Ice Cube @ the Washington State Fair – 9/17/21
Photos by Alex Crick
Rapper Ice Cube’s most recent work has been acting in films, but he’s taken some time off from that to return to his roots. This included a stop at the Washington State Fair on September 17th, where he headlined – naturally. And it’s also included new music with the song “Trying to Maintain,” tackling anybody who tries to attack him. Or cancel him.
Ice Cube – all photos by Alex Crick
Movie Preview & Review: A-ha: The Movie @ SIFF’s DocFest (9/30 @ the Egyptian) & Online 10/4-7
~Dagmar
a-ha (from left to right: Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket & Pål Waaktaar-Savoy) photo by Thomas Robsahm
A-ha: The Movie documents the lives of Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy, the three Norwegian musicians who comprise a-ha. Including amazing access to the band with photos, home videos and other previously unshared parts of their lives, the film reveals three hardworking artists who all happen to be perfectionists. Would the film appeal to people not familiar with a-ha as well? Absolutely yes.
The trio’s unprecedented and unequaled success as a Norwegian band came with great benefits – money, wealth, fame, adulation – but it didn’t come without costs. Their friendships suffered under the strain and yet they still gravitate towards one another. With lovely artwork by Svein Kvamme along with the beautiful a-ha music, Furuholmen, Harket and Waaktaar-Savoy each reveals his serious artistry. Furuholmen and Waaktaar-Savoy both paint, while Harket releases solo albums, including 1995’s Wild Seed, which should have been a major international success (that’s not just my opinion; it’s addressed in the film too).
In one way the band was fated to be. Harket was one of the witnesses of the small plane crash that killed Furuholmen’s musician father. Furuholmen felt it was inevitable they’d know each other. In another way, the band was a success based on the sheer will of the guys. They chose to live in poverty in London while trying to break into the music scene and got turned down by Decca Records (who also turned down the Beatles). They were convinced they’d make it. And make it they did, selling 55 million records, and still tour, playing for gigantic audiences.
As a major fan, I need to say thank you to a-ha for what they’ve brought me in my life. And thank you to the directors, Thomas Robsahm and Aslaug Holm for making a sincere a-ha film. They are always more than just the “cartoon band” they worried they’d become after the video for “Take On Me.”
*A-ha: The Movie, premieres SIFF’s DocFest on September 30th, 2021, and virtually from October 4th-7th, 2021. For more information and tickets for the showings, please follow this link.*
Jason Aldean w/ HARDY & Lainey Wilson @ White River Ampitheater, 9/17/21
Photos by John Rudolph
Country artist Jason Aldean headlined White River Ampitheater on September 17th. The show, part of the Back in the Saddle Tour, brought along HARDY and Lainey Wilson as openers. Aldean has also collaborated with Florida Georgia Line to develop Wolf Moon Bourbon Whiskey (hell yeah), and just dueted with Carrie Underwood on “If I Didn’t Love You.”
Jason Aldean – photos by John Rudolph
HARDY – photos by John Rudolph
Lainey Wilson – photos by John Rudolph
Michael Franti & Spearhead w/ Of Good Nature @ Marymoor Park – 9/10/21
Photos by Casey Brevig
On September 10th, Michael Franti & Spearhead appeared at Marymoor Park. Led by the multi-talented Franti, Spearhead released their latest album, Work Hard and Be Nice (good advice!) just last year. Work Hard and Be Nice is album number 11 from the reggae-hip hop jazz-pop and more hybrid band. Charlotte, North Carolina’s Of Good Nature opened. They have several more dates with Michael Franti & Spearhead, until touring with Passafire and Joe Sambo in the fall.
Michael Franti & Spearhead – photos by Casey Brevig
Of Good Nature – photos by Casey Brevig
Michael Franti & Spearhead Audience – photos by Casey Brevig
Samia is on the road with Sylvan Esso and recently opened at Marymoor Park, east of Seattle. The pop-rock singer performed numerous songs from her debut album The Baby and recent Scout EP, while the crowd enthusiastically sang along.
