Tuesday, September 6, 2011

.rapt does BUMBERSHOOT 2011

Been awhile, hasn't it lot?

Bumbershoot 2011 reawakened me to the endless possibilities of music festivals....and how alive and invigorated they make me feel.
After endless amounts of working and idly wasting away in daily life, I was finally able to get out and do what I love most.

In all honesty, to follow the best sets out there would be a dream to me.... To deliver you some intense coverage and live on the open road. But I do the best I can for now, and while I'm still a poor college student, all I can afford is this small Labor Day weekend effort; hoping to sway the masses to join me in true music appreciation.

The first and last fest of the summer for me, I had a miraculous time @ Bumbershoot with some great friends. I enjoyed plenty of glorious street food and partook in enough walking to keep me fit through the winter.

Although disappointed with the lineup when it was first announced a few months prior, I quickly left behind my disapproval as I experienced new bands and learned to love the different crowds each set attracted.
Among the many showcased groups, to name a few of my favorites: Champagne Champagne, Little Dragon, Starfucker(STRFKR), Das Raciest, Toro Y Moi, Yacht, Dom, and Fitz and the Tantrums.
I'm sure there were numerous other shows that deserve recognition, but the ones that I saw and truly felt captivated by were the ones listed above.

Alongside the brilliant bands was the amazing weather we were blessed with this year: Hot Seattle sun for 3 days straight! Who says Seatown's one of U.S.'s most depressing cities? The weekend brought out the best in everyone, young and old.

While I mostly have nothing bad to say about this year's festival, I do have to express my one dislike. For reasons I'm unaware of currently, Bumbershoot made some vast rearrangements in the positioning of stages and where the grounds start and end; a prominent change being the main stage's location. Formally inside Memorial Stadium, the main stage has now been relocated to Key Arena.....which has it's perks and...non-perks. I suppose the new venue creates the feel of a true concert for the headlining bands. It had great amp-qualities and sheltered everyone from the blazing heat of the outdoors during the day. But there were more bad qualities than good.... Only a limited amount of individuals could populate the floor in front of the stage. Everyone who didn't get there early enough to make the floor crowd had to sit up in the arena aisle's, much further away from the stage. My best friend was quite upset when she learned that she wouldn't be able to be in the primary crowd cheering for Macklemore during his Sunday set. When the boy in question and myself emerged from the long lines waiting to get in from outside, we were greeted by a frazzled security woman who proceeded to yell at us if we didn't find a seat or leave. When we asked her how to get down to the floor, she simply yelled, "No! You can't go down there!" and continued to fight off other angry Bumber-goers who had expected a much closer performance. Simply put, it just didn't feel like Bumbershoot.

I wasn't too upset; I've seen Macklemore enough times. But the sheer impact of the hectic environment of Key Arena turned me off from the entire show and I quickly escaped to the more familiar festival grounds.

Getting into Fitz the next day wasn't nearly as horrid. I waited in line to be on the floor and was front and center for their performance. But there was definitely an elongated wait involved to be one of the privileged few to get spat at by Noelle and Michael during their vocals. Nevertheless, I felt their set was worth it. They owned the night and brought the arena down with MoneyGrabber.

Despite my displeasure with Key Arena, 2011's fest was one to remember. I don't know if I'll get to partake in 2012's Bumber events, but if this had to be my last for a while I feel more than satisfied.

//.rapt's Bumbershoot 2011 Highlights//





















I happily scored at Flat Stock this year. MGMT obviously wasn't apart of Bumber 11's lineup, but after seeing this galactic wonderment I couldn't resist purchase.


I also stumbled across some great items in the indie market that managed to follow me home.



For more Bumber highlights, visit .rapt's Flickr set.

Friday, September 2, 2011

BUMBERSHOOT 2011



Seatown and Washington folk born and bred; Are you ready for some intrinsic entertainment?
Me either.

But Day 1 of Bumbershoot 2011 kicks off first thing in the morning with a fantastic lineup that's sure to knock our moist socks off.

With music-orientated performances ranging from:

Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs
The Presidents of the United States of America
Minus the Bear
Mavis Staples
Little Dragon
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
STRFKR
Shabazz Palaces
Vetiver
Vusi Mahlasela
MarchFourth Marching Band
Brite Futures
Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich + Fussible
Väsen
Pentagram
Champagne Champagne
Astronautalis
PS I Love You
Yuni in Taxco
Campfire Ok
Meklit Hadero
Craft Spells
Caleb Klauder Country Band
Valient Thorr
Jayme Stone: Room of Wonders
Beat Connection
Pickwick
Red Fang
Scribes
Wagons
Shelby Earl
Free the Robots
Witchburn
Emancipator
Nice Nice
Kris Orlowski & The Passenger String Quartet
Tomten
Pezzner
LawnChair Generals
Natasha Kmetohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
The Great Mundanehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

On BUMBERSHOOT's main website, you can customize your own schedule and check out what else is in store for you on 9/3/11, as well as the rest of the weekend in the likes of Comedy, Performing Arts, Words & Ideas, Theatre, Spectacle, and Visual Arts.

I'm personally enthralled to see Little Dragon, STRFKR (StarFucker), and Brite Futures (formally known as Natalie Portman's Shaved Head) tomorrow. I've seen NPSH back in their prime in 2009... These three bands/artists should be the highlight gigs of the day for me..

I'll also be roaming Flatstock for hours, the many merch stands, and the Thai Food tent. Because what's Bumbershoot without Asian street food?

This is the first Music & Art Fest .rapt has covered since.......Bumbershoot 2010? I might weep. Not to worry, I'll be covering much more in the future.
I could only stay away from .rapt for so long.... A fresh quarter in college is starting this month and my plans for permo-Californiacation come this winter are still underway! There's much life to be discussed, lot.

In the meantime, those of you attending Bumbershoot's weekend-long events alongside me, let's endure an eruption of Galactic Bossonova good times and hear some great music.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Sasquatch! 2011's Most Colorful Array...


Albeit missing 2011's BigFoot Fest yet again, these fellow youth-initiators did not!
Check out an assortment of photos of Sasquatch Music Festival's most colorful array of Homo Sapiens.
(Images courtesy and (c) Seattle Weekly.)








(More HERE.)

//.rapt Tues News 5-31-11//

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Crazy Band; Making the Most of It


Loved this Music News update at theFADER reguarding LA-bred group Crazy Band. With a vivacious sound and attitude, members Jesse, Deana, twins Jazmin and Jennifer, Jenna and Anthony have been said to be one of the best things to happen to Los Angeles indie rock this year.
Crazy Band Does Not Give a Fuck



//.rapt Tuesday News 5-17-11//

Monday, May 16, 2011

Ringo Deathstarr ; Band of the Week May 16th - 22nd

Unhinged from the norm, Ringo Deathstarr has succeeded in quaking the seams of my skull in sonic reverbs and sound. Ghostly reminders of a distant tomorrow beam through the echo-enhanced lyrics; a better life, far from this one, looking through fog towards the sun.

Active since 2007, this shoegaze band from Austin, TX has been serging through playlists and opening ears of the youth across the states with singles such as So High and In Love. Since their debut EP released in 07, s/t Ringo Deathstarr, there have been notable records including Sparkler, released in 2009, and most recent 2011's Colour Trip. Labeled by Club AC30 (UK & Europe), Sonic Unyon (USA / Canada), and Vinyl Junkie (Japan), members Elliott Frazier, Daniel coborn, and Alex gehring have been influenced by names such as The Jesus And Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, and The Cure.

Currently [ON TOUR] Dates Listed Here.
What draws me in is the unique attitude they possess as a group. You can see it in their homemade-looking music videos and the humor expressed between each member. Their mission is to make true music and have fun doing it, leaving out the stern image some artists tend to convey. This lot can easily be associated with any one of their listeners, and that is what attracts me to them.
Have a listen and see for yourself, .rapt's Band of the Week Ringo Deathstarr won't let you down.

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Fitz and The Trantrums; BAND OF THE WEEK May 9th - 15th


If this doesn't grab your ears and yank them into pleasureful sensations of musical excellence, then your taste in genre is questionable...
Of course, I say that lightly. When I first heard MoneyGrabber, I thought it was a refurbished song from the 60's! But then of course research proved that it is very much a present-day single by the soulful indie pop sounds of Fitz and The Tantrums!
In commemoration to their announced presence in the future lineup of Seattle's Bumbershoot 2011, .rapt is featuring this emotional mess as Band of the Week!

What began with an old church organ purchased by Michael Fitzpatrick would ultimately fuel the inspirations that brought together the creative collaborations of James King, Joseph Karnes, Jeremy Ruzumna, John Wicks, and vocal brilliance Noelle Scaggs. Together these individuals would form a modern-day replica of Motown vibrancy; infectious to listen to, adding some extra groove to indie pop.

Currently [ON TOUR] (Dates listed here)
Labeled by Dangerbird Records, Fits and The Tantrums' discography includes a debut EP released in 2009 titled Songs for a Breakup: Vol. 1, and a full-length record released in 2010 titled Pickin' Up the Pieces.
(Both available for purchase on itunes.)

What lures me to Fitz and The Tantrums are not only expression tracks such as Winds of Change (video below) and Darkest Street, but also the classic and almost jazzy aura their songs usher. It's refreshing to hear the influence of older genres collide with new to create a fantastic musical experience.

Check out Fitz and The Tantrums, lot. You won't be sorry.
OFFICIAL SITE.
YOUTUBE TRACK LISTS.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

A little inspiración. Trends // Topics

























Recent images that have inspired me.
All photos courtesy of DeviantART and belong to their owners, respectably.