If you're reading this, chances are you call or have called Seattle home. If that's you, it's quite likely you've lived with, are friends with or are a musician. Quite possibly you are all of those things. Even if none of these categories fits you or anyone you know, your life experience has no doubt taught you musicians can be an odd lot. And I mean that lovingly. more ›

While Jose González has been a beloved staple for the indie set for years, his band Junip is far from a household name. more ›

As previously mentioned, tonight's Wig Bash at the High Dive, as well as the second, final, and sold-out performance of Nada Surf at the Showbox. Also sold out: Springsteen at Key Arena Saturday. But never fear, there's still other options out there, like Golem at Nectar tomorrow night. We don't know much about them, but we've heard that the six-piece klezmer band play "Eastern European drinking songs" and that they're "fun as hell." That's enough for us to make a recommendation. more ›

People are strange. They say Ann Coulter is funny. They pay a $20 cover to have a conversation in a club. At the Showbox a few weeks ago, we saw Lavender Diamond, opening for the New Pornographers, cut their set short after telling the audience it was hard to play with all the talking going on. So we were worried heading back to the Showbox for the Jose Gonzalez/Tiny Vipers show because neither of them promised to be able to crush a babbling crowd into submission like the Pornographers could, and did. more ›

Let's take a look back at a week that raised this Zen koan: if Kevin Federline got into a wrestling ring with a wrestler, who would you root for? more ›

Jose Gonzalez - Seattlest managed to find entry into the KEXP's live broadcast area featuring Bumbershoot artists. Jose Gonzalez's set was absolutely perfect, the smaller crowd (~30 people) and intimate staging perfect for his one man, one guitar formula. It was funny to watch some of the ladies get swoony over him, and we have to admit we were getting pretty starry eyed ourselves. more ›

We hate to sound cynical and old, but my god! Day two at Bumbershoot felt a lot like a tenth grade field trip to white people's rock and roll camp. We ain't dissing the kiddies, but when we head to the overcrowded, sweat-drenched beer gardens just to be amongst people our age, it's worth mentioning. more ›

What a great way to close out the summer: Beer, fried food on stick, irritatingly large crowds, great music, and a slight chance of rain (remember last year?). Seattlest loves us some Bumbershoot though, and we wouldn't let some pesky weather ruin our fun. This year looks to be a good one. A couple things we are digging right off the bat are the addition of good bands on the outdoor stages and ditching the Friday festivities before the weekend (we never went on that day anyway). more ›

Love Bumbershoot, but wish it were more elitist? You're in luck. more ›

All this good music on a school night, what's a working kid to do? We didn't bother getting a ticket to the sold out Black Angels show at Chop Suey. We're scared of the dark anyway. We were too busy getting hyped for Swedish folk sensation Jose Gonzalez at Neumos tonight. Relatively unknown in the states, his debut album Veneer is straight "blowin' up" in the U.K. and for good reason. The first listen is usually enough to hook most listeners we've had sample it. No prior folk experience required. And don't let the name confuse you either; Jose will flat out amaze you with his classical guitar and delicate lyrics. His stripped down sound is remarkably modern, yet simple. Not what you'd expect. Just try not to snicker when you ask your "other" friends how the Tapes n Tapes show was… more ›

Bumbershoot sent out an email this morning announcing a bunch of acts for this year's Smaller, Better Festival. There's even more hiphop on the bill with the addition of local act Blue Scholars and Common Market and Brit chick Lady Sovereign (who we're looking forward to seeing with The Streets soon). Area indie rockers Crystal Skulls and Rocky Votolato will be there and to continue the trend of one Brit band for every couple of local acts Badly Drawn Boy is now scheduled. more ›