All posts in: EMP Sound Off!

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07 Sep 2009

Bumbershoot Review: Dyno Jamz

I just transferred all of my notes from my Blackberry to a word document. Most tedious thing ever. Originally, I wanted to do one big post of all the bands I was reviewing, but you know what, I think all of the bands deserve their own recognition.

Dyno Jamz

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I’ve been waiting to catch a Dyno Jamz performance for a very long time. The guys were playing pretty early around 12:30, so luckily I arrived at the festival with ten minutes to spare. Dyno Jamz continued to acquire more and more attention this year as they competed in the EMP Sound Off! competition triumphing through every round until finally taking first place. One part of the prize (of quite a few parts) landed them a gig at Seattle’s largest and most anticipated music festival Bumbershoot this year.

The best way for me to describe their sound is like a jazz ensemble complimented by rap lyrics. The two mesh together so well that I couldn’t imagine them separately. Another thing I love about this band is how humbled I feel they are about the whole experience. These guys are students over at UW! You can tell from seeing them on that stage that they are very grateful to be there and expressed that by sharing their love for the crowd.

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My favorite song by them is “Universal Love,” but when MC Zac Millan showed us his softer side with the song “Heat It Up,” my heart swooned a little bit as a I felt like I was falling into some weird dream state! I know…it was weird. Songs do that to me sometimes.

Watching their performance was the perfect start to my day! Whether or not a possible career may come out of this, who knows, I think I would like to see them take it to that level. The band has great potential, I mean they’re making teenagers LOVE jazz, which is definitely a refreshing sight to see. The guys of Dyno Jamz don’t look like rockstars [yet], but they are proving to be very well deserved winners.

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18 Aug 2009

Seattle bands you should know (or listen to)

I think Seattle music posts are my favorite to write. I was inspired to write this post when I heard a little snippet preview from Minus the Bear the other day. When I was fifteen years old, I threw myself in the local Seattle music scene and since then  I’ve watched favorite bands dissemble, migrate to other bands, or become incredibly successful.

The music scene is no longer what it used to be. The bands I grew up listening to are no longer really a part of that scene and neither am I, but that doesn’t mean that I ever stopped listening. This post embodies a part of my adolescence that most people never knew or could understand about me. Just so you know, this has taken me DAYS to write and perfect.

Here are a few of my local favorites:

This Providence

I recently caught their new music video for single, “Letdown” on MTV a couple weeks ago. Currently, they are on the bill for Warped Tour, but will be starting their own tour with Cartel beginning October 22nd in Raleigh, North Carolina. The guys will be playing in Seattle on November 10th at El Corazon.

Best Songs:

  • Well Versed in the Ways of the World
  • Certain Words in Uncertain Times
  • My Beautiful Rescue
  • Chasing the Wind
  • Letdown

Myspace

Danger Radio

I was first introduced to Danger Radio four years ago at the first show I attended. I wasn’t even there to see them nor did I stay for their set. It wasn’t until after the night that I realized what a mistake that was. I make an effort to never miss one of their shows at home now, these guys are my favorite and as much as I like their new songs now, I love the old ones even more. The guys were recently in California writing their next album and were taking a break from touring this summer, but will be back on the road again come fall.They were also featured during the Real World Brooklyn season this past year.

Best Songs:

  • Slow
  • Sparkle Baby Shine
  • Groovin’
  • Kiss N’ Tell
  • Slow Dance With A Stranger

Myspace

The Scene Aesthetic

I wouldn’t know about Seattle music if it weren’t for these two fools. They were my first show and first favorites. After creating the hit song, “Beauty in the Breakdown,” the dynamic duo continued to take over MySpace music putting out a series of cd’s and popular singles and even a DVD. After a two year hiatus – the guys have come back together with full force. The two recently spent nearly a month in California recording their new album and just began their new tour. They will be performing in Seattle at Neumos on October 16th.

Best Songs:

  • Beauty in the Breakdown
  • Alvin Maker’s Greensong
  • Don’t Be That Note I Can’t Hold
  • Come What May
  • It’s A Promise, Like A Song

Myspace

Letters & Lights

Letters & Lights is a new band in Seattle, but if I’m assuming correctly Erik and Ethan have been around Seattle for quite some time. Erik (left) and I used to go to all the same shows! He was actually very well known (and liked) in the Seattle music scene so I was excited when I heard he had been making music himself. Their EP was just released on iTunes and they recently played a Santa Monica show with The Scene Aesthetic.

Best Songs

  • Smile Bright
  • In Love and Outdone
  • Pretty Letdown

Myspace

Dyno Jamz

They are your perfect mix of hip-hop and jazz. I’ve never heard anything like it and I LOVE it. And I promise I’m not biased just because my friend Nick is in the band hahah These guys dominated the EMP Sound Off! competition earlier this year, which has earned them a well-deservesd slot at Seattle’s largest and most anticipated music festival, Bumbershoot.

Best Songs:

  • Universal Love
  • Footprints
  • Come Out and Play

Myspace

Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

I’ve been talking a lot about this band lately! They recently finished their sophomore album and it is fantastic. Other than that, I don’t really have anything else to say except that I adore this band, enjoyed working with them for the short evening that I did and am never disappointed by their shows. These guys are true characters, but very talented musicians.

Best Songs:

  • Hey Momma’
  • Birds on a Day Like Today
  • Bowie the Desert Pea
  • Santa Cruz Lined Pockets

Myspace

Lizzie Huffman

Lizzie has been performing since she was fourteen years old at local teen centers. She has worked with both Danger Radio and Thomas Dutton of Forgive Durden and Matt Bekker. Watching Lizzie perform is always a treat for me. Her voice is so refreshing and her shows are always personal. She is currently performing in and around the greater Northwest area including at my school, Seattle University, on September 19th! You should all come out and see her!

Best Songs:

  • Heavy Hearts
  • Country Song
  • Country Song Number 2
  • Oh My Sweet Carolina (Cover)

Myspace

Bekker

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When Matt first started out, it was just him and his guitar. He has since collaborated with a number of other people around Seattle including singer Lizzie Huffman, and now has a full band to back him up. I’ve watched Matt grow into a very talented and dedicated musician. Now signed with Sound Records and Entertainment, Matt Bekker and Bryan Watson are continuing to record their next full length album and touring the states.

Best Songs:

  • All Tied Up
  • Empty
  • Deep
  • Let’s Get Away
  • Donovin

Myspace

Also visit my YouTube page to watch some of my recorded videos of Matt’s performances here

Minus The Bear

Minus the Bear IS Seattle music. (Excluding Death Cab) Their single, “Pachuca Sunrise,” is what defines every one of my summers. Whenever I was planning a show, they were always at the top of my list. They still ARE at the top of my list and I’m so determined to have them someday. Not only are they amazing musicians they have given me some great memories. Currently, the band is getting ready for the release of their new album! Here’s a snippet, too excited!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7Q0jH5cJKk]

Best Songs:

  • Pachuca Sunrise
  • Knights
  • The Ice Monster
  • This Ain’t A Surfin’ Movie
  • Drilling
  • The Pig War

Myspace