Shpresa Lleshaj of Flora Cash – photo by John Rudolph
Flora Cash opened for loveleytheband in Seattle on April 20th. The Neptune appearance was part of lovelytheband’s Finding It Hard To Smile Tour, which gets its name from that band’s debut album. Flora Cash, comprised of Swedish singer Shpresa Lleshaj and guitarist Cole Randall, from Minneapolis, (they met via SoundCloud) are an item off stage as well. They married in 2014! Their 2019 EP, Press is getting great reviews, so do check them out. ~Dagmar
Flora Cash – photos by John Rudolphlovelytheband – photos by John RudolphFans at lovelytheband & Flora Cash – photos by John Rudolph
The beautiful Beach House, based in Baltimore, Maryland, play two headlining shows in Seattle this week. The first night is tonight, Wednesday evening, while the second show hits Thursday evening. I’m guessing both performances will feature at least one song off the soon-to-be released 7, out on May 11th. And it’s their seventh album. I’ve just been listening to the track “Alien,” the B-side of “Lose Your Smile.” It’s gorgeous. The duo (Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally) were also part of Sub Pop’s 30th Anniversary this summer. You can get ready for Thursday’s and Friday’s shows by checking out Lisa Hagen Glynn’s review and photos from that event.
Beach House rocked Alki Beach at Sub Pop’s 30thAnniversary Party. The free outdoor festival included four stages that featured 18 artists from the now-iconic Seattle record label. Scattered thunderstorms threatened the venue all day long, but hardly dampened the crowds.
Beach House‘s Victoria Legrand
Beach House stepped onto the Flippity Flop Stage to eerie golden backlighting courtesy of a wildfire-smoke sunset. The Baltimore dream-pop duo includes keyboardist Victoria Legrand and guitarist Alex Scally, who were joined by drummer James Barone. They emphasized tunes from their latest release, 7, which has been well-received for its complex sonic layers and weightier-than-usual psychedelia. Beach House did create a massive sound, but Legrand’s ethereal vocals still floated atop the clouds of synth, slide guitar, and steady drums. Both artists played covered up—Scally by a dark, full-length overcoat with forearm-rolled sleeves, and Legrand behind a stylish PVC suit, long auburn hair, and a mask of black eye makeup.
Alex Scally of Beach House
Earlier in the day, Los Angeles hip-hop group clipping‘s rapper Daveed Diggs coaxed an initially reluctant audience into frenetic jumping and stage-diving. A representative of Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan’s office then announced the official proclamation of Sub Pop Day to recognize the label’s musical and cultural influence. Seattle locals Shabazz Palaces followed with a set of Afrocentric experimental hip-hop and eccentric fashion. As Beach House concluded, the enormous crowd tried to filter next door to the Loser Stage to see closing act Father John Misty, but was disappointed by an impenetrable sea of earlier arrivals. With the popularity of SPF30, Seattle music fans are already anticipating SPF40 and beyond.
Thievery Corporation packed the
Showbox on December 28, 2018. Based in Washington, D.C., the band plays classic
trip-hop with a world feel—including sitar, tablas, chimes, and congas. Their
tour supports the album Treasures from
the Temple, which was recorded in Jamaica in 2017.
Founding member and producer Rob Garza
was joined by an impressive musical lineup of guitarist Rob Myers, bassist
Ashish Vyas, percussionist Frank Orrall, and drummer Jeff Franca. It was a polished
and high-energy set, accentuated by the playful individuality of the band
members: Vyas high-strutted barefoot in a blue jumpsuit, Franca tossed his
drumsticks into the audience, Myers shredded guitar and sitar solos, and Orrall
took a turn on vocals while also doing the splits and swinging a lightbulb above
the crowd.
Thievery Corporation – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn
Five talented vocalists from several
countries rotated through the evening, including Mr. Lif (Jeffrey Haynes), Puma
Ptah, Racquel Jones, Natalia Clavier, and Loulou Ghelichkhani. Each brought a
unique flavor to the music as they sang, rapped, jumped, and danced. All
performers were impeccably dressed, and the colorful lighting set a psychedelic
mood.
Thievery Corporation delivered an
excellent and memorable 20-song set from across their discography, including old
favorites “Amerimacka” and “Lebanese Blonde.” The encore began with an extended
introduction of the band that was set to “Smells Like Teen Spirit” for the
Seattle crowd. Garza expressed gratitude to each performer, followed by a round
of hugs. It was a genuine and heartfelt moment that showcased the love this
long-time group has for one another and for their fans.
Houston eight-piece soul group The Suffers opened the evening with a very danceable set. Lead singer Kam Franklin grooved seductively in a velour jumpsuit as she belted out the group’s original tunes. The crowd loved The Suffers, and the band seemed to have a Seattle following already. Franklin made sure of it by quizzing the audience: “What are we called? [The Suffers!] … And where are we from? [Houston!].”
Thievery Corporation – photos by Lisa Hagen GlynnThe Suffers – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn
