT BURLESQUE: Columbia City Theater is a really great room to watch singer-songwriters do their thing. Tonight, the room will host a CD release party for the exquisitely talented Shenandoah Davis, featuring special guest Molly Rose, and others. Grab a drink and kick back in the old Vaudeville theater for a night of introspective, arty songwriting.

Last week, we headed out to Smith to catch up with local singer/songwriter Molly Rose, to chat about her work, learn about her purpose in life, and come back here to tell you people all about it so that you'd feel inspired to head to Columbia City Theater for her show this Thursday night.

When Seattlest was just a wee lesbian growing up in a small southern town, we did what we reckon other wee small-town lesbians did: we listened to a lot of k.d. lang and the Indigo Girls. We went on long road trips across the whole state with the windows down, our other closeted friends with us, singing "Galileo" at the top of our lungs. Ah, those good ol' days of closeted small-town life.

We have a soft spot for any singer-songwriter with enough chutzpah to get an entire festival crowd to storm the stage. Such was the scene when Langhorne Slim seriously rocked Pickathon down in Portland last summer. And that, friends, is one of a thousand things we love about Langhorne Slim. Another thing we love? He's a spectacular songwriter who writes tunes you can't believe aren't already classic folk songs. He'll be hitting the stage at the Tractor tonight, and, if you don't already have plans, you'd be silly not to go.

Yeah, and it's not just Ani DiFranco, which would be fine with us. We're pretty fond of the solo singer/songwriter thing, particularly when the artist in question can write intellectual poetics and redefine the way their instrument is played. But considering she's touring these days with a killer backup band made up of Todd Sickafoose, Allison Miller, and Mike Dillon, we're kind of looking forward to this show. We're even willing to miss this week's Idol results for this show. Besides, how can you not love songs like this:

We first caught Kym Tuvim opening for Tish Hinojosa at the Tractor a couple of years ago, and were so spellbound with her soulful observational songs that we tucked her name away in our memory and vowed to pay more attention to her career. Since then, of course, she's been locked up in a studio working on a follow-up record to her 2003 release On the Mend.

If you've yet to hear Barton Carroll's work, you should get on it. There's a Billy Braggish quality to it, a little Bruce Springsteen. There's a little Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark going on there, maybe even a little bit of the Pogues. His guitar work isn't necessarily extraordinary, but it builds cascading walls of sound that wrap around you, creating a nice little room where the songs dance amid filtered light and images of longing. His stories aren't afraid to back off and let the instruments go for a spell. His voice cracks now and then the way skin cracks on a well-worked pair of hands. Honest is the best word for it.