Sunday, May 8, 2016

The W Lovers CD Release

I recently went to The W Lovers CD release show also featuring Rust on the Rails at the Sunset. It was a full intimate show.  I have come to love small venues so much.  Getting to see artists performing up close and occasionally getting to meet and and have a convo after the show is a lot of fun.  The W Lovers are a husband and wife team.  They both sing, she (Fleur Wood) plays guitar and he (Wesley Wood) plays mandolin, backed up by Eric Van Allen on stand-up bass and Chris Lucier on snare and a brilliant new pedal steel addition to the group, Patrick McHenry.  They had all the puzzle pieces there to make a great sounding Americana group.  During the show I was lucky to talk to Lance Wells, my former co-worker, and The W Lovers' videographer.  He made their most recent video Canyon Wind during a trip to and from Yakima to play a series of successful winery shows.  The video turned out great so there is no question as to why Lance has made making videos his full-time job now.


I can't finish this blog post without talking about Rust on the Rails which also includes Chris Lucier on drums.  What a terrific group they were!!! They put on an exciting up beat show that included great vocals and guitar playing from Cody Beebe, as well as an amazing performance on the didgeridoo and guitar from Blake Noble. Check out their Facebook here. So great!!



Thursday, January 21, 2016

Maiah Manser

Photo by Nathan Dziewiontkoski

  
  Having gone to see a variety of different artists I'm more and more convinced of the kind of artist I want to be and what it means to be an independent artist today.  Art is a representation of our culture, my goal is to be the change and to leave an impression of the change I want to see in the world. And to me art is a practice of stepping outside my comfort zone to make a regular connection with people I wouldn't otherwise meet.
  Man, was I impressed by Maiah Manser (for some reason I want to spell it Manswer, like answer) and I can't wait until she comes out with more solo artist material because I know it will be amazing.  Us Lights, from Oregon, was awesome and Wye Oak was incredible as always. Both of those bands are amazing, as well, but we were there to see Maiah perform.  I think my friend Oscar said it best when he said, "I hope I didn't leave mess because she blew my mind."  Her graceful use of electronic effects, including vocal effects and loops; she built the song in front of our eyes/ears? She successfully fuses the digital and the organic.  Spiraling stacked vocal harmonies and intelligent lyrics that resonate. A Seattle artist to keep your eyes on.


https://uslightsmusic.bandcamp.com
https://wyeoak.bandcamp.com

http://www.maiahmanser.com