Show Preview: Mayday Parade @ Showbox SoDo, Wed. 7/31

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Show Preview: Mayday Parade @ Showbox SoDo, Wed. 7/31
~Dagmar

Mayday Parade and State Champs are co-headlining a number of shows (plus Sad Summer Fest) this summer. On Wednesday, July 31st, Showbox SoDo gets the Floridian rock band Mayday Parade as headliners.

Mayday Parade

Usually I don’t want to quote too much directly from a band press release, but this is too great. So here’s how singer Derek Sanders discussed the name of Mayday Parade’s sixth album, Sunnyland, which got:

its title from an abandoned hospital where the band members used to sneak in to explore as teenagers. “The hospital shut down sometime in the mid-’80s but then it just stayed there for decades,”. . . “It was a super-creepy place—it was overgrown with vines, and still had some of the hospital beds and IV stands—but we have all these good memories of hanging out there when we were younger.” 

These are the kinds of things I enjoy finding out about bands. Seriously. I’d think about doing an ongoing feature on here asking bands about creepy moments in life. Could Mayday Parade be a band after my own heart?

And I always appreciate a band that pleases fans no more frequently than every two years. It’s enough time to get to know the albums really well, and then familiarize yourself with new work. Big bonus: This one of those rare bands whose albums have all got strong reviews. That’s hard work. Maybe that is the most supernatural thing about Mayday Parade?

This show is all ages. Tickets and more information available right here.

Photos: Megs McLean @ Kla Ha Ya Days

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Megs McLean headlined on the main stage at the Kla Ha Ya Days festival in her hometown of Snohomish, NE of Seattle.  Backed by a four-member band along with backup singers Jenna (sister) and Emily, she sang songs off her Out Of School album and covers, as well as new material.  Megs is 100% occupied with her music and horses.

Megs McLean

Video: Freya Ridings’ “Castles”

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Artist: Freya Ridings
Video: “Castles”
Why You Want to Watch: Freya Ridings has her own Girl Squad!

Ridings, a singer-songwriter from London, England, releases her self-titled debut on July 19th. “Castles,” the second single released from the album, gets Isaac Rentz for its video director. He’s directed videos for the artists 5 Seconds of Summer (6), Katy Perry, Paramore, among others.

Preview: Timber! Outdoor Music Festival, Fri. 7/12 & Sat. 7/13

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Timber! Outdoor Music Festival – Fri. 7/12 & Sat. 7/13
~Dagmar

Wow, so apologies I didn’t get this preview up to let you know about Timber! Outdoor Music Festival earlier. While I didn’t alert you to Thursday’s lineup, I have some ideas for Friday and Saturday.

Kelly Finnigan, a soul singer from Los Angeles has a Main Stage slot on Friday, as do Stephanie Anne Johnson and the Highdogs. Johnson was a finalist on The Voice. You could also celebrate Seattle’s kilcid band‘s album release while catching their set at 2 pm (also on Main Stage). Timber’s Campfire Stage hosts the beautiful combination of Mark Lanegan and the Passenger String Quartet.

On Saturday, garage rockers Thee Oh Sees headline the evening on Main Stage. The Californian quintet are absolutely well known for their live shows. Among other Main Stage acts, there’s also even more variety from Baja Boy (indie), All Star Opera (hip-hop) and Chris Acker and the Growing Boys (country).

And it feels great to say this: ticket options are thoughtfully priced. You can also get camping tickets, which would be worth it. There are many activities going on too, from kayaking to tree climbing to meditation. Big thanks to Artist for arranging Timber!

PS: There will be Midnight Secret Shows. Follow Timber’s Twitter & Facebook for updates.