North Carolina native Tift Merritt recently played at the packed Tractor Tavern in Ballard in support of her new album, Travelling Alone. Longtime band member Jay Brown, backed Tift on bass and vocals. Tift Merritt
Soulful singer ZZ Ward recently stopped at the Crocodile Café during her Down and Dirty Shine Tour. ZZ is touring the US in support of her debut album, Til the Casket Drops. Local singer-songwriter Jael Johnson and Los Angeles-based Yellow Red Sparks opened. ZZ Ward Yellow Red Sparks Jael Johnson
Singer-songwriter Lucy Schwartz was in Seattle for a City Arts Fest show, as opener for Joshua Radin. Schwartz, who has toured with Lilith Fair, also has a song called “Cold” (co-written with Aqualung) on The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1. Lucy Schwartz
The last of the year, Little Big Show 4 at the Neptune Theater was headlined by the folksy Swedish duo First Aid Kit – fronted by sisters Johanna Söderberg (piano) and Klara Söderberg (guitar). The sold-out show raised over $12,000 for local writing center 826 Seattle. First Aid Kit
Portland-based Laura Gibson opened for First Aid Kit at the sold-out Little Big Show #4 at the Neptune Theater. Laura will be touring the western US during November then it’s off to South Africa in December.