All posts in: Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

10 Nov 2013

Song of the Day

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/117641041″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Arkomo – Dirty Flag

Sam Anderson is no stranger to the Seattle music scene. Having performed with Kris Orlowski and being a band member in one of my favorites Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground, it was only a matter of time until Sam Anderson would venture out on his own to share his project. Arkomo is the latest to come from Anderson and Dirty Flag being the first track is enough to pull you in and leave you wanting more. We’re so excited for what is to come from Sam!

27 May 2011

A Look Back on Seattle U Shows

This past school year, I have had the wonderful privilege of working with some incredible musicians and bands at Seattle University. Within just one school year, they are already making headlines, putting out new albums, headlining tours, and have found themselves on the lineups of music festivals.

I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with these eight very talented musicians and bands:

If there are any musicians and bands that you should be following from Seattle, it is them.

– My dearest friend Liz has relocated to the state of Colorado, but has been keeping busy with a string of shows. Please go out and support her because she is a wonderful and talented little lady. [Source]

Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground will be releasing their album “Introducing” on July 26, 2011 from Suburban Home Records. The band will host CD release shows in both Portland and Seattle, June 11th and 12th respectively. [Source]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBPTz4Z5XTI&feature=player_embedded]

– Almost immediately after my show with He Is We ended, the band hit the road to head East to begin their tour with The Rocket Summer. The band will be headlining their first tour beginning mid-June. Did I also mention that they will be performing at Bonnaroo 6/9 – 6/10? [Source]

– Two of my performers Robbie Christmas and Matt Bekker will actually be performing a show together tomorrow at the Crocodile Cafe! The show is 21+. My friend Matt Bekker also recently became a part of the Rocket Music Entertainment Group family, which is home to Elton John, James Blunt, Lily Allen, and Oh Land.

Champagne Champagne will be releasing a new album this summer and will be performing at the 2011 Capitol Hill Block Party, Bumbershoot Music Festival, and Doe Bay Fest!

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/21446029]

– I am so excited to be working with Campfire OK for my last show of the year. This year, the band was voted by City Arts Magazine as one of the best new bands of 2011 and this summer, you will be able to catch the rustic-sounding band at both Capitol Hill Block Party, Bumbershoot and Doe Bay Fest! I would say that this band is going to be in a completely different place in the next year, but I know that things for them are moving fast and that the change will most likely occur within the next few months. Their CD “Strange Like We Are”  is definitely one of my favorites from the year. Expect to see them on the bill for various music festivals next year because that’s probably where they will be.

22 Apr 2011

I Scratch Your Back, You Scratch Mine?

Hi readers!

I’ve got one special request for all of you today and throughout this weekend. I don’t usually ask for too much, but I am looking for an influx of new music. I want to know what YOU are listening to and I want to hear what up and coming bands and musicians you think I should be listening to. The last time I requested this, you all were kind of shy on your responses, so I’m going to help you along by sharing with you what music I am currently listening to. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to help me out.

Thanks!

Eliza Doolittle

I first heard of Eliza Doolittle a few weeks ago after watching her perform on Jay Leno. Her sound is reminiscent of a decade that reminds me of the 80’s, but I could totally be wrong. The girl is cheeky and sassy and her personality is clearly represented in her music. Almost immediately after I watched her perform, I downloaded her self-titled album.

Sounds like? Lily Allen

Favorite Tracks:

  • Pack Up
  • Roller Blades
  • Missing
  • Skinny Genes
  • So High
  • Back to Front

Foster the People

Okay, so I finally discovered Foster the People last night on The Vampire Diaries, but this was not my first time listening to them. This morning, I not only heard them on the radio, but found out that the band will actually be playing at Sasquatch next month as well.  You kind of know that something is up with a band when you are hearing about them a number of times within 24 hours from various outlets. Currently, they have only three songs on their EP, but that’s basically all you need to know about the band.

Sounds like? Empire of the Sun, MGMT?

Favorite Tracks:

  • Houdini
  • Helena Beat
  • Pumped Up Kicks

White China Gold

Thomas Hunter is truly a man of many talents. He is the guitarist of Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground and Wild Orchid Children and now he is debuting his first solo project White China Gold. I’m convinced that there is no one in the Seattle area right now that is as versatile as he is. His new album is absolutely beautiful and manages to capture the city’s essence perfectly in this new jazzy and serene sound. I cannot wait to see this man live on a stage someday soon because he is easily one of the best guitarists in Seattle.

Sounds like? Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground and Thomas Hunter

Favorite Tracks?

  • One-Footed Bastard
  • Window Mouth
  • White China March
  • Strange Sad Magic

Lenka

I have said everything I could ever say about Lenka and still after nearly three weeks of having her latest album entitled “Two” I have been unable to stop listening to it. Usually, it is at this point that I’ve exhausted the entire thing, but not this one.

Sounds like? Feist, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson

Favorite Tracks?

  • Sad Song
  • Roll With the Punches
  • Heart Skips a Beat
  • The End of the World
  • Everything’s OK
  • Shock Me Into Love
  • You Will Be Mine
  • Here to Stay

The Dodos

Listening to the Dodos’ new album “No Color” can seriously make my day so much brighter. It is an incredible album to listen to from my study playlist, but also one that I can enjoy just about anytime anywhere. The band has been around for awhile so they are nothing new, but this album kind of is – therefore it is very relevant to this post. It’s as if every album they put out keeps getting exponentially better.

Sounds like? Fleet Foxes and The Shins

Favorite tracks?

  • Don’t Try and Hide It
  • Sleep
  • Black Night
  • Companions
  • Don’t Stop
  • Going Under
  • Good
  • Hunting Season
  • When Will You Go?

Oh look, that’s the whole album track listing right there, what do you know? 🙂

15 Apr 2011

Out on the Town: 4/16

This Saturday, the Vera Project will be hosting BirthDIYfest with an amazing lineup that includes Wild Orchid Children, The Pharmacy, Iji, and Seattle University’s Battle of the Bands 1st place group Kithkin! Last year, I had the chance to attend and review the show, and while I will not be able to attend this year, I wanted this opportunity to share just how important it is for me to support something like this in our community.

BirthDIYfest celebrates everyone in the Pacific Northwest that is just “doing it themselves.” They are your local artists, musicians, independent record labels, and non-profit organizations. They are going after their passions without any help from anyone else and that is something that we should be commending. Last year, I watched incredible performances by Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground and Kids and Animals. Unfortunately, Kids and Animals will not be joining the lineup this year (even though it’s advertised) because they have decided to break up.

Regardless the show will go on, and Kithkin will blow everyone away, I’m sure.

Tickets are $10. For more information, click here.

28 Mar 2011

Wild Orchid Children. Bow Down.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4eJm0O9sP0]

I have so much praise to give and they are to the following nouns: Wild Orchid Children, Seattle music, and Nick Simmons. Today, Seattle group Wild Orchid Children released their new music video for their psychedelic tune “Ahead of Us the Secret” and not only does the song kick ass, but the video will blow your mind. I’m not sure if anyone has realized this or if anyone has taken notice at all, but Kirk Huffman, Thomas Hunter, Kyle O’Quinn and co. are dominating Seattle’s music scene. I have been talking them up so much lately, but I promise it is because they deserve it. I’ve been a huge fan of Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground since they began and in the years that they have been playing, they have conquered Bumbershoot, Last Call With Carson Daly, and are single-handedly responsible for where their career has lead them. In addition to Kay Kay, the band members formed Wild Orchid Children – performing from a style of music that is almost exactly opposite from Kay Kay. This past weekend, the same members reunited with their first group, Gatsby’s American Dream, to perform at a sold out show at El Corazon giving everyone a piece of high school nostalgia. While all of this is going on, Thomas Hunter has been hard at work promoting his solo project White China Gold. Now, tell me there is another group of Seattle musicians frequently making the news as much as them. You can’t.

The music video is as long as a Lady Gaga video, but it is totally worth it even with the long intro. It was directed by my friend Nick who is incredibly talented both as a musician and a director so if you’ve got the time I totally recommend watching it.

Sir Thomas Gray – oh shooot I see your cameo! Wild Orchid Children, please just continue to kick ass.

This is a scattered post, but I am just amazed at what has come out of this and am so pleased to have come from such a great city full of passionate music and art.

15 Mar 2011

CityArts Profiles Thomas Hunter

Thomas Hunter is a man of many qualities and talents. First off, he’s known for being the guitarist in Seattle band Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground – but has also been labeled as one of the best musicians in the area. Secondly, Hunter has had a more recent solo project that goes by the name of White China Gold. In addition to his musical talents, he is a man of style, which is probably why CityArts Magazine has profiled him. Aside from his hand-me-downs, Hunter also rocks the curled mustache.

Anyways, I’d like to invite you all to check out this profile on him and to learn more about his music.

Were any style values instilled in you during your childhood?

Thomas Hunter: This one: if I constantly work to be a powerful human being, I can do anything I want and look any way I want and no one can fuck with me.

Source

07 Feb 2011

Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground Album Release Tomorrow

Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground will be releasing their long awaited sophomore album tomorrow! I’ve been streaming this album on their MySpace for months so I am pretty excited to have it just waiting for me in my iTunes library. The album is fantastic and has built off of their first album immensely.

Favorite track? Diggin’!

Source

27 Jan 2011

Out on the Town: 1/27

Happy 10th Birthday Vera Project!

I took this picture three years ago when I visited the venue for the very first time to catch a performance by one of my favorite local bands Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground. The Vera Project, Seattle’s premiere all-ages venue, hosts not only concerts, but provides internships for young teenagers interested in learning more about the music business. At the venue, you will also find art exhibits, events, studio recording, classes, and much more. I can not stress enough how much the Vera Project has impacted and given back to the community. It’s been almost six years since I was first involved with the all-ages music scene, but to this day, I am still so passionate about this movement.

Tonight, Vera Project will be celebrating their birthday by hosting a photo exhibit at 7PM featuring work by my friend and Seattle University student Victoria Holt, and many other talented artists! To find out more details about what will be going on at tonight’s festivities and the rest of the birthday week celebration, click here!

Happy Happy Birthday Vera! You deserve absolutely everything on your special day. Also, I would like to give a big thanks to the founders, employees, volunteers, sponsors, and community for keeping the Vera Project up and running. Your time and dedication mean so much to all of us and sometimes you do not receive the credit or recognition that you deserve, but please know that we are all rooting for you!

02 Oct 2010

Thomas Hunter Records Album

In the Seattle music scene, Thomas Hunter is known for being an incredibly talented guitarist for Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground and Wild Orchid Children. When he is out and about, he is easily distinguished as the man with THE mustache. In fact, that may very well be the first thing that you notice when catching sight of him for the first time.

I actually had the chance to meet Thomas just a few weeks ago when he performed at Seattle University. This week, The Stranger published a new article about  his solo project and new album entitled “White China Gold.” While this is news to me, it certainly is no surprise. After all the success and praise that his two bands have received, I am excited to hear what Thomas will bring to the table next.

Read the article and interview here.

Listen to his three songs here.

07 Sep 2010

Wild Orchid Children Signs to Equal Vision Records

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Seattle band, Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground. I have been watching this band perform for years and I absolutely adore their music. However, I have forgotten to mention that the guys of Kay Kay formed a second band long ago called Wild Orchid Children. The genre of music varies within the two bands, but they are talented nonetheless. Maybe you’ll like one or the other or maybe you’ll love both!

I’d like to send a huge congratulations to Wild Orchid Children today because they just signed with New York based Equal Vision Records! Former bands on the roster include: Alive in Wild Paint, Portugal. The Man, and Circa Survive. Wild Orchid Children performed at Bumbershoot this past weekend before dropping the big news this morning. They will also be releasing their first full-length album Wild Orchid Children Are Alexander Supertramp on November 9th.

The band began working on this album in spring of 2009 with Tom Pfaeffle at The Tank Studio, but went on hiatus when they learned that Tom Pfaeffle had been fatally wounded that following summer.

TRACKLISTING
1. We Are Alexander Supertramp
2. Black Shiny FBI Shoes
3. Gasoline Rainbows (Jesus Is A Black Man)
4. Peyote Coyote
5. Ahead Of Us The Secret
6. Lasers In The Jungle
7. Birth Of A Cabin
8. Martha Washington Goes To War
9. Where The Mexican Boys Go
10. Tree Of Knowledge

Upcoming Tour Dates:

ReverbFest
Oct 09 Ballard, WA @ The Tractor
w/Past Lives, Triumph of Lethargy, Strong Killings
Oct 30 Seattle, WA @ The Black Lodge
w/See Me River
Nov 19 Seattle, WA @ Columbia City Theatre

Source